Making Automatic Dishwashing Soap

Today i ran out of my dishwashing detergent and had to make more, so i figured now would be a great time to share my recipe.

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup Pickling Salt
1/4 cup Citric Acid

Mix together in airtight container, use 2 tablespoons per load.




This makes enough mix to fill my container, recycled metal coffee can, about a quarter of capacity. I could double or even triple it but a word of advice: the citric acid will make the mix clump. This is completely normal. If you already use anti-clumping packets you could drop one of those in the can, i haven't tried this method myself. I simply scrape the bottom of my container when it clumps using my dispensing spoon.
I have been asked why the salt and citric acid? There are all types of scientific answers to this question, but i am not a scientist! so, my answer is that the salt acts as an abrasive, table salt has additives in it whereas pickling salt does not, which makes it ideal for this use as well as for canning! The citric acid is what makes your dishes sparkly clean, without it you would have cloudy dishes. The measurement i have provided works well with my water hardness, you may find that you require more, or even less, of citric acid depending on how hard your water is (you can't get much harder than ours). If you find that your dishes are cloudy after using this, just add more citric acid until you find the right amount for your situation, and don't forget the vinegar rinse!
i use two scoops per load, about two tablespoons - again, may vary depending on your water quality and how dirty your dishes are! The best combination i have found in my testing of many products has been to fill the rinse aid dispenser with vinegar, use this mix in the open cup, and fill the closed cup with more vinegar. My dishes are spotless, including the glasses, and that's pretty darn impressive to me!
Now the downside..... (yes, there always is one). Chocolate and meat residues need to be pre-washed. No matter how many times i put a used hot cocoa cup in the dishwasher, it came out looking exactly like it was when i put it in! It's a really simple fix though...now i just rinse my dishes better (which we should all be doing anyways right?!)

Cheers, Nyn