My least favorite chore has always been doing dishes. Always. So you can imagine that my most favorite appliance is our dishwasher. Yes, sweet relief! This recipe for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs takes this miserable household task and actually makes it a joy.
Replace the toxic chemicals that you might currently use in your dishwasher (like I did until very recently) and replace them with natural ingredients. And, the basic ingredients are so easy to find! Most of us can find the main ingredient in the detergent aisle of our grocery store.
To make this even better, we add citrus fresh essential oil blend to create a clean and refreshing aromatherapy session. Get your dishes clean while adding the uplifting burst of citrus fresh essential oil in your kitchen. That’s enough to brighten anyone’s day!
You might be thinking (as I did) that natural cleaners can’t work as well as chemicals. That’s just not true in this case. My dishwasher routine gets dishes clean and glasses clear every time.
I started using a powdered homemade dishwasher detergent for a few months and the results were wonderful. I used a recipe without Borax because I wanted to avoid any possible concerns with that product. The only part I didn’t love about the powder detergent was the daily measuring to put the detergent in the dispenser.
I guess I’m a little messy, too, because I spilled a few sprinkles more than once when I was loading the dishwasher detergent. This made me really miss my store bought dishwasher tabs for their convenience.
That’s when it hit me to try and transform the dry mix into tabs. Boom! It works. It takes a little patience (while you wait for the mixture to dry) but it saves money in the long-run. We love this natural dishwasher detergent tab recipe in our house.
Important Tip:
The key to this recipe’s success is the square silicone pan. The dishwasher tabs get formed into the perfect size for the detergent compartment on my dishwasher and they pop out of the mold in a snap!
New to essential oils? Learn more about how we use them and why you should use them as well.
Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 45 drops Citrus Fresh essential oil
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a glass bowl. Stir with a stainless steel spoon.
- Add mixture to the square silicone mold. Allow to dry completely. I set mine out in the warm garage for 48 hours to make sure it’s completely dry.
- Store in airtight container away from direct sunlight.
- Makes 16 dishwasher tabs.
Do these really work?
Our awesome reader, Shannon says:
What’s the Secret?
Now here’s the two-step secret to really clean dishes and clear glasses every time. (I am so impressed by how well this works):
- Place 1 detergent tab in your machine’s detergent dispenser.
- Add 1/2 cup vinegar into the rinsing agent area before starting. This will help with the final rinse to keep residue from building up on your glasses. You probably won’t have to fill this every time. I check to make sure my rinsing agent compartment is full about once a week.
Helpful Tips:
- I’ve seen some people say that they place a cup of vinegar in the top rack of the dishwasher instead. If that works for you, then great! I place vinegar in the rinse dispenser because it releases it at just the right time in the cycle to work its magic.
- Some people find that adding another tablespoon of salt into the bottom of their dishwasher really helps with the pre-rinse process. Your water might be harder or softer than mine and this can help with hard water tremendously.
- If you have residue on your dishes, you might try adding a teaspoon of citric acid into the detergent compartment with each load. I don’t think I’d advise adding it to the tab recipe because it will be very messy when it reacts with the water.
- I store these homemade dishwasher detergent tabs in a container in my washroom away from direct sunlight. Direct light can deteriorate the essential oils over time. Choose a dark location or a dark container for storage.
Our awesome reader, Molly, says:
Tried them and I’m sold! I used Tangerine EO because I was out of Citrus Fresh. I can’t say it did an “amazing” job, but it certainly did as good a job if not slightly better than the name brands we have been using. We have really hard water and have had a big challenge with the dishwasher. I did add extra salt to the bottom of the dishwasher as you suggested to someone else above.
This recipe for Dishwasher Detergent Tabs goes perfectly with our Make & Take Printable Packs Set #2: Kitchen & Laundry Cleaning!
The Kitchen & Laundry Cleaning pack features only essential oils from the Premium Starter Kit, making it easy for your friends and family to get going with their new oils!
- Dishwasher Powder Detergent
- Liquid Dish Soap
- Foaming Hand Soap
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
See all the details (along with more Make & Take themes) here!
Amy says
March 2, 2016 at 8:23 pmI was super excited to try these and really wanted to love them but even with vinegar they left a lot of powdery residue on my dishes! So bummed! I can’t seem to find a DIY dishwasher soap that really works.
Beth K says
March 14, 2016 at 11:16 pmAmy,
You might try adding a teaspooon of citric acid to your detergent compartment with each load. I’ve read other people comment how the citric acid helps with the issue you mentioned.
natalie says
August 29, 2016 at 6:11 pmI made this just the way you posted; also did the citric acid into the cycle. Added the vinegar. My dishes are still coming out dirty and powdery residue. So I guess I am back at square one looking for a good diy dishwasher detergent.
Beth K says
September 4, 2016 at 4:05 pmI’m so sorry that this didn’t work for your water, Natalie. Please keep us posted if you find a natural recipe that provides you with the results you’re looking for. It seems that everyone’s machines and water supplies are so different. If you find something that works at your house, we’d love to share with our readers to be able to possibly help someone else in the same situation.
