Homemade Dishwasher Detergent - How to Make Dishwasher Detergent

Homemade dishwasher detergent is easy to make, eco-friendly, and better for the environment and your health than most commercial dishwashing detergents.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tips

Here are some tips and recipes to make your own dishwasher detergent at home!

• Use about 1-2 tablespoons in the main dishwashing detergent section and 1/2 tablespoon in the pre-wash. You can fill your rinse compartment with white vinegar for rinsing.


• These recipes call for Borax. Borax could build up in your pipes. Commercial detergents contain agents to clear out pipes. You may want to use a commercial detergent every few weeks for this purpose.


• Some Recipes call for citric acid to be added to the detergent. You'll be adding something acidic to alkaline cleaning agents, thereby reducing their effectiveness. It is better to keep the acidic cleaning agent in the rinse compartment, so it can aid in rinsing any build up or leftover stuff off the dishes.


• Homemade detergent only works for some people. Some people report a white film on dishes and that they don't get very clean. I think your results will be highly dependent upon the type of water and dishwasher you have. Make a small batch to start, so you don't have to waste a bunch of ingredients.


• A product called "Lemi Shine" gets dishes really clean and may just beat the regular citric acid, kool-aid and vinegar when it comes to getting your dishes to rinse clean. So if you are having residue problems, try it.


• Run the empty dishwasher every once in awhile with 1-2 cups of vinegar. It works as a natural dishwasher cleaner.


• Use less homemade detergent if you have an HE washer.


• Use essential oils for a natural scent.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe #1

• 1/4 cup sea salt
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup Borax
• 1/4 cup white vinegar as a rinse aid

Homemade Dish Detergent Recipe #2

• 1 cup Borax borax
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1/4 cup vinegar as a rinse aid

Homemade Dish Detergent Recipe #3

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup Borax
• 1/2 cup Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1/2 tablespoon of citric acid as a rinse aid

You can use powdered citric acid found in the baking aisle of some stores, or lemon kool-aid. LemiShine also works.

Homemade Dish Detergent Recipe #4

• 1/4 cup washing soda
• 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent

This is for one load of dishes. You are essentially cutting the amount of regular dishwashing detergent you use in order to make it last longer.

Homemade Dishwashing Detergent Recipe #5

• 2 cups of Borax
• 2 cups of Baking Soda
• 2 cups of Water
• 6 drops of essential oil - Lemon or Orange