No dishwasher detergent? Try homemade and natural alternatives

It may happen sometimes that you find yourself without detergent or dishwasher tablets, or perhaps you simply want to try natural alternatives. Although in fact the specific detergents are composed in such a way as to guarantee the best result of the washing without damaging the components of the appliance with which they come into contact, they are certainly more polluting for the environment.

So from time to time or in an emergency you can also use some ingredients that we most likely already have at home, such as lemon or vinegar. Read on to find out how to prepare these alternative and environmentally friendly detergents.

Creativo

Liquid detergent: made with lemon, vinegar and salt

• 4 medium lemons
• 800 ml water (distilled water is fine too)
• 120 ml white vinegar
• 275 grams of salt

Method:

• Cut the lemons into wedges, removing the seeds but not the rind, and cut them further into chunks.
• Put them in a pan with 350 ml of water.
• Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often, until the lemons are soft and the water has a thicker consistency, like a syrup. You may need to add some water as you go along.
• Blend everything with the rest of the water until you have the smoothest consistency possible.
• Filter this mixture into the pan, so as to eliminate all solid and fibrous pieces.
• Add the vinegar, stir and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, until everything thickens.
• Let it cool completely, stirring to prevent a hard skin from forming on the surface and then pour into a glass container.
• Use about 3 tablespoons at a time.

The acidity of lemon and vinegar are excellent for degreasing dishes but also for cleaning the inside of an appliance.

Powder: with citric acid, bicarbonate and sodium carbonate

• 150 grams of baking soda
• 150 grams of sodium carbonate
• 80 grams of citric acid
• 80 grams of salt
• (optional) essential oils (perhaps lemon, mint or lavender)

Method:

• (Optional step): Puree the ingredients in a blender to reduce them to a very fine powder - especially if you are using coarse citric acid.
• Mix everything in a jar and add essential oil. When you add the drops of essential oil (about 20 or so, but you can adjust as you prefer), it will create lumps. You can try to break them by turning with a fork or go through the mixer again.
• Use 2 or 3 tablespoons at a time per wash.

Have you ever tried similar detergent alternatives?