So easy you can make dishwasher tabs yourself!

Did you know that you can make your own dishwasher tabs? It's very easy and you're sure to succeed on your first try. Here's what you need to pay attention to and how to do it!

Recently I read in a magazine that you can make your own dishwasher tabs. Sounds really exciting, doesn't it? Of course, I had to try that out right away. After experiments with DIY detergent, Hair shampoo, Liquid soap and the like, it is now time to replace the purchased tabs for dishwashing detergent.

It's really amazing what you can make yourself. And how easy it is.

Dishwasher tabs are a good example of this for me. You really don't have to buy them in the future. In just 5 minutes, the basic mass is mixed together.

This saves a lot of packaging waste and plastic per year.

But let's look at this in more detail.

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Why you should make your own dishwasher tabs

Did you know that store-bought tabs contain many corrosive chemicals? Not only do they end up on the dishes when you wash them, they also end up unfiltered in the wastewater. Surely you can do without that! The best way to do this is to make your own dishwasher tabs.

All ingredients for the DIY version are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. So they do not harm the environment, you or your dishes.

Many manufacturers have recognized that the eco aspect is becoming increasingly important for customers. That's why you can also buy chemical-free dishwasher tabs, but it's quite expensive.

For those who are afraid that the homemade tabs won't clean properly, I can reassure you: The dishwashing tabs are super effective on all kinds of dishes - from plates to cutlery to plastic cans.

You save a lot of money when you make your own dishwasher tabs, because there are no expensive ingredients in the DIY tabs. If you buy them in larger quantities, then you get off cheaply. 20 homemade dishwasher tabs cost about 2 euros.

But the best thing about DIY is that it is very simple. Unlike other DIY tutorials, you're bound to succeed. Some ingredients you have even now at home and do not even have to buy them. Especially if you have regular DIY projects at the start.

If you opt for dishwasher tabs from the supermarket, then each one is wrapped in plastic again. Of course, we do without this in the DIY version. The packaging cardboard is also omitted. The only waste that is created is that of the ingredients. If you buy them in a zero-waste store or simply order them in large quantities, you can save a lot of waste.

The DIY variant saves you chemicals, money and packaging waste.

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What ingredients you need for the DIY dishwasher tabs

As with most DIY projects, you only need a few basic ingredients. You can personalize them with a few drops of essential oil. You can choose your favorite scent - but citrus is the most common. The dishes smell fresh and clean after washing.

But also lavender or other essential oils provide a pleasant scent. Allowed is what you like :)

Let's take another quick look at the ingredients and what they do.

Baking soda

You know Baking soda* surely a household remedy for shoe odor, right? If not: Add 1-2 tablespoons Baking soda* into the shoes, leave it overnight and pour the Baking soda* then off again.

Baking soda* cleans and neutralizes odours - not only in shoes, but also when making your own dishwasher tabs.

Soda

Dirty dishes are usually smeared with grease. So that not too much of it ends up in a dishwasher, you should rinse the dishes beforehand. In the DIY tabs we pack Soda*. It is known to dissolve even stubborn grease.

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Citric acid

You should not do without it especially if you have very hard water - that is, if your tap water contains a lot of lime. Citric acid* has a decalcifying effect.

Important: The cleaning tablets for the dishwasher do not replace the rinse aid or the dishwashing salt! You must use these two agents in addition to the tabs, so that your machine lives long and does not calcify.

How to make dishwasher tabs yourself

The dishwasher tabs are homemade in no time. Are you ready? Then let's get started right away.

Baking soda*, Washing soda*, Citric acid* and essential oils can be purchased on Amazon.

For all DIY beginners, here comes a very detailed step-by-step tutorial. If you're already a pro at things DIY and just looking for inspiration, then you'll find a short version for the dishwasher tabs at the end of the post.

Ingredients

• 100 g baking soda
• 50 g Washing soda*
• 100 g Citric acid*
• 2 tablespoons tap water
• 20 drops essential oil

You'll also need a sealable jar, a scale, a bowl, and a silicone mold or ice cube mold.

1. weigh the ingredients

The first step is to prepare all the ingredients. If you are not a DIY beginner, you probably have everything you need at home. Weigh the ingredients very carefully.

2. mix the ingredients

Add the baking soda, the Citric acid* and the Soda* carefully into a bowl and mix the ingredients together. Make sure that the dust does not get into your eyes.

3. add the water

Now add the water little by little. The mass should not become too liquid. It should be so solid that you could still shape it.

Do not be surprised: The mass starts to foam. However, it calms down after about 5 minutes. Just let it stand for that long.

4. fill the mass and let it solidify

In the last step you fill the mass with a tablespoon into skilicon molds. Once this is done, you just have to leave it for a few days. The dishwasher tabs should become really solid.

Ready are your homemade dishwasher tabs.

How to use the dishwasher tabs correctly

It's very simple: You use the DIY variant in the same way as the purchased tabs. That is, one dishwashing tab per wash. Depending on the water hardness, you may need to use a little more next time. Citric acid* must be used.

Put the tab normally in the compartment provided for it. If you want extra citrus scent, you can put half a lemon in the machine. It provides an incredible fresh scent. However, you should dispose of it after 1x wash.

For this I like to use the lemons that I squeezed or those that already have a very hard peel.

However, if you want to make dishwasher tabs yourself, you must not forget that your machine needs extra care.

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Do not forget rinse aid

To keep your glasses clear and from getting a cloudy haze, you need to use a rinse aid. How much you need depends on how much lime your tap water contains.

Many also use apple cider vinegar instead of rinse aid. I have not yet dared to do so. Because acetic acid is known to attack the seals.

Use dishwasher salt

Dishwashers need regular regeneration salt. It helps to flush bound lime from the machine. You can buy dishwasher salt in the supermarket or drugstore. Normal kitchen salt is not suitable for this purpose!

Our conclusion

Making your own dishwasher tabs is really no trick. Even zero-waste beginners will succeed with these instructions. Good luck and have fun making them!

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