Homemade Dishwasher Tabs – Make Your Own!

Homemade Dishwasher Tabs

Check out these homemade dishwasher tabs. This is an easy and cheap way to keep your dishes clean without breaking the bank. It doesn’t take much effort to make these tabs and all ingredients can be found in your local grocery store.

Ingredients for Homemade Dishwasher Tabs:

• Lemon Juice
• Borax
• Washing Soda
• Epsom Salts
• Citric Acid (Can be found in the canning section)
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Mold for tabs

Directions:

1.  Put 1/2 cup each of borax, washing soda, and Epson salts into a mixing bowl. Mix dry ingredients together making sure to get rid of any clumps. This can be done with a whisk or a gloved hand.

             

2.  Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to mixture. Mix juice into dry mixture, making sure again, to get rid of any clumps.

3.  Add 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and citric acid. Mix again until it turns into a fine powder.

4.  Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to mixture. Make sure to mix ingredients as you add the vinegar to prevent mixture from fizzing too much. You want to add the vinegar one tablespoon at a time until you get it to where you can squeeze the mixture and it will stay clumped together. Make sure you do not overly wet the mixture.

5.  Place mixture into your mold and let it sit overnight to dry. Try not to overfill the mold and make sure that the mold you are using will make a tab that will fit in your dishwasher tab compartment. Try a silicone mold or ice cube tray for easy removal.

6.  Once tabs are fully hardened, place them in an air tight container until ready to use.

This  recipe can also be left as a powder by skipping the molding step. Also save money on your rinse agent by using vinegar instead. Just put vinegar in your rinse compartment the next time you use your dishwasher. It will help leave the dishes residue free and help clean the inside of your dishwasher.

~Ashley

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