How to make a safe, natural, low-sudsing dishwasher detergent from scratch using non-soap ingredients that are gentle and baby-safe:
✅ Ingredients
| Ingredient | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) | Main cleaning & degreasing agent | Non-toxic, natural mineral |
| 1 cup borax-free baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) | Softens water & boosts cleaning | Baby-safe at this level |
| ½ cup citric acid powder | Removes spots, limescale, and milk film | Natural from citrus |
| ½ cup salt (fine sea or kosher salt) | Helps with rinse & water softening | Optional if water is soft |
| 1 cup hot distilled water | Base for fluid | |
| 1 teaspoon unscented baby-safe liquid castile soap (optional) | Helps lift grease | Tiny amount won’t foam excessively |
🧴 Directions
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In a heatproof bowl, dissolve washing soda, baking soda, and salt in hot distilled water.
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Once dissolved, stir in citric acid. (It’ll fizz a bit — that’s normal!)
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Add a few drops of baby-safe essential oil (optional — e.g., lemon or lavender) if you want a light scent.
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Once cooled, store in a glass or BPA-free plastic bottle with a lid.
🧽 Usage
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Shake well before each use.
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Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per dishwasher load.
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For best results, add white vinegar (1 tablespoon) in the rinse aid compartment to prevent water spots.
👶 Baby-Safe Notes
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No synthetic surfactants, no fragrance, no dyes.
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Gentle enough for bottles, pacifiers, and baby dishes, but still remove heavy grease.
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Always run the sanitize or hot water cycle if cleaning baby bottles or pump parts.