Making your own DIY Liquid Dishwasher Detergent is so easy to do with a few ingredients and essential oils. It will leave your dishes sparkling clean, and you'll never have to buy the chemical filled, store bought dish detergents again!
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What's in Homemade Dishwasher Detergent?
- 1 cup of Kosher Salt ( Purchase HERE )
- ½ cup of Borax ( Purchase HERE )
- ½ cup of Washing Soda ( Purchase HERE ) or Make Homemade Washing Soda HERE!
- 1 cup of water
- 15 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oils ( Purchase HERE )
How to Make Dishwasher Detergent
Step 1 - Add 1 cup of kosher salt, ½ cup of Borax, and ½ cup of washing soda to a large bowl.
Step 2 - Add 1 cup of water.
Step 3 - Add 15 drops of grapefruit essential oils.
Step 4 - Mix well and store in an airtight container between uses.
How to Use Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Add 1-2 tablespoons of homemade liquid dish detergent to your dishwasher's soap dispenser and run as usual.
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Video
Want to see how I make my Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent in video form? Check this out...
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
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Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Description
Making your own Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent is so easy to do with a few ingredients and essential oils. It will leave your dishes sparkling clean, and you'll never have to buy the chemical filled, store bought dish detergents again!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Kosher Salt ( Purchase HERE )
- ½ cup of Borax ( Purchase HERE )
- ½ cup of Washing Soda ( Purchase HERE ) or Make Homemade Washing Soda HERE!
- 1 cup of water
- 15 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oils ( Purchase HERE )
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl.
- Stir in water.
- Add 15 drops of grapefruit essential oils.
- Mix well.
- Store in an air tight container.
Use 1-2 tablespoons of homemade liquid dishwasher detergent per load.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Maureen Elsey says
I like all your homemade recipes but I was wondering why so many different essentials oils? Do they each have a different significance to what you are using them for? Would using only one or two make a difference? Do they have an unlimited shelf life? I am hesitant to buy too many as I don’t want to waste the oils or my money on a large amount if I am not going to like them. Right now I have tea tree oil and lavender, would these be a good substitute for many of your recipes? Please feel free to respond to my personal email, thank you for all your time to perfect these recipes.
Jessica says
Hi, Maureen! I totally get what you are saying. Tea Tree oil is great for some cleaning recipes, but not for all of them. Lavender is used mostly for scent, but has antibacterial qualities as well. As for all of the citrus oils, you can mostly switch them out with each other...they are amazing cleaners and help cut through grease and grime. If I had to pick which oils were my favorites to have, I would go with Tea Tree, Lavender and either Lemon or Orange. Hope this helps!
Brandi says
I’m concerned about the chemicals in Borax. I usually substitute washing soda for Borax. Can I just omit the borax in this recipe? Or should I use one cup of washing soda? Thank you for all your advice and recipes. I started using all natural products in 2018 as a New Years resolution. Your website has been a terrific resource for this new life style.
Jessica says
I completely understand. Try substituting baking soda for the borax. Leaving it out completely may change the texture of the detergent. Hope this helps!
Cynthia Hamrick says
Hi! I really enjoy the emails with all the sage advice and recipes
My question about the dishwasher recipe concerns salt: will it cause any rust? My dishwasher is stainless steel on the inside and I always thought salt was corrosive. Thanks.
Jessica says
Hi, Cynthia! I use it all of the time in my stainless steel dishwasher and have had no problems at all. The salt does help to remove food particles from dishes though. Hope this helps!
Myrto says
Hey Jessica, just wanted to ask if I can replace the grapefruit essential oil with lemon, because I absolutely adore its smell. Thanks a lot, our house is a better place to live in with all your ideas and advices!
Jessica says
Absolutely! They have very similar properties, so it's a great substitution! Hope you love it!
Carol says
Great recipe! One question though, I use my silver plate cutlery everyday and put them in the dishwasher. I had read that you mustn’t use anything with citrus as it tends to cause tarnish on silver. Can I use this recipe without citrus oils of any kind and would you suggest another oil in its replacement? I have found some natural diswasher detergent without citrus and have been okay with that. I’d love to try your recipe though! Thanks, Jessica.
Jessica says
Hi, Carol! I don't see why not. The citrus oil is a big help with lifting grease, but I've used detergents without it before and had no issue. Hope this helps!
Jeniphir says
This recipe worked out FABULOUSLY ! I have been wanting to break free of commercial dish tabs forever and this did the job! I used lemon EO and will use this from now on! Save my money for more important things ! THANK YOU for the post!
★★★★★
Jessica says
I'm so glad you love it!! xoxo, Jess
Francie Tabor says
Could you use Epsom salt instead of kosher?
Jessica says
For this recipe, I wouldn't.
Melissa says
Can you use sea salt instead of kosher salt?
Jessica says
Yes ma'am!
Tonia J Hutt says
Hello Jessica, I was SO excited to make this and see how it works. I made it last night and went to use it this morning and unfortunately it hardened. I can't even get to the bottom to stir it. Seems very strange. Only thing I changed from your directions was I used sea salt instead of kosher salt. Have you heard of this happening before? Thank you for any guidance you can provide.
Jessica says
I'm not sure why that would have happened...I don't think there is a huge difference between sea salt and kosher salt. I'll ask around and see if anyone has had this happen before.