Making your own dishwasher tablet is an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to store-bought products. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a DIY dishwasher tablet that is just as effective at cleaning dishes as the ones you purchase in the store. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make your own dishwasher tablet at home.
Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Materials
Before you start making your dishwasher tablet, you will need to gather all the necessary ingredients and materials. The ingredients you will need include:
- Baking soda
- Borax
- Citric acid
- Salt
- Water
- Essential oils (optional)
The materials you will need include:
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ice cube tray or silicone mold
- Spoon or spatula
All of these ingredients and materials can be easily found in most grocery stores or online.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
The first step in making your own dishwasher tablet is to mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Start by combining 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of borax, ½ cup of citric acid, and ½ cup of salt. Mix the dry ingredients together until they are well combined.
If you want to add a scent to your dishwasher tablet, you can add a few drops of essential oil at this point. Some good options include lemon, lavender, or peppermint. Stir the mixture again to evenly distribute the essential oils.
Step 3: Add Water
Once you have mixed the dry ingredients, it’s time to add water. Slowly pour water into the mixing bowl while stirring the mixture. Add enough water so that the mixture is moist and clumps together, but not so much that it becomes too wet.
Be careful not to add too much water, as this can cause the mixture to fizz and expand, which can make it difficult to mold into tablets.
Step 4: Mold the Tablets
Once you have the mixture at the right consistency, it’s time to mold the tablets. Use an ice cube tray or silicone mold to shape the mixture into tablets. Fill each mold with the mixture and press it down firmly to make sure it is packed tightly.
Once you have filled all the molds, set them aside to dry. It is best to leave them overnight to ensure that they are completely dry and hard.
Step 5: Store and Use
Once your DIY dishwasher tablets are dry, you can remove them from the molds and store them in an airtight container. You can use them just like you would use store-bought dishwasher tablets.
To use, simply place one tablet in the dishwasher dispenser and run the dishwasher as you normally would. The tablet will dissolve and clean your dishes just as effectively as a store-bought product.