DIY dishwasher detergent - no Borax

Update:  I've been making this D/W detergent for a long time now and it does the job so I won't be going back to store brands! Ever!

Let's give this a try. I made it pretty quickly and just as we are almost out of our usual Kirkland liquid from Costco. I like the stuff but this is cheaper.  It's powder so I'm not giving it a whole lot of hope but we'll see....fingers crossed.

Small batch:

1 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing soda
1/2 cup kosher or sea salt (***I now use Sea Salt from Big Lots - $1 a box)
1/2 cup Baking soda
4 packets of crystal light lemon *(Update:  I now use Country Time from Big Lots.  Works better and Cheap! ) 1/2 Cup
1 teaspoon of whatever rice you have on hand.

Mix, shake, do a little dance.

I am using a snap-lid plastic container, the one that the lid snaps down on all 4 sides and has a vent in the lid.  I leave a scooper in the container.

Old: * You need citrus in the concoction. Top on the list is Lemi Shine (a dishwasher addictive) but I couldn't find it.  Food-grade citric acid also works or even unsweetened lemon kool-aid.  I opted for Crystal Light. Oh and Dishwasher Magic, while it's active ingredient is Citric Acid also has ingredients not consumable.  The stuff is to be used when the D/w is empty.

You can also use white vinegar right in the rinse agent dispenser instead of the blue stuff.

2 Tablespoons per load and you don't have to use the soap dispenser. You can simply add it to the inside of the door before closing.

p.s. Borax is rad for clothes but not for consumption so this is why I use this recipe.

p.s.s. It will start clumping so I have been adding a teaspoon of rice right into the mix which has helped a lot with clumping.