Homemade Dishwasher Tablets
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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
Supplies
- 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.
Did You Make This Craft?
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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/
How many tabs does the batch make?
24
Instead of lemon juice, you could use vinegar. Great recipe, thank you.
Hello, do you find this leaves a film on plastics? I often find homemade recipes I try leave a white film on plastic items.
Going to the provided links; this project is $94.29 not including lemon juice or taxes. Going by the weight on the Borax you could make 4 batches. Each batch is 24 tablets, so for 96 tablets it costs more than $94.29 for your first batch. You have to pay $9.99 for Borax to make your 2nd batch with your left over supplies, so $104.28 + taxes and lemon juice for 8 batches = 192 tablets. I’m just wondering how many batches it would take to become cheaper than what I’m paying at the store, because I currently am not paying anywhere near $1 a piece much less more.
I was wondering the same exact thing. Seems like a hefty price after buying all the stuff to make make it. Doesn’t really sound like you are saving.
What size should each pod be? I currently have many silicone molds and wondered which size I should use to make the pods clean as well as the store bought ones.