DIY Natural Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
Easy DIY dishwasher detergent tablets are better for the environment—and your wallet.
Yield: 20 tablets
Cost: $10
Equipment
- Silicone mold
- Medium bowl
- Gloves
Materials
- 1 cup super washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup kosher salt
- ½ cup citric acid
- 1 cup water
- Equipment needed: 3 ice cube trays
Instructions
- Mix the sodas, salt, and citric acid together in a glass or stainless steel bowl (not plastic).
- Add the water a little at a time, waiting for the fizzing to die down before adding more. Stir very well.
- Used gloved hands to press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the wells of several ice cube trays. Press hard on the mixture, so the tablets will hold together. Add a little more water if it becomes too crumbly.
- Let the tablets stand for about 30 minutes or so in the ice cube trays, then turn them out and let them dry completely.
- Transfer to a glass jar and store under the kitchen sink.
Notes
Washing soda can be found in the laundry section of stores like Target, Walmart, and some well-stocked grocery stores or online. You can buy citric acid in the pharmacy or canning section of grocery stores or online. To make powdered dishwasher detergent instead of tablets, eliminate the water and store the powder in a large container or jar. Use 1 tablespoon per load. Distilled white vinegar is a great rinse agent. Just pour it into the receptacle in the dishwasher.