Recently I added a Tipton Library educational program on Spring Cleaning. Some of the many tips that were compiled was making your own cleaners. I’ve been trying out several of the recipes and will be sharing them here on the blog. All of the ones I will share will be easy to make, work as well or better than store bought cleaners, and will save you money.
The recipe of dishwashing detergent is very simple with just three ingredients: Borax, baking soda, and unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid packets. If you can find citric acid, you can use that instead but it’s easier to find and probably cheaper to use the packets.
Mix together and use 2 tablespoons per dishwashing load. Use 1 tablespoon if you are only doing half a load. I’m finding my dishes are just as clean if not cleaner than they were when using the packets.
I even used my old tablet container to store my new mix in, which saves money on not having to buy a new container. I picked up a few sets of measuring spoons for just $1 for each set at the Deal$ store.
I wrote in Sharpie on the top of the container the instructions so when the kids use the dishwasher, they will know exactly what to measure out.
So easy!
It cost around $8 for all of the ingredients but I didn’t even use half of the box of borax or baking soda! Be sure to pick up those lemonade packets when they go on sale for 10 for $1!
- 2 cups borax
- 2 cups baking soda
- 4 packets of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid OR use ½ cup citric acid
- Mix together and store.
- Use 2 tablespoons per load in your dishwasher compartment.
Find more DIY Household Cleaners and Spring Cleaning and Organizing posts.
This just left my dishes with a fine powder coating. Also left the glass wear with a very cloudy coating. As some recipes suggest, I tried adding vinegar in a cup on the top rack. It helped a little. Cloudy glassware did not improve much….Sorry I can not recommend
this. I have used the laundry detergent recipe and it seems to work.
Sorry about that. I’m wondering if things can turn out differently depending on what kind of water you have (hard/soft/country/city)
Hi just wondering if the kool-aid hives off a scent? Thx
How many loads does this make?
I”m not sure….good question…I’ll have to try to do the math on this! :)
Hi!
This detergent is about 4 c. which equates to 64 tbsp.
Using 2 tbsp. per load, allows for 32 loads.
I use Epsom Salt in mine too and add Lemi-Shine to the bottom of the dishwasher to get things sparkly. And I use white vinegar in lieu of rinse aid.