Dishwashers are workhorses in the kitchen. Even if you struggle over the correct way to load the dirty dishes, most families consider them an essential appliance. For the appliance to best do its job, you also need dishwasher detergent.
If you like to make your own products, you can use basic ingredients from your pantry to make dishwasher detergent.
Even if you prefer commercial brands, it's a good idea to know what you can use in a pinch as an emergency alternative if you find the dishwasher detergent container empty.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- 1 set of measuring cups and spoons
- 1 airtight container
- 1 silicone mold or ice cube tray
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
Materials
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup food-grade citric acid powder
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1 cup lemon juice
Instructions
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Gather Ingredients
To make powdered dishwasher detergent, you will need washing soda, borax, kosher salt, and food-grade powdered citric acid.
If you prefer to make dishwasher detergent tablets, substitute lemon juice for the citric acid powder.
Gather Materials
You will need a mixing bowl, wooden spoon, measuring cups, and an airtight container for both forms of detergent. If you are making dishwasher detergent tablets, you will also need small silicone molds or an ice cube tray to form the tablets.
Choose a mold that will hold about one tablespoon and create a tablet that will fit in the dishwasher detergent dispenser in your appliance.
Mix Powdered Dishwasher Detergent
In a mixing bowl, add one cup of washing soda, one cup of borax, one-half cup of powdered citric acid, and one-half cup of Kosher salt. Stir well with the wooden spoon to mix and transfer to an airtight container. Label the container.
Make Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
Add one cup of washing soda, one cup of borax, one-half cup of Kosher salt, and three-fourths cup of lemon juice to a mixing bowl.
Stir well with a wooden spoon to mix. Place one tablespoon of the mixture into small silicone molds or ice cube tray sections.
Allow the molded tablets to dry for 24 hours or until hardened. Remove the tablets from the molds and transfer them to an airtight container. Label the container.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dishwasher-detergent-recipes-1387928_03-2e2c762a347b4cc6882d52ed1a5fb445.JPG "Your Dishes Will Shine With This Easy Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe (1)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dishwasher-detergent-recipes-1387928_04-62ef3690af934beab97cb777472a924f.JPG "Your Dishes Will Shine With This Easy Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe (2)")
Tip
Since homemade dishwasher detergent does not contain the anti-caking ingredients of commercial brands, it's a good idea to create only small batches—no more than three cups. The product should be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid and labeled clearly. Include directions on the label about how much to use for each load of dirty dishes.
How to Use Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Powdered Dishwasher Detergent
Use one to two tablespoons of powdered detergent for each load of dirty dishes. Since the homemade detergent does not have anti-caking ingredients, place the powder into the dishwasher dispenser right before you begin the cycle to prevent clumps that may not dissolve well.
If the mixture has hardened slightly, stirring well with a wooden spoon may soften it back up. However, if it has formed clumps, discard the batch.
The clumps will not dissolve correctly in the dishwasher. Keep a measuring spoon in the container so it is always handy. Add instructions to the label on the amount of detergent to use for each load so others can help run the dishwasher correctly.
Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
Place one homemade detergent tablet in the dishwasher detergent dispenser immediately before you run a wash cycle.
How Often Should You Use Dishwasher Detergent?
Homemade dishwasher detergent can be used each time you run a dishwasher wash cycle.
FAQ
Why make homemade dishwasher detergent?
By making dishwasher detergent, you can control the ingredients that are used. Some commercial products include fragrances that may not be desirable to everyone. There are also cost savings by creating homemade products if you store and use them correctly.
Should you rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
Let the dishwasher detergent do its job. Don't pre-rinse your dirty dishes just scrape away any leftover food before putting them in the dishwasher.
Does washing dishes in a dishwasher save money and water?
Absolutely! If your dishwasher is Energy Star-rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, washing dishes in the dishwasher rather than handwashing saves money, water, energy, and time.
18 Things You Should Never Put in a Dishwasher
