Homemade Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs
In the pursuit of a greener home and wallet-friendly solutions, homemade dishwasher tablets have emerged as a popular choice. These eco-friendly alternatives to commercial detergents can help save money and protect the environment.
To create your own homemade dishwasher tablets, you'll need a few common household ingredients. Combine natural cleaning agents that soften water, break down grease, and prevent film on dishes. A simple and effective recipe includes:
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup sea salt or kosher salt
- Optional: 20-30 drops lemon or other citrus essential oil for a fresh scent
Instructions:
- Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly in a bowl, breaking up any clumps.
- Add essential oils, if using, and mix well.
- Moisten the mixture with water until it holds shape, then press into molds and let dry completely.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per dishwasher load, or one tablet per load.
- For extra grease cutting, add a couple of drops of dish soap directly to your dishwasher along with the tablet.
How it works:
- Washing soda raises pH and softens water, aiding stain and grease removal.
- Borax helps with cleaning and sanitizing.
- Citric acid prevents hard water film and boosts cleaning power.
- Salt assists with water softening and cleaning.
- Essential oils provide a pleasant scent and some antibacterial benefits.
This homemade option is natural, non-toxic, and avoids many of the chemicals found in commercial detergents. It is simple to make with items often found in most homes or easily purchased from grocery stores.
To form tablets, slightly moistening the mixture with water until it holds shape, then pressing into molds and letting dry completely, helps create solid tablets for convenience.
If the dishwasher tablets are too big for the dispenser, crumble them up first. Keep the tablets away from pets and small children. Store the DIY dishwasher tablets in an airtight container, like a jar.
If you have hard water and your dishwasher leaves water spots on your dishes, try using white vinegar as a rinse aid. The article discusses a DIY project for making dishwasher tablets that yields 30 to 40 tablets, depending on the mold used. The project is eco-friendly, inexpensive, and easy.
- By following the instructions to create homemade dishwasher tablets using common household ingredients like borax, washing soda, citric acid, sea salt, and essential oils, you're not only fostering a greener lifestyle but also enhancing your home-and-garden efforts by reducing the use of commercial detergents.
- Incorporating homemade dishwasher tablets into your cleaning routine can lead to long-term cost savings and environmental protection, as they are natural, non-toxic alternatives to store-bought detergents, thus making a positive impact on both your lifestyle and home-and-garden chores.