Karie says
February 7, 2018 at 8:09 pmI used a different recipe and it is baking soda 1cup 1/4 cup citric acid and a few drops of liquid soap I added a couple drops of lemon juice and they work great. I also use peroxide in the jet dry area. Dishes come out clean and residue free.
Mandie says
September 3, 2018 at 6:49 pmHow much baking soda?
Diana M says
January 23, 2019 at 12:58 pmWe used washing soda in our recipe, but we do have some readers who used equal amounts of baking soda and citric acid in its place. About 1 1/4 cup total.
Kate says
March 5, 2016 at 9:36 amI can’t find the mold. can you share a link?
Beth K says
March 5, 2016 at 10:50 amHere you go! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083VSST8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0083VSST8&linkCode=as2&tag=recwitessoil-20&linkId=Y75FR4Q56IKES4Q3
eric says
March 7, 2016 at 5:21 pmis it cheaper than real detergent.
New Chance Wellness says
March 22, 2016 at 8:24 pmI tried the recipe and I am curious to know what kind of salt you used. My dishes / glass were so “foggy” that it was sticked on them and I had to hand wash all of them. I will try with citric acid next time. I wonder if the kind of salt makes a difference because we used sea salt. Thank you!
Beth K says
March 23, 2016 at 1:27 pmThat really stinks. I’m sorry that didn’t work out for you.
I used regular table salt (non-iodized, if that matters). I definitely think the citric acid should help.
New Chance Wellness says
March 24, 2016 at 7:48 amThanks Beth, I will try that and let you know 😉
Josephine says
April 21, 2016 at 8:02 amCan you use ice cube trays or are the tabs easier to pop out in the silicone tray?
Beth K says
April 21, 2016 at 11:54 pmHi Josephine,
I grew up using ice cube trays and I definitely think the silicone is easier. Plus, since the cubes are a little crumbly then traditional ice cube trays would probably tear them up a bit when removing them. Finally, these cubes fit great in my dishwasher whereas I believe that regular ice cubes would probably be too deep to fit. Let me know if you try it! 🙂
Cheri says
May 19, 2016 at 2:36 pmI was wondering if you tried the ice cube trays yet? I have about 6 of them and would love to use them instead of having to buy something if they worked.
Beth K says
May 19, 2016 at 2:47 pmI would think the easiest way to test if that will work is to make ice cubes in your tray and then try to fit them into your dishwasher detergent dispenser.
Cheri says
May 19, 2016 at 2:55 pmI am not worried about the size. I am wondering if they fall apart when you take them out. I am so excited to make these!!
Beth K says
May 19, 2016 at 3:00 pmI see what you mean. Yes, I’d be interested to know also. You could always try it and then if they fall apart just collect the dust and add it to the wash a couple of tablespoons per wash cycle.
Cheri says
May 23, 2016 at 3:54 pmI just wanted to give you an update. I used my “plastic” ice cube trays. They worked awesome. They popped right out. I know you mentioned you were concerned about the size. I do think they might be a little bigger. However, I will just break it in two. Like I mentioned I have 6 of these and I hate to buy something else when these seem to work. Thanks for the great recipe. I am excited to give them a try tonight!
Beth K says
May 23, 2016 at 10:35 pmSo glad you found something that works for you!
lea says
April 24, 2016 at 6:18 amhi ,
I just found your recipe and i was super excited to do it. So i try but with 1/2 cup of water it was so liquid and not white as yours but translucide. Is it normal? thanks
Beth K says
April 25, 2016 at 10:39 pmHi Lea,
Are you sure that you used one and one-quarter cups of the Super Washing Soda? Maybe that’s what threw off the recipe for you?
Ari says
May 30, 2016 at 12:28 amThey came out beautiful and smell even better, but the powdery residue is horrible. I can’t use them unless I want to wash everything by hand after they go through the dish washer… bummer.
Beth K says
June 2, 2016 at 4:24 pmHey Ari,
I’m sorry to hear that. Did you try it with the vinegar and citric acid in the wash also? I’d love to hear if there is a method that allows you to fight that residue. Water supplies are so different and I hate to see those tabs go to waste.
Molly says
June 22, 2016 at 7:41 pmTried them and I’m sold! I used Tangerine EO because I was out of Citrus Fresh. I can’t say it did an “amazing” job, but it certainly did as good a job if not slightly better than the name brands we have been using. We have really hard water and have had a big challenge with the dishwasher.
I did add extra salt to the bottom of the dishwasher as you suggested to someone else above.
Thank you so much! I’m going to share this page with my other oily friends.
Beth K says
June 22, 2016 at 10:42 pmI am SOOOOO glad to hear that. You are so sweet to leave this update. I’m just over the moon that you found a hard water solution that really works. I’m going to update our post with your very helpful comment. 🙂 Thanks again!
