Out of dishwashing detergent? Find out how many useful alternatives you may have laying around at home
Even those who always use the dishwasher often find themselves having to use the sink too - to hand wash some dishes or pots that must be used immediately, or even just to remove the bulk of the dirt before inserting everything into the dish washer. And then there are those who don't even use the dishwasher and do everything directly by hand. But what do you do when you suddenly find yourself without dishwashing detergent, and without the possibility of buying it immediately from a nearby shop?
There are alternative emergency remedies that can be easily used, since they involve the use of ingredients and products that we very often have at home (and hopefully, that we have not also run out of...). Find out by reading below:
- Baking soda: Even if you only have this, you can certainly clean most of the dishes. Just mix it into water in order to get a not too liquid paste, which you will rub on the dirt with a sponge, and then rinse thoroughly with hot water.
- Alone, or with baking soda, you can also use Marseille soap: if it is liquid form, you will use it as a normal detergent, otherwise you will have to dilute a couple of tablespoons of flakes (make it into flakes with a knife or grate it) in as much water, adjusting until you have the consistency of a liquid detergent. If you don't want to combine it with baking soda, you can add lemon juice or white vinegar, in small quantities.
- Castile soap: mix one part of water with four parts of soap, and you will have a ready-to-use detergent.
- Vinegar and lemon: blend 3 sliced lemons, with the peel but without the seeds, together with 200 ml of water and 200 grams of fine salt. When it is well blended, put everything in a pan with another 300 ml of water and 100 ml of white vinegar (preferably apple, wine or rice), and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat, let it cool well and store in a jar or glass bottle.
- Borax or laundry soda: these powders can also help clean the dishes - just sprinkle the surface to be cleaned and then work it with a wet sponge. However, it is essential to rinse dishes cleaned this way thoroughly.
- And finally, there are even those who use a bit of shampoo as an emergency dishwashing solution - always making sure to rinse off thoroughly.
Do you have a favorite emergency method of washing dishes when there is no detergent?
