Homemade Dishwasher Detergent - UPDATE

Although I was very satisfied how well my homemade dishwasher detergent cleaned my dishes, I was quite disappointed how MUCH it clumped just in one day.  Apparently the rice trick does not work.  See:

This is my container upside down.

This morning I decided to declump (yes i know, that's not really a word) the detergent.  It took me a while to get out into a bowl.  It kind of looks like feta cheese doesn't it?  I assure you it's not.  

As I was breaking up all the clumps I got to wondering if I could just turn it into a liquid dishwasher detergent.  I first looked online to see if other people had tried this and though I did find very few recipes for a liquid version none of them had the same ingredients that I had used in my dry version.  So I scooped out 1/4 cup of it into another bowl.  And taking the logic that when making liquid laundry detergent you dissolve all the ingredients into hot water I tried that.  I didn't want to make a huge batch at first in fear that it did not work so using my Keurig coffee maker I put a 1 cup measuring cup underneath it and hit the largest setting.  I got over a cup.  I slowly poured water into the bowl.  Woah! It fizzed and bubble super quick, so quick I couldn't get a picture.  It was quite watery.  So I added another 1/4 cup.  Same thing, fizzed and bubbled.  (I determined I added approximately 1/4 cup water)  As I stirred it I thought it would be a flop because it was so watery.  I set it aside because my littlest midget needed attending to, go figure.  I kept looking at the detergent and stirring it. It was getting thicker, and thicker, more like the liquid detergent you buy in the store.  Hmm, it might just work after all!  Sadly though I had run the dishwasher first thing when I got up so I cannot try it out yet.

This is shortly after I mixed the detergent and water.

Hard to see how thin it is here.

Thicker still.

Getting thicker.

And thicker still.

After it got thick I poured it, well spooned it into an empty Karo syrup bottle I had.  It thought it would be perfect since it had a somewhat large opening to squeeze out.  If this works and I do it again, I will pour it into the bottle before it thickens up.

Now you'll just have to wait for me to dirty up some dishes to find out the results!

EDIT: After I got done typing all this I checked the bottle and it had thickened up so much that it would come out.  So I added another 1/4 cup water.  Too thin again and never really thickened.   I ended up adding a tablespoon of detergent at a time, I think I added 3 more tbsp. to it and it seemed the right consistency I was going for.  It coats the bottle when I swirl it around.  I was able to fill up my dishwasher enough to test it out and it's currently running with one formula scoop worth.  I'll check back in later for final results!

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

I caved and made my first batch of dishwasher detergent today. Even though I still have store bought left I couldn't contain my curiosity and used it in the load I just started. I can't wait for the results!!


When researching recipes for this I saw several comments about how it can get clumpy.  It was suggested to either use those little silicone gel packs that usually come with a new pair of shoes or rice wrapped in cheesecloth.  Since I tend to throw out those gel packs I opted for the rice.  And the scoop, it's from a can of baby formula.  I knew I saved some for a reason!

RESULTS:

DISHES ARE CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!

I'm hoping I get the same results consistently.

1 cup Borax

1 cup Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Kosher salt

1/2 cup Lemi Shine

Mix it all up.  I did one formula scoop worth.  Not sure how much that actually is, probably around a tablespoon or two.  Also added vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.

Super easy.  Super cheap.

Homemade Disinfecting Wipes - UPDATE

I used up all of my disinfecting wipes last week and as I was looking up the recipe again I saw this recipe.  I looked at the article she referenced about mixing vinegar and castille soap.  I did notice when I mixed up my first batch that it got clumpy and now I know why.  So my new batch of homemade disinfecting wipes includes water, rubbing alcohol, and a bit of dish soap.  I did not have ammonia or Dawn so I just used the soap I had.  I do like them however, I don't like the suds it produces. I am not sure if that is the result of not using Dawn or not.


As I was looking at glass cleaner recipes I noticed it had basically the same ingredients as these wipes just not the soap.  So my next batch I plan on leaving out the soap, adding the ammonia and using them as all-purpose wipes for counters AND glass.


I have definitely enjoyed having these wipes on hand! It's definitely a keeper!

Citrus Infused Vinegar - UPDATE

Two weeks have passed since I started infusing my vinegar.  You can see the original post here.  I was a bit disappointed.  I was anticipating a stronger orange scent.  So if you are planning on making some for yourself based on the same expectation I wouldn't bother.  But if you are planning on making some for the added extra cleaning power that it's supposed to add, go for it.  I'm no scientist so I can't say it works better than just plain vinegar.  

Here's my jar full of vinegar and clementine peels.

Strained peels.

Citrus infused vinegar!

Filled up spray bottle with half citrus infused vinegar and half water.  The leftover vinegar  under my sink.

Homemade Disinfecting Wipes

A while back I bought some paper towel-like wipes that were washable at Bed Bath and Beyond. (Unfortunately I no longer have the package and I can't find them on their website to show you.)  I bought them thinking I would use them in place of paper towels. I ended up just using my regular kitchen cloths more. I rarely use paper towel anymore. I only use it for really dirty gross things.


Anyways I came across homemade disinfecting wipes and immediately thought of the paper towel wipes I had bought. So I bought the only Castille soap that Trader Joes had not realizing that it was peppermint scented. I made the wipes but I'm not crazy about the scent. I do like them though. It might just be me but after using them my hands feel softer.


I used a baby wipe container to hold the wipes and wrote all over it so I knew (and my husband if he ever used them) to remind myself they are reusable and to not throw away. I have an old container sitting on my counter that I throw the used ones in and any other dirty cloths in.


I will be getting some other scented castille soap for the next time i make it Maybe I will get the unscented version and use some of my citrus infused vinegar! I was at Whole Foods this week because I wanted to see the selection of castille soap they had. They only had a huge container of eucalyptus (I think). Amazingly Kroger had the best selection of castille soap in their natural foods section.


I do have some of the store bought wipes around so I'll be using those up along with my homemade version.



DIFFICULTY: Easy peasy!
WORTH THE TIME: Yes.
COST SAVINGS: I don't know but I'm sure it is way cheaper than buying store bought.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Yep.  No chemicals used and I'm reusing a container I already had on hand.
RECOMMEND IT: YES, Just Try It Already!
TRY IT AGAIN: Yes, but next time I will a different scented Castille soap and use some of my citrus infused vinegar.

Citrus Infused Vinegar

For a while now I have been using vinegar and water to clean my kitchen counters and miscellaneous things with. Recently I came across citrus infused vinegar and thought what a great idea! My youngest daughter LOVES clementines and would eat them, and any other fruit really, exclusively if I let her. Guess what I will be doing with all those peels now? Check back in a couple weeks to see how the orange infused vinegar turns out.