How to Wash Dishes With Baking Soda & Vinegar

Washing dishes with baking soda and vinegar is nontoxic and environmentally friendly.

Washing dishes with vinegar and baking soda or baking soda alone is an environmentally friendly and non-toxic way to get dishes done. Baking soda and vinegar are also inexpensive. You can use baking soda and vinegar in your dishwasher in place of commercial dishwashing detergent.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• White or cider vinegar
• Borax
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons

Instructions

Handwashing

1. Fill your sink with enough hot water to wash dishes.

2. Add 2 tbsp. of baking soda to your sink full of water.

3. Add 1/2 cup of white or cider vinegar to your dishwater. Add only 1/4 cup if it's a small load.

4. Wash dishes as usual.

Dishwasher

1. Mix 1 tbsp. of borax with 1 tbsp. of baking soda.

2. Place the mixture in the dishwasher detergent cup.

3. Pour 1/4 cup of vinegar in the rinse dispenser.

4. Run your dishwasher as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a 1 tbsp. of baking soda in 1/4 cup of vinegar to scrub a pot or pan that is particularly tough. Pour the mixture directly in the pot or pan, scrub and then rinse with warm water.

References

• Natural Healthy Home Cleaning Tips: Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaning Recipes
• Binghampton University Climate Task Force: Recipes