I found it very bizarre when I was trying to remove harmful chemicals from my life that something like dishwasher detergent could be a problem. You wouldn’t think it would have any impact, based on the fact that it’s washed and rinsed inside a machine. However, I came to find out that the dishwasher detergent I was using can certainly trigger a reaction to my ADHD. Essentially, the chemicals and residue that is left on the dishes can find it’s way into our system when we put food on a plate and eat off of it. Either way, I started buying free and clear dishwasher detergent, which is a viable option if you choose to go that route. However, I was finding the prices to be burdensome, and decided to look for an alternative and I just so happened to have all the ingredients I needed to make it in my house. I know free and clear products are hailed as being lower in chemicals and safe, but I don’t buy into the effectiveness and safety all that much. The United States has sketchy rules and regulations for these companies to qualify for such standards, so I figured it would also be wise to try to make it naturally on that basis as well. The results that I got were pretty great and its more cost effective than store bought detergent. You can also whip up a batch in a few minutes that can last a year or more.
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup salt – always use a salt that does not have an anti-caking agent
You can scale this recipe up or down to fit your households needs. If you can’t find washing soda, you can buy baking soda and bake it in the oven at 400 degrees for about an hour, stirring a few times throughout. This allows it to heat evenly and not clump up. The chemical reaction of heating baking soda turns it into washing soda, but keep in mind you will lose 1/4-1/3 of the total starting weight of the baking soda, so using a scale for measurement is ideal. Never use a salt with an anti caking agent, as this can cause buildup in your washing machine. If your dishes wind up having white residue on the dishes, add more citric acid to your mix as needed and this should take care of it. You can also add vinegar to the rinse aid dispenser.