Dishwashing is one of the chores that should be easier with a dishwasher. Much as many people don’t like to do it, with the right dishwasher detergent, the process is supposed to be smooth.
However, you want first to check the commercial detergent before you buy it for the ingredients. Some ingredients can affect your utensils by causing them to peel, stain, wear out easily, or rust. Also, commercial dishwashing detergents contain chemicals that cause respiratory, digestion, and skin problems.
Homemade dishwashing detergents are usually made of Borax and boric acid which have excellent cleaning power but are tricky because they are also associated with various health issues. Read on to learn how to make your own homemade dishwashing detergent.
Why Use Washing Soda?
Washing soda is a great ingredient in homemade dishwasher detergents. It cleans dishes better than Borax and also acts as an antibacterial, especially when mixed with citric acid. Therefore your dishes will be safe after washing.
Washing soda is the ideal ingredient for people who are allergic to baking soda.
Recipe For Dishwasher Detergent Without Baking Soda
Ingredients
1 cup of Washing Soda.
¼ cup of Citric acid (lemi-shine or a related product).
Procedure
Combine the two ingredients (washing soda and citric acid) in an airtight container.
Shake them well to ensure they are mixed evenly.
Store it in an airtight container.
The first time you use this homemade detergent without baking soda, start with 2 tablespoons and see how it works. If it works well, maintain the measurements or increase with time. If you get allergies or reactions, stop it immediately.
Advantages of Washing Soda
Washing soda softens water for laundries. When soaked in water, washing soda dissolves tough stains like grease, coffee and tea stains. If you have hard water or residues on your utensils washing soda will help.
It is ideal for people allergic to baking soda. It’s safe on hands (though some people may react to it).
Apart from cleaning utensils, washing soda can be used to clean oven racks, plastic storage containers and build up from pans and pots. Any stain in your kitchen, apply the washing soda detergent and it will be sparkling.
This detergent can also be used to clean bathrooms by removing scum and even general cleaning around the house. You can use this detergent to clean any hard surfaces.
Bonus Tips
Note that baking soda and washing soda are different. Washing soda has a formula Na2CO3 or Sodium carbonate. The carbonate in washing soda softens water hence making it safe to our hands even utensils and laundry.
This is why it is a common ingredient in dishwashing and laundry detergent. When doing laundry, washing soda will bind with the minerals that make water hard.
Therefore, it allows the detergent to get absorbed inside the fibres hence making it easy to clean clothes properly.
Rinsing Utensils Using Vinegar and Lemon
After washing your utensils with washing soda and citric acid mixture, you need to rinse them with either vinegar or lemon. Vinegar gets rid of any bad smell and odors from your dishes.
If you find hard-water spots or stains on your dishes, fill the rinse aid compartment with either lemon or vinegar and your dishes will be sparkling after.
If your dishwasher doesn’t have a rinse aid compartment, place the liquid in a bowl and put it in the top rack. It will assist the rinse cycle to do its job.
It’s important that after washing dishes, you also clean the dishwasher. All you need is running the dishwasher empty of any utensils. Pour in this detergent and water and let it run. Pay attention to the dishwasher’s filter as it collects all food debris.
Final Thoughts
A homemade dishwashing detergent is ideal because it is cost-friendly and contains the ingredients of your choice. Most commercial dishwashing detergents contain toxic and harmful ingredients that affect the respiratory and digestive systems and the skin.
A detergent with washing soda and citric acid is good for cleaning utensils and the dishwasher.