16 Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes: {Updated}

By EricS52

[Updated with new recipes from readers] Have you run out of dishwashing detergent and you’re in a pinch to run a load until you can get to the store and buy some more? Or are you looking to whip up a few batches to save yourself a bit money? This is the page you’re looking for!

SprayI have a few DIY mixes you can try (for both powder and liquid versions), as well as some rinse agent suggestions to help get dishes sparkling clean.

I’ve also updated the page with loads of tips, recipes and advice shared by readers.

This article is over 5 years old and still going strong with feedback from those who have tried these out…lots here for you to browse through, good luck!

Ingredients

• Powder #1:
• 1 1 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 1 1 cup Borax
• Powder #2:
• 1 1 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 1 1 cup Borax
• For the above two mixes:
• 2 thoroughly and store in a plastic container, use approximately 2 TBS per load.
• to vinegar in the rinse compartment as a rinse agent to help prevent residue.
• 2-3 adding 2-3 drops essential oil.
• Powder #3:
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup Washing Soda
• 1 1 1 TBS Liquid Dish Soap
• Use the above for each load you run.
• Liquid:
• 1 1 1 part baking soda
• 1 1 1 part borax
• 1 1 1 part water
• 1 1 1 drop lemon or orange essential oil per cup of detergent
• Mix the ingredients thoroughly and store in a sealable jug.
• 2 to 3 3 TBS per load.
• If you’re having a cloudy residue problem::
• to 2 3 few drops of liquid dishsoap to the powder compartment when you add the powder (just 2 or 3 drops will do).
• 2 to 1 1 1/2 back on the amount used (ie. if you’re using 2 TBS, try cutting it back to 1 – 1 1/2 TBS).
• to sure to use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
• to a liquid soap to handwash items in the sink, you can try the recipe found here at diylife.com.
• Update #2: Lots of readers have offered their tried-and-true recipes and shared tips in the comments area, here are several that stand out:
• MK Whittenburg advises that the etching/cloudiness problem is solved by adding citric acid, she recommends this recipe:
• 1 1 oz) box 1 (55 oz) box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
• 1 1 20 box 1 (76 oz) box of 20 Mule Team Borax
• 1 1 oz) boxes 1 (48 oz) boxes of coarse Kosher Salt
• 1 1 10 to 15 (2 oz) container of food-grade Citric Acid (or substitute with 10 to 15 envelopes of Unsweetened Lemon Kool-Aid)
• 2 to the Powdered Version #2 above (baking soda and borax) but added 2 packets of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid and this did the trick to eliminate the slight film her first attempts gave.
• 1 1 1 recipe: 1 TBS grated Zote soap, 1 TBS borax and 1 TBS washing soda.
• 1 to 2 has good success with using just 1 to 2 TBS of Borax in the dispenser then white vinegar as a rinse agent.
• 1 1 she uses 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt and a wee pinch of dish soap (non-bleach) per load.
• 1/2 1/2 she just tosses in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar, shuts the door, turns the machine on and this works fine for her.
• 2 1 2 parts baking soda, 1 part castille soap and fills the rinse compartment with white distilled vinegar and no longer has a problem with film. The baking soda cuts the castille from becoming too bubbly/foaming.
• 1/2 1/2 1/4 1/4 1 to 1/2 cup borax, 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 1/4 cup citric acid…just 1 tablespoon a load will do the trick and make sure to fill the rinse aid reservoir with vinegar.
• to 1/4 a bar of Zote soap and mixes it with water to melt, puts it in an old squeeze bottle and shakes each time she uses it. She also runs a load with 1/4 cup bleach at the bottom of the dishwasher.
• 2 to 3 2 with 2 to 3 drops of Sunlight (divided into each compartment) and 2 tablespoons of baking soda (one in each compartment). Vinegar for the rinse agent.
• 76 55 1 1/3 4 2 4 1 1/2 to 2 Washing Soda, 1 1/3 cup TSP, 4 oz Citric Acid, 2 cups Vaseline IC moisturizing beads and 4 pounds Canning Salt. Use 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per load.
• 1 1/2 1 1/2 each of washing soda and borax, 1/2 cup each of citric acid and SLS powder. Mix well and use 1 tablespoon in the main compartment and 1/2 tablespoon in the prewash compartment.
• Reader tips for fighting film/residue:
• 1/4 to 1/2 the baking soda by 1/4 to 1/2 less solved the problem.
• 100% said she solved the problem by mixing equal parts DIY mix with commercial detergent, not 100% homemade but still saves money.
• to advises that adding a couple drops of regular handwashing dish soap to the dispenser should be added before putting in the homemade stuff does the trick, and use vinegar as a rinse agent.
• to to to salt to the batch to help with cloudiness, though no amount specified so play with this a bit to see how it works out for you (helps soften the hard water). Sarah recommends using Kosher or pickling salt.
• Marty advises that by cutting the amount used by half may help (since the mix is too strong or concentrated if you’re getting a white film problem).
• to to much to everyone for sharing, Tipnut readers are the best! If you have any advice or feedback, please feel free to share below.

Details

Adapted from tipnut.com

Preparation

Step 1

See above