DIY Dishwashing Detergent

Natural, Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

recipe from DIY Natural

1 cup Borax

1 cup Washing Soda (found easily in the laundry aisle of grocery/drug stores)

1/2 cup citric acid (cheap at a Middle Eastern grocery)

1/2 cup kosher salt

-white vinegar as a rinse aid-

Borax- $5.00/76oz

Washing Soda-  $3.50/55oz

Citric Acid- $2.50/8oz

Kosher Salt- $2.00/16oz

White Vinegar- $3.00/128oz

Approximate Total: $16.00

By my loose calculations, it cost me just over $2.00 to make a 3 cup batch of homemade dishwashing detergent. 

At a tablespoon per run, I will be able to do 48 dish loads with that $2.00. 

The added bonus, of course, is that I know that my kitchen is free of unnatural chemicals.

Stored in a coffee can I'd saved from Trader Joe's (I use this coffee for cold press toddies, and the french press gets the good beans from the local shops). Labeled clearly with both what it is (for safety) and what it's made from (for future convenience).

The leftover ingredients will be saved to make other cleaning supplies, like laundry detergent. From Gardners 2 Bergers has a nice compilation of natural cleaning recipes. Meanwhile, I am tempted to use up the citric acid by  creating and then devouring some super, super Sour Patch Kids.