17 Reviews of Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

From: isispleiades

On Jul 19, 2008

Just thought I'd give everyone my tip for avoiding the white film on your dishes. Fill only the small pre-wash cup with the "detergent" and fill the larger wash cycle cup with white vinegar and the essential oil. Works perfect every time!

From: Renita

On Dec 31, 2007

This stuff is great--use it lots. If you have problems with film on the glass, just add some vinegar and viola; problem solved. Thanks for a cheap, environmentally friendly alternative Kookaburra! Renita

From: Cookgirl

On May 4, 2008

I'll be using this from now on. Tested the mix last night for the first time in the dishwasher and the dishes came out clean and the glassware sparkling. (I also use the white vinegar trick, too.) I didn't bother adding essential oil. For my machine, 1 tablespoon was sufficient. Thank you for posting this. Note: in the US, Arm and Hammer manufactures washing soda in powder form. In PNW, washing soda can be found at Fred Meyer and WinCo. ~fyi~ Thank you again! cg

From: LEEZAH4

On Sep 6, 2005

Kookaburra, this is my second review on this, I have been using it for 3 months now with no problems. The only thing I do different now is I do not put the powders in the blender, saves alot of time just saving that step, I just mix it all in a container along with lemon essential oil. I have not had any problems with residue build-up or foggy glasses. Thanks again for a wonderful recipe!

From: Missy Wombat

On Aug 12, 2004

This cleaned almost everything in my dishwasher except the porridge pot which I had forgotten to soak. But my regular powder doesn't clean that either. I hd no problems with the glasses unlike the other reviewer. May have something to do with the type of water. You can get washing soda here as a powder so at least in Australia it is worth looking out for. Very easy recipe and effective.

From: SuperSpike

On Jun 3, 2008

I made this because DH was complaining about our dishes smelling and tasting like the commercial detergent I had been using. This was very simple to make- I already had the washing soda on hand (AKA Soda ash or Sodium Carbonate) because I use it as a dye fixative (purchased at www.dharmatrading.com)- I made a double batch and just shook it up in a plastic jar I bought to store it in. I'm not giving it 5 stars just yet as I haven't worked out the right amount to use where it doesn't leave a film on my dishes. I'm using vinegar as a rinse,too- but there's still a milky film on my glasses. DH is thrilled that the dishes no longer smell like soap. *UPDATE- the film kept building on my dishes and I couldn't get the amount right where it would effectively clean without leaving the milky film, so I have switched back to a commercial detergent.

From: Cooking Mom of 7

On Oct 29, 2008

I really hate to give bad reviews but this just did not work. Not only did we still have "stuff" caked on our dishes there was grit in our cups and glasses. All the dishes has a white kind of chalky film on them. I'm sorry but this just doesn't do the job for our family.

From: Chef #1200858

On Mar 31, 2009

I really was hoping this would work...I had all of the ingredients on hand, since I make my own laundry soap and bath soaps...BUT, even with the vinegar in the rinse I still had food stuck on the dishes, and the glasses had film left on them.

From: Soup Fly *

On Jun 23, 2006

I ran out of detergent late last night and decided to give this a try. I made a trial-size batch to start with and all I can say is "Wow!" My dishes (even the ones that had dried on cheese) are completely clean. I did miss that freshly-cleaned scent you get with commercial detergent, so I'll add the oil when I make a full batch.

From: @ngdarlen

On Jan 31, 2006

It's a keeper! Works just as well as the expensive brands and saves me money. Will use this from now on, as I usually have the ingredients anyway, because I also make my own washing powder too. Thanks Kooka