Save money — and a trip to the store — by making homemade dishwasher tablets with this easy DIY Dishwasher Tablets tutorial.
We all know how convenient it is to purchase packs of dishwashing tablets or pods in the cleaning aisle at the grocery store.
What isn’t convenient is the price.
Even if you use a coupon or catch them on sale, it is tough to get them at a reasonable price.
And with the number of loads that we have been running lately, the cost of detergent pods really adds up.
Homemade Dishwasher Tablets
So, instead of handing over a hefty sum for dishwasher tablets, I figured why not try to make my own?
After making homemade fabric softener, I was up for a new DIY project anyway.
You will find that you can save a lot of money when you make your own dishwasher tablets.
Plus, when you make your own you know exactly what’s in them.
I have also found that there is also a certain sense of accomplishment that I get from making my own household supplies.
Once you make a batch of these homemade dishwasher tablets, and see how easy they are to make, I bet that you will never go back to buying dishwasher pods at the store again.
DIY Dishwasher Tablets Ingredients & Supplies
You will need the following ingredients & supplies to make these DIY dishwasher tablets:
- Borax
- Epsom salts
- Washing soda
- lemon juice
- Lavender essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Silicone Mold
This recipe makes the perfect amount to fill our 24-square silicone mold.
If you do not have a silicone mold, I would definitely recommend you pick one up.
Removing the tablets from the mold is simple since the mold is flexible, and I like how they all come out very uniform.
Shop Supplies
Silicone 24-Cavity Square Mold
Borax PowderEpsoak Epsom SaltArm & Hammer Super Washing SodaLavender Essential OilLemon Essential OilBormioli Rocco Fido Clear Glass Jar
How do you store homemade dishwasher tablets?
Store your DIY dishwasher tablets in an airtight glass container near your dishwasher (but out of reach of children and pets).
I swear by Bormioli Rocco Glass Jars — they are easy to open and close, airtight, and dishwasher safe.
How do you use homemade tablets in the dishwasher?
To use. simply place one tablet in the dishwasher as you normally would a detergent pod.
If you are looking for more simple DIY projects, try this easy DIY fabric softener and these homemade cleaning wipes. Or why not treat yourself by making these homemade bath bombs?
Homemade Dishwasher Tablets
Equipment
- Silicone mold
- large bowl
- spoon
Materials
- 1 cup borax
- ½ cup epsom salts
- 1 cup washing soda*
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Add borax, epsom salt, and washing soda to a large bowl and stir to mix well.
- Slowly add lemon juice, adding just enough to make the mixture damp enough to mold and stick together.
- Add essential oils and stir well to combine.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold. Use your hands to press the mixture into the mold to ensure it is packed in firmly.
- Let tablets set until they are fully hardened. This will take at least 3 – 4 hours.
- When fully set, gently remove each tablet from the mold.
Notes
- Washing soda will typically be found it in the laundry aisle near the stain removers.
I had no idea you could make these! This is such a great idea and a great money saver. Thank you!
would love to try this
Wow, that’s really so easy!!! I am doing this for sure!
liquid & solid form are known but tablet [solid] form is something differ to utilize as novelty. thanks
Great idea! DW is getting so expensive even for store brand names. I run my DE at night while everyone is in bed, cheaper to run at night.
Thanks for sharing.
I would love to try this. Where do you get the silicone mold for this???? Thanks!!!
Hi Angel, thanks for your comment! This mold from Amazon would be perfect (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2XsmBed
Blessed to find your site. . Do you homemake other safe cleaners etc too? I did see home made fabric softer which I plan to print .. plan to use these thanks for your help
Hi Terri! Thank you for the kind words, I am so happy to have you as a reader!
You may also like this post: Homemade Cleaning Wipes. I am working on a post to show how to make your own dryer balls which should be up in the next few days too.
Do these leave any streaks or residue on your dishes?
None that I have noticed
Do the essential oils add to the cleaning property? I would like to make them without the oils unless they are necessary. Thank you.
You can omit the essential oils and it won’t affect how well they work 🙂
Love your recipe here! I’ve been trying to go zero waste so this has helped greatly. Wondering if you have any suggestions on how to make this streak free?? I’ve made three batches now, and we replaced our dishwasher a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I’m still having terrible problems with streaking, even with a homemade rinse aid. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Jaclyn,
I’m a renter and the owner of this property insists that I use only dish washer products with NO lemon or citrus in the ingredients. Is it possible to make this solution without lemon? Do you have a suggestion for an alternative additive for the binder — maybe even water.
Thanks so much, Deanie
Wow that is tough!! To be honest I am not sure how these would be without the lemon juice. Maybe try this recipe just omitting the lemon oil: https://clark.com/story/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-tabs-borax/