Homemade Dishwasher Soap & Rinsing Agent
We are always on the hunt for ways to make DIY recipes for products we use on an everyday basis as we work towards trying to eliminate as many toxins & chemicals in our home as possible. One of those products that we use every day or even several times a day (this is the case right now as I have 3 exchange students in my house) is dishwasher soap. We really wanted to find a way to use less chemicals in our kitchen, plus find ways to save on the cost of dishwasher soap. These homemade Dishwasher Soap & Rinsing Agent recipes is much more frugal than regular dishwashing soap, costing just $.05/load versus $.15/load or so for regular dishwasher soap.
Homemade Dishwasher Soap Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Borax
- 2 cups Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
- 2 cups unsweetened lemonade (about 50 packets) or two cups Lemi Shine or Citric Acid
- 1 cup Kosher salt
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well and store in airtight container. Use 1 tablespoon per load in the dishwasher.
*The Lemonade or Citric acid is the key to not getting the milky, cloudy look after time. I like using the lemonade; however it can stain the dish soap dispenser a lemon yellow color, but it smells really good.
I have been using the homemade dishwasher soap for about three months and have noticed a difference between the store-bought brand and the homemade version. I decided to run a load using the store-bought brand versus the homemade soap. I then compared the two glasses – they both look the same to me!! Success!
DIY Rinsing Agent:
This is such a simple way to save money on rinsing agents – just use white distilled vinegar as the rinsing agent. Pour the vinegar in the section where you put Jet Dry or other rinse aids. The white distilled vinegar works just as well as another rinsing agent & is significantly cheaper.
Cost-Effective:
The homemade dishwasher soap costs about $.05 per load. The store bought brand is about $0.15 cents per load. I run at least one load if not two loads of dishes a day. At one load a day, it is a savings of $36.00 per year.
You can see a significant savings by using the white distilled vinegar as a rinsing agent. Typically, I would refill my rinsing agent once a month. By using the vinegar, I’m paying $0.06 per fill versus Jet Dry at about $4 per fill. I am saving $47.28 per year. If you combine the two, that is a savings of $83.28 a year!!
If you use coupons & match with the store sales, you could get the dishwasher soap & Jet Dry/rinsing agents cheaper, but using the homemade version could still be a great savings for your family on a regular basis. Plus, you know the ingredients that are in your dish soap & rinsing agent to keep your home as toxin-free as possible.
Here are more DIY posts you might be interested in:
DIY: Homemade Laundry Detergent
Have you ever used homemade dishwasher soap & what has been your experience?
By contributor Sarah
melissa says
September 7, 2011 at 12:12 PMThank you for posting these. I never thought to use vinegar as the rinsing aid. And I’ve been thinking about making my own laundry soap. I think I’ll try the dish soap first, I have less of that on hand.
Shawna says
September 8, 2011 at 1:26 PMin addition to the cost effectiveness, the less processing and more natural something is the better!!
and, everything looks cooler stored in a mason jar! Just sayin!
Mark says
September 9, 2011 at 9:28 AMVery neat idea. I made some of the laundry soap last night. Has some of the same ingredients. Question, can you use this if you handwash your dishes?
Rachel says
September 20, 2011 at 11:25 AMOk, I’m having a major problem with it hardening up in the container. I”m using an airtight container, but it is hard as a rock, almost sticky. I used straight up citric acid…I”m wondering if you’ve run into this problem?
Ashley W says
February 14, 2018 at 9:39 PMIf you wrap rice in cotton fabric and toss it in the jar it will regulate mosture and keep things soft.