I Used Baking Soda and Vinegar Instead of Dishwasher Detergent to Wash Dishes - Here's What Happened

"We've all been there: You've loaded your dishwasher to the brim with just about every useful dish you own and then realize you're completely out of dishwasher detergent. If a last-minute dash to grab some isn't in the cards, it might be easier to whip up a DIY dishwasher detergent that'll get the job done until you can make it to the store. We've seen a lot of DIY dishwasher detergent recipes that include items you may not already have in your home (like washing soda, which - yes - is different from baking soda!). To simplify, below are three DIY dishwasher detergent "recipes" that you can make with things you're much more likely to actually have on hand."

"The combo might be famous for "volcano" concoctions, but both baking soda and vinegar are excellent natural cleaners. To use this DIY method, Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert at CottageCare, suggests the following: 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 cup of distilled white vinegar Add baking soda to your dishwasher's soap compartment. Fill a small glass with white vinegar and place it somewhere standing up in the top tray. "This cleaning duo will cut grease, deodorize, and freshen your dishes," he says. And if you have a septic system, Schrader advises you to steer clear of recipes that are heavy in borax. Instead, he recommends using vinegar or baking soda solutions like this one instead."

"Need something more abrasive for tough stains or super dirty dishes? Try this natural dishwasher detergent that uses the scrubbing power of salt for an amped-up clean. 1 cup kosher salt 1 cup baking soda juice of 1 lemon Combine all three ingredients in a jar Shake well to combine Add 2 tablespoons to your dishwasher's soap comp"

Three simple DIY dishwasher detergent methods use common household ingredients to clean dishes when dishwasher detergent is not available. One method uses baking soda and distilled white vinegar: add a tablespoon of baking soda to the soap compartment and place a glass of vinegar on the top rack to cut grease and deodorize. Another formula combines kosher salt, baking soda, and lemon juice for abrasive stain removal; mix and add two tablespoons per load. The guidance warns septic-system households to avoid borax-heavy recipes and prefers vinegar or baking soda solutions instead.

Read at Apartment Therapy