WSBT-TV: The Amazing Dishwasher
POSTED BY Amy at 9:15 AM
Today on our Moms First segment on
WSBT, we are talking about
how to save money using your dishwasher. I offer a few ideas for ways to save money including what cycles to chose, how to make your own dish detergent, what to buy instead of Jet Dry and explain the cost-effectiveness of putting your dishes in the dishwasher.
This is great timing since we are
spring cleaning our kitchens this week! I will have to add an extra credit assignment to our printables to clean our dishwashers! You can also read my article, "
The Amazing Dishwasher" for more ideas on how to save money!
I have gotten some emails from local folks who missed the recipe this morning for making your dish detergent so I wanted to supply that too!
Homemade Dishwashing Detergent1 cup Borax
1 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Salt
Mix these ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Add one tablespoon to your detergent dispenser. If you have an older dishwasher, you may need to experiment with this to see what works best. You can also add this mixture and then a small sprinkle of the regular stuff you buy to extend further.
This formula works well for scouring sinks and tubs too!
Labels: Cleaning, Cleaning Recipes, WSBT
9Comments:
Natalie W.
"Amy,
Thanks for the tips! The recipes for dishwashing detergent that I've normally seen online include lemon kool-aid for the citric acid and scent. Have you ever included that in your dishwashing detergent? Thanks! Natalie"
"Wouldn't the toxicity of borax be a concern when using it on dishes? (I read on about.com that less than 5g can kill a child.) I do use borax in my homemade laundry detergent, but I'd be a little scared to use it on my dishes. -Bea"
Nicole
"Hi, I have been looking for a homemade version of dishwashing detergent. Every article I found the reviews were always negative and it left a film. Have you had any problems with this recipe? I never even thought of the toxicity of this. Before I mix it up I thought I would get your reviews."
Amy
"I found this recipe on TreeHugger.com, which I have always considered to be a reliable source for good "green" information and care for my family. It is much better on the environment because most dishwashing detergents have phosphates in them. According to that site, "Phosphates come from the same family of chemicals commonly used by farmers to fertilize crops. When phosphates wind up in waterways like rivers and coastal areas, they can “fertilize” algae populations, leading to large algal blooms which in turn can choke out plant and animal life in aquatic ecosystems"
I think it is up to you what you feel comfortable with. I had not read that on About.com before, but there is all sorts of conflicting information out there on what is best for our bodies and our world.
I definitely wouldn't recommend eating Borax, but one tablespoon (mixed with equal parts baking soda and some salt) diluted to the degree it would be in an entire load of dishes...I think you will be okay :)
I hope that answers everything!!"
Amy
"Nicole- I hope I answered the question about toxicity (I was typing it as your comment came through)
I did get a film on my dishes the first time I tried it, but I think it was because I was not using a rinse aid (1/4 cup vinegar)
I would recommend giving it a shot with the vinegar and seeing what works for your dishwasher. If it isn't proving to work best, try adding a dash of the store-bought stuff and see if that gives it the boost you need.
I know Stephanie from StopTheRide.net had some troubles and experimented with it.
It works really well in my new dishwasher, but I struggled with the recipe before that (BUT I also did not have a water softener which has made ALL the difference in the WORLD to my dishes)
Natalie- I haven't added a citric drink mix yet, but one of our readers did say that you should never use citric stuff in a stainless steel interior because it will ruin your dishwasher. I do use the drink mixes (mine is not stainless steel interior) to clean my dishwasher when it is empty. I use Crystal Lite (no sugar, no color) and it works well for cleaning the interior of the dishwasher.
I hope that helps!! Love this discussion!"
Frugal Dad
"Enjoyed your segment on saving energy by efficient dishwasher use. I'm going to go home and check for a "light wash" option on our model - I think we've always just used "Regular wash" or whatever the defaul setting was."
*carrie*
"We accidentally hit the "quick wash" button just last night. I was surprised to see the dishes looked completely clean. I wonder why they offer so many cycle options?!
Also, to save energy, we never use the heated drying cycle."
SAHMmy Says
"I'm a huge fan of Borax--never thought to use it in the dishwasher! Can't possibly be any more toxic than the premade dish detergent. I'm wondering: if Kool Aid and Crystal Light can clean your dishwasher, what the heck do they do to your intestinal system as they go through? :)"
"When I watched the video it stops just as you were getting to the recipe so thanks for typing it out. If you mentioned anything else helpful like the Jet Dry substitute after that could you post that as well since I didn't get to watch that part! We don't have a dishwasher right now but are moving in 2 weeks and will have one so this was good timing for me! Thanks!"
Today on our Moms First segment on WSBT, we are talking about how to save money using your dishwasher. I offer a few ideas for ways to save money including what cycles to chose, how to make your own dish detergent, what to buy instead of Jet Dry and explain the cost-effectiveness of putting your dishes in the dishwasher.
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Thanks for the tips! The recipes for dishwashing detergent that I've normally seen online include lemon kool-aid for the citric acid and scent. Have you ever included that in your dishwashing detergent? Thanks! Natalie"