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I run my dishwasher every day!! I had decided to experiment with some different dishwasher detergents and see what would work in my dishwasher and be the most cost effective. I definitely wanted clean dishes with no residue. I was using some store brands, name brands, and "earth" friendly brands. I have settled in with the homemade for over 9 months now and am happy with the results. The recipe is very simple:
- 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
- 1 cup Washing Soda
- 1/4 cup citric acid
Mix the powders together and add to dishwasher soap "well". I use approximately 2 T. in my main "well". The amount will vary according to your dishwasher brand and capacity.
You can buy the Borax and Washing Soda at Walmart. I order the citric acid in a bulk amount through Mountain Rose Herbs or you can order it from Amazon. You can also add in a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to add additional properties to your powder. I like to add in the citrus oils like grapefruit, orange, or lemon oil. Mountain Rose Herbs also carry essential oils.
For the rinse aid compartment in my dishwasher, I fill that up with either vinegar or Biokleen Glass Cleaner Concentrate.
I have not had any problems with spots, residue or non-clean dishes with these combinations. We do have soft water in our house, so if you have hard water, you may find other results or have to adjust the amounts that you are using.
Let me know if you have questions on this or if you have other suggestions for articles that you would like to have us investigate or write about.
Until next time, Julie
Julie is Merissa's mom and she's committed to living a frugal and simple lifestyle. Julie grows her own herbs in her garden and enjoys making things at home. You can now find her home remedies and ideas here at Little House Living.
Disclaimer: This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmmm…. I have never found a recipe that truly works for me. I would love it if this one does!
Hmmmm…. I have never found a recipe that truly works for me. I would love it if this one does!
I tried the vinegar as a rinse aid & thank you so very much!..no more spots & now no more smell!
I tried the vinegar as a rinse aid & thank you so very much!..no more spots & now no more smell!
Did I forget to mention that Rinse Aid is sooo expensive & they rarely had coupons for it!?
Did I forget to mention that Rinse Aid is sooo expensive & they rarely had coupons for it!?
I use generic lemon Kool Aid for my citric acid. I like the smell, and for me, it is the cheapest available citric acid source. If you choose to try this, please note that it can be any brand of kool-aid type drink but it MUST be lemon. I will have to try this recipe. I think it will work out to being cheaper than mine (50%-50% generic oxyclean and lemon Kool-Aid).
I use generic lemon Kool Aid for my citric acid. I like the smell, and for me, it is the cheapest available citric acid source. If you choose to try this, please note that it can be any brand of kool-aid type drink but it MUST be lemon. I will have to try this recipe. I think it will work out to being cheaper than mine (50%-50% generic oxyclean and lemon Kool-Aid).
I was wondering if Sara,Mel & Leta had positive results after trying dishwasher detergent & if they hv hard r soft water?
I was wondering if Sara,Mel & Leta had positive results after trying dishwasher detergent & if they hv hard r soft water?
I am getting ready to make this. I found the citric acid at Hardware Hank here in Rapid for about $2.50 for 3 oz. Another site I viewed the recipe on called for epsom salt added to the mixture, so I plan to add that as well. Can’t hurt, and it will make it go farther.
I am getting ready to make this. I found the citric acid at Hardware Hank here in Rapid for about $2.50 for 3 oz. Another site I viewed the recipe on called for epsom salt added to the mixture, so I plan to add that as well. Can’t hurt, and it will make it go farther.
Close to the same ingredients that I use for my homemade laundry soap. I don’t have a dishwasher…..just me.
I found a recipe similar to this one on DIY Naturally and (naturally) didn’t have all of the ingredients so I tried a variation using 1) Washing Soda 2) Borax and 3) Table salt. We have been so thrilled with it! I’d stopped using my dishwasher a year ago because the phosphate free detergents were leaving a nasty film on my dishes. I can honestly say that I am impressed with my accidental recipe.
You can see my variation here -
http://poppyjuice-poppy.blogspot.com/2012/02/truly-amazing-homemade-dishwasher.html
I’d love to know if this works for anyone else as well as it does for me!
Thanks for your amazing website! I’m sharing on my facebook as it is full of very helpful information!