http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-eco-friendly-dishwasher-detergent.html
Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent
By Marye Audet, Planet Green
Many people know that they can make homemade laundry detergent but not as many know about homemade dishwasher soap.
This formula will cut grease on your dishes. You will get a better result if you fill the rinse agent reservoir in your dishwasher with distilled white vinegar. It will leave your dishes grease free, shiny, and it isn’t at all hard on your vintage and antique items.
But the major benefit goes to your wallet. It cost less than a penny a load to make, or 50 loads of dishes for just 50 cents!
Ingredients in Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Your environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent is going to have four main ingredients.
- Washing Soda- This stuff has been around forever. It is a natural substance, made from salt and limestone. Scientifically it is known as sodium carbonate. It cuts grease on anything and can be used for many (if not most) of the cleaning projects in your home. Arm and Hammer puts it out in the United States. If you can’t find it at your grocers you can find it on Amazon and other places online.
- Borax- Borax occurs naturally in the environment and can be mined as well as created in a lab. It is toxic in concentrated amounts, and you should keep it out of the reach of children. You can find it by the laundry detergent; Borateem is one brand.
- Kosher Salt- Kosher salt is a pure salt. I use it for cooking because the food tastes cleaner.
- Citric acid- You can buy food grade citric acid like Fruit Fresh or just use unsweetened lemonade packets.
Recipe for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Mix together 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup citric acid. Store tightly covered in a Mason Jar. Use one tablespoon per load. Add vinegar to the rinse dispenser for the best results.
Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment and dedicated to helping people understand how humans impact the planet and how to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Its two robust websites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer original, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green is a division of Discovery Communications.
More from Megan, selected from Planet Green (23 articles available)
related stories
-
(3 comments)
-
(46 comments)
-
(110 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
16 comments
add your comment »Easy, inexpensive and worked well. Thanks!!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Thanks Heather for the clarification and way to make washing machine laundry soap! Will have to try it. :o)
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Forget Seventh Generation. I was disappointed to discover that SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate, a cheap foaming agent) is used in the company's products. SLS has been linked to a number of health concerns. Make your own or use products from Earth Friendly Products (ecos.com) instead. They're SLS free.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have been using a similar recipe for almost a year now. I use 1 part washing soda, 1 part Borax and either citric acid from the bulk section of my local health food store or the "lemonade" unsweetened kool-aid packets. I also use vinegar in the rinse compartment. Washing soda is different from regular baking soda. It can be found in the laundry isle of your grocer by the blueing and starch. It is usually right next to the Borax. I have not had any issue with corrosion or buildup in my dishwasher from this. Just make sure you are using enough citric acid, it cuts the film. I also make my own washing machine laundry soap by grating Ivory bar soap and processing it in my food processor. 1 part grated soap to 1/2 part washing soda and 1/2 part borax. I also put white distilled vinegar into my downy ball. It softens the clothes and I do not need to use toxic dryer sheets.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
A really good brand that I have found is Seventh Generation... They make a liquid for those that wash their dishes by hand. The hand washing dish soap is tough on grease, hypo-allergenic, and non-toxic. It's the only kind that doesn't bother my hands.
The dishwasher soap is phosphate free, chlorine free and comes in biodegradeable pouches. You can also purchase it in powder form.
I'm just really pleased with how clean my dishes are especially with environmentaly safe products.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I make my own dryer sheets by taking an old t-shirt of wash cloth and soaking my favorite fabric softener then letting them dry. And whala they work great for me. Good luck.
vitamin c
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Would somebody please tell me the difference between Arm 'N Hammer Baking Soda and "washing soda"? I've only used Arm 'N Hammer Baking Soda and never heard of "washing soda", even at my age! HELP!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Please check - I once read that Arm & Hammer tests on animals. Correct me if I'm wrong.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Thank you for this useful "home made dishwasher soap". Especially I think this will not give any allergy to hand as the basic items are normal home use items. Thank you for sharing the information and guiding everyone about it.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Using the dishwasher for some actually uses less water than by hand, so this is definitely eco. thanks to comments about where to find borax and citric acid, as well as washing soda. Looking forward to trying this.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: