Switching out storebought dishwasher detergent for a homemade version makes a lot of sense if you’re trying to cut down on chemicals, reduce waste, or just save some extra cash. I started looking into homemade recipes when my sensitive skin started reacting to regular dishwasher soaps, and it honestly amazed me how easy it was to whip up an effective alternative with stuff already in my pantry.
There are a ton of recipes out there, and not all of them work for every dishwasher or water type. I found that a bit of trial and error, and learning about the chemistry behind what actually gets your dishes clean, helped me land on a mix that works reliably in my home. I’m breaking down everything you need to know, so you can confidently try making your own dishwasher detergent and maybe never go back to that stuff in the plastic bottle again.
Choose Your DIY Dishwasher Detergent Style
Homemade dishwasher detergents usually come in two main types: powder and tablets or cubes. Some folks even try liquid, but I’ve had the best luck with powder or pressed tablets, since homemade liquids can get clumpy or separate if you’re not careful.
What’s in the Basic Recipe?
- Washing soda: Super common for DIY cleaning. It helps bust grease and soften water.
- Baking soda: Adds gentle scrubbing and mild deodorizing.
- Borax (optional): This boosts cleaning power, but some people skip it for personal preference. If you don’t want to use borax, no worries! The recipe still works well without it.
- Lemon juice or citric acid: Fights stains and helps deal with cloudy glasses.
- Salt: Helps prevent mineral buildup and softens hard water.
All these ingredients can be found at most grocery stores. If your tap water is super hard (leaves white spots on dishes), using more citric acid or even a separate rinse aid is worth trying.
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe (Powder Style)
Here’s the powder blend I’ve had the best results with. I like that you can mix it in five minutes and just scoop out what you need:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid (or substitute 1/4 cup lemon juice, but the dry acid stores longer)
- 1/2 cup salt
- (Optional) 1 cup borax
Combine everything in a large jar or airtight container. Give it a good shake to mix. If you live in a humid place, drop in a few uncooked rice grains or a moisture absorbing packet (like the little ones from shoe boxes) to keep your powder from clumping.
How to Use It:
- Scoop 1 to 2 tablespoons of the powder into your dishwasher’s detergent cup per load.
- If your dishes aren’t coming out sparkling, especially with hard water, try adding a splash of white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.
Making Homemade Dishwasher Tablets
If you’re more into the pop-in-a-tablet style, turning this powder into cubes is pretty easy. It’s just the same mix, but dampened and pressed into molds.
- Blend the same dry mix as above.
- Add 3 tablespoons of water or lemon juice, one tablespoon at a time, stirring as you go. The mixture will fizz a bit. That’s normal!
- When it holds together if you squeeze it in your hand, spoon it into a silicone ice cube tray and press down firmly.
- Let them air dry overnight. Pop them out and store in an airtight container.
To use, just drop a single tablet in the detergent compartment. These are handy for busy nights or if you want to keep kids from spilling powder everywhere.
Why These Ingredients Work
I get a lot of questions about whether homemade detergent really gets stuff clean, or if it’s just a social media fad. Here’s a quick look at why each ingredient actually does its job:
- Washing soda (sodium carbonate): This raises water’s pH, which helps break apart greasy messes and leftover food gunk.
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): Mild scrubbing power and helps boost the overall clean without scratching your glassware.
- Citric acid: Dissolves hard water minerals and busts through cloudy residue, especially on glass and silverware.
- Salt: Softens water and helps prevent limescale and white spots.
- Borax: Increases cleaning power by boosting the pH even more. (Some folks skip this due to safety opinions, but research suggests it’s low risk when used properly. Not ingested, of course.)
Storebought tablets usually include enzymes to tackle stuck on proteins or starchy foods. The homemade versions won’t break down those messes quite as well, but if you rinse extra dirty dishes before running the load, you’ll get pretty similar results.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Spots or Cloudiness on Glasses
- Add more citric acid to the recipe, or switch to using vinegar as a rinse aid.
- Check your water temperature; hotter water usually works better for dissolving detergent.
Dishwasher Smells Weird
- Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle (no dishes, just cleaner). This usually freshens things right up.
Powder Clumping Up in the Container
- Add some uncooked rice or a moisture packet into your storage jar, or store in a cool, dry spot away from the sink.
Dishes aren’t Getting Clean
- Try scraping food residue before loading.
- Don’t overload the dishwasher; water flow is important for rinsing.
- Bump up the detergent dose by half a tablespoon per load if needed.
How Does Homemade Stack up to Storebought?
Some days, you might notice that homemade detergent works every bit as well as commercial ones, and sometimes it doesn’t. Here’s what I noticed:
- The homemade recipe shines for glass, most plates, and silverware, especially with a vinegar rinse.
- If you let sticky egg yolk or oatmeal dry onto dishes, homemade powder sometimes struggles. That’s where the enzyme boosters in commercial products make a difference.
- Homemade detergent is way less harsh on my skin—no more itchy hands after handling it.
- It’s gentle on the planet (and your wallet). Less packaging, fewer harsh chemicals, and the cost is usually a few cents per load.
I always suggest checking your dishwasher manual. Some new models have specific recommendations, and it’s good to make sure your warranty isn’t voided by homemade products.
Extra Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Run hot water at your sink before starting your dishwasher to make sure the cycle starts out with warm water.
- Clean your filter regularly to avoid grime buildup and keep the dishwasher running efficiently.
- Don’t overload! Air and water need to reach every surface.
- Try a quick monthly clean: place a cup of vinegar in a bowl on the top rack and run the machine empty on hot wash. Super useful for reducing limescale and odors.
- Keep your powder in a glass jar for longer shelf life if you live somewhere humid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Is Borax Safe?
Borax is a mineral that’s used in many cleaning products. I find it works great in the mix, but if you’re worried, you can leave it out. The other ingredients still clean pretty well. Just make sure pets or kids can’t get into your cleaning supplies, borax or not.
Does Homemade Detergent Work in All Dishwashers?
Almost all standard dishwashers are fine, but for highefficiency or very new models, check your manual. Some European and brand new American dishwashers want you to use detergent with builtin rinse aids or enzymes.
Is This Safe for Septic Systems?
Yes, these basic ingredients (washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, salt, and borax) are all septicsafe. Just avoid pouring large amounts down the drain all at once and space out regular cleaning cycles.
Can I Add Essential Oils?
You can, but I’ve found that most scents vanish in the hot wash cycle. If you just love a hint of lemon or lavender while you fill your detergent cup, totally go for it. I don’t notice any lingering smell on clean dishes afterwards, though.
Final Thoughts & Easy Next Steps
Trying out your own homemade dishwasher detergent is pretty low risk, and the ingredients are already in most pantries. You might want to experiment with the ratios. Every home and every load’s a little different. If your first batch isn’t quite right—maybe some cloudy glasses, maybe an extra stubborn pan—you can tweak amounts or add vinegar to the rinse cycle until you find your sweet spot.
Your Action Plan:
- Pick up washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, and salt. Skip borax if you’d rather not use it.
- Mix up a small test batch and try a few loads, using vinegar for the rinse if you’d like.
- Pay attention to your results, adjust as needed, and enjoy the savings!
Once you settle on a recipe that suits your water and dishwasher, you’ll love not having to worry about running out of those singleuse pods again. Have you tried a homemade recipe that works well for you? Drop your tips in the comments—I’m always game to try out new ideas!
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