Homemade Dishwashing Machine Detergent

Toxins in Commercial Dishwasher Detergent

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commercial automatic dishwasher detergents can be poisonous if swallowed and irritate skin. Chlorine, a main ingredient in many dishwasher detergents, can cause respiratory problems and eye irritation after exposure to dishwasher machine steam, as noted by OSHA. Some detergents can also contain phosphates that can contaminate groundwater, which caused so much concern that legislation was passed in Washington state to curb use of phosphates in dishwasher detergent.

Borax

• Borax is an alkali soap product that has been in use for hundreds of years. Mined from salt deposits, borax is another name for boric acid or sodium borate. It is often sold in grocery stores in the laundry aisle as an additive to laundry detergent, but it is also an effective dishwasher detergent. Add 1 tbsp. to the detergent cup in your automatic dishwashing machine for an all-natural dish cleanser.

Baking Soda

• Baking soda is an all-natural product used for many cleaning purposes around the home, and it can also help clean dishes as part of a homemade dishwashing machine detergent. One recipe for homemade detergent includes equal parts borax and baking soda. Use one to two tablespoons per load of dishes. You can also sprinkle dishes with baking soda before running them through the machine or use equal parts baking soda and commercial detergent in your dishwasher.

Soap Flakes

• Soap flakes are flat, diamond-shaped pieces of soap, and they were the original laundry detergent. Consumers can find modern soap flakes, like borax, in the laundry detergent aisle. A tbsp. of soap flakes will clean dishes in an automatic dishwashing machine, or you can mix equal parts soap flakes and borax.

Washing Soda

• Washing soda, another name for sodium carbonate, is another old-fashioned natural cleaning product. Washing soda can be used along with borax and baking soda to clean both laundry and dishes. Use 1 tbsp. of washing soda in the detergent cup in your dishwashing machine, or make another all-natural powdered dishwasher detergent by mixing equal parts borax and washing soda.

Vinegar

• Because it is an acid, vinegar is a useful natural product for cutting grease on counter tops, in sinks and on dishes. Add vinegar to the rinse cycle of the dishwasher by pouring it into the rinse additive cup on the machine in order to eliminate grease and keep dishes shiny. The vinegar reacts with the baking soda to fizz and dissolve tough food stains.