RJ Homestead

So we’ve got the laundry detergent figured out, we have the homemade pine and orange cleaner so what’s next? Homemade Dishwashing Detergent! Once again, I started by taking a peak at the ingredients in a popular brand of dishwashing detergent pods. And once again, I could not pronounce the majority of them. That answered my question of whether it was time to make my own. Done!

To be honest, I never really considered soap of any kind to be anything detrimental, it’s soap! But even worse than wearing chemicals on your skin, is ingesting them off your “clean” dishes. Time to make a change. I visited my favorite place in the world when I need information, a recipe, or just a funny meme…Pinterest!

I scrolled a few articles trying to find the right combination. One recipe called for dawn dish soap in the pod and all I could think of was suds all over my kitchen! Moving on. I was basically looking for the user friendliest, least amount of ingredients, cheapest, fastest recipe I could find, because let’s face it, the hot, power shower does a lot of the work. I know this sounds like I was chasing a unicorn, but I found it!

Of course, I always tweak a little to make it my own but there wasn’t much I changed about it. I already had all the ingredients, as many are the same as the laundry detergent so the only thing I had to buy were ice cube trays. I was nervous they weren’t being made anymore but it was Dollar General to the rescue.

I recruited Eva’s help and we got to work. I love including her in everything we do, not because it makes my job easier now, but because some day I will not be around and I want her to know how to do things for herself. And I pray some day she will do the same with her children. Our lifestyle is not just about us. We want it to be generational.

We have been using the tablets now for about 2 weeks and I see no difference at all between the toxic ingredient brand and our new homemade ones. The dishes are just as clean and maybe even cleaner. So, without further ado, the recipe we used is below. Simple ingredients and so easy to throw together. The longest part is waiting for them to dry! Enjoy!

Ingredients for Homemade Dishwasher Tablets:
1 cup of washing soap
1 cup of baking soda
¼ cup of citric acid
1 cup of kosher salt
1 cup of water

Supplies Needed:
Large Bowl
Measuring cups
Spoon
Ice Cube Trays (2-3)

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, and salt.

2. Add the water to the dry ingredients in the bowl. The mixture will start to bubble. Wait approximately 1 minute until the fizzing slows down and then stir to combine completely.

3. Scoop about 1 tbsp. of mixture into each ice cube section of the tray. Use your finger to pack it tightly.

4. Let the trays sit overnight to dry completely.

5. When the tablets have dried, turn the ice cube tray over and give it a gentle tap to release them. You may need to twist the tray a bit to help release them.

6. Store tablets in an air tight container.

7. Add 1 tablet to the detergent compartment of your dishwasher and run your normal cycle.

Extra tip: Instead of using toxin filled rinse aids, use vinegar! Add ½ cup to the rinse agent compartment of your dishwasher before running your cycle for streak free dishes!

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