We made some dishwasher powder in the weekend and seeing all the dishes come out sparkling clean from the dishwasher had me and Amelie very excited that it worked! I used this recipe from the Bin Inn website as I already had all the ingredients except for the citric acid which I got from the supermarket. I've used the powder three times now and it has worked really well each time.
Eco-friendly Dishwasher Powder
1 Cup Washing Soda (from supermarket)
1 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Salt
1/4 Cup Citric Acid
Mix together (powderise in a food processor). Use 1 tablespoon per load. Way cheaper than the brought stuff, less than 5 cents a load. HINT - use white vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser.
1 Cup Washing Soda (from supermarket)
1 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Salt
1/4 Cup Citric Acid
Mix together (powderise in a food processor). Use 1 tablespoon per load. Way cheaper than the brought stuff, less than 5 cents a load. HINT - use white vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser.
Who would have thought that watching a food processor mix powder could be so riveting...!
I got given some lovely 'Benefit' bath salts years ago and just couldn't get rid of the cute little scoop that came with it....I knew it would come in handy one day!
Using the citric acid reminded me of a fun activity I used to do for science when I was teaching- making fizzy sherbet- so we made some for a treat. Here's the recipe I used..
Sherbet Recipe
4 tablespoons sifted icing sugar (sifted)
2 teaspoons raro juice mix (powdered cordial) in your chosen flavour3 teaspoons of citric acid
1 and a half teaspoons baking soda
Mix ingredients together in a food processor or use a whiz stick. We just used a fork when I was teaching to mix the ingredients but make sure you don't end up with clumps of citric acid or worse still, clumps of baking soda. Obviously not the healthiest treat for children but they do love the fizz!
Next up I'm going to try Wendyl Nissen's laundry detergent but I need to find some borax first. It looks like Trademe is the cheapest place to buy borax but does anyone know of other places to find it? Would love to hear if you have been making any eco-friendly cleaners lately too or have plans to make some.
Thanks for visiting and have a great day :)
Megan x
12 comments:
wow that dishwasher powder sounds amazing. I am definitely going to try it. The sherbet sounds fun too but not sure if we can get anything like the raro juice mix here!
Jenny
Thanks for the recipe! Looks fabulous. I'm just off to make some of Wendyl's laundry clay, I love the stuff. Doesn't use borax so I can find the ingredients easier.
I've made the borax recipe and I LOVE it !! !! !! I brought Washing Soda Baking Soda and Borax from TM and I think all up including postage (which was WAY WAY WAY over charged) was about $40ish dollars
Thanks heaps for the dishwashing powder recipe that was next on my list of makes -
Thanks for the dishwasher powder recipe I am definately going to give it a go.
I have made Wendyl's laundry detergent and love it. I got the borax from Simplifoods at the Mount and paid about $13 for a kg
Hi Megan, I will give that washing powder a go. I never bothered before as we never had a dish washer. But the house we are moving too has one. I love love love white vinegar I use it with my day to day cleaning.
Ahhh sherbet your recipe took me back to childhood memories....of buying it from the local dairy.
As for Borax Lotus Oils, sell this. I buy quite a few of my supplies from them.
After we have moved I will be making hand soap in a pump bottle for our home.
Hello Megan! Thanks for your comment! If you are not our lucky winner, they will be for sale at www.frankanddean.bigcartel.com or I am happy to do commissions for labels if you were after something unique and your own!
Great blog, I follow you now!
Thanks for following us x x x
Thanks for the recipe Megan! I will definitely be trying it out. I have made my own laundry detergent in the past, and have found that the washing soda is quite hard on my food processor for some reason. Anyway I have just started trying out a new laundry detergent today, I will let you know how I get on, here's the link
http://livesimply.co.nz/
HI Megan,
Loved this post! I am just about to make some dishwashing powder which looks similar to your recipe but I found it on a homesteading website. Good to know you had great success with it!!
Love the sherbet idea too...something to try with the kids indeed!
I got my borax from Bin Inn actually and it was really reasonable. You don't actually use a lot for Wendyl's recipe, I think it's only 1/4 cup so it works out really cheap for the final product. Love that washing liquid!
Just gave a mention to your post about survival kits, you have inspired me to get moving on mine (had already started it at that stage but your post gave me a kick to get moving!) and although I haven't completed it, I feel a lot better knowing I have something set aside and can add to it as I go!!
Thanks again for a great post!!
I was making homemade washing powder in Oz and borax was sold at the supermarket...is it not here? I havent checked yet. Will check out local Bin Inn as want to make that laundry liquid too!
That sherbert looks great Megan, might have to put it on our to do list for the school holidays.
I never knew you could make dishwasher powder yourself. I am very interested! How does it store? Just keep it in an airtight container I suppose. Do you think it would go clumpy in a more humid climate than NZ?
I have been loving your series on homemade cleaners! thanks for all the recipes... I have been using baking soda to wash my hair and apple cider vinegar to condition it! Feels weird but works a treat...just need to make sure I rinse the vinegar out thoroughly:) lol
Hi Megan,
I've added your Eco Dishwasher Powder to this months "Things I'm Loving" with a link back to your blog http://thelittlehousewife.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/things-im-loving.html
This Dishwasher Powder is absolutely fantastic! Our dishes come out fresh and aqueaky clean every time. I love the smell plus its great knowing there is no yucky chemical residue left on our dishes.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Penny at Little Housewife xxx
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