The secret ingredient in these homemade dishwasher tablets leaves dishes and glasses sparkling clean, with no clouding or spotting
For years I’ve been making many of my own household cleaners, my favorite is the laundry detergent, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to experiment with making my own dishwasher detergent.
Our dishwasher’s manufacturer suggested using dishwasher tablets, more specifically the ones from Finish. Besides having to come up with a good dishwasher detergent recipe I had to find a way to bind the detergent together to form tablets.
After experimenting with several online recipes I came up with the best homemade dishwasher tablets, ever! The secret to these amazing tablets is something that I’ve been using in my laundry for years.
HOW TO MAKE DISHWASHER TABS
Step 1: Mixing the Ingredients
In a large bowl, using a rubber spatula, mix together all of the dry ingredients. Then stir in the wet ingredients, mix thoroughly.
If you’ve never heard of liquid bluing, it’s a non-toxic, bio-degradable liquid that you add to your wash water to restore whiteness without harming the fibers like bleach does. It can be found in the same isle as the laundry detergent. It has several other uses as well, I’ve been using it in my dish water ever since I read the label and found out how it adds shine to your dishes.
Adding Mrs. Stewart’s liquid bluing to the dishwasher detergent doesn’t just help to shine the dishes but it also acts as a binder to hold the tablets together. When you’re mixing the liquid bluing in with the dry ingredients it become a dark blue. However, as the tablets dry the blue color will fade.
Step 2: Forming the Tablets
Drying Tip
Place the ice cube trays in a warm area. I like to place them in the trunk of my car on a hot day. They will be completely dry within 24 hours.
We’re thrilled that you’re giving this a try d love to see. We’d really love to see how it turned out. Just snap a pic & tag it on Instagram with @FlusterBuster #dishwashertabs
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Template updated 6/22/2020
Whats washing soda?
Washing Soda can be found in the laundry isle. It’s similar to baking soda but with a higher alkalinity.
I tried making these, they fell apart!!- what happened???
Either the dry ingredients weren’t wet enough or they weren’t packed hard enough into the trays.
Mine didn’t clump either. Followed directions exactly.
do they foam up when the vinegar hits the baking soda?
Yes it does foam a little!
What do I do if after 10 washings it starts leaving film on dishes did this happen to u otherwise cleaned great till now
I haven’t experienced film on the dishes. I have no idea what is causing it. If it helps, I use vinegar for spotting, maybe that is why I don’t have any film.
It may be due to the epson salt…it has a lot of other minerals in it that can leave a film behind. Try with kosher salt instead!
Can I substitute kosher salt for Epsom salt?
I’ve never tried it with kosher salt. If you try it, please let me know if it works.
is this separate from dish detergent like cascade and finish? would i need to use this recipe with something like cascade?
It is to be used instead of Cascade or Finish!
What can I use instead of liquid bluing?
I have no idea! I’ve always used the bluing.
Do you think this would work as a powered type? Instead of a mold?
Absolutely!!
What us the equivalent of the bluing ingredient in the uk? Thanks
I’m sorry but I don’t know. The product I use is Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing.
Where do I get the bluing liquid. Wal-Mart doesn’t carry it.
Guy
I get it from our local grocery store, Kroger. But I’ve also seen it at Ace Hardware.
I found the bluing liquid at a grocery store in New Hampshire called Market Basket. Had looked at Walmart and other grocery stores before I finally found it. I bought two bottles 😉
That’s great!
What does the bluing liquid do?
The bluing helps to minimize spots and add shine.
I tried making this just like the recipe and all i got was rock hard chunks that woukdnt dissolve. What did i do wrong 😭😭😭
I’m not sure what went wrong, maybe they were packed to tightly.
Do you use anything as a rinse-aid? Would vinegar work?
I use white vinegar!
I’m in New Zealand and have powered bluing. Do you reckon I should just use a couple of teaspoons of this and a bit more water. We don’t have the liquid bluing that I could find. Thanks.
I’ve never used the powdered bluing, but I think adding a little water would definitely work.
Did I miss where you give amounts of each item to use? I found the ingredients list and the directions but couldn’t find quantities. I’m sure I’m just overlooking something. Help😜!
Sorry we recently updated the post and lost some information! It has been updated now!