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Cleaning Up:  Cheap, healthier dishwasher "soap"  |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 29 2011 : 3:10:08 PM
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We've just started using a mixture of equal parts baking soda and borax instead of store-bought powdered dishwasher detergent. It cleans spectacularly better than the store-bought stuff, and doesn't leave that nasty residue of who-knows-what. We didn't even bother with white vinegar, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to add that, too.
You use the same amount of the baking soda/borax mix as you would the store-bought. What a great savings, and so nice to know it's safer.  |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2011 : 04:21:07 AM
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Good for you! :) Borax and baking soda are just incredible cleaning agents. I wish I had a dishwasher to try it in! LOL. :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9403 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9403 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2011 : 10:18:22 AM
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I use that for my laundry. Just borax and baking soda. 1 part borax to 2 parts baking soda.
sure gets the work clothes clean! Will have to try it for the dishwasher! thanks!!
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 8:29:08 PM
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| I started adding vinegar after getting the idea from the sisterhood and love it! |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 09:41:18 AM
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| A little follow-up. My husband is the one who does most of our cooking and dishwashing (yeah, I know!!!) and he tells me that actually the 50/50 baking soda and borax isn't working so well. I'm going to try Kristina's blend and go back to adding white vinegar. |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 1:33:16 PM
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| It didn't work for me either Rosamary. At first it was OK, but after a few times, I was finding crud on all the dishes. |
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SusanScarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
317 Posts
317 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2011 : 12:45:15 PM
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| I have tried and tried to make a dishwasher detergent that works in my hard, hard West Texas water. The addition of citric acid to the borax/washing soda works for many people in different parts of the US. Lemishine or Koolaid Lemonade contain citric acid. The addition of Kosher salt is supposed to aid in cleaning also. None of this has worked for me yet. So for the time being, while I continue to experiment, I'm using a half and half mixture of Cascade and my own concoction. I look forward to reading if someone else comes up with a good homemade recipe that will work for hard water. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 8:16:52 PM
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| Oh boy. I'm going to give up and go back to store-bought dishwasher detergent, or wash my dishes by hand when I have the time. Sorry I mislead everyone. I thought our experiment had worked. SusanScarlet mentioned having hard water, which we have, too. That might be the problem. I sure hope others of you are successful with a homemade alternative. :( |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
1074 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 8:22:38 PM
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I've tried too and haven't found anything that works. I had to clean the inside of my dishwasher after my last attempt,
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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Hope Floats
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Texas
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2011 : 08:28:11 AM
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| I also have hard water, but I have a water softener now. I wonder if a water softener will make difference? I'll go to the market tomorrow and buy everything and try it out and let you know. Has anyone ever added lemon juice to the mixture? Just wondering if it would help or hurt? |
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Sobyn
True Blue Farmgirl
752 Posts
Sabrina
Kansas
USA
752 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2011 : 12:19:45 PM
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| We've been trying to find a solution for this too. So far I've had the same experience as the rest of you :(. I use soapnuts for my laundry and have been told that the soapnut liquid will work in the dishwasher, I just boiled down a bunch so we will see if it works. I'll let you know :). |
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SusanScarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
317 Posts
317 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2011 : 2:03:11 PM
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| Hope Floats: I have a water softening unit in my house and my homemade stuff still doesn't work. BUT ... my half Cascade and half homemade stuff is working great. Try mixing your homemade stuff with an equal amount of your purchased detergent and see if it works for you. Even though I'm not completely replacing my purchased detergent, at least I'm extending it. |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2011 : 6:36:23 PM
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Thanks for the great tip, I'll try that next.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"
"The things that matter most are not really things after all" |
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Cleaning Up: Cheap, healthier dishwasher "soap" |
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Cheap, healthier dishwasher "soap"
