Of all the recipes, this one has been the most difficult to formulate. I have tested dozens of procedures over the years: cutting lemons and trying to make a liquid detergent from them, mixing Castile soap and vinegar, shuffling different powders in all sorts of imaginative combinations, and so on. I'm still asking myself how my dishwasher can still be working - still “be alive"- after so much creativity and experimentation with my personal DIY!
I have learned that it is extremely difficult to identify the most eco-friendly and, at the same time, effective formula for a dishwasher detergent when there are several elements that affect the outcome - the dishwasher brand, the kind of water, the cycle you decide to use and, of course, the amount of grime.
After extensive research, I have concluded that this is the best recipe and the best combination of powders I can find - so far, anyway! I prefer working in grams because it is more accurate than ml/tbs/oz.
Ingredients
50g Sodium Carbonate
40g Sodium Citrate
20g Sodium Percarbonate
1-3 drops Washing up liquid
How to prepare
Mix the powders together in a glass or plastic jar.
How to use
Put one or two tablespoons (15-30g) of this mixture into the detergent compartment of the dishwasher, then add up to a maximum of three drops of your washing-up liquid. Always remember to refill the rinse-aid dispenser with your citric acid solution (recipe here).
TIP
With this recipe, you have to use a little bit of washing-up liquid. You can increase the amount in order to make your detergent more effective, but do not use too much soap, unless you want soap bubbles all over your kitchen floor!
Seriously, though, always remember that too much washing-up liquid can damage your dishwasher. This formula is safe for septic tanks.
About the ingredients
SODIUM CARBONATE - Na2CO3 - is also known as washing soda, soda ash, soda crystals and soda Solvay.
SODIUM CITRATE - Na3C6H5O7 - is an essential ingredient that acts as a sequestrant.
Sodium citrate is not the same as citric acid. In fact, citric acid is a weak organic acid (pH 2 approx), sodium citrate (pH 7 approx) is the sodium salt of citric acid. This means that to make the sodium citrate you need the citric acid. Like citric acid, it has a sour taste. Like other salts, it also has a salty taste.
CITRIC ACID - C6H8O7 - It occurs naturally in citrus fruits and is widely used as an acidity regulator, flavouring and preservative in food and drinks. It can also replace many of our domestic cleaning products.
SODIUM PERCARBONATE - Na2CO3·1.5H2O2 - it is an adduct of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, and basically the "friendly" alternative to bleach.
WASHING UP LIQUID is really important for making our recipes as it will help us to clean correctly and to achieve effective results.
Have a look at this website for more dishwasher recipes and tips.
HAPPY DIY
LOVE _ JO