GREEN dishwashing detergent

[banslug]

ok.........I'm slowly going to do one thing at a time at my home, to make my home 'greener'.

I want to start with my dishwasher, since I'm at the end of my Cascade bottle. SO....

does anybody use a homemade (and hopefully less expensive) version of a dishwashing detergent for your dishwasher?

I've googled it and have come up with quite a few things, mostly some combo of washing soda, baking soda, and/or Borax for washing and white vinegar for the rinse agent. BUt I thought I'd check with the Ultra Smart Catheites first!

Gayle

 

[kgalas]

Hi Gayle,

I don't make my own detergent, but I have switched over to green versions. I've used both Palmolive's green liquid dishwasher detergent and Method's dishwasher "pills". I like both-no phosphates, etc. and they get my dishes just as clean as regular detergent. I forgot what I paid for the Palmolive, but the Method was $4.99 for 20 "pills" which lasts my family of five roughly a month. Hope that helps.

 

[chefkate]

gayle, thanks for posting this!!

and klaudia!!!!!!! 20 last you a month???? that would last me exactly 2o days, less if we had company!! i run that beast once a day! how do you do less???!!! maybe your dw is bigger than mine??

 

[pressju]

Green cleaning stuff

Hey Gayle. As a greenie for 7 years now when it comes to home cleaning products, I can say I have found a good many things on drugstore.com. Also check out a book called Better Basics for the Home. Good stuff in there.

Lately the Stop N Shop in my area has added to their selection as well. So look in your grocery store as well.

Good luck and good for you!

Julie

 

[kgalas]

Kate, we usually run our dishwasher every other day. Sometimes two days in a row. I do admit to using paper plates every so often, too. And I usually wash bigger stuff like pots and pans by hand-with green detergent

 

[Tamrahan]

I usually run my dishwasher maybe 2x per week. Used to be almost everyday but I started washing all pots and pans by hand as well as stuff that don't stack in there perfectly like tupperware and such and that cut down dishwasher usage considerably. plus I load it fully. no wasted space.
Also there is only me and DH.
I'll have to consider trying the "Pills".

 

[intensityjunkie]

I run the dishwasher atleast once a day. ugh! But I cook breakfast/lunch/dinner at home and have two boys. I still have to handwash things that are big or not supposed to go in the dishwasher or if the dishwasher is already full. yes we have alot of dishes!
I use melaleuca but you have to be a member to buy from them. I LOOOOOVE their dishwasher detergent. I ran out once and had to buy from the store and I HATED the stuff I got at the store. It was supposed to be phosphate free etc. Melaleucas is phosphate free/biodegradable etc.
If I didn't use that I'm pretty sure 7th generation makes some and I do like the method products. I'm about to run out actually and I place my M order on the 1st of the month so I may go try the method pills to last me till I get my order in.

 

[icumom]

Whatta great thread! Mrs.Duggar makes her own laundry soap that lasts for 2 months for a family of 20 eek - but I don't know if I have it in me to do it.....one to stay away from is Costco's Kirkland liquid natural washing machine soap - made the clothes smell awful...very disappointed, their brand is usually acceptable.........

 

[banslug]

Whatta great thread! Mrs.Duggar makes her own laundry soap that lasts for 2 months for a family of 20 eek - but I don't know if I have it in me to do it.....one to stay away from is Costco's Kirkland liquid natural washing machine soap - made the clothes smell awful...very disappointed, their brand is usually acceptable.........

OK...who is Mrs. Duggar? LOL I'd love to see the 'recipe' for the laundry soap. That's actually what I'm after....a green, homemade version of these products!

THANKS for all the input guys!

Gayle