Good Morning! A special welcome to those visiting from A Happy Healthnut! I'm excited to kick off the 4th day of the Detox Your Home series. Be sure to follow the links today and check out this post for all the links from the previous days.
I have to admit I was a little skeptical of trying this recipe because I have made 2 other homemade dishwasher detergent recipes in the past and they were both a big fat FAIL! My drinking glasses came out cloudy and my dishes had a weird film on them.
But, I'm here to tell you that this recipe is amazing and it really does work! I've used it for about a week and my dishes have been clean and sparkling! The best part is that this recipe is quick and easy to make, and very inexpensive! I do recommend using Young Living essential oils as that is the only difference in this recipe and one of the recipes I made before.
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
(from The Chemical Free Home by Melissa Poepping)
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1/4 cup citric acid (found near canning supplies at Walmart)
15 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops orange essential oil
Mix together in a quart jar or a bowl. Add a sachet of white rice to absorb moisture. Add 2 Tablespoons of detergent per load.
I know this is not the greatest before and after picture because my glass has a bunch of scratches on it, but hopefully you can tell the difference! :)
I hope you are inspired to try the great non-toxic recipes for your home, personal care, and pets that we are sharing during this series!
Are you ready to jump in to this wonderful world of caring for yourself and your family naturally with essential oils?? Click here to learn more or contact the person who introduced you to the "Detox Your Home" Spring blog series! We are all offering a FREE copy of The Chemical Free Home to anyone {in the U.S.} who signs up with premium starter kit through April 7th!!
To continue the series, head over to The Home Life {and Me} and learn how to make probiotic deodorant.
Be sure to check out all the posts in the "Detox Your Home" Spring blogger series, click here.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I’m just a mom who has experienced amazing results with essential oils in our home.
I already have the kit can I get the book? I am really trying to do everything using my oils. I love them so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are enjoying your oils! This promotion is only good for someone signing up for the premium kit through me through midnight tonight. You can order a book from here: http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/The_Chemical_Free_Home_p/9000.htm
DeleteI'm totally going to do this! Thanks for the tip- I've been trying to figure out a chemical-free dishwasher detergent for a while, but haven't tried it with oils- that's the missing piece, I think!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to try this. I've just started replacing all my cleaning products with DIY as I run out. I have a limited supply of oils, though- are the oils you chose specific for the cleaning properties, or just for the smell? Would lavender work? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, what other recipes have you tried? I've tried a few and have always had the same issues you mention! I gave up and am using regular detergent....which goes against every other homemade, essential oil filled product in my house!!! The last recipe was very similar to this, just without the oils....actually it might have been washing soda instead of baking soda too. Anyway, I'd love to know what others you've tried and if this is similar to them? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAngie, I have used one with lemonade packets in it, a liquid one, and this same one without the oils. I think it's definitely the oils that help to get the dishes sparkling!
DeleteDoes the borax and baking soda keep the citrus oils from damaging the plastic parts of your dishwasher?
ReplyDeleteJulie, I haven't had any problems with damage to the plastic in my dishwasher.
DeleteCan I use another oil in the place of the orange? Or are lemon and orange important to this recipe?
ReplyDeleteYou could try tangerine or citrus fresh.
DeleteJesika, Orange and Lemon oils prohibit bacterial growth. While other oils have similar properties, the oil is important. Lavendar wouldn't be my favorite scent for dishwasher detergent, but it is antiviral.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to try this!! Just curious....since the citrus oils break down plastic, will this start to break down my fancy cheap plastic plates & cups? Also, do the dishes take on the citrus smell?
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed a citrus smell to my dishes. I think the answer would be no about breaking down the plastics because the detergent gets very well diluted in the wash, but I don't wash plastics in my dishwasher, so I'm not 100% sure.
DeleteDo I have to have the citric acid for this recipe to work? Also, I only have lemon oil, is that ok as well?
ReplyDeleteYou will have the best results if you follow the recipe :)
DeleteI also have the same question as I do not have orange oil? Could I just use the lemon oil? Or what about replacing the orange oil with the citrus fresh oil?
ReplyDeleteI would replace the orange with citrus fresh rather than leaving orange out altogether.
DeleteWhat do you use to store your detergent?
ReplyDeleteI store it in a glass mason jar.
DeleteSilly question. I'm new to many of the DIY concepts. I am wondering how you would make a rice sachet. I know what it is - a small bag of rice (sortof) but how did you make it?
ReplyDeleteHi Monica, I just used a square of fabric, put rice in the middle, gathered up the edges and tied it with a ribbon or twist-tie. Hope this helps!
DeleteSilly question. I'm new to many of the DIY concepts. I am wondering how you would make a rice sachet. I know what it is - a small bag of rice (sortof) but how did you make it?
ReplyDeleteI am also new to DYI concepts. When you say small bag of rice sachet to absorb the liquid. Is the sachet what you put in the dishwasher? And what material do you use to make the sachet?
ReplyDeleteThe sachet is to stay in the detergent to absorb any moisture that might get in the jar you are storing the detergent in. To make the sachet I just used a square of fabric, put rice in the middle, gathered up the edges and tied it with a ribbon or twist-tie. Hope this helps!
DeleteFYI, borax is very toxic.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Day Four and I absolutely love the money I will save and the wonderful fresh scent and great cleaning power of this recipe for Dishwashing Detergent...
ReplyDeleteIs there a another chemical to use rather than Borax
ReplyDeleteThis recipe left a white film on all my dishes and all over my dishwasher by the third use. What happened?
ReplyDelete