There are a LOT of recipes for dishwashing soap. I don’t claim to have the best recipe, but I will share what works for me.WHY NOT USE SOAP?
For dishwashers, you need cleaning power, not soapy suds. If you were to place regular soap flakes into a dishwashing machine, your kitchen floor would soon be filled with lots of bubbles. For a dishwasher, the detergent needs to break down grease, disinfect and rinse clean without leaving soap spots.
ESSENTIAL OILS?
I don’t use essential oils in my dishwasher powder. Very hot conditions will neutralize the scent of an essential oil. Good quality essential oils are pricey, so I prefer to use them in applications where they won’t be diminished. Feel free to add essential oil if that is your preference.
KAY’S DISHWASHER POWDER:
Mix together 2 cups Borax, 2 cups Baking Soda, ½ Cup salt and 1 cup citric acid.
This makes enough powder to just fit inside a quart sized zippered freezer bag. I place this inside a larger gallon sized zippered bag. This is to seal moisture out. The citric acid and baking soda will absorb moisture from the air and clump if the bag is not sealed. I use a DRY kitchen spoon to place a couple of tablespoons of powder in my machine per load. Using this, I’ve never had to use any spot-free solutions for the rinse/drying cycle.
This powder can also be used to wash dishes by hand. Vinegar in your rinse water is helpful for containers that have greasy residue.
A HANDY TIP:
I keep a soap dish next to my kitchen sink. The bottom of this dish has drainage holes. I place a sponge beneath these holes so that when the bar soap is used, it drains onto the sponge. If I need to spot clean a dish or a soiled surface, I simply moisten this sponge and use it.
This article is for information purposes only. Utilize these methods at your own risk and using your own discretion.
2 comments :
THis looks like a great recipe! I make my own laundry det. and lots of other concoctions - but have not yet mastered dish det. for the machine - anxious to try! THanks!
patty-jean from ThreadTree
You're welcome! This recipe works WONDERFULLY in both the dishwasher and by the sink full of dishes. If your water is 'hard' or has a high mineral content, you will likely want to add vinegar to the rinse compartment. :-)
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