I can’t get over how expensive dishwasher tablets are, especially the eco varieties.
The sad thing is, ‘eco’ doesn’t always equal eco-friendly. Just because a bottle or packet says ‘organic’ or ‘earth’ means very little.
If you haven’t heard of the term ‘green washing’, let me fill you in quickly… Some companies like to tell us what they’re not including in their products, and print words like ‘natural’, ‘green’, ‘eco’ etc., yet some still use some very questionable ingredients. In Australia, companies are not required to list ingredients on the labels of their cleaning products. True eco brands are fully transparent, with nothing to hide and they’re the brands I encourage you support if DIY isn’t your thing.
This recipe began as a powder. The tablet version was born after continual frustration from my husband and I, when using the powder version. It had a tendency of clumping together into a solid block, meaning we were hacking at it with a knife to break blocks off… GRRR! I figured that purposely clumping powder together and making “tablets” myself meant we’d have less hassle each evening getting lovely non-toxic dishwasher powder into our dishwasher! It’s so easy to do. If you’re not already making your own, why not give it a go? And if you have tried and you’re not completely in love with the results, read this blog for some handy tips.
Dishwasher Tablets
Makes: 850 g Prep time: < 5 min. (plus setting time)
Ingredients
- 300 g sodium carbonate (washing soda)
- 250 g citric acid
- 200 g borax
- 100 g fine salt
- 1-2 drops of essential oils (per use)
Extra Equipment Required
Moulds or ice-cube trays (silicone is the best choice for ease of unmoulding)
My Choice of Essential Oils
My favourite essential oils in this recipe are lime and lemon, but don’t be limited by my suggestions. Use oils that fit your budget, or those that you already have in your collection. Read here for more information on essential oils.
Method
1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined.
2. Spoon mixture into moulds and press down firmly until full.
3. Leave to set for 12-24 hours in a cool and dry place. After this time, turn moulds upside down and gently tap the bottom – tablets should fall out easily.
4. Place on a tray or sheet of baking paper and leave to dry for a further 24 hours before storing in container of choice.
To Use
Add essential oils (if using) to one tablet and place in the dispenser of your dishwasher prior to operation. Replace rinse aid with this recipe.
Recipe Notes
- While I am comfortable using natural borax for cleaning applications (check out this blog post), you might prefer to avoid it. If so, just leave it out – simple! Want to know a secret? The tablets set much better without borax anyway and I don’t notice a difference in cleaning results.
- Yes this recipe is a powder, with no liquid (there are no typos).
- Tablets may stick together, depending on how much moisture gets into your storage container. They should, however, come apart easily enough. If this really bothers you, line tablets on some baking paper and create layers.
- If you leave this completed recipe (the powder) in a container, it will solidify – so making tablets is best. If your dishwasher only takes powder, either crush before use or throw on the floor of the dishwasher.
- Kmart has great ice-cube trays with silicone bottoms that allow you to pop tablets out easily.
- When removing tablets, do so over your dishwasher so any excess particles land in your dishwasher rather than wasted on the bench or floor!
- I trust that you will make the decision on whether this formula is suitable for your dishwasher. I cannot take any responsibility if your dishwasher doesn’t agree with this recipe.
- If you want dishwashing powder, simply: Make the mixture, spread it on a tray and leave it to dry. Break the mixture up and pop it into a blender (I use my Thermomix). Store in a sealed container.
34 Comments
Hi there, could I use Epsom salts instead of the fine salt?
I wouldn’t, no.
Hello. I’m going to try these tablets tonight. I’m pretty excited.
Can I add the oils into the mix or does it have to be dropped on each tablet?
Thanks
Hi Kim, how did you go! Love that you’re excited. You can add oils to each tablet, for sure. Happy making!
Hi Krissy, I made these and they came together beautifully and washed the dishes beautifully. The issue I had however was that once I put them into a sealed glass jar, they all stuck together and a lot disintegrated 🙁 What did I do wrong please?
Hey Fiona, good to hear you had success with performance! If your jar had any moisture at all, this can happen. Or if they’re not fully dry before they get packed in, it can happen too. To prevent this, make sure they have been left to dry, after you’ve popped them out of your moulds, for at least 24 hours. Or, store them in a shallow container. Good luck!
