Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

Another homemade product I have begun using in my efforts to be frugally natural is dish detergent for my dishwasher.  I really enjoy this recipe*see bottom of post, the only flaws I have found is that you still need to add something for hard water and you have to shake it before each use as it separates as it sits.  I originally got the recipe from here

Homemade Liquid Dish Detergent:
•16 cups Water, halved
•1 1/2 cups WASHING soda
•1 cup Borax
•1/2 cup Dr Bronner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap (I used Orange scented)
.
Bring 8 cups of the water to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, borax and liquid castile soap.  Continue stirring until completely dissolved.  Stir in remaining 8 cups of water and allow to cool.  Pour cooled dishwasher detergent into container of choice.  It will 'gel' up over the next 24 hours.

Prior to using, shake up detergent.  I use approx 2 Tbs in the detergent dispenser, but experiment to see what works best for you.  This lasts a VERY long time.


*editing on 6/6/13 to say: This was a great starting recipe for me to use, however, since then I have begun using the Natural Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs with much greater success.  I honestly don't see me using anything else but these in the future.  They work better and they are both easier and cheaper to make.  

3 comments:

  1. This worked fine for the first few loads and now I have a greasy residue on my plastic wear. Is that from too much soap or it not getting things clean enough? I also noticed it separated after a week or so and is much more watery than the gel it was at the first uses.

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    1. Hi Jeanette! I know I answered you already over on the facebook page, but wanted to reply here as well for my other readers :)

      Have you tried adding vinegar to the rinse aid receptacle? I would do that about every 5-10 loads
      I have really hard water, so perhaps for more normal water the ratios would be different. Perhaps try using less on each load and seeing if that helps. I have since switched to the dishwasher tabs recipe you can find on the blog and am liking it much better. When I used the liquid recipe though, it didn't change consistency, I just had to shake it well before each use. But keep in mind we probably used it all up within the first couple of weeks because we wash 2-3 loads per day. Did u use essential oils in yours? Maybe cut back on or eliminate those if you did. I am sorry this happened.
      If adding the vinegar as a rinse aid doesn't help, you may want to add a little washing soda in and see if that helps.

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  2. Whatever you are using, a dishwasher or a glass washer, the quality of detergent used must be high. This will increase the usability. I always use natural detergent for my dishwasher which I bought from SHS Online last year.

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