You and I both know how frustrating it is when dishes come out cloudy or with bits of food still clinging on. I’ve been there too many times with overpriced brands that promise the world but deliver mediocre results.
That’s why I switched to Kirkland Ultra Shine dishwasher detergent pacs from Costco. They clean thoroughly, leave everything sparkling without spots, and save you serious money.
If you’re tired of wasting cash on detergents that underperform, grab a tub of these next time you’re at Costco—you won’t regret it.
My Experience With Kirkland Ultra Shine
Let me take you back to when I first brought home that big tub of Kirkland Ultra Shine pacs.
I was skeptical, honestly. I’d been loyal to big-name brands for years, thinking the higher price meant better performance.
But after hearing friends rave about Costco’s house brand, I decided to give it a shot.
The tub has 115 pacs, which felt like it would last forever compared to the smaller packs I was used to buying.
The first load I ran was a real test. We’d had a family dinner with lasagna— you know, the kind with baked-on cheese that usually requires scrubbing before loading. I tossed in one pac, didn’t pre-rinse much, and hit start.
When the cycle finished, I opened the door expecting the usual disappointment. Instead, every plate was spotless. The glassware sparkled under the light, no film or streaks anywhere. Even the silverware shone like new.
Over the next few months, I put these pacs through everything my busy household could throw at them. Greasy pans from stir-fries, coffee-stained mugs that had sat overnight, kids’ plastic cups with milk residue—nothing phased them.
I noticed the lemon citrus scent was fresh without being overpowering, unlike some detergents that leave a chemical smell lingering. My dishes smelled clean, not artificial.
One thing that surprised me was how well they handled hard water issues. We have moderately hard water here, and previous detergents often left white spots on glasses. With Kirkland Ultra Shine, that problem mostly disappeared, even without always using rinse aid.
I started experimenting, sometimes skipping the rinse aid to see what would happen, and the results were still impressive.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect every single time. There were a couple of loads where a pac didn’t fully dissolve in shorter cycles, leaving a bit of gel in the dispenser. But switching to normal or heavy cycles fixed that easily.
Overall, these pacs became my go-to because they consistently delivered clean, shiny dishes without breaking the bank. I’ve gone through several tubs now, and I can confidently say they’ve changed how I feel about dishwasher detergents.
You might find the same once you try them.
The Standout Pros of Kirkland Ultra Shine
- Exceptional Cleaning Power on Tough Messes
You know those nights when you throw in a pan crusted with baked-on lasagna or greasy bacon bits without much pre-rinsing? That’s where Kirkland Ultra Shine really flexes.
In my kitchen, it consistently powers through dried eggs, stuck-on cheese, and even tomato sauce stains that used to laugh at cheaper detergents. I’ve loaded up pots straight from the stove, and they emerge without a trace of residue.
Many users echo this—folks on forums and review sites rave about how the enzymes and bleach alternatives tackle heavy soils effectively.
It’s not always perfect on the absolute toughest peanut butter or melted cheese tests I’ve seen in comparisons, but for everyday real-life messes in a busy home, it gets the job done reliably. You end up saving time because you rarely have to rewash anything by hand.
- Sparkling Shine and Spot Prevention
The “Ultra Shine” in the name delivers for me most of the time. Glasses come out clear and gleaming, silverware polishes up nicely, and stainless steel looks showroom fresh. In my moderately hard water setup, spots are minimal, especially when I remember rinse aid.
I’ve noticed it resists that annoying white film buildup better than some generics I’ve tried. Reviews often highlight this—people love unloading sparkling dishes without cloudy haze. Independent tests back it up too, with strong marks for film resistance.
If you hate that dull look on your wine glasses or coffee mugs, you’ll appreciate how this detergent brings back the clarity. It’s satisfying to see everything reflect light right out of the dishwasher.
- Unbeatable Value That Adds Up Quickly
Let’s talk money because this is where Kirkland crushes the competition. A tub of 115 pacs costs what you’d pay for half that many name-brand ones. You’re looking at roughly half the price per load, sometimes less.
I’ve crunched the numbers: over a year, switching to these saved me enough for a nice dinner out—or more Costco trips. Users constantly point this out as the biggest win. You get premium-level performance without the premium markup.
It’s a no-brainer if you’re budget-conscious but still want clean dishes. That large quantity lasts months in my household, reducing how often I need to restock.
- Fresh Citrus Scent Without Overpowering
I enjoy opening the dishwasher to that light lemon citrus smell—it’s clean and invigorating, not chemical or fake. It lingers just enough to make dishes smell fresh but fades quickly when you use them.
Plenty of reviewers agree; they find it pleasant and refreshing compared to unscented options that can leave a stale odor. For me, it’s a nice touch that elevates the whole experience. You won’t get hit with heavy perfume, just a subtle boost that signals everything’s truly clean.
- Convenient All-in-One Pac Design
These pacs are so easy—just toss one in and go. No measuring powder, no spilling gel. The dissolvable wrapper means less mess, and they pack cleaning agents, enzymes, and shine boosters in one.
In my routine, this simplicity is huge on busy days. Many long-time users say it’s why they stick with them; the convenience matches pricier brands without fuss.
- Solid Performance Across Water Types
Even with varying water hardness, these hold up well for most people. I’ve used them in different homes, and while rinse aid helps in harder areas, they often deliver spot-free results solo. Reviews from hard water regions praise this resilience. You get consistent cleaning without constant adjustments.
