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Remembering to clean your dishwasher once a month is a pain, but it can save you a ton of money in the long run. Cleaning your dishwasher is super important because food and gunk pile up in hard-to-reach areas, obstructing (and dirtying) your dishwasher’s water flow.
When the abrasive ingredients in dishwasher cleaner like alcohol, ammonia, and borax are exposed to heat and moisture, they break down all the grease and bacteria that’s built up. Instead of overspending on water, detergent, and repairs to get your dishes properly cleaned, use this guide to cut costs on dishwasher cleaner and consider your life changed.
Before you get addicted, calculate the ongoing cost of cleaning a dishwasher.
The easiest way to compare dishwasher cleaner prices is to calculate cost per cycle: take the total cost of the item and divide it by the number of times you can use it. For example, if you pay $10 for a six-pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets, your price per use is $10/6 ($1.66 per use).
Since quality doesn’t fit into this equation, we’ll cover six top-rated dishwasher cleaners to make your decision easier.
Some brands release coupons from time to time. Check to see whether there are coupons available now.
Just because you find a coupon doesn’t mean you’ve necessarily found a deal. Cost per use is queen, so channel your math skills and always compare.
The goal is to pay $2 or less per use.
Two of the biggest names in dishwasher cleaners, Lemi Shine and Affresh, fall toward the top of this goal price range. But you can cut costs even more with digital rebates and exclusive email offers. Other top-rated dishwasher cleaners like Eco-Gals and Cascade are cheaper than $2 per use at regular prices. Finish and Glisten are the last two dishwasher cleaners we’ll cover on this list. For these brands, using coupons is the best way to pay less than that $2 goal price.
The key to saving on dishwasher cleaners is to combine as many savings elements as possible. Once you find a low price per use, look for coupons, sale prices, rebates, BOGO offers, and more. That’s how you’ll get these dishwasher cleaners at all-time low prices.
Here is the average cost of dishwasher cleaner, by brand:
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner costs $3.74 per use
Finish dishwasher cleaner is a popular option known for its grease and grime-fighting power. It comes in a single-use 8.45 oz. bottle, which makes it super easy to calculate and compare prices across stores.
The average cost of Finish dishwasher cleaner is around $3.74 per bottle at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Finish dishwasher cleaner?
The best place to buy Finish Dishwasher Cleaner is Walmart. You’ll get to stack coupons and submit Ibotta rebates for the lowest possible price ($1.94 per use). Amazon has the best regular price on Finish dishwasher cleaner ($3.74 per use). But even with the Subscribe & Save discount, you can’t beat the deal you’ll get with coupons and cash back at Walmart.
- Buy it at Walmart: Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, 1-Count Bottle: $3.94 reg. price
- Buy it on Amazon: Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, 1-Count Bottle: $3.74 reg. price
Where can I find coupons for Finish dishwasher cleaner?
You can easily print coupons from FinishDishwashing.com, or check the Smart Source insert of your Sunday newspaper. KCL also has a regular stash of Finish coupons. Download The Krazy Coupon Lady app and set a deal alert for Finish. We’ll let you know when the best deals drop (so you never miss a chance to save)!
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner costs $1.42 per use
Affresh is THE bestselling dishwasher cleaner on Amazon with over 85,000 five-star reviews. If your dishwasher is extra smelly or grimy, this is the dishwasher cleaner for you.
The average cost of Affresh dishwasher cleaner is around $8.99 ($1.50 per use) at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Affresh dishwasher cleaner?
Kroger has the best regular price for a 6-count pack online ($1 per use), but it’s only a great deal if you can get free shipping. Your next best option is Amazon for its occasional Affresh sales and coupon offers. If you can score a dollar-off Affresh coupon during a sale, you’ll get an all-time low price ($0.89 per use) on Amazon.
- Buy it on Kroger.com: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets, 6-Count: $5.99 reg. price ($1 per use)
- Buy it on Amazon: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets, 6-Count: $8.54 reg. price ($1.42 per use)
Where can I find coupons for Affresh dishwasher cleaner?
Affresh coupons aren’t always guaranteed, but they’ll pop up in a few different places. Sign up for Affresh emails to get $1.50 off your purchase of $9.99 or more. You can also find Affresh coupons on Amazon or in the Smart Source insert of your Sunday newspaper. Don’t forget to check the Ibotta app for $1 rebates — you can redeem them up to five times per receipt at Target, Walmart, or Hannaford.
Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner costs $4.94 per use
Cascade is probably the most recognizable brand on this list. Their dishwasher cleaner is great for breaking through stuck-on substances, but users love it most for its refreshing scent post-cycle. The best part is this: Cascade is a Procter & Gamble brand, which means coupons are everywhere and you’ll almost never pay full price.
The average cost of Cascade dishwasher cleaner is around $4.99 ($1.66 per use) at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Cascade dishwasher cleaner?
Walmart tends to have the lowest regular price on Cascade dishwasher cleaner ($1.65 per use), but Target is a close second ($1.66 per use). You’ll be able to use coupons at both stores, but if you’re a Target Red Card member, you’ll save an extra 5% on your purchase. You may even find a Target Circle offer that beats your average P&G coupon.
