Handmade Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets for Home Use
Making Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Tablets at Home
In a bid to reduce plastic waste and save costs, you can now make your own eco-friendly dishwasher tablets at home. This DIY project is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly, serving as an alternative to store-bought dishwasher tablets.
To get started, gather your ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, citric acid, dish soap, white vinegar, and citrus essential oil (optional). These items can be found at your local grocery store or online.
Begin by mixing 2 cups of washing soda, 2 cups of baking soda, and 1/2 cup of citric acid in a bowl. Ensure there are no clumps in the mixture. Next, add a few drops of liquid dish soap, about 1 tablespoon, followed by 10-20 drops of your favourite essential oils for fragrance, such as lemon or orange.
Carefully add a small amount of white vinegar or water, just enough to moisten the mixture so it can hold shape when pressed, but not so much that it causes fizzing. The mixture should resemble damp sand and start to naturally clump together.
Using fingers or the back of a spoon, firmly press the mixture into a silicone mold or an ice cube tray to form tablets. Allow the tablets to dry and harden completely, usually overnight, before using.
When ready to use, place a tab in the dispenser drawer and run a cycle as usual. Each tablet is enough for one dishwasher load. The washing soda and baking soda clean and soften water, while citric acid helps prevent film and dissolve grease. Dish soap boosts grease removal, and vinegar (as a rinse aid) helps with spotting and residue. Essential oils add a fresh scent.
Store the tablets in an airtight container in a dry place to prevent premature dissolving. It is essential to avoid adding too much liquid during mixing to prevent fizzing and clumping.
This homemade dishwasher tablet recipe provides an effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial dishwasher pods, which often contain microplastics and synthetic chemicals.
If the tablets are too big for the dispenser, crumble them up first. For best results, let the tablets sit for at least 24 hours in a sunny, warm spot before use. After use, lightly spray the top of the dishwasher tablets with white vinegar to help with hard water and water spots on dishes.
With this simple and cost-effective DIY project, you can reduce your environmental footprint while keeping your dishes sparkling clean. Happy cleaning!
[1] Baking Soda and Washing Soda Uses [2] Citric Acid Uses [3] DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent [4] Microplastics in Dishwasher Detergents [5] Essential Oils for Cleaning
- As an extension of the eco-friendly lifestyle, the ingredients for this DIY project, such as baking soda, washing soda, citric acid, dish soap, white vinegar, and essential oils, can also be used for home-and-garden cleaning purposes.
- By incorporating home-and-garden items like silicone molds and ice cube trays into the DIY dishwasher tablet project, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free creation process at home.
