How to Make Dishwasher Powder

This dishwasher powder is a great non-toxic recipe that only requires a few ingredients. Whip up a batch in no time and get shiny, clean dishes.

My favorite DIYs are the ones that use few ingredients and take very little time to make. Bonus if the ingredients needed are ones that I usually have on hand anyways. This is one of those DIYs. I had all but one ingredient in my house when I first decided to make it, so I went ahead and ordered a small bag of citric acid. That bag has lasted me for about two years now of making this dishwasher powder.

Keep that in mind when you are considering making DIY products for your home. The initial cost might be a little higher, but the cost is actually very minimal when you use those ingredients to replace a ton of products in your home for a long period of time.

It is also really nice when you are running low (or your husband uses the last of something and forgets to write it on the grocery list…) to be able to whip up a batch really quick. No need to write it on a list or place an online order and have to wait. When you keep certain non-toxic ingredients to create DIYs around the house, you always have things on hand to make refills. Saves a lot of time, frustration, and money.

Why Ditch the Store-Bought Dishwasher Powder?

Another huge selling point to make your own dishwasher powder is that you ditch a lot of toxic chemicals. Those chemicals might get the grease and food particles off of your dishes, but they also leave those same chemicals on the dishes. Dishes that you eat your meals on, which means the chemicals are getting into your body and your children’s bodies.

No need to worry about locking your cabinets so your toddler or infant doesn’t eat a dishwasher pod. This dishwasher powder is safe for your kids to scoop it out and get it on their hands. In fact, my 2-year-old daughter’s first assigned chore was to start the dishwasher when it’s full. This dishwasher powder is safe to wash your dishes with and then eat from them after.

Making these small, simple changes doesn’t have to be hard. Choose one thing to ditch at a time, go room by room, and before too long you will live in a totally non-toxic home. Ditch the toxic chemicals by simplifying what you use in your home. Simplify what you use in your home and improve the fighting power of your immune system.

How to Make Dishwasher Powder

I am so thankful for the person who invented the dishwasher! As a mom of four kids who eat all three meals at home most days, the dishwasher is a huge time saver.

This dishwasher powder is so easy to make, saves you money, and helps you ditch a lot of toxic chemicals.

The first thing you need to do is get a medium-sized bowl. Next, measure all of your dry ingredients into the bowl in any order. Finally, add 40 drops of your Lemon essential oil into the dry ingredients. Stir all of the ingredients up really well to mix.

I have found that leaving the dishwasher powder uncovered and letting it air dry gives the best results. When I have rushed this step, it always seems to start clumping together. You can leave it in the mixing bowl or go ahead and move it to the container you will store it in and just leave it uncovered.

When your dishwasher is full and ready to run, just add about a tablespoon of your dishwasher powder into the soap compartment. Run your wash cycle and enjoy the fresh, clean dishes without all of the toxic chemicals.

Dishwasher Powder Ingredients:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 2 cups borax
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 40 drops Lemon essential oil

Why These Ingredients:

Baking soda is an extremely versatile ingredient that I always keep on hand for many of my DIYs. It’s perfect for fighting hard to clean areas, and it’s a natural deodorizer.

Borax is a cleaning agent that is used to disinfect and kill mold. It does a great job at getting rid of grease and stains.

Kosher salt is one of the purest substances on earth and is great to use for your cleaning needs.

Citric acid is useful for disinfecting and removing soap scum and hard water stains. It is a much safer alternative to conventional disinfectants and cleaning products.

Lemon essential oil is my top pick to use in the dishwasher powder because it is amazing for getting grease and sticky things off, and it works to purify the dishes. Plus, the smell is so fresh and clean.

Dishwasher Powder Instructions:

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.
2. Add 40 drops of Lemon essential oil and stir really well to mix.
3. Leave it uncovered to air dry for at least 12 hours. This will keep it from clumping up in the container.
4. Move it to a sealed container to store for use.
5. Add about a tablespoon to the dishwasher and run a cleaning cycle.

I attempted to turn these into dishwasher tablets and while the process did work, I realized after doing it that the tablets just add more steps to the DIY. Steps that aren’t necessary for the dishes to get cleaned. You can much more easily stir together a quick powder base, add a scoop to the dishwasher and run a clean cycle. And I am all about keeping things simple here!

When you clean, do you prefer the smell of citrus or herbs more? Let me know in the COMMENTS.

Check Out More Non-Toxic DIYs:

• Laundry Scent Booster
• All-Natural Toilet Pods
• Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner
• 5 Essentials for a Nontoxic Home

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure HERE.

Shop this Post:

• Baking soda
• Borax
• Citric acid
• Kosher salt
• Lemon essential oil
• Storage container
• Metal tablespoon scoop

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