If there is one thing that has driven me crazy in my transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it is dishwasher tablets . I have tried several options of eco-tablets and powder detergent bought in bulk. I also tried grated Marseille soap. I know that all these options have worked perfectly for other people, but my dishwasher is a bit special and there was no way. I only got good results with conventional tablets, full of chemical ingredients and, worst of all, over-packaged and covered with a layer of plastic that breaks down and turns into microplastics that potentially pollute rivers and seas.
My dishwasher is so terrible that even with these tablets in the drawer I couldn't get good results. I had to put them directly inside, next to the plates and glasses.
I didn't give up and, finally, after much testing, I found my definitive solution . I started using homemade dishwasher tablets, very easy to make, with natural ingredients and which give me wonderful results . I can even put them in the dispenser!
So I'm looking forward to sharing this discovery, which we have to thank our eco-friend Paloma (@vivir_sin_plastico, on Instagram), who shared this wonderful recipe with us.
INGREDIENTS
- Baking soda - one cup
- Sodium percarbonate - one cup
- Citric acid - one cup
- Lemon essential oil - 20 drops
- Vinegar - half a cup
Essential oil can be replaced with dried lemon peel powder . This way you can put something that would otherwise be thrown away to use.
We have used cleaning vinegar, but you can also use your own macerated citrus vinegar , made with discarded peels. We will share this preparation with you in another post of 'Alma Eko's potions'.
You will also need a large bowl, a wooden spoon and silicone ice cube trays or, as in our case, something very similar: chocolate moulds. We liked this format because the bars come out smaller and, as I said, the result is completely satisfactory, so it goes further than with ice cube trays.
STEP BY STEP
STEP 1:
Mix the dry ingredients: baking soda, percarbonate and citric acid inside the bowl.
STEP 2:
Add the 20 drops of essential oil and mix.
STEP 3:
Add the vinegar to the bowl. This should be done very slowly. The vinegar reacts when it comes into contact with the other ingredients and you will see that it creates a foam. You should add a small amount, mix, wait for the foam to subside and repeat the process about 6 times. Then let it sit for about 5 or 10 minutes for the foam to subside completely. But don't be distracted, as the mixture will harden and it may be difficult to complete the next step.
STEP 4:
Fill the ice cube trays or chocolate moulds. Make sure to press down well so that the bars stay compact when they dry.
HOW TO USE IT AND MORE THINGS YOU WILL LIKE TO KNOW
Ideally, you should let the mixture rest in the ice cube trays for a whole night. Then, every time you need a tablet, you unmold it, put it in the box, and that's it .
Thanks to the lemon essential oil, when you open the dishwasher you get a very pleasant and fresh smell . The vinegar smell disappears.
With these tablets, there is no need to add dishwasher salt or rinse aid . Baking soda, citric acid and vinegar do the same job . So less products in your kitchen, less packaging, less plastics… a happier planet!
We hope you are encouraged to try this simple recipe that we suggest and tell us how it went.
On Alma Eko's blog you can now find three other recipes with natural ingredients that will allow you to do without packaging, take advantage of resources and enjoy your own creations, which is always a pleasure. Here are the links:
