So I’m totally on a kick of making my own $htuff these days and if you tuned in last week you learned how to make your own diaper wipes as well as your own laundry detergent. Nothing has changed since last week and there are still several items I just can’t justify spending our money on… one being dishwasher detergent! I’m typically a total dishwasher detergent snob and use only the expensive tablets, but once I found this recipe and similar recipes online I knew I had to switch! I mean, why not? It’s so cheap and does the same thing, which is wash your darn dishes!!! Therefore, we are learning how to make our own dishwasher detergent today! It’s easy as heck, you will most likely have one of the main ingredients and if you’ve decided to make your own laundry detergent you will have the other main ingredient as well! There are a several recipes you can use, but this is the one I used that worked for me! So here’s the recipe, peeps… the easiest money saving concoction you will ever make!

What You Need:

  • 1 Cup Borax: You can use this for homemade laundry detergent if you choose to follow my homemade “stolen” recipe from the Duggars.
  • 1 Cup Baking Soda: Most people already have this, but if not you can use it for your homemade dishwasher detergent and cooking purposes!
  • ¼ Cup Salt: Come on! Everyone has salt in their pantry!!!
  • 2 Packages Of Lemonade Flavored Unsweetened Kool-Aid: You can also use citric acid, but I knew exactly where to find Lemonade so I went with this alternative. I used 2 of those tiny little Lemonade packets… just make sure you get true lemonade, because red or purple flavors will stain your dishwasher!
  • 1 Mason Jar/plastic container/etc.: Personally, I already had a gazillion mason jars left over from my wedding this past June so this was easy for me. You can also use any container that is easy for you to get the powder out of. Look, you can still see the faded number in the background as these were used for my table numbering system at my wedding.

Here’s What You Do:

  • Mix all of the above together really well in the container you plan on storing your mixture in.
  • Put a tablespoon into each cup of your dishwasher
  • You can also use white vinegar in your rinse chamber of your dishwasher to help with spots.

That’s literally it!

I’ve read online that some people have issues with a white film being left on their dishes depending on hard versus soft water; however, I followed the above instructions and had NO issues with a white film. I’m absolutely tickled at all my cost savings during this 3 part series. This is one of the most difficult cost savings to calculate, because everyone uses different types of detergents, but I guestimate that I’m saving approximately .27 cents per load. Not huge, but I run the dishwasher at least 3 times per week… okay, I did the math… it’s about a $45 per year in savings; HOWEVER, it’s not cutting into my grocery budget when it’s time to buy dishwasher detergent, I’m helping Mother Nature, it’s super easy to make and I’m therefore never running low on detergent, and every dollar saved at the grocery store allows me to buy the fun and extra things! Now how can I learn how to make homemade razors for my husband in lieu of his Mach 3 razors??? He spends almost $200 per year in razors!!!!

Let me know if there’s anything that you are able to make at home that saves you money, because I am on a role and as my mom and dad both say, I’m turning into a Pioneer Woman!

10 COMMENTS

  1. What do you mean by “2 Packages Cup Lemonade Flavored Unsweetened Kool-Aid:” Do you make up the lemonade, and use 2 cups, or just use the powder from the packages? I’m confused about how “cup” is used in the statement.

  2. Sorry Nina! That was just a typo. I went back and looked and it made NO sense. You can buy the unsweetened lemonade and they are in little bitty packets. Maybe 2 inches tall and 1/8 inch wide. Think toothpick but wider and with powder inside lol. You can also use a 1/4 cup of citric acid, but I used the lemonade and it worked great! I hope this helps clarify 🙂

  3. Hey there!
    I saw your comment about your husband’s razors and wanted to pass on this awesome tip.
    A few year’s ago Clark Howard did a radio show about the razor industry and how expensive they are. He has literally been using the same razor for several year’s! he said the secret is to not keep them in a humid place like the shower and to dry them off with your hair dryer after you are done using them. I have been doing this since I heard this and it works!!!!! I have saved soon much money while still having smooth skin.Please try this.
    [email protected]

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