Powdered Dishwasher Detergent/Scouring Powder:

By TheresaJ

I have now used this combination of ingredients at least a dozen times with consistent results. I can't tell you what a great feeling it is to open the dishwasher and be greeted by squeaky clean dishes washed with my own homemade mix. :-)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Washing soda or Baking soda (I've seen many recipes that use both..so use whatever you have on hand or a combination of the two.)
• 1 cup Borax (Borax and baking soda/wash are both natural disinfectants and mild abrasives.)
• 1/4 cup Kosher salt (reduces the effects of hard water)
• 1/4 cup citric acid (available at brewing places or Amazon.com. Or as an alternative you can use the same amount of Fruit Fresh or two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid, ONLY lemon and ONLY unsweetened!)

Preparation

Step 1

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of this mixture to your dishwasher detergent compartment along with 3 drops of dishwashing liquid. Do not use more than three drops. The dishwasher will overflow if you use too much dish soap! (It doesn't have to be Dawn...that's just what I had.)
Then splash 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and start the machine.