Archives for February 2019

Name: DIY Powder Dishwasher Detergent
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 50
Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda; 1 cup washing soda; 1 cup sea salt; 2 tablespoons citric acid

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

An all-natural homemade Dishwasher Detergent that costs pennies to make

DIY powder Dishwasher Detergent without borax that is all natural, non toxic, uses simple ingredients, and comes together in minutes! Not to mention it's inexpensive and will save you money!

In this post I want to share my recipe for an all-natural dishwasher detergent that is easy to throw together, non toxic, cost-efficient, and ACTUALLY WORKS.

Dishes are never ending, especially in a home filled with six people (ok, the baby doesn’t currently make dirty dishes, but hey). Some days I feel like I live in my kitchen. Especially because our washer and dryer are also in the kitchen. Ha. Joke’s on me. I DO live in my kitchen. (But thankfully I get bathroom breaks ;)).

I started making my own dishwasher detergent when I got good and freaked out about the toxic ingredients in most mainstream dishwasher detergents.

Even the simple ingredient of “fragrance” can be a neurotoxin, causing a myriad of health issues.

And there’s something about dishes. Like, I drink out of cups–my mouth touches that! And my kids DEFINITELY lick their plates some times.

And so does my brother in law.

If any remnants of the dishwasher detergent could be left, I don’t want that unhealthy stuff going in our bodies.

Nope.

If you can’t lick your dishwasher detergent because it contains, essentially, poison, I’d recommend not using it on your dishes, near mouths.

This homemade dishwasher detergent is totally lickable (I still don’t recommend it for taste sake, though).

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but you will not be charged a penny extra! And mama, I never recommend products I don’t love or believe in. I so appreciate your support)

It contains only a few basic ingredients.

Baking Soda , Washing Soda, Citric Acid, and Sea Salt

This combo has been extremely effective for us, even with our white dishes and mason jar “cups.”

A DIY powder dishwasher detergent that is all-natural, easy to make and actually works! Non toxic ingredients and no soap grating!

Let’s talk briefly about each ingredients purpose.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda is found in crystalline form in nature, making it environmentally friendly
It’s a gentle exfoliator, which helps scrub those dirty, grimy dishes, soft-like
It softens water to enhance the effectiveness of the detergent

Washing Soda

Washing Soda is essentially plant ash, called sodium carbonate or soda ash, making it safe for the environment
It helps to remove grease and oil
It is abrasive, which is a good thing when getting grime off of dishes
Washing soda treats hard water, similarly to baking soda, aiding in effectiveness

Sea Salt

It almost goes without saying, but salt is a naturally derived mineral, making it a healthy option for the environment
Salt works as a catalyst for other ingredients, boosting their cleaning and deodorizing effectiveness
It is a scouring agent, giving some good scrubbing effectiveness to the detergent
It also aids in keeping your dishwasher clean by helping eliminate mildew

Citric Acid

It is found organically in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, making it biodegradable
Citric acid is highly effective at killing mold, fungus, and bacteria, which is awesome around water and food
It is also effective at removing hard water stains and scum (so those mason jars stay all squeaky clear)

A DIY powder dishwasher detergent that is all natural, easy to make and actually works! Non toxic ingredients, no borax, and no soap grating!

Ok, so let’s break down the cost.

Ready for this?

Baking Soda: $7.57 for 24 cups, 1 cup needed: $0.32

Washing Soda: $3.97 for 7 cups, 1 cup needed: $0.57

Sea Salt (purchased in bulk): $1.26 for 6 cups, 1 cup needed: $0.21

Citric Acid: $7.49 for 2 cups, 2 T needed: $0.47

Total upfront cost of all ingredients: $20.29

Total cost per recipe: $1.57

Each recipe is enough for 50 loads, so that’s 3 cents per load.

Yep.

Win.

Ready to make your own? Let’s get to this easy recipe!

DIY Powder Dishwasher Detergent

Yield: 50

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

A DIY powder dishwasher detergent that is all-natural, easy to make and actually works! Non toxic ingredients and no soap grating!

Ingredients

Instructions

Dump all ingredients into a large container with an airtight lid
Put that lid on tight and shake to combine ingredients
Done

Notes

I have found that if I leave my mixture on my counter with the lid off and stir it a couple times a day for two days, it doesn’t clump on the bottom. It did clump before I started doing this trick.

