When you are buying cleaning tools and planning to re-clean your own home, you may find that some commercial cleaners can sometimes be very expensive, so if you don’t buy them, is there any other way to make your own cleaner? Today we will talk about if you make your own dishwasher cleaner, in fact, it is relatively simple to make, only need four common DIY materials, the following recipe is enough for 32 dishwasher cleaning.
The average American household spends approximately $156 annually on dishwasher detergent, according to recent consumer spending data. By switching to this homemade formula, you can reduce that cost by roughly 60-70%, bringing your annual expense down to around $45-50. I’ve been making my own detergent for three years now, and honestly, the savings add up faster than you’d expect—especially when you buy the ingredients in bulk from warehouse stores.
“Making dish detergent may be a bit more time-consuming than store-bought,” says Kathy Cohoon of Two Maids. “[But the] pro is that you can adjust the recipe to your liking and preferences. You may also save money in the long run, and avoid chemical additives in some store-bought versions.”
What really sold me on homemade detergent was learning about the environmental impact. Commercial dishwasher detergents often contain phosphates and synthetic surfactants that can harm aquatic ecosystems. The Environmental Working Group rates many commercial detergents poorly due to concerns about skin irritation and environmental toxicity. When you make your own, you know exactly what’s going down your drain.
Liquid, Tablet, or Powder: Which Dishwasher Detergent Cleans Best?
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Cohoon recommends a powdered mixture of washing soda, borax, salt, and citric acid powder. “Washing soda will obviously wash things up, while borax helps erase residue and remove baked-on stains and grime,” she says. “Citric acid is able to balance water pH levels and can break down hard water, saving your machine and dishes from stains; the salt will also help soften the water.”
Each ingredient plays a specific scientific role that’s worth understanding. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) has a pH of around 11, making it highly alkaline and effective at breaking down grease and food particles. Borax acts as a natural enzyme booster—it actually helps other cleaning agents work more effectively by maintaining an optimal pH level throughout the wash cycle.
The citric acid is particularly clever here. Most people don’t realize that hard water affects about 85% of American homes, leaving those annoying white spots on glassware. Citric acid chelates (basically grabs onto) the calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness, preventing them from depositing on your dishes. I learned this the hard way after moving to an area with extremely hard water—my glasses looked terrible until I started adding extra citric acid to my mix.
Salt might seem like an odd addition, but it serves dual purposes: it helps soften water naturally and acts as a mild abrasive for stubborn food particles. Plus, it prevents the mixture from clumping together in humid environments, which I discovered is essential if you live in a coastal area like I do.
What You’ll Need
- Equal parts washing soda and borax (about 1 1/2 cups each)
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup citric acid powder
Steps
- Using a plastic spoon, mix washing soda and borax in a mixing bowl.
- Add salt and citric acid powder.
- Transfer to an airtight plastic container to store.
Here’s a tip I wish someone had told me earlier: use a plastic spoon, not metal. The alkaline nature of washing soda can react with certain metals over time. Also, mix the ingredients in a well-ventilated area—while these are natural ingredients, the fine powder can be irritating if you breathe too much of it.
For storage, I’ve found that old peanut butter jars work perfectly, but make sure whatever container you choose has a tight seal. Moisture is the enemy of homemade detergent. I learned this lesson when my first batch turned into a solid brick after I left the lid slightly loose during a particularly humid summer week.
The shelf life is actually quite impressive—this mixture stays effective for up to two years when stored properly. Compare that to liquid commercial detergents, which typically lose effectiveness after 12-15 months.
How to Use Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Switching to homemade dishwasher detergent doesn’t have to mean changing your usual dishwashing routine, though Cohoon recommends reading the manufacturer’s instructions for your dishwasher to make sure there are no ingredients or chemicals you should avoid.
Use about 1 tablespoon per load—that’s roughly half the amount you’d use with commercial powder detergents. I initially made the mistake of using too much, thinking more would mean cleaner dishes. Wrong. Excess detergent actually leaves a film on dishes and can cause your dishwasher to overflow with suds.
Whether you use homemade or store-bought detergent, Cohoon also recommends rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. “Give your dishes a good rinse to avoid clogging the machinery in your dishwasher or getting streaky dishes,” she says.
Modern dishwashers are actually designed to handle some food particles—the enzymes in commercial detergents need something to work on. But with homemade detergent, I’ve found that a quick rinse really does make a difference, especially for dishes with dried-on food. The homemade formula doesn’t contain the same enzymes that break down proteins and starches as effectively as commercial versions.
One thing that surprised me was how well this mixture works in both soft and hard water areas. In my previous apartment with soft water, I used about 3/4 tablespoon per load. After moving to an area with hard water, I bumped it up to a full tablespoon and sometimes add an extra pinch of citric acid for heavily soiled loads.
The Right Way to Clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Cleaner
Keep your dishwasher running at peak performance by deep cleaning it once a month. “Clean your dishwasher regularly to avoid product buildup and ensure a complete clean every time,” says Cohoon.
This maintenance step becomes even more important when using homemade detergent. While the ingredients are natural, they can still build up over time, particularly the salt and citric acid. I noticed my dishwasher developing a slightly cloudy film after about six months of exclusive homemade detergent use—nothing a good deep clean couldn’t fix.
Follow these steps to make a DIY dishwasher cleaner:
- Position 1 cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine.
- Run the dishwasher through one full hot-water cycle. By doing so, you will effectively wash away both visual stains and stickiness, as well as any stinky odors.
- For the final rinse, evenly distribute one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Run another hot water cycle.
This combination of steps will leave your dishwasher sparkling clean.
The science behind this cleaning method is actually fascinating. Vinegar’s acetic acid (typically 5% in household vinegar) dissolves mineral deposits and soap scum, while its antimicrobial properties eliminate odor-causing bacteria. The baking soda step neutralizes any remaining acid and provides gentle abrasive action to remove stubborn buildup.
I’ve experimented with different cleaning schedules and found that monthly deep cleaning works well for moderate use (7-10 loads per week). If you run your dishwasher daily or have particularly hard water, you might want to clean it every three weeks. The telltale signs it’s time for a clean include spots on glassware that won’t come off, a musty smell when you open the door, or visible buildup around the spray arms.
One additional tip: check and clean your dishwasher’s filter every few months. Most people don’t even know their dishwasher has a removable filter, but it’s usually located at the bottom of the tub. Food particles and detergent residue can accumulate there, affecting performance regardless of what type of detergent you use.
