Some of you may remember my homemade dishwasher detergent fiasco of last spring. I tried making some with castile soap, vinegar, lemon juice, and water. It was an epic, epic fail.
In the meantime, I’ve meant to try other dishwasher detergent recipes, but my intention has gotten away from me. Part of it was my first move, then it was because we were living with my parents and I didn’t want to ruin all of their dishes. Now, I won’t get a chance to try, because our new home does not have a dishwasher. (Well, technically it does … but the dishwasher is ME.)
I’m pretty bummed that I won’t get a chance to try out Jill’s recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent, made with baking soda, Borax, kosher salt, lemonade Kool-Aid, and vinegar. (Mix 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup Borax, ¼ cup Kosher salt, and ¼ cup lemonade-flavored Kool-Aid. Add 2 Tablespoons of this mixture to your dishwasher’s detergent compartment, along with three drops of dishwashing liquid. Pour ½ cup of white vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and start the wash cycle.)
Based on all of the ingredients, it doesn’t sound like there would be a horrid film and residue like I experienced with my castile soap disaster. But I know a lot of you have been looking for a recipe for safe and effective dishwasher detergent. Please let me know how it turns out!
(I also found a recipe for homemade fabric softener on Jill’s blog. Thanks so much for suggesting this recipe, Jess!)
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I’ll have to try this! I tried one a while back that includes borax and washing soda. It cleaned the dishes, but also chipped some glasses. I think it was too harsh.
Amazing idea!
Hi! I saw I won something in the latest give away! Can’t wait to see what it is, and THANK YOU!! I’m wondering about this recipe for dishwasher soap…why couldn’t you use lemon juice instead of the lemon flavored kool-aid? Just seems more “natural” :) I’m also wondering about the salt being too corrosive to inner parts? Just curious…
The citric acid in the Kool-Aid does the cleaning, but since lemon juice also contains citric acid, I don’t see why you couldn’t use it … it can’t hurt to play with the measurements until you find something you like, right?
By the way … Kool-Aid also can clean your toilet! According to the blog Apartment Therapy, “Although lemon works great, check out the ingredients in orange… it’s the citric acid that helps to clean your bowl! All you have to do is sprinkle the contents of the package in before you head to bed, swirl it around with a toilet bowl brush, and let it sit over night. The acid in the drink mix will go to work cleaning away tough stains and build up if you don’t have the best water conditions.” (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/quick-tip-clean-your-toilet-wi-137538)
I’ve been looking for a good dishwasher detergent recipe. I’ve been handwashing lately because I trust what I’m putting on my dishes in terms of chemicals, but haven’t found something I trust in the dishwasher that actually works!
I am excited to try the kool-aid in our stain-prone toilet!!