Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs: Spoiler alert -- it didn't go so well!

in #sustainability7 years ago

I found this recipe online somewhere, sadly, I can't recall where, but I gave it a go and while it does work it didn't work very well.

Ingredients I used:

  • 2 cups washing soda
  • 2 cups borax
  • ½ cup coarse salt (can use Epsom salt)
  • ½ cup vinegar

I mixed all of the ingredients together well, it created a very think and crumbly paste and then pressed it into my mold. I used a spoon to make sure it was good and packed in there.

I let dry about 48 hours before removing them and placing them in a sealed tupperware container.

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When using them I would add one tab to the dishwasher with about a 1/2 cup vinegar and 1-3 drops of dish soap.

Findings

I found that while most dishes were clean enough to use, they still looked dirty. The dishes would have a slightly white film to them and running them through again wouldn't help. I also had trouble occasionally with it creating too many suds and leaking on to the floor... :( All of this combined with them crumbling into powder within two weeks has me completely turned off of this recipe.

Well, I guess they can't all be winners right? I am hoping to try another batch with another recipe soon, anyone else make their own dishwasher tabs? I'd love to hear your recipe!