Homemade Dishwasher Detergent…Sort Of
Peggy has a great post today on how dishwashers actually use less water than hand washing if you scrape rather than rinse. Dishwasher detergent is MUCH more expensive than dish soap, though, and especially so if you want to use the earth-friendly stuff.
Well here is a way to almost make your own dishwasher soap, get sparkling clean dishes, and save money. Side benefit? It is easy on the environment and easy on vintage dishes if you collect them.
YAY!
Mix equal parts of Borateem (borax), baking soda, and an organic dishwasher detergent like Seventh Generation 
Add white vinegar to the rinse-aid dispenser in your dishwasher and your dishes will be clean, and grease free.
How simple is THAT?
Image:Marye Audet
Tags: Cleaning, earth friendly, homemade dishwasher detergent, organic, simplePOSTED IN: Cleaning
8 opinions for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent…Sort Of
Peggy
Jul 10, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Thanks Marye!
Marye Audet
Jul 10, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Glad to do it Peggy!
Lisa
Jul 14, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Great recipe and one we’ll try ~ This is a cost that has really irked me!
Marye Audet
Jul 15, 2008 at 12:03 am
I know, Lisa..it is so expensive!
Teresa
Sep 25, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I have made homemade dishwashing deterant. I used 1Tablespoon Borax with 1 tablespoon washing soda, I also put white vinegar in the “jet dri” compartment. What I found is this…The washing soda put off a clean pleasant smell as dishwasher was running. When dishwasher was done I was eager to see th results…I was highly dissapointed everything had a dingy white film. Now I make sure everything is rinsed thouroughly before it goes into the dishwasher because the whole idea of food floating around in there disgusts me, and the dishwasher has no place for food chunks to go other than all around and maybe clog the drain. But the homemade detergant didnt work. I am however still willing to give it one more try because I read online another recipe I want to try. It is as follows: 1 cup borax 1 cup washing soda 4 packets sugar free lemonaid and of course the vinegar in the “jet dri compartment. But add all ingredients and use 1 to 2 tablespoons to each wash. Maybe this will work, maybe it wont but im gonna find out!
Marye Audet
Sep 25, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Teresa let me know how it works!
jan-teen
Dec 14, 2008 at 12:45 am
where do you buy washing soda and how is it different from regular detergent?
Marye Audet
Dec 14, 2008 at 1:07 am
you can get it here http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/?Click=2
it is actually a detergent booster and freshener rather than a surfectant.
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