Don't fret or call PETA on us...we're not asking you to put Scruffy in the dishwasher to scrub out those caked on stains (though plenty of pets like to clean our leftovers clean when we're not looking). It might be Pet Month, but the image above is just a humorous aside related to this great DIY cleaning formula we found online that can save you quite a bit of money compared to store bought dishwashing cleaners. At 8 cents a load and doubling up as a light scouring powder around the kitchen, we're definitely going to try and make a batch for ourselves. Directions below the jump...
How To: Make Your Own Natural Dishwasher Powder
Here's the condensed instructions of the formula created by Lynn Siprelle of The New Homemaker:
Mix the following ingredients in a plastic container with an airtight lid. You're going to shake up an assortment of powdery ingredients, and you don't want to find yourself recreating a disaster from I Love Lucy:
Shake it, but don't break it. Now you've got a mixture you can dole out into your dishwasher, one tablespoon per cleaning agent receptacle in your dishwasher. We personally don't have a dishwashing machine (though we'd most certainly welcome one the next time we move), but we like Siprelle's advice to use this powdery cleaning mix in a shaker canister (she recommends a popcorn salt shaker, but we're thinking more like pizza parlour shaker for our kitchen sink stains).
[Creative Commons Photo: Aaron_M]
Comments (16)
Daily Email
Top Tours
- Moses and Jamie's Whimsical Modern
- Bryan's Fashionable Statement
- A Mid-Century Modern Musicians' Loft
- Alysia's Treehouse by the Lake
- Eric and Christine's Spacious Pad
Top Posts
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Thanks, Gregory! We tried out an eco-friendly dishwasher liquid cleanser that was the most horrible thing recently. The dishes had bits of food clinging to them after the cycle. Ugh. I'm always looking for eco-friendly yet effective cleansers, so thanks for this recipe. Watch out poochie, here we come!
view wig3000's profile
After all the talk on this site recently about Hydrogen Peroxide I've been exploring different uses. Today I poured some in the little pocket for the hard water rinse help (OK, that wasn't the best descrip, but maybe you know what I mean). For the 1st time since I've lived in LA, the dishes came out SPOTLESS, and w/o all the food bits that never seemed to come off.
I don't know that you'd want to combine it w/ the above cleaner before checking for chemical reactions. I confess I'm not 'up' on all the "Do Not Combine"'s.
view ldevere's profile
Too cute!
view antigone's profile
That photograph is frightening !
view Daniel Poitiers's profile
I'm sorry to tell you, but contrary to popular belief, Baking Soda IS MURDER on your pipes.
DO NOT USE.
view Sleek's profile
@sleek - huh? news to me - why?
view mangosteen's profile
(that pic reminds me of my cat. he tries to climb into the oven any chance he gets)
view *heather leaf*'s profile
yikes sleek - this old house has it in their top 10. i'm not going to tell tony silva he's wrong!
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20168224,00.html
view Johnp's profile
ROFL! Loving that photo. My dog Chester is out "pre-wash" cycle and I think he would love hanging out inside the washer when it's full of dirty dishes!
view Monica's profile
Photo Caption: FAIL
:)
view kellylc's profile
Where do you buy citric acid?
I second the question about baking soda and pipesâwhy is it damaging? First I've heard of this.
view Sydney's profile
Can't help it - I smile every time I scroll past that picture.
view AZkathy's profile
I bought Citric Acid on Ebay, but another great place is Majestic Mountain Sage (www.thesage.com). Sometimes you can find it at health food stores.
view realjen01's profile
I used to use the heck outta it. But each time (even just a little) would make my pipes leak.
I finally stoped using it, and all was well again. But a few years later, I tried it and it started killing the plumbing again.
I don't know WHY or HOW, but I do KNOW that it WILL.
Anyone out there feel like doing some research for Sleekie-Sleek??
PS... the plumbers couldn't understand it either.
view Sleek's profile
Thanks!
In addition to Hydrogen Peroxide to use as a water rise, something else that works like "buttah" is distilled white vinegar. I use it in the dishwasher, and the dishes come out squeaky clean!
view Yuliz's profile
Sleek... I've looked and looked the only I find didn't directly reference baking soda but referenced after cleaning or declogging a pipe people getting leaks. The only thing they said was that there could be a pre-existing issue. A small crack in the pipes or the seal at pipe fitting that have worn away with time and when cleaned thoroughly cleaned could actually be removed build up that has been acting as a temporary seal and advised them to have the pipes/seals to be throughly checked as soon as possible. My browser crashed right afterwords though and I have not been able to find the site again. But it made since to me and every plumbing site I found including this one recommended either using baking soda a hot water or vinegar or all three together. It apparently is so highly recommended because it is Non-acidic non-corrosive.
Sorry I couldn't find anything more.
view stumped's profile