Wednesday, November 04, 2009

A Natural AND Cheap Alternative to Dishwasher Detergent

By jove, I think I may have GOT it. Dishwasher detergent is one of those annoying necessities that I could never quite embrace using. But, I'm finally pleased with the results of two ingredients that seem to be getting my dishes good and clean, minus the chemicals.

I pour regular table salt (or I've also used baking soda) into the detergent openings in the dishwasher door, and then pour about a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide over the salt until it's a bit sludgy and slushy. Close the door and give it a whirl.

I really want to know what you discover from using this! Do you like it as much as dishwasher detergent? I'm still working on improving this all the time, so please do share if you tweak it and like the results even more.

~Christina~

4 comments:

Betty said...

Ok, that kind of scares me. Could you use white vinegar instead to make it s a dish detergent, could it combine with things like this steam mop I bought>

April said...

Hhhmm sounds intriguing.I'm going to clean my old,white gym shirts with the solution you suggested and we'll see. My friends tell me I should use baking soda and some vinegar. But this is interesting, I might give it a shot.Thanks

1-13-2010

Anonymous said...

Christina, I think it is a wonderful idea. I have been using hydrogen peroxide for years as a mouth rinse with no problems whatsoever. I do not swallow it and my mouth feels very clean compared to sugary mouth washes. People have said different things regarding this. It has never caused a problem and has never damaged my teeth. I am almost 50 years old.

Considering your formula is used on the dishes and rinsed off afterwards, I think it would be a fantastic cleaner. From the looks of the dishwasher detergent we buy in the stores, they are definitely scary to me. They have to be full of things that would not be good for us.

Hydrogen Peroxide and salt are natural and not scary to me at all. Not one bit. Absolutely no offense meant toward Betty's opinion, either. We just have different views, that's all. :)

HappySlob said...

I'm with Anon - and I use diluted hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse too! (Great minds think alike, huh?) Betty, I really don't think it's anything to scare you, but you could try vinegar as a replacement. (I've tried it before and wasn't as pleased with the results it provided.)