You can easily make dishwasher tablets yourself. You need only a few ingredients which you probably already have in your home. After all, the dishwasher is a valuable helper in your daily work and is practically indispensable.
Dishwasher versus handwashing
The dishwasher not only makes your kitchen work easier, it also helps you save water: washing by hand requires on average about 25 liters. And this depends on how sparing you are with the water. Newer dishwashers require only about 6 – 10 liters for the same amount of dishes.
Dishwasher tablets
Using dishwasher tablets often generates a lot of packaging waste. Frequently each individual tablet is wrapped separately in film. Dishwasher powder performs better in that respect. Not everyone likes it, because handling a dishwasher tablet is quicker or more convenient.
The ingredients of conventional dishwasher tablets are often questionable and, in the long term, burden groundwater and the environment. Unfortunately, many dishwashing tablets are based on petroleum-derived chemicals and phosphates.
The solution: If you value an environmentally friendly, cost-effective option, you can easily make dishwasher tablets yourself! In the process you’ll even save money. The ingredients don’t cost much, and you most likely already have the required equipment in your kitchen: you really need no more than a bowl, a spoon, a measuring cup or a kitchen scale, and small molds.
Make dishwasher tablets easily with these ingredients
Those who make the practical dishwasher tablets at home can deliberately choose the ingredients. Citric acid, washing soda, baking soda and optionally special dishwasher salt are suitable here.
Recipes for making dishwasher tablets yourself
Here are some example recipes for anyone who wants to try producing the cleaning tablets themselves:
1. Dishwasher tablet recipe „Foaming“
- 100 grams baking soda
- 100 grams citric acid
- 50 grams washing soda
- 25 milliliters water
- 25 milliliters vinegar – preferably use plain table vinegar
First put the „dry“ ingredients – i.e. baking soda, citric acid and washing soda – into a bowl and mix them. It is best to pour the individual ingredients very slowly and carefully into the mixing vessel. It is advisable to wear a mask and keep the window open.
Then mix the vinegar and water. Afterwards, while stirring, add the mixture to the remaining ingredients. Don’t be alarmed. Baking soda in particular reacts quite strongly with the vinegar. It will foam and fizz for a few minutes. You can then pour the mass into ice cube trays, chocolate molds or similar small molds. Leave them there at room temperature for several hours to dry.
2. Dishwasher Tab Recipe „Quick and easy“
- 75 grams citric acid
- 75 grams baking soda
- 75 grams washing soda
- 4 tablespoons water
First mix all dry ingredients. Then add the water spoon by spoon. In the end the mass should have a consistency like damp but not wet sand. Here too the ingredients will react with each other, producing foam and fumes. Wear a mask and keep the window open. This recipe also requires several hours of RESTing time so the homemade dishwasher tabs can dry through properly. That way your dishwasher tabs will be longer-lasting and retain their shape without becoming crumbly or slimy.
3. Dishwasher Tab Recipe „For the very rushed or last-minute“
- 150 grams citric acid
- 150 grams washing soda
- water as needed
This recipe is for minimalist enthusiasts: mix the two dry ingredients with just enough water to form a thick paste. Fill the paste into molds and let it dry thoroughly. Preparation takes less than five minutes. The drying takes some time. In return you’ll have very inexpensive dishwasher tabs.
You can also scent your tabs with your preferred fragrance. Add a few (very few!) drops of a fragrance oil to the other ingredients. This will leave the dishwasher and kitchen smelling pleasantly fresh after the wash. Organic lemon or organic orange oil are particularly recommended.
Which molds are recommended for dishwasher tabs?
It is best to use ice cube or praline molds. It is important that the homemade dishwasher tab fits into the designated compartment of your dishwasher. Tip: If necessary, do not fill the mold completely so that it fits well into the dishwasher compartment. What if your dishwasher tabs turn out too large? You can simply break them to reduce them to the optimal size. If, on the other hand, they have become too small or your dishes are heavily soiled, you can also use two small pieces per wash cycle. This requires some experimentation.
Storage and shelf life
After production, store the homemade dishwasher tabs in an airtight container. This protects them from light, heat and, above all, moisture. And if you do not have the time or inclination to make your dishwasher tabs yourself, you can also obtain biodegradable dishwasher tabs in our online shop.
Image credit: iStock 1302868092 M-Production