Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods so easily and without all the harmful chemicals and plastics!
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Another project for Low – Toxin Living
Jump to RecipeOnce I tackled homemade laundry detergent the next thing I wanted to work on was dishwasher pods. It had been grossing me out with the plastic pod they came in and I knew that the powders have just as many chemicals as the pods.
However, I truly did not think they would work. I actually tried two other recipes before I thought I could create my own. Both the other recipes almost worked but they weren’t quite right. So I made adjustments and bam! They stick together, you don’t get many crumbles (like the other ones I have tried) and these take half the drying time of other ones I have tried, win-win!
Homemade Dishwasher Pods
These homemade dishwasher pods are quick to put together and then you let them sit overnight and they are done. I use a silicone ice tray mold I got from amazon. You can choose any size or shape you like! You’ll see the one that I chose below.
Here is a small list of chemicals/toxins that could be in your grocery store dishwasher pods:
- Sodium hypochlorite
- Chlorine
- Sodium silicate
- Alcohol exthoxylates
- Polyacralates
- Benzisothiazolione
Honestly, there are many more, but I’m tired of looking them up. It made me regret not using homemade dishwasher pods for so long when I could easily make them at home in minutes.
Toxins and chemicals above are linked to:
- Skin reactions
- Eye irritants
- Toxic if swallowed
- Inflammation
And many more… the one that gets me is toxic if swallowed. Even though our glasses are coming out Chrystal clean, they are leaving those residues and we are eating and drinking off them.
For me, if I’m eating or drinking off something I would rather it be ingredients that I know and ingredients that have been around forever.
Speaking of ingredients… Have you started a sourdough starter yet?!
Check this out! How to start a sourdough starter at home!
Making the Pods
It only takes minutes to get everything together. Simply mix the dry ingredients then add the water. Let it bubble for a minute or two and then mix until you have a pasty texture. Fill your molds and let sit overnight. They should pop out cleanly in the morning!
This is what they should look like when done.
If your looking for how to make lox toxin laundry detergent, check out this blog!
Homemade Dishwasher Pods
Equipment
- 1 Whisk
- 2 Silicone Ice cube trays This depends on the size of the wholes on the tray, mine were fairly small so I needed two trays. This could vary, just go with it!
Materials
- 1 Cup Baking Soda
- 1 Cup Washing Soda
- 1/2 Cup Citric Acid
- 1 Cup Epsom Salt
- 1 Cup Water
- 20 Drops Essential Oils Optional
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients to bowl and whisk together.
- Add water and let bubble and fizz for 1-2 minutes.
- Then whisk everything together until you get a pasty texture.
- Fill your ice cube molds and let sit over night.
- Test one in the morning, if they pop out cleanly and easily, they are ready!
I love the idea of these, but I tried them out and my dishes come out with a white chalky film on them. We have very hard water in my area so I imagine that might be the cause, but do you have any suggestions for how to tweak the recipe to combat that?
Hi! Thank you for the feedback! Every once in a while I feel like I do get a load out of my dishwasher that tends to have a film on it. (I can’t seem to find a reason why it happens randomly.) But I typically run it through one more time with a tablespoon or two of citric acid and that seems to do the trick.
Another option I would suggest trying dishwasher salt instead of the epsom salt. I’ll link one below for you to check out. It is formulated to help soften hard water. I have never used this though so I do not no for sure if it works. I’m going to have to try that soon and will update the recipe as an alternative!
https://amzn.to/42QZrQn
I hope one of these suggestions helps!