This has been on my list to do for a long time. After looking at several recipes, I've settled on this for now. We've been using it for a week with great results. I'll add updates here if I tweak the recipe...
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1/3 cup citric acid (I ordered a pound of it from amazon)
- I also added a few drops of sweet orange essential oil (not necessary)
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I will have to try it out... if I ever get my dishwasher fixed, lol! We need to catch up soon, I am anxious to hear how the transition to school is going for you and the kids!
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a bit - found you when doing research on art projects for kids. I just wanted to encourage you to do some research on using borax on anything that comes in contact with food. Even though it is all natural - in high quantities it can become toxic. If you look on passionate homemaking site she has an article about it. I also tried her non borax recipe for dishwasher detergent to no avail. After I have done my own research I am still using borax for laundry but not dishes. Just a friendly fyi.
ReplyDeletePlease pardon my ignorance here, Jennifer, but why homemade?? Is it cheaper than your typical Cascade detergent? Healthier? Greener? Or it it simply something you just wanted to do?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get my arms around some manageable, sustainable, *healthier* changes here (I've been meaning to make my own deoderent for quite some time and have yet to actually do it!)... changes I'll really stick with... so any thoughts would be wonderful!
And thanks!
Heather, Yes, greener and healthier (I hope). Cheaper... I haven't done the math, but aside from needing the citric acid, I use all the other ingredients around here for other homemade cleaners, so it keeps what I need to buy down... well, except for the citric acid. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for homemade deodorant, I have yet to try that... let me know how it goes. I am pretty dissatisfied with the natural deodorant I have tried.
Amy, thanks for this. I will do some more research. It is widely used as an ingredient in dishwashing soap and is even a suggested use on the Borax box, so for now I'm going to stick with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer! That all makes perfect sense! Perhaps I'll add it to my one-day-soon-I'll try-this list :) It sounds like a real keeper!
ReplyDeleteAs for the deodorant, I really do know how to spell... on most days, at least! And yes, I'll surely pass along my progress when I actually have some to report. I, too, have been very dissatisfied with the natural options!
I have been wanting to start this as well!! Thanks for the tips...have you made laundry detergent yet?
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get citric acid besides on-line?
ReplyDelete