Jennefer@SSA Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I've been moving to completely homemade and "green" cleaning products. The recipe I've used is equal amounts of borax and baking soda plus white vinegar for rinse aid. You use 1 T of powder mix for each cup and a few T of the vinegar in the rinse cup. Still my dishes are not getting completely clean. I especially notice it on the silverware as it's getting pretty dingy, almost like it's covered by a film. Ick! Any other ingredients I need to add? Or completely different recipes to follow? I know we have hard water here on top of the fact my dishwasher isn't all that great. I am sure both of those elements factor in as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 :lurk5: I'm having the same problem. I would love to hear success stories with homemade dishwashing detergent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 :lurk5: We've had a dw repair man in, we've tried Dishwasher Magic, and we're still having major issues that makes ours useless. I'll be watching for tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty Mathy Mom Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I add a few drops of Dawn dish detergent to the detergent cup. It seems to help. I'm still not completely satisfied with the homemade version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I tried one or 2 batches with it, turned my cookie sheets funky colors (didn't realize i wasn't supposed to use one of things on the airbake pans) and wasn't happy with the film i got. Back to Cascade it was..... I'm certain that i just didn't have the time to fiddle with the mixture for my water type..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 You know, there's a reason that people wanted more than their home-made cleaning products: they don't always clean very well. Amway's auto dishwash is biodegradeable. Even the container it comes in is biodegradeable. And it does a great job, regardless of the kind of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) A few of the recipes I've seen involve lemonade Kool-Aid mix or lemon/orange essential oil. Something about the citric acid being a necessary component? You might want to try that. I'm trying to find the recipes... Here's one: http://www.debtfreeadventure.com/2009/07/simple-effective-jabs-homemade-dishwasher-detergent-rinse-agent/ Edited August 8, 2009 by Mommy22alyns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Try Lemishine periodically...a natural product made of "natural fruit oils and acids" and contains no phosphates. I get it at Target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I don't use homemade detergent, but I use Planet Automatic Dishwashing Detergent. It is biodegradable, phosphate-free, chorine-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free. I've been happy with it so far. I also like Seventh Generation, but it's a little more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I've been moving to completely homemade and "green" cleaning products. The recipe I've used is equal amounts of borax and baking soda plus white vinegar for rinse aid. You use 1 T of powder mix for each cup and a few T of the vinegar in the rinse cup. Still my dishes are not getting completely clean. I especially notice it on the silverware as it's getting pretty dingy, almost like it's covered by a film. Ick! Any other ingredients I need to add? Or completely different recipes to follow? I know we have hard water here on top of the fact my dishwasher isn't all that great. I am sure both of those elements factor in as well. Instead of baking soda, try washing soda in your recipe. However, no combination I've tried has worked as well as my regular 7th Generation liquid with a tablespoon of washing soda. I was able to make the bottle of 7th Gen liquid last almost three times as long, and the washing soda lasts forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Instead of baking soda, try washing soda in your recipe. However, no combination I've tried has worked as well as my regular 7th Generation liquid with a tablespoon of washing soda. I was able to make the bottle of 7th Gen liquid last almost three times as long, and the washing soda lasts forever. Yep, I use Seventh Generation and don't even bother to rinse the gunk off. Everything comes out sparkling, almost every time (sometimes bread dough doesn't come off the paddle, but I think that has to do with how long it sits before I run the load) and there is never any film, nor clouding on my glasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Dishwasher detergent was very hard for us to find something that works and still is greener than cascades. We have been using Palmolive Eco which is phosphate free. I've only found it at Walmart. If we find something better, we will switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 When I was using homemade dishwasher soap I used equal part washing soda, borax and salt. My dishes had a film on them with just the washing soda and borax. But that seemed to go away with the salt. I've heard of some that put a portion of cheap dishwasher soap along with the soda/borax mixture. I finally went back to powdered Cascade like we used when I was growing up. Gels don't seem to work as well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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