DIY Dishwasher Soaps & Old-Fashioned Dishwashing Liquid

Dishwasher tablets are expensive and seriously corrosive. They can cause horrific injuries if swallowed by small children, so do you really want them in your house? Go natural instead.

You'll need:

1 part borax
1 part washing soda

Add to the dispenser as you would a commercial dishwashing powder and wash dishes as normal.

Clean your dishwasher, naturally
Fill two mugs with white vinegar.
Stand one in the top rack and one in the bottom rack – leave the rest of the dishwasher empty.
Run on a HOT cycle.
This allows for a gradual dispersion of vinegar throughout the dishwasher. The acidity of the vinegar removes grime, cleans and deodorises.
 
DIY dishwashing liquid
For washing dishes the old-fashioned way, try this simple combination.

You'll need:
3 lemons
200 gm salt
150 ml white vinegar
500 ml water
Food processor
Large pot
Jars with lids

1. Cut lemons into pieces
2. Blend in the food processor until they’re a sludgy liquid
3. Add salt, vinegar and water
4. Blend again until smooth
5. Place in the pot and boil for 15 minutes
6. Leave to cool
7. Pour into jars
8. Store in a cool place out of direct sunlight
9. Use ½ a cup per sink of water