Eco Sparkle Tabs

dishwasher tablets

I’ve been on a mission to perfect my own dishwasher detergent recipe, and trust me, it’s been a journey! I started with just plain castile soap, which cleaned the dishes but left water spots behind and didn’t quite get all the gunk off unless the dishes were rinsed really well beforehand. And let’s face it—getting two teenagers and my husband to rinse the dishes before loading them? That’s a rare occurrence! Then I tried mixing castile soap with super washing soda, which worked better, but it was a goopy mess that the kids hated dealing with.

My first attempts at making tablets didn’t go as planned either. One batch had too much liquid, and it took forever to dry. Just when I was about to give up, it hardened into a giant block that my husband had to break up with a hammer! The second attempt smelled funky thanks to the lemon juice I used, but it did clean well and left no water spots, so I was onto something. I decided to skip the lemon juice, stick to the essentials, and use a citrus-scented castile soap instead. That’s when everything finally came together.

These tablets are easy to make, dry perfectly in 24 hours, and are stored in a jar without complaints from the family. Here's my final recipe that works like a charm every time!

Ingredients:

- 1 cup super washing soda

- ½ cup baking soda (optional for extra cleaning power)

- ½ cup kosher salt (helps with scrubbing and softening hard water)

- 1 cup citric acid (helps break down hard water deposits and adds shine)

- ¼ cup liquid castile soap

- 10-20 drops essential oils (optional, for fragrance – lemon or orange works well)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

   - In a large bowl, combine the super washing soda, baking soda (if using), salt, and citric acid. Stir them together until evenly mixed.

2. Add the Castile Soap:

   - Gradually add the liquid castile soap to the dry mixture. Stir it in well until the mixture starts to hold together like wet sand.

3. Add Essential Oils (Optional):

   - Add your choice of essential oils if you want your dishwasher tablets to have a natural fragrance. Stir well to distribute evenly.

4. Mold the Tablets:

   - Scoop the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds, pressing it down firmly to pack each cavity.

5. Let Them Dry:

   - Leave the trays in a cool, dry place for 24-48 hours to allow the mixture to harden fully.

6. Remove the Tablets:

   - Once the tablets are completely dry and hard, gently pop them out of the molds and store them in an airtight container.

Usage:

- For each load: Place one tablet in your dishwasher’s detergent compartment.

These DIY dishwasher tablets are effective and eco-friendly, and the super washing soda will help cut through grease, while the castile soap provides gentle cleaning action. Citric acid ensures your dishes come out shiny and free of hard water spots.

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