diy dishwashing detergent

When I started researching what was really in my cleaning products, I quickly realized how many unnecessary (and often toxic) ingredients go into everyday items like dishwasher detergent. Inspired to be intentional about the ingredients we use to clean our everyday dishes, I tried a DIY non-toxic dishwasher detergent recipe that’s simple, effective, and super affordable. And I will never go back! At just 3 cents per load, it’s budget-friendly, easy to make, and safe for the whole family. Plus, it actually works (better than our Cascade)!

Why Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent?

Most store-bought dishwasher detergents contain ingredients that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Creating your own detergent means you’re in control of what’s cleaning your dishes, making it safer for your family and easier on the wallet. Plus, this recipe uses ingredients that work naturally to break down grease and leave your dishes spotless without harsh chemicals.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick breakdown of the ingredients and their roles in this non-toxic dishwasher detergent:

1. Citric Acid – This ingredient is key for sparkling, streak-free dishes. It’s naturally acidic, making it powerful enough to remove hard water spots and grime.

2. Baking Soda – Baking soda provides gentle scrubbing power and helps to neutralize odors.

3. Washing Soda – Washing soda is a natural cleaner that cuts through grease and grime.

4. Your favorite essential oils!

5. A Glass Jar– Store your powdered soap in an airtight glass jar for best results!

Together, these ingredients create a powerful, safe, and affordable dishwasher detergent you can feel good about.

*EDIT 11/27/24: I doubled this recipe when I made this batch and didn’t accurately number the amounts used in the recipe. It has been updated to reflect the correct amount of ingredients for 112 standard loads.

shop citric acid | shop baking soda | shop washing soda | shop glass jars

four-ingredient non-toxic dishwasher detergent

a simple, effective recipe for crystal clean dishes without the toxic ingredients.

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 112 standard loads

Cost: $.05 per load. (about $5 per batch)

Equipment

• 1 glass jar an airtight container to store the powder in

• 1 tablespoon measure metal, glass, or another non-toxic material is preferred

• 1 silicone spatula to mix everything together

Materials

• 1 cup citric acid

• 2 cup baking soda

• 4 cups washing soda

• 40-60 drops essential oils *optional, I used lemon!

Instructions

• Add everything into a jar and stir or shake to combine.

• Store in an airtight container.

• Use 1 Tablespoon per load of dishes.

• To minimize & eliminate cloudiness, add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment in your dishwasher.

EDITED 6/4/25:

troubleshooting tips for cloudy dishes

If you’ve tried this recipe and noticed a white film or cloudy residue on your dishes, you're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. Every dishwasher and water type is a little different, so here are a few tweaks that might help:

• Add 1–2 tablespoons of borax to the mix. It can help soften the water and reduce cloudiness, especially if you have hard water.

• Use white vinegar as a rinse aid. Just pour it into the rinse aid compartment of your dishwasher. This can help rinse minerals off your dishes more effectively.

• Try adjusting the recipe. Reducing the baking soda or increasing the citric acid slightly can help balance the formula depending on your water type.

• Run a cleaning cycle with vinegar. If your dishwasher has a film or buildup, try running an empty cycle with a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack to help break it down.

Homemade mixes can take a little trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if the first batch isn’t perfect! I’ll continue testing and updating this post with anything new I learn.

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