If there's one thing that's been a real headache for me in my transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it's dishwasher tablets . I've tried several eco-friendly tablets and powdered detergent bought in bulk. I also tried grated Marseille soap. I've heard that all of these options have worked perfectly for other people, but my dishwasher is a bit special, and it just didn't work. I only got good results with conventional tablets, full of chemical ingredients and, worst of all, overpackaged and coated with a layer of plastic that breaks down and turns into microplastics, potentially polluting rivers and oceans.
My dishwasher is terrible. Even with these tablets in the drawer, I couldn't get good results. I had to put them right in there, next to the plates and glasses.
I wouldn't give up, and finally, after much trial and error, I've found my ultimate solution . I've started using homemade dishwasher tablets. They're very easy to make, with natural ingredients, and they give me wonderful results . I can even put them in the dishwasher drawer!
So I'm looking forward to sharing this discovery, which we have to thank our eco-friend Paloma (@vivir_sin_plastico, on Instagram), for sharing 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
The essential oil can be substituted with dried lemon peel powder . This way, you can repurpose something that would otherwise be thrown away as waste.
We used cleaning vinegar, but you can also use your own macerated citrus vinegar , made from discarded peels. We'll share this recipe with you in another post on "Alma Eko's Potions."
You'll also need a large bowl, a wooden spoon, and silicone ice cube trays or, as in our case, something very similar: chocolate molds. We liked this format because the cubes come out smaller and, as I said, the result is completely satisfactory, so it goes further than with the ice cube trays.
STEP BY STEP
STEP 1:
Mix the dry ingredients: baking soda, percarbonate, and citric acid in 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 on contact with the other ingredients, and you'll see it form a foam. Add a small amount, mix, wait for the foam to subside, and repeat the process about 6 times. Then let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes to allow the foam to subside completely. But don't get distracted, as the mixture will harden, making it difficult to complete the next step.
STEP 4:
Fill the ice cube trays or chocolate molds. Make sure you press them down firmly so the chocolates stay compact when they dry.
HOW TO USE IT AND MORE THINGS YOU'LL LIKE TO KNOW
Ideally, you should let the mixture sit in the ice cube trays overnight. Then, whenever you need a tablet, unmold it, put it in the tray, and that's it .
Thanks to lemon essential oil, when you open the dishwasher you perceive a very pleasant and fresh smell . The vinegar smell disappears.
With these tablets , you don't need dishwasher salt or rinse aid . Baking soda, citric acid, and vinegar do the same job . So, fewer products in your kitchen, less packaging, less plastic... a happier planet!
We hope you'll be inspired to try this simple recipe we're suggesting and tell us how it turned out.
On Alma Eko's blog, you can now find three more recipes with natural ingredients that will allow you to ditch the packaging, make the most of resources, and enjoy your own creations—which is always a pleasure. Here are the links:
