Homemade Dishwasher Powder

There are a LOT of recipes for dishwashing soap. I don’t claim to have the best recipe, but I will share what works for me.

CAN’T I JUST USE SOAP?

Dishwashing machines require low suds and high cleaning power. Regular soap in a dishwasher would result in an overflow of suds onto your kitchen floor. The best dishwasher detergent will rinse completely clear after removing grease and bacteria from your dishes.

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS ESSENTIAL?

I don’t use essential oils in my dishwasher powder. Very hot conditions will neutralize the scent of an essential oil. Good quality essential oils are pricey, so I prefer to use them in applications where they won’t be diminished. It is up to the individual whether or not to add a fragrance to the detergent.

POWDER FOR DISHWASHER

Mix in a bowl and blend 2 cups Baking Soda, 2 cups Borax, 1 cup Citric Acid and ½ cup Salt.

This makes enough powder to just fit inside a quart sized zippered freezer bag. This bag, I place inside a larger freezer bag. This storage system helps keep the powder dry. The citric acid and baking soda will absorb moisture from the air and clump if the bag is not sealed. With a dry kitchen spoon, I place about 2 Tbsp of the powder into my machine per dishwasher load. I don’t use any additional products to prevent spotting or streaking on my dishes.

This powder can also be used to wash dishes by hand. Vinegar in your sink’s rinse water is helpful for containers that have greasy residue.

TIP FOR SOAPY SPONGE:

Next to my kitchen sink, I keep a bar soap dish resting on top of a clean sponge. The bottom of this dish has drainage holes. I place a sponge beneath these holes so that when the bar soap is used, it drains onto the sponge. The pre-soaped sponge is ready for use when I need to touch up a single dish or container.