All these pros combined make Kirkland Ultra Shine a staple in my kitchen. It performs like something twice the price, saving you effort and cash load after load.
The Real Cons I’ve Encountered
- Occasional Dissolving Issues: In shorter or eco cycles, I’ve seen pacs not fully break down, leaving gel residue. It’s annoying when you open the door to find bits stuck in the dispenser.
- Potential Film in Very Hard Water: If your water is extremely hard, you might notice a slight haze on glasses without extra help like rinse aid. It’s not terrible, but noticeable compared to pricier options.
- Packaging Can Be Bulky: The large tub takes up storage space. If you have a small kitchen, that might bother you more than the performance.
- Scent Might Not Appeal to Everyone: While I like the citrus, if you prefer unscented, this isn’t it. Some sensitive noses find it too strong.
Tips To Get the Most Out of Your Detergent
- Keep Your Dishwasher Clean Regularly: I run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner every month or two. It prevents buildup that can make any detergent perform poorly. You wouldn’t believe how much gunk accumulates over time.
- Load Strategically for Better Results: Place heavily soiled items facing the spray arms. Don’t overcrowd—give water room to circulate. I’ve learned this makes a huge difference in how clean everything gets.
- Use the Right Cycle for the Load: Save quick washes for lightly soiled dishes. For pots and pans, always go heavy or pots/pans setting. It ensures the pac fully dissolves and activates properly.
- Add Rinse Aid Consistently: Even though Kirkland Ultra Shine works well alone, rinse aid takes shine to another level. Fill the dispenser when it gets low, and watch spots vanish.
- Check Water Temperature: Your hot water should hit at least 120°F. I tested mine once and adjusted the heater slightly—made cleaning power noticeably better.
- Store Pacs Properly: Keep the tub sealed in a cool, dry spot. Moisture can make them clump or dissolve prematurely. I’ve avoided issues by storing under the sink away from heat.
- Descale Periodically in Hard Water Areas: If you notice reduced performance, run a cycle with citric acid or vinegar. It removes mineral buildup that affects detergent efficiency.
- Inspect the Dispenser: Wipe out the pac compartment if residue builds. A quick clean keeps everything dispensing smoothly.
Following these habits has extended the life of my dishwasher and kept Kirkland Ultra Shine performing at its peak. You can easily incorporate them into your routine.
Also Read: Comparison of Cascade Platinum Plus And Finish Quantum.
Comparing Kirkland Ultra Shine To Other Brands
- How It Stacks Up Against Cascade Platinum
Cascade Platinum is the gold standard many people swear by, and I used it for years.
It’s excellent at preventing redeposit and gives unbeatable shine in tough conditions.
However, I’ve found Kirkland Ultra Shine matches it closely on cleaning power, especially for baked-on foods.
The main difference comes down to price—Kirkland gives you more pacs for less money.
In my direct side-by-side tests, Cascade edged out slightly on glass clarity in very hard water, but Kirkland won on value and overall stain removal for everyday loads.
If budget matters to you, Kirkland feels like the smarter choice without much sacrifice.
- Performance Versus Finish Quantum
Finish Quantum used to be my backup option, but I stopped buying it after trying Kirkland.
Finish has strong grease-cutting enzymes, but I’ve noticed it sometimes leaves a stronger scent and occasional spots on silverware.
Kirkland Ultra Shine feels gentler yet just as effective, with better shine on glasses in my experience.
Tests I’ve read about show Kirkland outperforming Finish in some residue resistance categories.
You get that fresh lemon scent instead of Finish’s more intense fragrance, which I prefer for daily use.
- Taking on Seventh Generation or Eco Options
If you’re leaning toward natural detergents like Seventh Generation, Kirkland isn’t in the same category—it’s more traditional with enzymes and surfactants. Those eco brands clean decently but often struggle with heavy soils, leaving you to pre-scrub more.
Kirkland handles tough messes effortlessly while still being phosphate-free. I appreciate the plant-based push in greener options, but for reliable results without extra work, Kirkland wins every time in my kitchen.
- Versus Store Brands Like Amazon Basics
Cheaper generics like Amazon Basics save money but usually cut corners on enzymes. They leave film or require rinse aid religiously. Kirkland Ultra Shine feels premium by comparison, with better dissolving and shine.
You pay a bit more than the absolute cheapest, but the performance jump makes it worthwhile.
- Matching Up to Powder Alternatives
Some people prefer powders for control, and Cascade Complete powder is solid. Powders can be messier and harder to dose accurately. Kirkland’s pacs offer convenience without the dust.
In cleaning tests, the pacs hold their own against powders, especially for shine and spot prevention.
Also Read: Comparison of Cascade Platinum And Cascade Complete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It’s subjective and depends on your water and needs, but Cascade Platinum consistently tops expert tests and plumber recommendations for overall performance.
Yes, it’s specifically formulated for automatic dishwashers and works best in standard cycles.
No—Tide focuses on laundry products, while Kirkland Ultra Shine is a separate dishwasher formula.
Many plumbers point to Cascade Platinum pods for preventing buildup and ensuring long-term dishwasher health.
Final Thoughts On Kirkland Ultra Shine
After using Kirkland Ultra Shine for over a year now, I can’t imagine going back to expensive brands. It delivers sparkling clean dishes load after load, saves money, and simplifies my routine. If you want reliable performance without overpaying, make this your next purchase.
You’ll thank yourself every time you unload spot-free glasses and plates.