Dishes...ugh. Doing dishes is one of my least favorite chores...right next to doing laundry of course! Even though I don't love doing dishes, I simply have no choice. The other thing, I am constantly running out of dish tabs, and the last time I went to buy them, I was shocked! When did dish detergent start costing as much as a good steak? I decided to try making my own and tested it out. It worked perfectly, and cost less $6 for the supplies that will make about 4 times more than the store bought detergent that cost more than that! So, today I'm sharing my Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe so you can make you own too if you wish!
Here is what you will need to fill a large mason jar...
2 Cups of Borax
2 Cups of Washing Soda
4 Packets of Sugar Free Kool-Aid Lemonade
A Container To Store Your Detergent In
Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and fill your container...I love using a large mason jar!
Fill both detergent cups in your dishwasher, close the big one and let her rip!
My dishes came out all sparkly and clean...even my wine glasses!
I will never buy dishwasher detergent at the store again, and doesn't it look cute there on my sink? And now, washing dishes costs me less than 50 cents a load...whoop! I call that a win!
Today I'm also sharing 10 Tips for Cleaning With Salt at The Graphics Fairy blog! Be sure to stop by and check them out...they are truly awesome!!!
And if you are looking for more cleaning tips and tricks, check out my 8 Tips for Cleaning Your Kitchen From Top To Bottom, including How To Clean In Between The Glass On Your Oven Doors!
Happy Cleaning!
J. NEAL says
The Kool-Aid ingredient... is that the kind that comes without sugar or with sugar?
Jessica says
Sugar free...going back into the post to make sure it says that...thank you!
Randi says
This left a film and spots all over my dishes, even after an extra rinse cycle. May be dud to having hard water. Any suggestions?
Jessica says
I'm not real sure, Randi. We have hard water as well, and they work great for me. Are you using a rinse aid with them? Hope it's just a fluke! Jess
Elaine says
I'm a tad confused too. Unsweetened or sweetened but sugar-free ( aspartame )?
d. villarreal says
I am going to try this for sure! Question - what is the lemonade for? just for the scent of lemon?
Jessica says
The acidic acid in the lemonade mix helps with shine and less spots and it smells good :)
Roslyn says
Would you please tell me how to clean between the glass on my oven doors I tried to open the site and my smart phone
Right?? Would not let me.
Jessica says
Hi, Roslyn! Here is the link to that post... Hope this is what you were looking for! xoxo Jessica
Tracy Lawford says
No idea where to buy many ingredients listed in many of your posts as they are not common in U.K.
Debbie says
will any other flavor koolaid work? I am in Canada and have not seen lemon, but we have lime and orange
Kasie says
Where did you buy your Mason jar and the cute little scoop at??? I love this idea to store my dishwasher detergent in. And
teri says
Where did u find the mason jar that big?
teri says
Where did u find the mason jar that big?
Jessica says
My mom acctually gve this one to me, but I have seen them at antique malls lately for around $12...good luck finding one!
Mary says
I've been using this however, mine gets hard from, I'm guessing moisture. Any suggestions on how to avoid this?
Jeanne says
I am going to give this a try! My sweetie says that in the Army they used lemon-lime Kool-Aid for cleaning burned pots and pans. So, I'm going to get some of that, rather than the lemonade.
As to the question about what the Kool-Aid does: the citric acid in the drink powder is a grease cutter.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I'm really enjoying your site. :)
Mandy says
Do you think that country time lemonade mix would work in place of the kool-aid?
Cheryl says
50 cents per load sounds very expensive
Sharon says
I have made this detergent it works great I just have one issue it seems to clump after it sits, I normally have to mash it before each use, any suggestions?
Jessica says
I haven't had trouble with clumping, but it may be because I use it so quickly. Maybe just give it a good shake before each use? I hope it still works great for you!
Priscilla Hege says
I was looking at the Dishwasher detergent recipe and one ingredient was unknown to me.....what is Washing Soda???