Homemade Borax Dishwasher Soap
Dishwasher detergent can be expensive, and the detergents marketed as "green" are even more so. An inexpensive alternative is to make your own powdered detergent. Borax, a powder usually found in a box in the laundry aisle in regular grocery stores, is a key ingredient for completing a dishwasher detergent recipe.
The Right Ingredients
The two primary recipes for homemade dishwasher detergent are similar. The first calls for one part borax and one part washing soda, and the second is made of one part borax and one part baking soda. Washing soda is not the same as baking soda. Washing soda, also known as soda ash, is a strong base (as opposed to being acidic or neutral) and is great for scouring applications. It is not edible, hence the name. To make the detergent, mix the two powders together well. Some sources go so far as to recommend mixing the powders together in a food processor so that you have a uniform powder. You can either stir or process the powder. The result will be the same. Add a few drops of an essential oil, such as lemon if you want your detergent to have a scent.
Detergent Usage
To use your homemade dishwasher soap, pour 2 tbsp. of it into the detergent compartment in your dishwasher. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the compartment if desired to add a little more cleaning power to the mixture. Don't add more than a few drops, though, because adding too much will make water and suds pour out of the edges of the dishwasher and all over the floor during the wash cycle.
Avoiding a White Residue
Some people who attempt to use a homemade detergent have problems with a white, cloudy residue forming on their dishes. To prevent this residue from forming, add plain white vinegar where you would add the Jet Dry to work as a rinse. If a residue still develops, reduce the amount of detergent used from 2 tbsp. to 1 1/2 tbsp.
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