Last week I made my own dishwashing powder. I got my inspiration from crafty little gnome and one good thing by Jillee. I’m enjoying making my own products. Not only is it much cheaper but also much greener. I like removing one more lot of chemicals from my home.
The dishwashing powder:
1/2 cup washing soda (also called soda ash)
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1/4 cup unionised salt
1/4 cup citric acid
Mix all the ingredients together in a sealable jar and shake.
Add about 1-2 T to your dishwasher. (I use an old scoop I found I use half a scoop so about 15g).
For clean glasses add vinegar to the liquid compartment.
The first time I used this powder I was not impressed with it as my glasses came out spotty. But after that the powder was great now I don’t use anything else. I have no idea why it was funny the first time maybe it was cleaning my dishwasher? Though I cleaned it not long ago so I don’t think that’s it. So who knows. It’s great now and well worth making. I love that I have no more horrible chemicals in my dishwasher. Does anyone else make their own dishwashing powder?
Linked to nourishing treasures, our delightful home, homestead barn hop, your green resource, frugal Tuesday tip,
I am planning to phase out the store bought and make my own dishwasher detergent. I’m just wondering how you feel about this recipe now that you have possible used it several times. Thx so much. Kelly
I like that I am not using chemicals in my dishwasher. So a month on and I am very happy. I’ll continue to make my own dishwasher powder. Goo luck.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Where can I buy Borax? I live Wellington, NZ and am having trouble finding it.
Regards
Theresa
Hi I understand you can buy it at Bin Inn in Petone. Good luck Mx
I made dishwashing powder for the first time recently. I used a recipe that didn’t include borax (although I bought some) and our glasses came out cloudy too – we assumed it was the baking soda. There were also lip marks on the glasses from the chapstick I wear. I put vinegar in the rinse aid compartment and we’ve been running the dishwasher on ‘super’ wash and that seems to have solved both problems. Will try the borax recipe next time.
Fantastic good for you. I find the white vinegar makes a huge difference to how clean the glasses are. Please let me know how you go on with your new recipe. Good luck Mx
I’m keen to try this. I know I can buy borax at Mitre 10 but not sure where to buy the washing soda. I’m in Kapiti. I also heard that putting 1/2 a lemon in your dishwasher helps dissolve grease. I’ve tried it a few times with used lemons and I think it has helped.
Thanks
Kathryn
Thanks for the lemon tip I haven’t tried it but since we dont eat meat we don’t normally have any issues with grease but I’ll keep that is mind. Re soda ash I hear you have a nice new bin inn in Paraparaumu (128 Kapiti Road)I would try them. I’ll check them out next time I’m up that way. Good luck Mx
I use trade me to purchase all my ingredients. Shop around on their website and look nz wide as some of the shipping can make a difference in the total cost. I am still playing around with different recipes as I seem to find after a couple of months the detergent doesn’t seem to work as we’ll. a tip from making recipes just do little amounts on your first try to see if you like it and then do a full batch.
Every time I add the citric acid to the mixture of powders containing washing soda, it provokes a chemical reaction (both bought at BinInn, btw) – with the powders bubbling up like a volcano! How did you prevent this?
I am also trying to keep away from Borax as it is a known insect killer and our septic system uses worms – I know, worms are not insects, but is Borax lethal to worms? I dare not use it until I find out.
Thanks!