Extra Tip: White Distilled Vinegar is an awesome rinse aid for those dishes and helps keep the dishwasher free from mold. Just add 1 cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher or rinse compartment at least once a week

Want more all natural cleaning products? Check out this easy homemade laundry detergent HERE

Best Ever Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Scones

Gluten-free Cranberry-Orange Scones Recipe (with a dairy free option)

If you’ve been craving a Starbucks cranberry orange scone, but need a gluten free version, this recipe is for you! This cranberry-orange scone recipe is gluten free, with options to make it dairy free and refined sugar free, too. These easy scones make for a delicious holiday breakfast addition.

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Thank You Gift for Labor and Delivery Nurses and Staff

A quick and easy thank you gift idea for those amazing labor and delivery nurses and staff!

As a fourth time mama now, I can’t tell you just how much I’ve come to deeply appreciate the staff that has taken care of me and each baby through every delivery.

They are absolutely amazing people (even the couple “grumpy” ones I’ve had are still amazing people).

The very first nurse who took care of me after my c-section with my firstborn is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She was beyond thoughtful and anticipated every need I’d have, making sure I was as comfortable as I could possibly be.

During my last birth, which was honestly the most painful and exhausting birth I’ve gone through, I had the most fantastic nurse who was absolutely in my corner fighting for me.

When the on-call doctor put me on a liquids only diet, she contacted my regular OB and got me okayed to eat. And got me breakfast…

This has forever earned her a special place in my heart.

But every nurse has been a hero to me in one way or another.

They work awful hours and most continue to do their job selflessly with a smile and good attitude.

I’ve had nurses who have shoved as many pads, Tucks, and diapers as they could get away with in my bag to help make life at home easier (and slightly cheaper ;)).

And do I even need to mention the fluids they deal with?

Seriously.

SO many fluids.

And they graciously clean it up and continue to treat you like a human of value afterward. Amazing.

I praise God for every. one. of. them.

Before my first was born, I was grateful that someone mentioned bringing thank you gifts for the nurses and staff. I took the time to make cute little gift bags with a little thank you note for each.

I had the best of intentions to hand them out.

But my first was a cesarean (thanks, little breech baby), so I was on pain killers that made me really tired and loopy. I think I remembered all of 3 times to tell a nurse to grab a thank you gift.

Apparently I didn’t learn my lesson with my second.

I still put together little gift bags, and once again, my brain failed to remember to hand them out.

By my third baby, though, I figured it out. I grabbed a bunch of random snacks and mints, made a big sign, and put them in a durable plastic basket that I got from the Dollar Tree.

I remembered much more often to say, “please take a snack as a thank you!” Most nurses and staff seemed more comfortable with the lack of pomp and circumstance surrounding that, too.

Also, when it was time for us to go, I just asked the last nurse we had to please leave the basket at the nurses station.

Easy breezy, and hopefully a blessing.

Thank you gift basket for labor and delivery nurses and staff

I used that knowledge to help pack for my fourth birth experience.

Here are the winning items based on what people actually took:

Instant coffee packets (these were the BIGGEST hit)

Plain chocolate bars

Butterfingers

Reeses

M&Ms

Mints

Gum

Tip 1:

I would recommend packing the mints in a separate plastic baggie. Trust me. Mint is potent and will mix with your Butterfingers. Just, no.

Tip 2:

Pack your bag of minties and all of the other treats in a gallon plastic bag. Once you get to the hospital you can just have your support person dump both baggies into the basket and stick the sign up. Done.

I pack the treats and basket in my labor bag so that I have it with me right when I get to the hospital.

But as you know, that bag is supposed to be packed at 37 weeks…but you might not have that baby until 42 weeks…

That’s why I’d encourage NOT including things in the basket that will go bad (ie oranges), or get smashed (ie chips/popcorn).

If you’re looking to have a thank you basket of goodies out, I put together a free printable for you to use. You can print and cut it out on some cardstock, write in your baby’s (or babies’) name (s), and you’re good to go!

Subscribe to snag this freebie (and lots of other useful printables!)

Yes! I want this download!

As a side note, there is ZERO pressure to do this. You aren’t an ungrateful selfish person if you don’t get thank you gifts for your nursing staff.

You’re having a baby.

There’s a lot you’re dealing with whether it’s your first or twelfth.

So if you’re not able to put a thank you gift together, it’s ok.

Truly.

Your verbal thank yous and gratefulness will still be much appreciated by and go a long way with your nurses and staff.

Download Thank You Printable HERE