Save money and the planet with homemade dishwasher powder

The dishwasher is one of those appliances I can't imagine my kitchen without. It resolves the timeless debate of who will wash the dishes today and makes cleaning up after dinner more enjoyable. To make this task even more economical, I turn to homemade dishwashing powder.

If you're looking to cut down on dishwasher detergent costs while also caring for the environment, homemade dishwashing powder offers the best of both worlds. Instead of overpaying for tablets marketed as "eco-friendly," you can easily make them at home. You only need a few simple, inexpensive, and readily available ingredients to achieve streak-free, clean dishes.

Homemade powder is significantly cheaper than commercial products. The ingredients are natural and biodegradable, reducing the environmental burden. Most importantly, it cleans dishes wonderfully, removing even stubborn stains.

Create your own eco-friendly powder at home! You only need easily accessible ingredients:

• a cup of baking soda,
• a cup of borax,
• half a cup of citric acid in powder form,
• a cup of salt.

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and store them in an airtight container in a dry place. Before each wash, add two tablespoons of powder to the dishwasher's dispenser and start the selected program.

Baking soda and salt act as abrasives and neutralize unpleasant odors. Borax effectively cuts through grease and stains while softening the water, and citric acid adds shine and a fresh scent.

Don't even think about pouring dish soap into your dishwasher. You'll end up with a sea of foam flooding your kitchen, often causing damage to the appliance. It might look impressive in movies, but it's better not to try it at home.

Although a dishwasher is undoubtedly a very helpful appliance, not everything can be placed in it.

• Silver and silver-plated items: They may lose their shine and develop a dark patina.
• Non-stick coated dishes: High temperatures can damage the coating.
• Cast iron and aluminum dishes: They may rust and discolor.
• Enameled and copper dishes: They may lose color and shine.
• Wooden items: They may crack, warp, and absorb water.
• Plastic dishes: Not all plastics resist high temperatures. Check the markings on the dish.
• Hand-painted dishes: The designs may wash off or get damaged.
• Crystal and delicate porcelain: They may crack.

Additionally, avoid washing stainless steel cutlery with wooden handles, copper, tin, aluminum, hand-decorated porcelain, pots with non-stick coatings, and plastic items that are not heat-resistant.