Dishwashing Powder



I love my dishwasher!!  As a mother of 5 busy children, the invention of the dishwasher was a blessing indeed!!  But, I don't like the cost of dishwasher powder!  Nor do I like the toxicity of it!  I don't like that I'm advised not to put my new pots into the dishwasher, because the store bought powders are too abraisive and harsh.  So, it got me thinking, and searching for alternatives.  I am going to share several recipes.  There is just one thing to bear in mind, when using home made dishwashing powders....because they are minus the harsh abraisive chemicals, it's best to scrape out and pre-rinse your dirtiest dishes.  Personally, this isn't an issue for me, as it's what I have always done.  But I have noticed other people commenting on discussions threads, so thought I should mention it.

Here is the first recipe....

Recipe #1

Ingredients:

1 cup borax
1 cup bi-carb soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid
Vinegar
Essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

• Put all the dry ingredients in a plastic contain, and mix well

How to use:

• Place a tablespoon of powder in the diswasher dispenser
• Fill up "rinse aid" dispenser with vinegar, and add about 20 drops of essential oil. I like tea tree oil and lavendar...the clean smell, and both act as a mild disinfectant

Cost saving:

I have worked out the cost saving on products/ingredients bought in the local supermarket, here in Australia.  Of course, you can source many of these ingredients elsewhere, in bulk, and generic brands, and get them even cheaper.  This will be my next goal!!

• Store bought dishwasher tablets ~ worked out to about $1 per wash
• Good quality dishwasher powder ~ worked out to about 30 cents per wash
• Recipe #1 homemade dishwash powder ~ worked out to 14 cents per wash

Recipe #2

Ingredients:

1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
Vinegar
Essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

• Put ingredients in a plastic container, and mix well

How to use:

• Same as "recipe #1"

Cost Saving:

I have been told that sodium carbonate can actually be bought in pool supply shops, as it's used to balance the alkalinity in the water.  I'll look into this soon...and hope to post an even cheaper cost amount per load!!

• Recipe #2 homemade washing powder ~ worked out to 8 cents per wash