Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

picklewart.blogspot.com

I love to save. Yes, I do. I find much satisfaction in finding that incredible deal at a yard sale or flea market... that elusive 90% tag on a sale rack... or that make-it-yourself EASY recipe for cleaners. Myself and a few friends have been trying out various home-made cleaner recipes... some working well... others working not-so-well. Thus far, the home-made liquid laundry soap, fabric softener, stain spray, and various bathroom cleaners (concoctions of ammonia, vinegar, baking soda, and bleach [never mix vinegar & bleach!]) have all done very well.

So, now I'm ready to try my own home-made dishwasher detergent. A friend sent me hers because it was fogging up her dishes. I believe she too has hard water battles just as I do. I got hers to work OK if I used ONLY a tablespoon or LESS and also used vinegar as a rinse agent.... and I still experienced some "fog" on the dishes now and then. So, now I'm trying out another "recipe" for home-made dishwasher detergent. I'll give it a review after I've given this one a go.

Home-made Dishwasher Detergent

1 c Washing Soda (not Baking soda - sodium carbonate)
1 c Borax
6 pkts unsweetened Lemonade (like Koolaid) *citric acid

I ran the washing soda through my blender to really "powder"-it-up. Then I mixed all the ingredients up in a sealed container. I also through in one of those silicon packets (like found in purses & shoes) to help absorb moisture.
These mixes tend to clump, but it doesn't cause any issue other than having to break it up now & then.
Use 1 Tablespoon per load (no more).

Use vinegar as your rinse aid (instead of other store products)!

The vinegar helps to break up the hard water... the lemonade (citric acid) also helps to break up the hard water during the wash to help with a cleaner rinse.