Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
By Sarah Buhr
Making your own, homemade, natural dishwasher detergent will help you get your dishes sparkling clean without the harsh chemicals, fragrances or phosphates. That's good news for your health and the Earth, plus your wallet. The ingredient list is very simple and costs pennies per load!
Did you know?
- Chlorinated dishwasher soap poisons over one million children in the USA every year. Even the steam from a dishwasher contains chlorine fumes.
- Some detergents contain ethylene glycol - basically antifreeze.
- EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid), an ingredient in many dishwasher detergents, can cause reproductive and developmental defects.
- Formaldehyde, another ingredient used, is carcinogenic.
- Phosphates are really bad for the environment. They promote weeds and algae to grow in lakes and rivers and block their natural course. Phosphates are also found in soaps, gels and washing powders.
1 cup borax (like the 20 Mule Team brand, found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup washing soda (also found in the laundry aisle)
1/2 cup sea salt
Mix borax, washing soda, and sea salt in a lidded container. Use 2 Tablespoons of the mixture per load. The washing soda in this recipe works well for homes with hard water, and the sea salt helps to get glassware sparkling clean.
NOTE: washing soda (sodium carbonate), though similar, is not the same as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). You could substitute baking soda if you don't have hard water in your home. Use gloves when handling washing soda, as it is caustic.
