Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Cubes

Well, the homemade laundry detergent worked out so well that we decided to try making some homemade dishwasher detergent too. I researched a bit and found a simple way to not only make the detergent, but how to make little cubes. BONUS!!!

So before I go on with the process of making them, I have to say.  We did the first load with only the cube. Mistake!.  Every dish was left with a thin film of cloudiness. You need, need, need a rinse agent. For that, we just filled the little reservoir with white vinegar and the homemade detergent/rinse agent rocked every load after that with awesome results.

So here we go. 

What you will need:

-Baking Soda

-Borax

-Kosher Salt

-Vinegar

-Unsweetened Lemonade packets

-and some sort of molds for the cubes 

(Some people online used silicone candy molds, but many complained that they couldn't pack the cubes hard enough in those molds, so I elected ice cube trays.

This first batch I made was a half batch (To see if it even worked), but I will give the "full" batch measurements throughout this post. Feel free to cut in half for your first try. 

pour 2 cups of Borax into a mixing bowl

Then pour 2 cups of baking soda (the recipe I used said you can use "either" baking soda or washing soda", we used baking soda)

add 2 unsweetened lemonade packets. Mmmmm doesn't it smell Lemony Fresh!!!!

Add 1/2 cup of Kosher Salt

Mix all of the dry ingredients together well.

Pour in 1/2 cup of vinegar. There will be foaming (but not much)

Quickly stir the mixture together until it is evenly mixed.

Pack the trays to the desired depth, making sure to keep in mind how thick they can be to allow your dishwasher compartment to still close after placing the cube in.

Use your finger (or some other super tool) to Pack the mixture hard into the trays. 

Allow the cubes to dry for at least 24 hours. 

Now....a little trick, as I am a super impatient person. I placed a tray in the microwave to "speed up" the drying time. Just as I began to hear the mixture quietly sizzle, I stopped it and took the tray out. A few of the cubes had tiny bubbles arising from the edges, but they quickly subsided. After the cubes cooled, I tipped the tray over and they all came out hard little cubes. PERFECT! 

Of course I did the remaining trays the same way. 

The heat from the microwave seemed to fuse the mixture together very well.

Good luck...and don't forget the rinse agent ;)