- Buy it at Walmart: Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner, 3-Count $4.94 reg. price
- Buy it at Target: Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner, 3-Count $4.99 reg. price
Where can I find coupons for Cascade dishwasher cleaner?
KCL always has the latest cascade coupons, and if you set up a deal alert in the app, we’ll tell you when to stock up. You can also find Cascade coupons and P&G rebates on PGGoodEveryday.com or in the Procter & Gamble insert of your Sunday newspaper.
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner costs $3.99 per use
Glisten dishwasher cleaner is Safer-Choice certified, which means the EPA approves it as safe for you and the environment. Its natural ingredients are powerful enough to scrub away limescale, grease, and other residues in just one use. However, if your dishwasher is plastic on the inside, Glisten may not be the best dishwasher cleaner for you (according to users).
The average cost of Glisten dishwasher cleaner is around $3.99 per bottle at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Glisten dishwasher cleaner?
If you live near a Publix Super Market, you’re in luck. Their weekly ad has BOGO free offers on Glisten products that you can stack with other coupons for a super low price ($1.62 per use). Otherwise, Walmart will give you the second-best price (as low as $2.23 per use) when you use coupons and submit Ibotta rebates.
- Buy it at Walmart: Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner, 1-Count Bottle: $3.98 reg. price
- Buy it at Publix: Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner, 1-Count Bottle: $3.99 reg. price
Where can I find coupons for Glisten dishwasher cleaner?
The BOGO free offers at Publix are a no-brainer, but Publix isn’t a nationwide chain. Be sure to check the Ibotta app for Glisten rebates on Walmart purchases. You can stack Ibotta rebates with Glisten coupons from The Krazy Coupon Lady app or SummitBrands.com.
Lemi Shine Dishwasher Cleaner costs $1.99 per use
Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner is an award-winning favorite and another Safer-Choice product certified by the EPA. It’s phosphate-free and breaks through buildup to restore your dishwasher’s performance.
The average cost of Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner is around $7.99 ($2 per use) at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner?
Target is hands down the best place to buy Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner. Between stackable offers, sale prices, and Red Card discounts, you can buy Lemi Shine for as low as $0.85 per use. Walmart is the second-best place to buy Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner. If there’s an Ibotta app rebate for Lemi Shine products, you’ll pay around $1.49 per use at Walmart.
- Buy it at Target: Lemi Shine Dishwasher Cleaner, 4-Count $7.99 reg. price ($2 per use)
- Buy it at Walmart: Lemi Shine Dishwasher Cleaner, 4-Count $7.97 reg. price ($1.99 per use)
Where can I find coupons for Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner?
Target will run multiple Circle Offers on Lemi Shine products at the same time. When you see that double offer, drop what you’re doing and go stock up! That’s how you’ll hit that low price of $0.85 per use. You can also join Lemi Shine’s Citrus Squad to get deals and discounts sent right to your email.
Eco-Gals Dishwasher Cleaner costs $0.83 per use
Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner is a great eco-friendly option, from its natural ingredients to its earth-conscious packaging. It’s not a household name (yet), but you can’t ignore the power AND price of these all-natural dishwasher tablets.
You won’t find Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner in-store at major retailers, but you can buy it on Amazon or directly from Eco-Gals.com for about $9.99 ($0.83 per use) at regular prices.
Who has the best price on Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner?
Amazon gets you the best price on Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner with its Subscribe & Save discount. You can save 5% and pay just $0.79 per use, or you can save 10% (and pay $0.75 per use) when you add five or more items to your auto-delivery. Here are some Subscribe & Save deals for what else to include in your Subscribe & Save order, and remember — you can easily cancel Subscribe & Save whenever you want.
- Buy it on Amazon: Eco-Gals Eco Scrubz Dishwasher Cleaner, 12-Count $9.99 ($0.83 per use) or $8.99 ($0.75 per use) with Subscribe & Save
- Buy it on Eco-Gals.com: Eco-Gals Eco Scrubz Dishwasher Cleaner, 12-Count $9.99 ($0.83 per use)
Where can I find coupons for Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner?
You’ll have a hard time finding coupons and deals for Eco-Gals dishwasher cleaner, but since it’s already so cheap, adding on savings isn’t totally necessary.
Overall, the best dishwasher cleaner deals are Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
Target, Walmart, and Amazon tend to have the lowest regular prices on the six dishwasher cleaners mentioned above. These stores also give you the highest savings potential with sale prices, coupons, cash back, and other offers.
When you shop for dishwasher cleaner, keep these three stores in mind to narrow your search for savings.
Cleaning a dishwasher with vinegar is another cheap, DIY option.
If you’re more comfortable using a homemade dishwasher cleaner, vinegar is the way to go. It has natural cleaning and degreasing ingredients that mimic the power of citric acid.
- Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl
- Place the bowl in the middle of the top rack
- Run your dishwasher empty with HOT water
The vinegar will help break down any leftover residue, grease, or grime in your dishwasher.
For more DIY cleaning ideas, check out these unexpected dishwasher cleaning hacks.
