DIY Dish Detergent w/o Borax

I have been experimenting with DIY products for a few months now.

With each new product I try I learn something new.  Some of the most important lessons I have learned are:

1.  Make a small batch to begin with and try it a few times

2.  Store powder mixtures in airtight containers

3.  Once you open the ingredients used to make the products put the reminder in airtight containers

I made and tried a different DIY dishwasher detergent, but for my dishwasher it did not withstand the test of time.  It did a great job of cleaning my dishes to being with, but after about a week the mixture became hard.  So I broke it up and remixed it.  When I used it after that my glasses and plastic dishes came out with a film on them.  I do not think that the container I kept the detergent in was airtight and the mixture became hard when air got to it.

I decided to try a different approach to the whole DIY dishwasher detergent.  I have been using the following recipe for several months and it has continued to work well for me.

What you will need:

1 1/2 cups of Lemi Shine (found near the dishwasher detergents)

1 1/2 cups of washing soda (found near the laundry detergents)

1/2 cup of baking soda (found in the baking aisle)

1/2 cup of Epsom salt (found near the first aid products)

Mix all of these items together and store them in an airtight container.

I used 1 table spoon with each load.

I have also started using vinegar as a rinse agent rather than Jet dry.  When my dishwasher indicates that the rinse agent is low I simply pour some vinegar into the rinse agent slot. 

Cost Break Down:

Lemi Shine = $3.99 12 oz (12 oz used = $3.99)

Washing Soda = $3.29 for 55 oz (12 oz used = .72)

Baking Soda = $1.35 for 2 lbs (1/2 cup used = .17)

Epsom Salt = $4.87 for 6 lbs (1/2 cup used = .61)

1 batch costs $5.49 and washes 64 loads which costs .09 per load.

I used to use Finish Dish tabs.  A box of 60 costs $14.31.  That breaks down .24 to per load.

I'm saving .15 per load!

Check out my other DIY projects:

DIY Foam Soap

DIY Laundry Detergent

DIY Fabric Softener

DIY Baby Wipes

DIY Fabric Refresher

DIY Counter Top Spray

DIY Soap Scum Remover

DIY Glass Cleaner

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

 On my quest to try and conserve money I have come across another homemade cleaning product procedure . . . Homemade Dishwasher Detergent!

What to use:

Original Recipe

1 box of Borax

1 box of Washing Soda

3 cups of Epsom Salt

1 container of Lemi Shine

24 packages of lemon flavored drink

What I used

(The container I bought would not hold the whole recipe. Also I wanted to see how well I like the recipe before making a huge batch of it.)

½ of a box of Borax (I found this in the detergent aisle)

½ of a box of Washing Soda (I found this in the detergent aisle)

½ of a container of Lemi Shine (I found this in the dish detergenta aisle)

12 packages of lemon flavored drink

1 ½ cups of Epsom Salt (I found it in this in next the band aids in the first aid aisle)

An airtight container to keep it in.

An airtight container to keep it in.

The Process:

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Be careful with the Borax, inhaling the dust can be dangerous. Keep it away from children. Put it all in an airtight container. I added a hook to keep the measuring spoon on the outside of the container so I wouldn't have to fish for it in the soap. Use 1 Tablespoon per load. I have to be honest unloading the dishwasher is one of my least liked chores. I would rather do anything other than unload the dishwasher! I was super excited to unload the dishwasher after using this detergent for the first time. I couldn’t wait to see how it worked. I have only used this mix for 1 load, but I LOVE it! My dishes came out VERY clean and shiny. At this point I am not sure how many loads can be done with the batch I made. After I finish it I will update this post.