Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent

I tried this one because it seemed so simple to make and found that it really was simple.  It worked wonderfully my dishes came out clean and sparkling.

Recipe for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

- 1 cup Washing soda
- 1 cup Borax
- ½ cup salt
- ½ cup citric acid (I used fruit fresh) and
-1/2 cup Lemi Shine granules which I found right on the grocery shelf with other dishwasher products.  Dont get the liquid one unless you are making a liquid detergent.

Mix together and store tightly covered in a Mason Jar. Use one tablespoon per load. Add vinegar to the rinse dispenser for the best results.

At one tablespoon per load, this will last me for quite a while, I will keep track and let you know how many washings I get.  I got the basis for this recipe from http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/diy-eco-dishwasher-detergent.htm# .  However I added the Lemi Shine that I saw mentioned in another recipe.

Ingredients in Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Your environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent is going to have four main ingredients.
- Washing Soda—This stuff has been around forever. It is a natural substance, made from salt and limestone. Scientifically it is known as sodium carbonate. It cuts grease on anything and can be used for many (if not most) of the cleaning projects in your home. Arm and Hammer puts it out in the United States. If you can't find it at your grocers you can find it on Amazon and other places online.
- Borax—Borax occurs naturally in the environment and can be mined as well as created in a lab. It is toxic in concentrated amounts, and you should keep it out of the reach of children. You can find it by the laundry detergent; Borateem is one brand.
- Kosher Salt—Kosher salt is a pure salt. I use it for cooking because the food tastes cleaner. It it what my recipe calls for, I am not sure why.
- Citric acid—You can buy food grade citric acid like Fruit Fresh or just use unsweetened lemonade packets.