dishwasher detergent?

[mtm]

Anyone got a recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent? I hate that the commercial ones are full of such crap. I've seen recipes for laundry soap but not dishwasher detergent.

[dharmamama]

For a while I was using a homemade powder that consisted of borax and citric acid and stuff ... it didn't work, and it ended up clogging up the pump so bad that it broke (for some reason, it was not dissolving correctly). I tried 3 or 4 variations on the theme and none of them worked, unfortunately. Dishwasher detergent is the one thing I have not been able to switch to a natural/homemade brand for. Only the commercial ones keep my dished from getting stained.

dm

[SleepyMamaBear]

we use 7th generation dish powder in our dishwasher with an extra lil oomph from my "special blend" that i make.
i use an old dishsoap bottle(like for handwashing dishes) and put in about 1/4cup Charlies laundry powder, then fill it the rest of the way with hot water and give it a quick shake to disolve. i keep this on the back of my sink and it works GREAT for stuck on foods, stubborn yuck, and i wash my kitchen rags and sponges with it a few times a day then put them in the sun to disinfect.
i notice if i use just the 7th gen without my special blend, stuff doesnt get as clean.

[aradia]

the Ecover brand works well for us.

[Reha]

I *really* like the Ecover brand, especially their tablets. They work so well! But, I have found that the BioKleen brand (who make Bac Out) works just as well, and is a bit better as far as cost.

I like the 7th Gen. brand, but I think it is $$.

Sorry I don't have any recipes for homemade detergent.

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by Lennon

I *really* like the Ecover brand, especially their tablets. They work so well! But, I have found that the BioKleen brand (who make Bac Out) works just as well, and is a bit better as far as cost.

I like the 7th Gen. brand, but I think it is $$.

Sorry I don't have any recipes for homemade detergent.

Great info! We use Ecover and it is SO expensive!!!

[ErikaLeigh]

Another thing that works great is using a mix of a 50/50 mix of borax and bs and a vinegar rinse.

[KMK_Mama]

Originally Posted by aradia

the Ecover brand works well for us.

: We use the tablets and I like them a lot.

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by ErikaLeigh

Another thing that works great is using a mix of a 50/50 mix of borax and bs and a vinegar rinse.

I tried this and it didn't work. It left my dishes with powdery crap all over them. Do you have hard or soft water?

[Tofu the Geek]

We used the 7th Generation brand in our dishwasher in our last home, and it worked beautifully. It did not work at all in our dishwasher in our new home. Dishes came out with stuff crusted all over them and stained from food. We then tried Nature Clean, I think it is, and it also worked poorly. I don't have a store that carries Ecover so we didn't give that a shot. Then we tried Melaleuca Diamond-Brite and it works fantastic, the best of any dishwasher soap we've used. It's phosphate free and cheaper than 7th Generation or Nature Clean.

[KMK_Mama]

Originally Posted by TechnoGranola

We used the 7th Generation brand in our dishwasher in our last home, and it worked beautifully. It did not work at all in our dishwasher in our new home. Dishes came out with stuff crusted all over them and stained from food. We then tried Nature Clean, I think it is, and it also worked poorly. I don't have a store that carries Ecover so we didn't give that a shot. Then we tried Melaleuca Diamond-Brite and it works fantastic, the best of any dishwasher soap we've used. It's phosphate free and cheaper than 7th Generation or Nature Clean.

I actually switched FROM Melaleuca to Ecover. The ONE thing I was sad about when I quit Melaleuca was the dishwashing detergent! But since I found Ecover, I don't miss Melaleuca at all!

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by KMK_Mama

I actually switched FROM Melaleuca to Ecover. The ONE thing I was sad about when I quit Melaleuca was the dishwashing detergent! But since I found Ecover, I don't miss Melaleuca at all!

Sweet, good to know there's a good alternative out there for when I quit buying Melaleuca! And I'm sure that day will come. Right now my mom and I buy and we said that once we struggle to meet the monthly minimum, then we are done!

[Alcyone]

Bumping to see if there are any other ideas....
None of those brands are available in Denmark, and it's impossible to find baking soda here. I'd love to make something if I can.

[Reha]

REally? That is surprising (about the baking soda). It is such a universal cooking ingredient. :

[Alcyone]

They have baking powder, but not just the soda.