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The Kitchen Table

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

14 years ago

Have any of you tried this homemade recipe for dish washer detergent?

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

... 4 packets lemonade flavor Kool-Aid powder (unsweetened)

1/4 cup salt (Kosher salt recommended)

Directions: Pour it all into a resealable container and shake it up. Use 1 tablespoon per cycle. Use white vinegar for the rinse additive.

Sue

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Comments (6)

ritamay91710
14 years ago
I've never heard of a home made recipe for dishwashers.........you have peaked my interest though. Sounds interesting. I'd like to hear from others if they use it and how they like it. Thanks!!
User
14 years ago
I have a recipe in the "Non-food recipes" on the website, I have tried it but not wild about it. Some people don't recommend it.

here is mine:

Dishwasher detergent
Make your own or to have on hand if you ever run out.

1 1/2 cups Borax
1 1/2 Cups Baking Soda
1 Cup salt

Mix all together. Use 2 TB per wash load.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Recipe List
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This is interesting. The only problem I see is there's no enzymes in there and enzymes do a big part of the cleaning. All of the detergents that rank highest in tests always have enzymes. But it could be good for light duty cleaning or if you don't have need for enzymes. If anyone tries it, keep us posted how it works. I'd guess it would work like the ones who just use Borax and washing soda. The salt will be an abrasive to knock some things off. Salt works great for opening drains.
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I got Jasdips wonderful recipe. HOMEMADE LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT 4 cups hot water 1 Ivory or Sunlight bar soap (Fels Naptha) 1 cup washing soda ÃÂ½ cup Borax Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan of hot water. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until soap is all melted. Fill a 5-gallon pail ÃÂ½ full of hot water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until the powder is dissolved. Fill bucket with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight. The next morning the pail will be all gelled and very thick. Stir with a stick to break it up. Fill a laundry jug half-full of the detergent, and top with more water. Shake before each use. Use ÃÂ½ cup for top-load machines, and ÃÂ¼ for front-load. Use the thickened, undiluted soap as a pre-treater. I use it at the moment. Have used it on an off, but can't beat the price, and go back to it all the time. The judge is still out on the whites... I wear a white collared shirt every day at work. So far, in my eyes, they are still white. Sometimes, when I have a stain, I put some on the stain direct, scrub it in a bit, with a toothbrush, or nail brush, and launder. I understand, it can discolor your item, but so far, so good. I never pre treat longer than 15 or so minutes before washing. But, Jodi, I have never used the dry. I just bought a paint stirrer, you put on your drill, which does wonders of breaking the stuff back up, to fill your laundry soap bottles again. :) Moni
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OklaMoni
14 years ago
Why the cool aid? I make it without the cool aid.

Moni
OklaMoni
14 years ago
Oooops, didn't read that right...

Never made the dishwasher detergent. But still, why the cool aid?

I make the laundry detergent.

Moni
marygailv
14 years ago
The first recipe sounds more like one to clean the inside of the dishwasher, which is what the kool-aid is supposed to do. I have used the following recipe when I was out of dishwasher soap:

1/4 tsp. DAWN
1/2 tsp. BAKING SODA
1/2 CUP WARM WATER

I used it at my daughter's house which has a cheap dishwasher put in by the builders. I have never tried it in the dishwasher in this house, which has all high end appliances.
iowagirl2006
14 years ago
I am afraid that will be really hard on your glassware - I think it might etch it after a while.

I like to use the Finish Quantum tabs. That is the only thing that works for me and doesn't leave a film. It also doesn't etch the glassware. I have cheap Libby drinking glass and they go through the dishwasher every day. They are still clear as can be after a couple years of using the Finish Quantum. I am amazed!

Any other dishwasher detergent I use leaves a film. Ugh! It must be my water.

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