I had a message from my awesome cousin (Becca!) this morning asking for the recipe of my Homemade Dishwasher Detergent. I decided since I will be emailing her the details, I might as well make it a blog post!
I have loved using my homemade detergent. I have done it for about a month and I am still having great luck. I do find I have to rinse my dishes a bit more (I used to just scrape 'em and stick 'em in, which really was not great for my dishwasher) but I am really happy with how it is working. There has been no weird residue on my dishes (this used to make me wonder what is actually doing down the hatch with my glass of ice water, especially when it would change the taste of my ice water!)
Homemade Dishwashing Detergent
1 Cup Washing Soda (*make sure it is WASHING soda, not baking soda)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Salt (Optional-it depends on how hard or soft your water is. I do not need to use the salt)
Essential Oils to scent (optional-you can get these at a health food store. Lemon, lavender, and tea tree are a few examples)
Dump all into a container and mix!
I use a jar and just fill it half with washing soda and half with borax.
I have a bottle of scented room spray I bought at my health food store that caught my eye because I love the smell of citrus, and the only ingredients in it is pure, natural grapefruit oils and essence. I just spray a bit of that into the jar before mixing. It smells so fresh and clean every time I open the lid. I love it!
I had to experiment with the amount of detergent per load. I found for my water type, that 4 Teaspoons is perfect, 2 in each compartment. (I use the little cup that comes with Children's Tylenol:) and fill it to the top, which measures 4 tsp.)
Here is the most important tip. Fill your rinse aid dispenser with vinegar! It is much cheaper than regular rinse aid and works great. My dishes come out a with a slight film if I forget this step.
Some of the big name brands of dishwashing detergents come with drying agents. You will not have these with your homemade detergent. Personally, I just want clean dishes. I do not mind having to grab a dish towel to dry them a bit. Spending less and knowing what is in it makes it worth it to me!
*you can find washing soda and borax in most grocery stores. The borax is usually in the laundry detergent aisle, and the washing soda is usually in the cleaners aisle.
Here is the original recipe.
Amy, I love, love, love your blogging! Your "Simplify" approach and Healthier food choices are both things that I have been tossing around in my head for a while, now. You have given me the nudge I needed and some ideas to get started on a more "Simple" lifestyle for my family and me. God Bless and keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you are enjoying the posts. Your encouragement really means a lot, especially since I am new at this blogging thing. I have learned so much from others, its fun to share what I have learned and what is working for me.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you back!
you can use ur dishwashing soap mix for your clothes just grate ur soap or felsnapthia into the mix.it is what i use to wash our clothes and all you use is 1tbls-2tbls works great i don't even use fabric softner. my boys have excema and my oldest son has asthma no worries when i use it.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing the same thing! I use castile soap. Can you believe how great it works?? I took some pics of the process, post coming soon. (we are in the same boat with the asthma and excema, although since embracing a more natural life style both have disappeared, gotta love it!)
ReplyDeleteHi amy, do you add the vinegar to the rinse thing each time? I love making my own soap and have doing it for a few weeks now, but the glasses always come out a little bit filmy. I did add the vinegar, but I am not sure if I am supposed to do it every time. Thanks. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteAre you nervous about using Borax on things that you put food? I always noticed a weird white film on my kids' dishes..
ReplyDeleteI'm not clear about adding the salt to your recipe. Should you add it if you have hard water or soft water? I have hard water.
ReplyDeletethis is awsome...I have been using borax and washing soda to make my laundry detergent, but didn't know I could make my own dishwashing detergent!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled on this post. Thanks for your recipe. I had to mail order washing soda. I don't think WA state allows it to be sold any more. It's VERY hard to come by here. I used another recipe that did not use the borax or salt and my dishes came out horribly. I will add those ingredients. I am (was) having such a horrible time with my dishwasher not washing my dishes. I finally discovered adding TSP (soap) back to my liquid soap. I get TSP at the hardware store. It just takes a pinch for each load. Now my dishes are great. While I'm not that concerned with homemade dishwasher soap, I am very interesting in a better laundry soap, because of the skin contact.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I already have those items on hand since I make my own laundry detergent. :)
ReplyDeleteI am eager to use these homemade products but I am not having as much luck as everyone else. My dishwasher is stainless steel inside and I have added the vinegar to the rinse but I have lots of film on dishes and am not sure what I am doing wrong. I also just add 4 tsp of the detergent. Its been a little frustrating...any suggestions:( I really want it to work. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis post at Our Homemade Happiness might help. She gives hints for hard and soft water.
Deletehttp://www.ourhomemadehappiness.com/2012/05/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-for-hard.html
i made this and used it, however, some things didn 't come clean, not sure why this is, but for the most part i will be using it. But i must admit, i'm one that scrub my dishes before i put them in. i will probably stick with it, and just touch up whatever few dishes might not have come clean.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this!!!! This morning I noticed I was out of my Finish, so I looked this up and happened to have the ingredients. My dishes are sparkling, I don't have to go to the store, and I love that I have plenty for a while now. Am saving a little $ also. Thanks again for sharing. :).
ReplyDeleteI have used this for a couple of weeks and my dishes always come out foggy with a film of soap..I even put them through a sani rinse cycle..and ideas?
ReplyDelete