DIY Dishwasher Detergent Success!

[violetpastille]

There was a time (not so long ago) when I was heedless and bought dishwasher "pacs".
They cost a lot of money and they worked..okay.
I had no idea what was in them and I never gave it much thought.
The man who installed the dishwasher recommended them and I assented.

Now I have a little more time than money and a LOT more concern for what I am putting in our water.

This is what I'm doing now and it works great. No film or grit or residue on the dishes or in the dishwasher.

1/4 teaspoon citric acid
3/4 teaspoon washing soda
measured into the detergent dispenser.

I fill the "rinse aid" reservoir with vinegar and splash a little vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher and start it up.

Everything sparkles!

(For now, with the volume of dirty dishes I have -using the dishwasher is the greener choice https://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/built-in-dishwashers-vs-hand-washing-which-is-greener.html rather than doing them by hand. But If I had fewer dishes I would hand wash.)

[ploppy]

1. Thanks!

I am going to give it a try.

[hlthe2b]

3. I think I will too...

I already use white vinegar in lieu of fabric softener in the wash... Works well.

[procon]

2. Simple solution! nt

[mitch96]

4. Where do you get citric acid??

Is it powder or liquid??
tnx
mitch

[violetpastille]

5. If you can find it locally it will probably be in the canning section of your grocery store

In powder form.

I bought 5 pounds on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Citric-Acid-Pound-VERIFIED/dp/B00EYFKNL8/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1544323556&sr=8-3&keywords=citric+acid

You could get it on Ebay or Etsy. It seems like it is most commonly used for homemade bath bombs. The DIY detergent works on the same principle. The chemicals are inert when dry but mixed in water they dissolve and the citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate in the washing soda to form sodium citrate and carbon dioxide and create fizzing.

I have read online about people adding one or two drops of liquid dish soap to the mixture for more soaping action, but..I can see how that could go horribly wrong for me and overfoam.

[mitch96]

7. Thanks... but what is a bath bomb?

Nothing illegal I hope... Just to create create fizzing?
Anyhoo, I'll give it a try..

m

[violetpastille]

9. It's something folks put in their baths to make the water fizzy and colorful and fragrant.

They are kind of a luxury for some.

https://www.lushusa.com/bath/bath-bombs/twilight/03157.html

I think they are silly.

I don't want colors and oils and glitter in the bathtub.

I don't like scrubbing the tub! It's my unfavorite chore.

But baking soda and citric acid can clump together and be formed into a solid "pac" or ball.

That's why I keep the washing soda and citric acid separate until I'm ready to use them.

If I were more industrious I could make my own "pacs" using a silicone mold. But..nah.

[mitch96]

10. "baths to make the water fizzy"

Now that would be weird... LIke taking a bath in seltzer?? but it would have a "aroma" right?
m

[violetpastille]

11. Yes a bath bomb is a combination of

Color - To dye the water - Sometimes glitter
Fragrance
Oils
And the combination of baking soda and citric acid that when they hit the water start fizzing. Just like a big Alka Seltzer tablet.

[WhiteTara]

6. what is your washing soda?

[violetpastille]

8. I bought it in the laundry section at Walmart

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arm-Hammer-Super-Washing-Soda-Detergent-Booster-Household-Cleaner-55oz/19407690?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=4221&adid=22222222227015530436&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40343053112&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-78303208712&wl5=9033615&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=19407690&wl13=4221&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAl7PgBRBWEiwAzFhmmmDtcSd_ZY1b3wI2EwgSHYI72X9J10OXQwwVoKIDXdEhKFa1d1QarRoCpCgQAvD_BwE

I also buy Fels-Naptha soap there to make laundry detergent.

If you don't buy it at Walmart it's pretty expensive on Amazon but Dharma Trading Company has it for a good price
https://www.dharmatrading.com/chemicals/soda-ash-fixer.html

You can make your own from baking soda but it takes a couple of hours in a 400 degree oven.
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-washing-soda-2145888

[Kaleva]

12. Interesting!

[violetpastille]

13. I'm more casual with the proportion now.

I use a half tablespoon of each and a bigger splash of vinegar.