I started using homemade liquid dishwasher soap back in 2009 and I enjoy being both frugal and environmentally kind. I had used a homemade powder dishwasher soap for a long time before that. I prefer the liquid kind. We have "hard" well water and I must use a rinse aid (either vinegar or purchased kind) and I have to hand wash our drinking glasses every now and them because no matter what kind of dishwasher soap I use (home made or purchased) a film develops. This recipe is a keeper in my book, so thought I would post about it again (since it has been a while).
This batch that I made this week will last me about 4 months. Note that I marked the jug with the date... I like to keep track of usage data... it is the nerd in me! I run my dishwasher at least once a day and a few days a week it gets ran twice a day. For a cost of $3 I would say that this is very cost effective!
Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Soap
(This makes 1 gallon. It costs me approximately $3 to make. I store it in 2 1/2 gallon jugs.)
Ingredients:
16 cups of water, divided
1 1/2 cups WASHING soda (this is NOT baking soda)
1 cup borax
1/2 cup Dr. Brenner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap (fragrance of your choice)
Directions:
1) Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, borax and liquid castile soap until dissolved.
2) Stir in remaining 8 cups water and allow to cool.
3) Pour cooled dishwasher soap into containers of your choice. It will "gell" up over next 24 hours.
To use:
give dishwasher soap a good shake to make sure everything is mixed well and to make it easy to pour out. I only put a small amount ( approx 1 rounded TBL) in the closed soap dispenser. Experiment with the amount you will need... I have found that it takes very little of this soap. This batch will last a long time!
I hope you like it... Let me know if you try it. I enjoy making as many of our cleaning products as possible... I especially like this homemade multipurpose cleaner. My 7 year old son is the chief bathroom cleaner and he sprays down the sink with this cleaner every day.... love that I don't have to worry about my child cleaning with harsh and dangerous chemicals! Safe and effective and of course money saving! :)
Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather
9 comments:
I may just have to try this! I have given up hope on my dishwasher as I always seem to have to RE-was the darned dishes once they've gone through the cycle. I've bought cheap soap, expensive soap, but they always leave "ick" on the dishes. And when I heard you also had hard well water, like we do, I figured I'd give it a try. I'll let you know when / if I get around to it. Thanks for the recipe!
Carolyn, I hope it works for you! We do have a water softener that also helps get the dishes clean. I always use a rinse aid (usually just vinegar)..... Let me know if you do try it. You could always make a small batch to give it a try.
Oh dear. I got all exciting thinking I finally found a recipe for homemade dishwashing liquid for handwashing dishes. I do not own a dishwasher. I AM the dishwasher! Do you know of one?
Hi I was wondering where you buy the Dr Brenner's pure liquid castile soap? Am very excited to make and try this, I am already using homemade laundry soap and love it. Also love the idea of using white vinegar for rinse cycle, never thought of that Thank You...
I am able to find the liquid castile soap at our local Kroger, but I know that our local health food stores have it, too. I wonder if Amazon carries it??
Hi, I also found a recipe that includes citric acid or unsweetened lemonade Kool-aid, and some salt. What is your thinking of this. The recipe I got it from was a powder form. We have very hard water and powder form does not work for me it leaves a nasty white film on my dishes. Would these 2 ingredients help yours to or not a good idea.
In answer to the question about citric acid..... The powder form I used to make did use citric acid (in the form of lemonade mix). However, I have found that this liquid recipe works GREAT even without citric acid. I should experiment the next time I make a batch and include some.... it can't hurt, but don't know if it will make it better (I am totally satisfied with how the current version works with my water).
Since everyone's water is different some might find it beneficial to add citric acid. I would probably use pure citric acid (found in the home canning section) rather than lemonade mix.
I made this and thought it was a little too watered down. How can I make it so it is more of a gel? Do I just add less water or put more of the other stuff in? Any ideas? It just doesn't come out too slow when I pour it into the lid.
Caity.... I'm not sure why yours didn't gel up... Within 24 hours mine has always gelled. However, I'm sure you could reduce the amount of water. Your dish soap will still work even if it is a little to runny.... Sorry you have had difficulties!!! Did you use WASHING soda or BAKING soda?? That might be the issue??
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