The detergent tabs are easy to use.They fit into the detergent compartment of your dishwasher.Store-bought tabs can cost a lot.For a fraction of the cost, they are easy to make.If you don't already have them at home, you can find most of the ingredients in a grocery store or health food store.
Step 1: The amount of washing soda and borax should be equal.
You will need two cups of washing soda and one cup of borax.The washing soda and borax will help clean the dishes.Baking soda can be used if you can't find washing soda.
Step 2: Add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt and 15 to 20 drops of lemon essential oil.
Give your ingredients a quick stir.The lemon essential oil will help eliminatebacteria.It will make your tabs smell fresh.If you can, try to use kosher salt.Sea salt is better if you can't find any.
Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
The mixture will make a noise, which is normal.Wait for the mixture to stop and then stir it.It should become wet and clumpy.White vinegar can help clean your dishes.
Step 4: The mixture should be put into the ice cube trays.
If the detergent well in your dishwasher is the same size as the baking mold, you can use it.Plan on using a small amount of the mixture.
Step 5: The mixture should be dry for at least 24 hours.
The mixture should be left in a dry location.A sunny porch is ideal, but you can keep them indoors as well.As it dries, the mixture will become hard.
Step 6: The tabs are on the ice cube tray.
Carefully turn the ice cube tray over onto a paper towel to loosen the tabs.The tabs should be easy to slide out.Leave the tray out in the sun for another 12 to 24 hours if they don't come out easily.
Step 7: The detergent compartment of your dishwasher has one tab.
After you close your dishwasher and start a cycle, pour 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher.The clouding caused by hard water can be mitigated with the help of the vinegar here.Adding one to three drops of dish detergent to the compartment will give you more cleaning power.The rest of the tabs can be kept in a glass jar.
Step 8: Take equal amounts of washing soda, kosher salt, and baking soda.
The washing soda should be put into a bowl.This is the main cleaning.1 cup (180 g) of baking soda should be added to cut the grease.Put everything together with a spoon.You can use less kosher salt if you live in an area with soft water.
Step 9: You can add 1/3 cup of lemon juice.
This will help get the dishes clean.It will make your dishes smell better.The lemon juice will cause the ingredients to oxidize.If you don't have a lot of lemon juice, you can use a lemonade drink mix and a cup of water.
Step 10: The mixture should be stir together.
Stir everything together with a spoon until the mixture is evenly damp and no dry spots remain.It should clump together like wet sand.
Step 11: The mixture should be put into the molds.
Ice cube trays are great for this, but you can use mini muffin tins or small silicone baking molds.Make sure the mold is smaller than the detergent compartment of the dishwasher.Plan on using a small amount of the mixture.
Step 12: The tabs have to be hardened in 12 to 24 hours.
The molds should be left in a dry place for 12 to 24 hours.Don't touch or mess with them during this time.As they dry, the tabs will solidify.
Step 13: Store the tabs in a container after popping them out of the mold.
If you have to twist the mold to get the tabs out, turn it over onto a paper towel.The tabs are probably not completely dry if they don't come out easily.They should be left in the tray for another 12 to 24 hours.
Step 14: The detergent compartment has one tab.
Put one tab into the detergent compartment.Start a cycle after closing the dishwasher.A glass jar is the best place to keep the rest of the tabs.
Step 15: You should mix your washing soda with baking soda, citric acid, and salt.
2 cups (500 g) of washing soda should be put in a big bowl.Add baking soda, citric acid, and kosher salt.
Step 16: Add 30 drops of lavender and lemon essential oil.
The lemon essential oil is antiseptic.The lavender essential oil will help keep your tabs clean.When the oils are evenly distributed, keep stirring.Tea tree essential oil can be used if you don't like lavender or the smell.Make sure you use pure essential oil when making soap or candles.
Step 17: Oxygen bleach is added to 1 cup.
It will help clean up stains.Don't use regular liquid bleach.You can use a product that is labeled "oxygen bleach."It is in a powder.
Step 18: Add 2 to 4 liters of water.
Start with 15 liters of water.Wait for the mixture to stop and give it a stir.When squeezed in your fist, the mixture should be wet.If the mixture doesn't work, add the rest of the water at a time.You might not use all of the water.The ingredients will overreact if the mixture is too wet and soggy.
Step 19: The mixture should be put into the molds.
Silicone backing molds, ice cube trays, and mini muffin tins all work well for this.If the tabs are too big, the detergent compartment will be too small.Plan on using a small amount.
Step 20: The tabs should be dry for 12 to 24 hours.
The trays should be set somewhere warm and dry.They should be allowed to sit for 12 to 24 hours.
Step 21: The tabs need to be removed from the molds.
If you want to loosen the tabs, twist or wiggle the mold onto a paper towel.The tabs are not fully dry.For another 12 to 24 hours, leave them in the same spot.
Step 22: You can use one tab per load.
There is a detergent compartment in your dishwasher.If you want to start a cycle, close the dishwasher.Store the rest of the tabs in a glass jar.