DIY - Dishwasher Detergent

This crystal clear glass was washed in the dishwasher
using my homemade dishwasher detergent!

I loaded the dishwasher with all the dishes that filled up my two sinks...I mean, the dishwasher was packed!

We hadn't had dinner yet, so we were going to have to use some of those dishes that very day. But...we were completely out of dishwasher detergent! Of course, I didn't know this when I loaded the thing. And now that I let the dishes get so out of hand, there was no way I was going to hand wash all those dishes and still be able to cook dinner.

So here I go, homeMAKING again...it really amazes me how many things can actually be made at home, in almost no time at all! Thanks to Google, where I go for everything (which lately has been pointing me to Pinterest links) I found out I already had the ingredients for homemade detergent. Who knew?

It's very simple, and if you already make your own laundry detergent, you have the ingredients too!

Ready? Here it is...

1 cup borax
1 cup super washing soda

1/2 cup kosher salt (supposed to help soften the water?)

15-20 drops essential oil (optional, I use sweet orange)

Use exactly the same as regular powdered dishwashing detergent.

The actual recipe that I found called for citric acid to keep water spots away, and omitted the essential oil. I don't keep citric acid on hand, and probably never will. I'm hoping the sweet orange oil that I added for the scent helps rinse the dishes as citric acid is supposed to.  I have been using my homemade detergent for a full month now, and I absolutely love it! My glasses have never been cleaner, I have not had a water spot or food residue problem. I should also note that I use vinegar in the rinse cycle. I figure I wash my windows with vinegar and don't get smudges, so it should have the same effect on my glass dishes, right?

Have you replaced any of your regualr household cleaners with a DIY version?