How to Make Powdered Dishwasher Detergent Only 3 Ingredients
It’s easy to make your own powdered dishwasher detergent. Your dishwasher pods cost 40 cents each. This takes 2 minutes to mix, costs pennies per load, and cleans just as well without the mystery chemicals.
Yield: 2 cups
Cost: 5
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Materials
- 1 Cup Washing Soda not baking soda, this matters
- 1/2 Cup Citric Acid
- 1/2 Cup Kosher Salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the washing soda, citric acid and kosher salt.1 Cup Washing Soda, 1/2 Cup Citric Acid, 1/2 Cup Kosher Salt
- Store in a sealed container.
- To use, add 1 tablespoon per load in your dishwasher soap dispenser with the powder mixture and close the lid.
Notes
You only need 1 tablespoon per load. That is it. Not a heaping scoop. Not two tablespoons because your dishes are extra dirty. One level tablespoon in the detergent cup of your dishwasher.
If you use too much, you will end up with a cloudy residue on your glasses because the extra powder does not rinse away cleanly. If you use too little, greasy pans might not come out perfectly clean.
Optional add in: borax powder. You can add up to a cup of borax powder or swap the citric acid for borax. However, we chose to omit borax in our recipe due to the way it can harm some older septic systems.
Keep Your Detergent from Clumping
Optional: Add a flow agent. If you want a professional “never clumps” texture:- Add 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch
- Or 1 teaspoon of arrowroot powder
- Mason jar with a new lid
- Weck jar
- Flip‑top jar with a silicone gasket
- Above the dishwasher
- Next to the sink
- Near the stove