Eco‑friendly and affordable: outsmarting the dishwashing industry with homemade detergents

If you find the dishes washed in your dishwasher don't look as clean as they should, particularly if you notice greasy streaks, it's time to change. That doesn't mean checking the appliance, but it does mean switching chemical detergents. They are often the culprits behind dirty plates and utensils. Before you consider switching brands or types of dishwasher tablets, consider discarding them altogether. Look inside your cupboards, as you might find effective alternatives.

Recently, soda ash, or borax, has become increasingly popular. It's non-toxic, eco-friendly, and effectively softens hard water. Moreover, it's suitable for dishwashers and generally beneficial for dishwashing and keeping dishes shiny. It's also economical – a kilogram of this product typically costs about $4.

To use borax in your dishwasher, simply place two scoops of it into the dishwasher's detergent compartment, filling about 2/3 of it. Using soda ash alone can result in incredible results, but including vinegar can enhance these effects. Vinegar not only gives your dishes a natural shine but also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. A small amount of vinegar poured into the rinse aid compartment is an economic, effective, and safe solution.

If you want your dishes to be exceptionally clean, consider preparing an ultra-cleaning agent for your dishwasher. Simply combine 1 cup of borax, 1/2 cup of baking soda or calcined soda, and 1/2 cup of sodium percarbonate. While it might sound like a chemistry experiment, there's no need for concern – it won't explode, but it will effectively clean the dishes in your dishwasher. To use it, just pour one tablespoon of this homemade mixture into the appliance, then run a one-hour cycle.