DIY Dishwasher Detergent

[ThreeOfSeven]

Anyone have a recipe for DIY dishwasher detergent?

Thanks!

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

I was hoping to get some input for tried-and-true recipes. Nonetheless, I went online and found a couple recipes to try. I wanted a powdered mix, so these are a couple I found that seem pretty simple.

Recipe #1:
3 drops dish washing liquid
Fill cup 2/3's full with baking soda
Top off with kosher salt

I'm going to try this recipe, but mix together 2 parts baking soda with 1 part salt in advance, so that is pre-mixed.

Recipe #2:
1 cup washing soda
1 cup kosher salt
1 cup baking soda
3 Tablespoons citric acid

I have everything except citric acid in powdered form. I'm going to order that from Amazon and then give this recipe a try too.

If I'm not happy with either of these recipes, I'll go back online and take a look at some of the other recipes.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

I was hoping to get some input for tried-and-true recipes. Nonetheless, I went online and found a couple recipes to try. I wanted a powdered mix, so these are a couple I found that seem pretty simple.

Recipe #1:
3 drops dish washing liquid
Fill cup 2/3's full with baking soda
Top off with kosher salt

I'm going to try this recipe, but mix together 2 parts baking soda with 1 part salt in advance, so that is pre-mixed.

Recipe #2:
1 cup washing soda
1 cup kosher salt
1 cup baking soda
3 Tablespoons citric acid

I have everything except citric acid in powdered form. I'm going to order that from Amazon and then give this recipe a try too.

If I'm not happy with either of these recipes, I'll go back online and take a look at some of the other recipes.

Let me know if you find a recipe you like, I have yet to and would like to stop buying dishwasher detergent!

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

I tried these mixes, and I have to admit that I just don't like the results. The biggest problem is that baking soda and washing soda do not dissolve easily. Because of this, they leave a dusty residue on the dishes. I use washing soda (and soda ash, which is similar) in my fabric arts, so I know that you need hot water to make it dissolve. I tried all my settings -- heated water, heavy duty setting, sterilizing setting -- to get rid of this residue, and nothing helped. BUT this is using the mixes as a powder. I remember seeing recipes where you create a liquid mix. I haven't gone any further, like check out those recipes.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

I tried these mixes, and I have to admit that I just don't like the results. The biggest problem is that baking soda and washing soda do not dissolve easily. Because of this, they leave a dusty residue on the dishes. I use washing soda (and soda ash, which is similar) in my fabric arts, so I know that you need hot water to make it dissolve. I tried all my settings -- heated water, heavy duty setting, sterilizing setting -- to get rid of this residue, and nothing helped. BUT this is using the mixes as a powder. I remember seeing recipes where you create a liquid mix. I haven't gone any further, like check out those recipes.

That makes sense, I know my dishwasher gets hot, but I don’t know exactly how hot lol. I’ll have to try that and a liquid version

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Maybe the other problem is that the newer dish washing machines use less water.

On a brighter side, I have a great recipe for an all-purpose spray cleaner. I've been using it for 20+ years. Works great on everything -- windows, surfaces, etc.

1 gallon container, like a milk jug
1 pint isopropyl alcohol (2 cups)
1/2 cup ammonia
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
Put everything into the empty gallon container and add water until full. Use it in a spray bottle.

Give it a try. It's great!

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

Sounds interesting! This is a neat thread.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

Maybe the other problem is that the newer dish washing machines use less water.

On a brighter side, I have a great recipe for an all-purpose spray cleaner. I've been using it for 20+ years. Works great on everything -- windows, surfaces, etc.

1 gallon container, like a milk jug
1 pint isopropyl alcohol (2 cups)
1/2 cup ammonia
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
Put everything into the empty gallon container and add water until full. Use it in a spray bottle.

Give it a try. It's great!

Awesome! I will have to try this. I did find something for dish detergent I am going to try this week
-2 cups washing soda
-2 cups baking soda
-15-30 drops essential oil of choosing (I am going to do sweet orange)
Mix it all and use a Tablespoon for one load. Keep in airtight container.

I’ll let you know how it goes

 

[HippieAtHeart]

I also came across this which I will give a try. I actually bought sal suds last time I happened to be at a natural foods co-op I go to and haven’t used it yet, so I am excited to!

I started finding diy options for household products not just because they are cheaper or better for the environment, but because I do not like the toxins in all the things we buy. I came across the Environmental Working Group (EWG) which is an American activist group that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability. They have a cleaners guide that rates cleaning supplies (they also have one for personal care products). I have attached a photo as well of what it looks like on their site to see the warnings. All you have to do is search your product. This helped me come up with a good laundry detergent, which I’ll share tomorrow, and it helps me decide what ingredients I want to use as wel in my diy adventure.
Here’s a link to anyone interested -
https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Definitely let me know if you like the DIY dishwashing powder mix. I love the idea of making my own laundry detergent too. I ordered some Fels Naptha. It's taking a long time to get. I live on an island. We have septic system and our water is on a well. We have a sole-source aquifer (rain), pretty shallow too. Just wanting to do my part. <grin>