Katy says
July 18, 2016 at 6:33 amI’m interested in making these but I don’t want to do the tabs. Will the recipe work just the same if I combine the ingredients into a jar and just scoop out as needed?
Beth K says
July 26, 2016 at 1:16 amHi Katy,
You can use the recipe and leave out the water. The water is only there to allow it to form into the tabs when drying. So if you combine the powder ingredients into a canister, you’d be able to scoop out around 2 tablespoons at a time for a single load of dishes. Make sure to add the vinegar, salt, and citric acid as needed to adjust for your individual water conditions. Thanks so much for reading along!
Lacey says
September 30, 2016 at 1:27 pmJust a quick question before I give this a whirl, the mold that you’re using is safe for the essential oils, even though glass/ceramic/stainless steel is recommended due to the chance the oils may leach out the chemicals into our kitchenware that we’ll use to consume our food in? I just want to make sure I’m doing this accurately. Thank you for your time.
Beth K says
October 1, 2016 at 12:02 amGreat question! We do NOT use these pans for food. They are only used for making household cleaning products.
But, yes, silicone is safe to use with essential oils. We still don’t use that mold for food though.
Haley says
November 13, 2016 at 3:08 pmJust tried the recipe and everything came out terribly cloudy and film covered and I used vinegar in the rinse compartment. Had to hand wash all the dishes, major bummer! Definitely recommend only having a FEW dishes when you try the recipe. Hoping to find a tablet recipe that works!
Beth K says
November 16, 2016 at 10:20 amPlease do update us if you find a combination that works for you. We’ve found that the water differences in different regions have a huge impact on success.
Nancy Muise says
November 16, 2016 at 12:19 pmJust found your receipe and was wondering why you don’t recommend adding the citric acid to the receipe it’s self
Beth K says
November 16, 2016 at 12:33 pmHi Nancy, citric acid reacts with water and baking soda, becomes foamy as it releases carbon dioxide, and is not conducive for forming nicely shaped tabs. I prefer to allow this reaction happen in my dishwasher, that’s why we place the citric acid in separately.
anya says
February 5, 2017 at 1:21 pmHi, thank you for sharing this recipe! I am wondering if it would work to substitute the washing soda with baking soda and add Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds as a cleaning agent?? Thoughts? I think it would clean well but not sure if it would form into the tabs…
Beth K says
February 10, 2017 at 7:43 pmThat sounds like it could be a good base for a liquid dish detergent. Definitely wouldn’t form the tabs. Let us know if you have success with that. We’d love to know what works for you.
Caitlin Candelari says
March 3, 2017 at 12:13 pmHi Beth! Do you think I could add a cap of Thieves cleaner to this mix?! My city/county has very harsh water and I’m unable to use the YL Dishwasher powder due to that. Or hey… could I try our YL powder and just add the citric acid like you suggested?! Ahhh! Thoughts?!
Jenn says
March 15, 2017 at 6:21 pmYou could certainly try any of those options and see if one works for you. A lot of using natural recipes is having to experiment to find the best solution for your specific needs. Let us know what you figure out!
Jessica says
June 5, 2017 at 11:51 amI was wondering if I had to use citrus fresh essential oil or not I have a lemon lavender and basil and Teatree oil on hand would any of those be a good substitute for the citrus fresh?
Beth K says
June 25, 2017 at 8:42 pmLemon would work great as a substitute in this!
Jessica says
June 5, 2017 at 11:52 amOh and also eucalyptus
Amee says
June 28, 2017 at 6:19 pmLike so many others I was super excited to try this, did the citric acid and salt right away so my hubby would be sold on natural 🙂
I too ended up with such a cloudy mess that my hubby went out and bought tabs.
I’m hoping to reuse the mold for toilet cleaning tabs so that’s not a total waste.
Thanks for sharing your recipes, I guess we don’t know until we try.
Beth K says
July 1, 2017 at 2:47 pmI’ve not found a toilet tab that worked like I thought it would. Do you have a favorite recipe for this?
I’m thankful that you tried our recipe. I am sorry that it didn’t work with your water supply.
Tiffany says
July 22, 2017 at 7:14 amI am comfortable using Borax.
What would the recipe be if I added Borax?
Beth K says
July 23, 2017 at 4:07 pmThere are several popular Borax versions on the web. We haven’t tested this recipe with that substitution yet. Please let us know if you find a variation that works great. We’d love to let all our readers know!
Nicole Longenecker says
October 9, 2017 at 3:21 pmI have tried a recipe for bath fizzies that you use ice cube trays or other molds. But I live in a VERY humid climate and they never really dried…so I took them out, made them into balls and set them out on wax paper on my counter. Do you have any other suggestions for these dishwasher squares for a very humid environment?
Beth K says
October 16, 2017 at 11:39 amYou could possibly place them in a lukewarm oven (around 170 degrees) for a while and see if that helps.
Jwilli says
September 9, 2018 at 6:43 pmI’m wondering if this kills bacteria and germs?? Ecoli, salmonella etc?