DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

So you're looking for a homemade dishwasher detergent that actually works? I've got you!

If you are tired of buying chemical and dye laden dishwasher detergents that aren't great for your family or the environment, try these easy peasy DIY dishwasher detergent tabs on for size.

They really work to break up grime on dishes and they're inexpensive to boot!

Using today's prices on Amazon for all the supplies used, you would pay about $0.33 per load for these homemade dishwasher tabs.

Now, I did link to the organic versions of the essential oils I used because I assumed you might want to use your essential oils on other things at home beyond washing dishes.

Only want the essential oils for washing dishes? Have some of these ingredients on hand already? Your tabs will cost even less!

Are you ready to get started making your very own homemade dishwasher detergent? Let's go!

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Looking for more great ways to use essential oils at home?

From cleaning to personal care, check out my other articles about how to use essential oils here:

Learn about how to use essential oils

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DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

Supplies

Some of the links below may be affiliate links where a purchase made after clicking will support this website without costing you extra!

• 1 cup Borax
• ½ cup Epsom salt
• 1 cup Washing soda (not to be confused with baking soda!)
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 8 drops Lavender essential oil
• 8 drops Lemon essential oil
• Silicone Mold

Directions

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs STEP 1: 

Pour the borax, epsom salt and washing soda into a bowl and mix will.

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs STEP 2: 

Slowly add the lemon juice to the dry ingredients and mix well.  You want it to get damp enough to mold and stick together but not be dripping wet.

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs STEP 3: 

Add your essential oils. I recommend sticking with the lemon oil for its cleaning power but if you don't love lavender, you could swap out for a different oil like lemongrass or grapefruit.  Stir it well to mix.

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs STEP 4: 

Spoon your damp dishwasher detergent mix into a silicone mold. Press down each square to firmly pack them in.

This recipe makes the perfect amount to fill our 24 square mold!

If you do not have a mold, you can use an ice cube tray, but I find the mold is SO much easier to get out and have them uniform and pretty!

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs STEP 5: 

Let the dishwasher detergent tabs sit in the mold for several hours until hardened. You could even set it outside in the sunshine for the afternoon to really warm up and get hard.

Be sure to let them sit in the molds for at least 3-4 hours.

DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs Storage: 

Store your finished dishwasher tabs in an airtight container or jar.

That's it!

If you love this DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs tutorial, be sure to pin it to save it for later!

About the Author:

Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she won the Craftys Award for the "Best Craft Blogger" category in 2016 and the ShiftCon award for "Best DIY Blogger" in 2018.

Her creative pursuits don't stop at crafts - she is also the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and several ebooks. Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.

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