Yesterday I was inspired by my friend Leah, a fellow oiler and Heaven Scent Team Member, and after hearing of her success with her homemade DIY electric dishwasher powder I decided it was finally time for me make the switch from store bought dishwasher detergent to my own homemade version. I knew that I was almost out of Cascade so the timing was perfect.
She informed me that she makes her own dishwasher detergent and said regarding Cascade… “I can’t tolerate it at all! When I went to use it at my mom’s it made me seriously nauseous. I stopped using it a couple of years ago and was using the melaleuca dishwasher liquid but it is very pricey!!”
I told her that one would think that any residue would be rinsed away during the rinse cycle. She replied… “Nooooo…. the heat drying usually bakes it into the dish. Put a dish away somewhere that you know you have ran through the dishwasher with Cascade. In a few weeks take it out and smell it. You put hot food on that plate and any residue goes into your food…..gross!”
Very easy to do and with only a 3 ingredients it didn’t take but a few minutes to mix some up and fill an empty 60 oz. pickle jar that I had purchased at WalMart and saved for future use. It uses washing soda and borax, both commonly found in natural, homemade cleaning recipes, and lemon essential oil.
Learn more about essential oils and living chemical free here… HeavenScentOils4U.com
Here’s what you’ll need to make:
- Large glass or stainless steel bowl
- 5 cups washing soda
- 5 cups borax
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil
- 60 oz jar with tight fitting lid
- Large metal funnel (has a WIDE opening)
Measure out washing soda and borax and place in bowl. (My washing soda or borax had “chunks” so I used an old potato masher to break up the chunks.)
Add lemon essential oil and stir well to thoroughly mix oil with dry ingredients.
Place funnel over jar and use measuring cup to fill jar.
I had an extra orange scoop (measures 1 Tbsp) in one of the drawers which has now been put to use as the “scooper” for the dishwasher powder.
Use one HEAPING Tbsp per load.
NOTE: For heavy duty jobs try adding a capful of THIEVES HOUSEHOLD CLEANER.
I estimate that I was able to make this for approximately half the cost of store bought detergent. Let me tell you, I’m one happy camper and very satisfied with the end results… I think you will be too!
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I have been using a very small amount of regular lemon dish detergent when I ran out of detergent for my washer. I have also been using white vinegar for my rinse aid. I have a very old machine so I have to rinse my dishes well before putting them in the washer.
Do you have any other suggestions for a rinse aid?
I sometimes have had difficulty getting powdered detergent to dissolve. Does your recipe leave any film or residue? Thanks!
I already use Borax, washing soda, and Thieves in my clothes washer, and vinegar as a softener in an old Downy ball, so I could try the recipe. 🙂
I didn’t find the need for a rinse aid. As a matter of fact, after making it I rinsed out the metal bowl and mentioned to my husband that it actually looked like I had used a rinse aid on it, as I was impressed how quickly the water dissipated. I hope you like it as much as we do! If you still think you need a rinse aid try adding a few drops of THIEVES Household cleaner or vinegar. Be sure to let us know how it works for you.
Dorothy