Question from nclynn
Hi Debra,
Your books were my main teachers when i really committed to going green in the 90s. so wonderful!
i am on a thread right now where someone recommended a dishwasher detergent of borax, baking soda (1/2 cup each), 1/8 cup citric acid and 25 drops of ‘essential oil’.
Someone chimed in and said they used this and it ate up their enamelware. the rest of the thread is opinions about what was the culprit and they have ALL been named!!! lol.
The latest was a mom who has a chemist son. son said “borax will ruin your glassware (depending on the make-up) when added to hot water and can make it taste like play-doh – forever! “
I told them i had heard in the 90s (from you?) to use plain borax in the dishwasher. i used it once at a friend’s and it was fine but i’ve never had my own dishwasher.
Do you have any thoughts on that original recipe…good, bad, indifferent?
Thanks for all you do!
Debra’s Answer
I looked up my original recipe for dishwasher detergent and found mix baking soda and borax half-and-half and then put 4 tablespoons in your dishwasher. But I got that from a book somewhere and never actually used it.
I haven’t had a dishwasher since 1985.
So, readers, what are your thoughts or experience with this formula, and what do YOU use in your dishwasher?
I use 7th Generation Free & Clear dishwasher and liquid dish soap. Love it!
I use Whole Foods Market detergent, I have had no problems!
I use Ava Andersen Non Toxic dishwashing detergent. It is all natural, and it works well, for me! (I think I got it from a comment via your postings, Debra…)
As I understand it, Ava Anderson has just gone out of business, and there have been some issues with their products not being labeled accurately. For a while, I did use their dishwasher product, but it was so expensive that I looked for an alternative. I now make my own, by simply mixing equal parts washing soda (Arm & Hammer) and oxygen bleach (Oxy Boost is a very “pure” brand without extra fillers or questionable ingredients); lemon or grapefruit essential oil can be added for extra cleaning power against grease. I believe the Hippie Homemaker website has more specifics about the amounts. I just mix equal parts in a jar that’s roughly a quart…maybe 1.5 or 2 cups of each (washing soda and oxygen bleach) and add maybe 20 or more drops essential oil (less than the website calls for, but I’m sensitive to fragrances so have to be careful even with essential oils). Close the jar and shake very, very well to incorporate. I add 2 Tablespoons of this mix to each load in my dishwasher.
I also use a homemade rinse aid in the designated compartment for that, and it makes things come out cleaner than the powder alone (maybe because we have hard water). This is what I use: http://i-4details.blogspot.com/2013/08/magic-rinse-aid-for-dishwasher-how-to.html
Disclaimer: I’m a homemaker, not a dishwasher repair person or chemist. I can only say that I’ve been using it for a good while and have not yet experienced any trouble. It works better than the various natural things I used before.
It’s also important to clean your dishwasher when switching to a natural product like this – and clean it again from time to time, since “gunk” builds up near the door and seals, in the bottom parts that might be removable, etc. To do the cleaning, you can use a cup or bowl (sitting upright) of vinegar on the top shelf and one on the bottom shelf and run a regular cycle; you can let it run the first few minutes and then stop it and let it sit for an hour or so before letting the cycle continue. Might need to do this more than once, and might need to remove those removable parts and clean them by hand. If there is gunk in there, it will just keep getting redeposited on your dishware, no matter how good the natural cleaner may be.
THe Ava Anderson website says the Anderson Family has withdrawn from the company and it is reorganizing with a new name and look.