HM dishwasher detergent?

**lottaLove** · 07-21-2011, 06:20 PM

Has anyone tried home made dishwasher detergent?
The recipes I found are mostly along the lines of 1 TBSP borax + 1 TBSP baking soda + 1 drop regular dishsoap. They all recommend using vinegar instead of jet dry.
Just wondering if anyone has ever tried this or heard of it before, I'd love to save a bundle on dishwasher detergent, but am wary of it at the same time.
Thanks!

**Paws** · 07-21-2011, 06:31 PM

There are some recipes for it posted here somewhere. I think many have tried it and liked it, but I've not had much luck with the HM variety. May try it again.
As far as the vinegar for the rinse aid, I tired that also, and it works. But I remember someone posting something about it's not good for the dishwasher for some reason...don't remember exactly what...so I went back to Jet Dry.

**lottaLove** · 07-21-2011, 06:33 PM

Hm I tried using the forum search, I'll try again see if I can find those recipes. Thanks!

**zakity** · 07-21-2011, 07:44 PM

I use a 1:1:1 mix of washing soda, borax, and powder dishwasher detergent. It really isn't homemade, but it is a lot cheaper and it works. I use a half tablespoon per load. I also have softened water. I would use more if I didn't. I don't use a rinse agent at all.

**Paws** · 07-21-2011, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by lottaLove

Hm I tried using the forum search, I'll try again see if I can find those recipes. Thanks!

This link is in one of the post about making HM dish detergent:
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Soap & Rinse Agent – Simple & Effective

And this is where I found it on here:
Homemade dishwasher detergent

I think there may be more, but these are the ones I was able to find quickly.
Hope it helps.

This has many HM reicpes:
http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/make-yourself/

**Mom2-3** · 07-22-2011, 12:01 AM

I tried the detergent with lemon kool-aid. It smelled wonderful, but after a few washes all the plates and glasses had a cloudy residue.

I've tried every dishwasher soap at my Target. The only one that works (for me) is the Finish tabs. I try to get a good sale and use coupons.

**Ali Lee** · 07-22-2011, 01:47 PM

I've made the HM detergent. Did not take away the stains on my inside door..looked awful. Only will use it if I run out of my store bought. I have soft h20 & will always buy Jet Dry for the rinse.

**zakity** · 07-22-2011, 02:21 PM

I have a problem with the regular store bought being too strong of detergent because of the softened water. That is part of the reason that I "dilute" it.

**YankeeMom** · 07-22-2011, 03:07 PM

I use a hm dishwasher detergent recipe that was posted on YouTube as a tutorial. It's 1C borax, 1C washing soda, 1/2C kosher salt, and four envelopes lemon kool-aid (the unsweetened kind).

The tutorial says 1T per load but I find I have to use 2T per load, probably because we have very hard water.

**mommy4ever** · 07-22-2011, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

I use a hm dishwasher detergent recipe that was posted on YouTube as a tutorial. It's 1C borax, 1C washing soda, 1/2C kosher salt, and four envelopes lemon kool-aid (the unsweetened kind).

The tutorial says 1T per load but I find I have to use 2T per load, probably because we have very hard water.

What does the Kool-Aid do for the 'detergent'. I find that curious. I've used recipes that include the borax and washing soda and found it really left residue and a smell to everything. Not unpleasant, but it was a laundry smell..lol

**YankeeMom** · 07-22-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

What does the Kool-Aid do for the 'detergent'. I find that curious. I've used recipes that include the borax and washing soda and found it really left residue and a smell to everything. Not unpleasant, but it was a laundry smell..lol

It has citric acid in it which helps clean the filmy stuff. Plus it has a nice lemon scent

**mommy4ever** · 07-22-2011, 03:23 PM

I tried using the vinegar as a rinse agent.....scary. I had massive deposits when we cleaned the dishwasher, we had to use a screwdriver like a chisel to get rid of them, then had to vacuum the rest out. I asked about it. Vinegar can be used to clean an empty dishwasher by putting 2 cups in after it's filled. NO detergent.

When you put it in the rinse agent compartment, it works by a continual trickle. It neutralizes the detergent. Detergent is a base, vinegar and acid. So it isn't a good combo, especially if you have hard water - basic. It was brutal! So I only use vinegar to routinely clean and freshen the dishwasher. I use Lemishine as a rinse agent and I have glowing dishes!

Vinegar would react the same with the washing soda, it's a base.