Can You Really Clean Your Dishwasher with Kool-Aid? Here’s What Happened When We Tried

From funky to fresh using only Kool-Aid? OH YEAH!

Forget the pricey chemicals! Have you heard about the dishwasher-cleaning hack that involves using only a 24¢ packet of Kool-Aid?

We have hard water that leaves a white film on the inside of our dishwasher, and we’re starting to notice it on our glassware, too. I was also eager to see if this cleaning trick would help with the funky odor that greeted us when we first opened our dishwasher after being away for a week. 🤢

Here’s how the Kool-Aid dishwasher hack works:

1. Use only the unsweetened lemonade flavor. It has the right citric acid content to loosen limescale and other mineral deposits. It’s also not a color that will stain the inside of your dishwasher, and it won’t leave behind any sticky residue from sugar. You don’t have to use Kool-Aid brand, though; Aldi sells its own 6-count version for $1.19 (only 20¢ per packet)! If you’re using a scoop from a large canister of unsweetened lemonade mix, a tablespoon is the recommended amount.
   

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2. Remove any dishes from the dishwasher. This cleaning method works best with an empty machine.
   

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3. Use the entire packet of Kool-Aid. Simply empty it into the same reservoir where you would normally add dishwashing detergent.
   

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4. Run your dishwasher through a normal cycle. The Kool-Aid will do its thing while the dishwasher runs. Use the other packet to make yourself a drink while you wait! 🍋
   

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5. Wipe away any remaining residue. I was shocked at how easy it was to wipe away the white residue and the gross gunk that had been gathering around the seal of my dishwasher. I didn’t need to do any scrubbing or use abrasive cleaning pads. One swipe with one of these gentle microfiber cleaning cloths, and I was done!

Tada!

The inside of my dishwasher looks like new, and the swampy smell is gone. I don’t really smell anything lemony, either… it’s just a really fresh and pleasant fragrance.

This cleaning method completely removed the white residue and gunk from the inside of my dishwasher, and my glassware is definitely coming out cleaner, too.

I loved being pleasantly surprised by this super easy and affordable cleaning hack that sounded too good to be true. I will definitely repeat this process every month or so to keep my dishwasher looking shiny, smelling fresh, and getting my dishes clean.