Dishwasher Detergent

 Ok... so I posted my recipie for Laundry Detergent earlier, so I figured I'd give you my dishwasher detergent too.

What you need:

1/3 cup Borax
1/3 cup Washing Soda
1/3 cup Salt

2 packets Lemon Kool-aid

Bowl to mix it in (i used my food processor because I made this just after making the laundry detergent so it was out and already covered in cleanser powder and its easy to get it well blended this way.

Mix everything together....

 TA DAA!   its that easy :-)  Use 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon per load depending on your dishwasher and how dirty your dishes are (I use a heaping half tablespoon).

Make sure to store it in an air tight container as it has a big tendency to clump.  It still works just fine clumpy and they disolve just peachy in the dishwasher, it just looks kinda janky.

 

If you really want to keep it from clumping throw a silica gel packet (like comes in shoe boxes or inside new purses etc) in the container to absorb any moisture. 

If, when you are using the detergent you get a kindof dusty/mineral film on your dishes (i only notice it on the plastic or clear glassware) it means your water is a little harder than mine (I made my soap weaker so I could show you below).

 The film wipes off so you can see pretty easy, I wiped off the top of the glad box above and the left side of the measuring cup below.

If that happens add another package of Kool-aid (the citric acid in the drink mix helps everything rinse cleaner).

Another option to help everything rinse better is to put white vinegar in the jet dry compartment in the dishwasher.

Hopefully this helps.

Its so much cheaper than store bought detergents and it doesn't take much time at all to make.

Isn't that Sew Cool!

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Laundry Detergent

OK, now that I've got a good mix and an easy preperation (as well as I ran out again) its time to post my recipe for Laundry Detergent.

Its really really easy.

What you need:

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1 Bar of soap (I use Ivory, other blogs say Fels Naptha, but I can't find that anywhere.  I wouldn't recommend using a moisturizing soap because I would think it would have an oil or something in it that could make your clothes greasy, but you can use any soap that tickles your fancy)

I use a food processor, but you can use a bowl and spoon to mix your powder just won't be as fine.

Put your bar of soap on a microwave safe plate (i recommend using paper or a silicone baking mat, cause sometimes it gets a little sticky) and microwave until big and fluffy (mine took 1:30)

I think it looks kind of like clouds :-)

Toss everything into your bowl or food processor and mix well.  Microwaving the soap makes it break up alot easier.  Or you can run the bar of soap over a large hole greater (like a box greater) but this is fast and its fun like microwaving marshmallows :-)

 Pulse everything together until its a fine powder (Before you pull open the lid let the dust settle down for a little bit or you will breathe in soap... it smells lovely, but it doesn't feel so hot in your lungs).

 Put in a lovely container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load depending on how dirty your clothes are.

This detergent does work for cloth diapers too... though occasionally you will want to switch up your soap to something like the 7th Generation if they start to repel.  Though a couple washes with that will fix that issue then you can come back to this because its SOOO much cheaper than the store bought detergents.

    

Isn't that Sew Cool!


Happy Crafting Everyone!