These were my first diy chemical free experiment and omg they are amazing. I have not turned back
These are the best DIY dishwasher tablets I have made. I try other recipes every now and then but always end up back with these. Perfect, easy and very cost effective too.
love my home made dishwasher tablets, when i first began making them my husband found them in the ice cube trays setting & thought i must be making treats so had to sneak a little taste, he has now learnt to ask before he tastes things i make, I have the big book & i purchased the smaller books for my daughter who i also introduced to this wonderful site
No more store bought ones for me! Love making these knowing that no harsh chemicals are going onto the dishes?
These are amazing. Have been using this recipe for over a year now and love them. Have made them for friends too.
This is fantastic. I’ve been making this for well over a year now & I’ll never go back. It cleans my dishes so well & I get a great peace of mind knowing there’s no nasties in it.
How large should each tablet be? In other words, how many does this recipe make?
I use a standard ice cube tray. They’d weigh around 15g each (about 1 tablespoon’s worth). I hope that helps.
These dishwasher tablets are so easy to make and use. Results are fantastic, nice to know it’s safe.
Hi there,
I was just wondering about the longer term use of the diy dishwasher tabs. We have been using ours for a while now and noticing there is a build up of gunk on the inside of the machine, like it’s not quite cleaning out properly. Is there a way to give your dishwasher a deep clean? Or is there any long term side effects of using DIY products? If so, what should I do???? My husband is just about ready to go back to the harsh shop bought stuff.
Thanks,
Gen
Hi Gen, have you seen this post? It has info on cleaning your dishwasher too. Good luck (and please keep at it!!) x https://krissyballinger.com.au/blog/natural-dishwasher-tablets-tips-for-best-results/
I love this recipe. Knowing we are not eating all the yucky stuff from the chemical laden shop bought tablets with our foodmakes me very happy.
Hi Krissy,
Could these be used in a container with dish cloths to make my own sanitising wipes, or would you suggesting something different?
Hi Sam, I am not sure I follow. You want to put the dishwasher tablets in a container with cloths? No, I wouldn’t suggest that. I have Cleaning Wipes in my book (https://krissyballinger.com.au/naturally-inspired-diy-recipe-book/), or you may find other suggestions online 🙂
Do you need to wear a mask when using citric acid ? I find it irritates my nose and throat.
If you find any of these ingredients are irritating you, definitely wear a mask.
Hi, do you sell the ingredients in pack form? Eg: if I want to make the dishwasher tablets, can I buy a pack with what I would need just for the tablets?
Rachel
Hi Rachel, I don’t sell ingredients. Check out this info for suppliers > https://krissyballinger.com.au/blog/my-favourite-suppliers-of-natural-ingredients-packaging-accessories/
I read on a similar recipe that it should not be used in d/washers with stainless steel interiors – didn’t say why. Does the same apply for this one?
Hi Helen, I’ll be honest and say I wish more people spoke about the need for mainstream tablets to be kept out of our homes and waterways, and I’ll also say that I can only speak from my own experience and research – but I believe these tablets to be fine in stainless steel appliances (that’s what we have and we have had no issues). But, if in doubt, don’t use them 🙂
If you remove the borax from the recipe, do you increase the amount of any of the remaining ingredients?
No need 🙂 In my opinion, it actually works just as well.
After they have set for the final 24 hrs, is it possible to add the EO to each tab for storage instead of right before use?
Thank you!
Yes, you could do that, Leslie, but you may find it easier to just add them to the mix beforehand.
I tried this recipe and followed the directions, however I left the powder in the mould for 24hrs and when turning them over to tap them out it just turned to powder it was not solid at all. What did I do wrong?
Hi Naomi,
There are a few reasons why they may not have set in tablet form. A few points:
Were your mould basic flexible silicone moulds without intricate grooves?
Did you pack mixture into moulds very firmly?
Sometimes moisture in the environment can affect setting time and they need a little extra time. It can help to unmould one of them before trying to unmould them all. Then you can leave them a little longer if required. A suggestion for you would be to let the crumbled mixture dry out fully on a tray, then blend and store as a powder. You can use a tablespoon-worth each load.
I’d prefer a powder so if I make this recipe and blend will stay powdery?
Hey Cherie, if you make it, let it set and blend it again, it should stay as a powder 🙂