How to Make Homemade Dish Detergent
Homemade Dish Detergent
Homemade dish detergent is so simple and easy to make with only 4 common ingredients you probably already have around the house. There is no cooking or clean up required and you’ll avoid the chemical additives in store-bought versions
Why you would want to use a homemade dish detergent?
There are two reasons I choose to make my own dish detergent. Number 1 is Simplicity – I take comfort in knowing what ingredients are in my cleaning products and being present during their creation. It takes the unknown factory processing and potential for contamination out of the equation. Plus I am able to eliminate fragrances and dyes and any harsh chemicals coming into contact and leaving residue on the plates and bowls on which we eat our food. Number 2 is cost – making this detergent costs a whopping $0.09 per load!
How this Homemade Detergent Works
Borax: Sodium Borate is a naturally occurring mineral salt that helps to soften water, deodorize, and acts as a bleaching agent. This is going to be one of the main cleaning ingredients in this recipe.
Washing soda: Sodium Carbonate binds to the minerals in the water which helps to soften it as well as raises the PH. This is the second powerful cleaning agent in this recipe. If you want to know more about washing soda and how to make it yourself (its so easy!) then check out my recipe HERE.
Salt: Sodium chloride helps to soften the water, kill bacteria, and break down grease and food.
Citric Acid: This is going to help remove mineral build up, especially calcium deposits and also acts as a natural disinfectant. This is the main ingredient that will give you a clean look to your dishes, especially your glasses.
I also use these ingredients in my Homemade Laundry Detergent, check it out!
How to make this Detergent
Ingredients
- 3 cups Borax
- 3 cups Washing soda
- 1.5 cups Salt
- 1.5 cups Citric Acid
Combine the Borax, washing soda and salt in your airtight container. Give it a stir or shake to combine thoroughly. I prefer not to add the citric acid to the main mixture as it tends to make it clump. I will usually keep the citric acid in a separate container and add it along with the detergent for each load.
How to Use this Detergent
Use 1 tablespoons of detergent and 1 tsp of citric acid per load. If you have a large washer you can increase to 2 tablespoons of detergent. Put the 1-2 tablespoons of detergent where you would normally put dish soap and put the citric acid where you would normally put your rince aide OR You can add both the detergent and the citric acid together. The Detergent is going to get your dishes squeaky clean and the citric acid will come in last to balance PH levels and save your dishes and washer from stains and water spots.
Homemade Dish Detergent
Equipment
- 1 Airtight Jar or Container
Ingredients
- 3 cup Borax
- 3 cup Washing soda
- 1 1/2 cup Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Citric acid
Instructions
- Combine the borax, washing soda, and salt in your airtight container. Mix or shake to combine thoroughly.
- I keep the citic acid separate from the main mixture to avoid it clumping together.
- Use 1 tblsp of detergent and 1 tsp of citric acid per load.
Want more Recipes like this?
- Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Homemade Washing Soda
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