Natural, effective, and better for your health and the planet.
Swapping out commercial dish detergent for homemade alternatives is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut back on toxins in your home. Store-bought options are often loaded with artificial fragrances, dyes, and harsh surfactants that can irritate your skin and harm the environment.
The good news? You can easily make your own dishwashing soap and dishwasher detergent at home using simple, natural ingredients — many of which you may already have on hand.
🧼 Why Make Your Own Dish Detergent?
- Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Ditch sulfates, artificial fragrances, and preservatives.
- Reduce Plastic Waste: Skip the endless plastic bottles and packaging.
- Save Money: Most recipes cost just pennies per batch.
- Customize It: Choose scents, textures, and strengths that work for your needs.
- Eco-Friendly: Safer for septic systems and better for greywater reuse.
🫧 DIY Dish Soap (For Handwashing)
These liquid soaps are great for cleaning dishes in the sink. Note: Homemade versions won’t suds up as much as store-bought varieties, but don’t worry — they’re still cleaning effectively!
✨ Basic Castile Dish Soap
Ingredients:
- 1 cup liquid castile soap (unscented or scented)
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (adds thickness and moisture)
- 10–15 drops essential oil (like lemon, lavender, or tea tree)
- 1/2 cup water (optional for thinner texture)
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients in a reused dish soap bottle or glass pump dispenser.
- Shake gently before use.
- Use a small amount on a sponge or dish brush and wash as normal.
Notes:
- Vinegar helps cut grease, but it can reduce suds. Add it only if you’re dealing with lots of oil or stuck-on food.
- Castile soap is gentle on skin and safe for the environment.
🍋 Grease-Cutting Citrus Dish Soap
Ingredients:
- 1 cup castile soap
- 1/4 cup citrus-infused vinegar (soak orange/lemon peels in vinegar for 2 weeks)
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon washing soda (for extra grease-fighting power)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a container and mix well.
- Transfer to a squirt bottle.
- Shake gently before each use.
🧽 DIY Dishwasher Detergent
Homemade dishwasher detergent works just as well as commercial tablets—without the chemical residue.
🧂 Simple Powdered Dishwasher Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax (optional – see note below)
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup coarse sea salt or Epsom salt
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight glass jar.
- Use 1–2 tablespoons per load.
- For a natural rinse aid, add white vinegar to your rinse compartment.
Note on Borax: While borax is a naturally occurring mineral, some people prefer to avoid it. You can leave it out and increase the washing soda slightly or replace it with baking soda.
💧 Liquid Dishwasher Gel (Borax-Free)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions:
- Dissolve dry ingredients in warm water first.
- Stir in castile soap.
- Store in a bottle and shake before use.
- Use 1–2 tablespoons per load.
🪻 Scent and Essential Oils Ideas
Add 5–15 drops of essential oils to boost cleaning power and scent:
- Lemon – cuts grease and freshens
- Tea Tree – antimicrobial properties
- Lavender – calming scent, mild disinfectant
- Eucalyptus – great for stuck-on grime
- Peppermint – uplifting and cooling
⚠️ Tips and Troubleshooting
- Hard Water? Add more citric acid to dishwasher recipes or use vinegar in the rinse compartment.
- Soap Scum? Vinegar can help remove residue caused by mineral-rich water or soap buildup.
- Clogged Dishwasher? Avoid adding too much detergent — 1 tablespoon is often enough.
- Separation in Liquid Soaps? Shake well before each use. You can also use an immersion blender to help emulsify ingredients.
🧂 Bonus: Natural Dish Soak for Stuck-On Food
Fill your sink or basin with hot water, 1/4 cup baking soda, and a squirt of castile soap. Let dishes soak for 15–30 minutes before scrubbing. This loosens baked-on food and reduces the need for heavy scrubbing.
💚 Final Thoughts
Homemade dish and dishwasher soaps are not only easy to make but also empowering. They allow you to take control of what comes into contact with your dishes, your hands, and ultimately your family’s health — all while supporting a more sustainable way of living.
Whether you’re going zero-waste, avoiding chemicals, or just love DIYing, your dishwashing routine is a great place to start.