I'm with you on using healthier items for cleaning. Plus with the number of pets we have, I am very careful about trying to keep potential poisons out of thing they come in contact with. I buy a huge jug of white vinegar and use that for a ton of stuff around the house.
If you dont like the smell of vinegar, take orange peels (leftovers from the fruit you eat day to day) and put them in a container of vinegar for a few days. The oils diffuse into the vinegar and "soften" the smell a bit.
Here's the recipe for the dishwashing detergent. It is very similar to the powdered detergent. For the "jet dry" compartment, simply use vinegar as you would the store bought stuff. I think vinegar works better, honestly.
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Materials:
• 1 cup of Borax (laundry booster)
• 1 cup of washing soda (bleach replacement / stain remover)
• 1/2 cup of citric acid / Lemishine
• 1/2 cup salt (Kosher or regular)
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a container.
2. Use 1-2 tablespoon per wash load- one in the open compartment and one in the lock and release compartment.
3. Store in an airtight container.
NOTE:
My sister accidentally discovered how to make dishwasher tabs. Using an ice cube tray and the recipe above, spoon 1-2 tbsp of the recipe into each ice cube "well". Add a little water to each well (it will fizz), mix, then let it sit 24-48hrs until completely dry and hardened. Pop them out and store in a baggie!
[This message edited by GabyBaby at 2:37 PM, August 11th (Monday)]
Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
