Go Green Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

I have published an article at the beginning of the year with 30 easy ways to go green at home and save some money. You can find the article here.

Today I want to add one more easy way to save some money and go green: homemade dishwasher detergent tabs.

Dishwasher tabs are super convenient, but they come at a high cost and are packed with polluting chemicals. Lately, I’ve scanned the internet and used all sorts of different recipes and this 2 worked best and didn’t break the bank 😉

DIY Dishwasher Tablets With Borax

Ingredients (makes 1 ice cube tray)

• 1 cup borax
• A cup washing soda (or baking soda)
• 10-15 drops lemon essential oil (or 1 packet unsweetened lemonade)
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• Ice cube tray
• ¼ cup kosher salt (or Epsom salts)

Directions

• In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.
• Slowly add vinegar while mixing. The mixture may fizz and forms clumps.
• Firmly press the mixture into an ice cube tray, you don’t want them to fall apart. (add more vinegar or a bit of lemon juice if needed)
• Let dry for about 24 hours on the counter or window sill.
• Take tablets out of the trays and store in an airtight container.
• Use as you would use normal store bought tabs.

DIY Borax-Free Dishwasher Tablets

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral and actually quite safe. It’s not carcinogenic, but when ingested in large amounts it can make you feel sick. The chances that you would ingest enough borax from residues on your dishes is very small, but if you want to play safe… here’s another recipe that works and does not contain borax.

Ingredients (makes 1 ice cube tray)

• ½ cup baking soda
• A cup washing soda
• ½ cup citric acid
• ½ cup kosher salt (or Epsom salts)
• Ice cube trays
• ½ cup white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon castile soap
• 10-15 drops lemon essential oil (or 1 packet unsweetened lemonade)

Directions

• In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.
• Slowly add vinegar while mixing. The mixture may fizz and forms clumps.
• Firmly press the mixture into an ice cube tray, you don’t want them to fall apart. (add more vinegar or a bit of lemon juice if needed)
• Let dry for about 24 hours on the counter or window sill.
• Take tablets out of the trays and store in an airtight container.
• Use as you would use normal store bought tabs.

Ingredient Info

• Washing soda: degreaser, all-purpose cleaner, reduce effect of hard water
• Castile soap: degreaser
• Vinegar: all-purpose cleaner, binds mixture
• Baking soda: degreaser, all-purpose cleaner
• Citric acid: antiseptic, reduce effect of hard water, remove build ups
• Kosher salt: reduce effect of hard water
• Lemon essential oil: antiseptic and smells great

Have you ever made your own dishwasher detergent? Please share your tips and tricks with us in the comment box below.