Homemade Dishwasher Detergent: A Simple Low-Tox Recipe for Cleaner Dishes
If you’re working toward a lower tox home, switching to homemade dishwasher detergent is one of the easiest places to start. Conventional dishwasher detergents often contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and rinse aids that can leave chemical residue on dishes…items we use every day to eat and drink.
Making your own dishwasher detergent allows you to control the ingredients, reduce daily chemical exposure, and still achieve clean, sparkling dishes.
Why Choose Homemade Dishwasher Detergent?
From a holistic health perspective, reducing toxin exposure in everyday routines can help support the nervous system, digestion, hormones, and skin health. Dishwasher detergent may seem small, but it comes into direct contact with plates, utensils, cups, and cookware.
Benefits of homemade dishwasher detergent include:
Fewer synthetic chemicals and fragrances
Reduced residue left on dishes
A gentler option for sensitive individuals
Budget-friendly compared to many “clean” brands
Easy customization based on water hardness
Many people notice fewer water spots, less film on glassware, and peace of mind knowing what’s in their detergent. We actually found it worked better than the Cascade dishwasher gel we bought at Sam’s Club. (It would ALWAYS leave these specks on our stainless steel coffee tumblers. Gross.)
Common Ingredients in Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
This recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients commonly found in DIY cleaning routines:
Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate): Breaks down grease and food residue
Note: this is different than Baking Soda!
Borax: Boosts cleaning power and helps soften hard water
Citric Acid: Helps prevent mineral buildup and reduces cloudiness on dishes
Epsom Salt: Supports water softening and improves overall cleaning performance
Essential Oils (optional): Adds a light, natural scent
Together, these ingredients clean effectively without harsh additives found in many store-bought dishwasher detergents.
Homemade Powder Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
This simple powder dishwasher detergent works well in both standard and HE dishwashers.
Ingredients:
1 cup washing soda - NOT BAKING SODA.
10–15 drops essential oil (optional – lemon or orange are popular choices)
Instructions:
Add all dry ingredients to a large glass bowl.
Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute ingredients.
Add essential oils if using and stir well.
Store in an airtight glass container.
I use a metal tin with a scoop and seems to last well. I have a laundry tin that I covered with another label. You can purchase it off Amazon here.
How to Use:
Use 1 tablespoon per dishwasher load.
Note: I find we use 2 tablespoons more often. If it’s a bigger or extra dirty amount of dishes we will scatter a tablespoon at the bottom of the dishwasher.
For very hard water, increase citric acid slightly or add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.
Tips for Best Results
Skip commercial rinse aids; use white vinegar instead.
Avoid overfilling the detergent compartment.
Clean your dishwasher filter regularly for best performance.
If dishes appear cloudy, reduce detergent amount or increase citric acid.
Safety Notes & Ingredient Considerations
While these ingredients are commonly used in DIY dishwasher detergent recipes, they are meant for cleaning…not ingestion. Store detergent out of reach of children and pets. If you prefer a borax-free option, this recipe can be modified by increasing washing soda and citric acid slightly.
Essential oils are optional and should be avoided if anyone in the household is highly sensitive.
Final Thoughts
Homemade dishwasher detergent is a simple, effective way to reduce daily chemical exposure while keeping your kitchen routine clean and efficient. With just a few ingredients, you can create a low-tox alternative that supports your health, your home, and the environment.
If you’re starting your low-tox journey, this is an easy swap with a big impact.
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Not medical advice. Educational purposes only for all blog posts. Always speak to your doctor before making lifestyle changes.