How to Make Your Own Natural Powdered Dishwasher Detergent

Make your own powdered dish detergent for sparkling clean flatware every time.

If you are tired of shelling out your hard-earned cash for expensive dish detergent then stop heading to the grocery store and make your own nontoxic dish detergent at home. Personalize your dish detergent to suit your cleaning needs and cater to your favorite cleaning scent. Making your own natural powdered dish detergent will not only save your wallet but will be kind to the environment at the same time. Rinse your dishes thoroughly before using this natural homemade alternative and let your dish detergent do the rest.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic container with lid
• Funnel
• Knife
• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup baking soda
• 30 drops of essential oil
• 2 packets of unsweetened lemonade flavored drink mix

Instructions

1. Pour borax into a 1 cup measuring cup. Pack the borax into the measuring cup and then level off the cup with a knife.

2. Put a funnel in the top of the plastic container and pour the borax into the plastic container.

3. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the measuring cup. Pat down the baking soda to fill the measuring cup properly. Remove excess baking soda by running the flat edge of a knife along the top of the cup.

4. Pour the baking soda slowly into the funnel attached to the top of the plastic container with the borax.

5. Add your choice of lavender essential oil, tee tree oil or peppermint oil for anti-bacterial results. Take a dropper and carefully add 30 drops of your chosen oil to the borax and baking soda mixture.

6. Pour the two packets of unsweetened lemonade flavored drink mix into the funnel on top of the plastic container.

7. Attach the lid to the plastic container and shake the mixture vigorously until blended.

8. Measure 2 tbsp. of your natural powdered dish detergent and add to the detergent cups in your dishwasher door for each load of dishes.

Tips & Warnings

• This powdered dish detergent also works well for scrubbing your kitchen sink and bathtub.

References

• The New Homemaker; Make Your Own Natural Dishwasher/Scouring Powder; Lynn Siprelle
• Organic Authority; DIY Automatic Dishwasher Soap That's Naturally Effective; Elizah Leigh; 2010

Resources

• Stain Removal 101: Homemade Cleaning Products -- Recipes and Instructions