Homemade Essential Oils Dishwasher Tabs

This DIY dishwashing tablet recipe is easy to make with a few simple ingredients and gets your dishes CLEAN!

When it comes to household chores, one of my biggest pet peeves is getting the dishes done right. We are lucky enough to have a dishwasher but sometimes, dishwasher detergent doesn't cut it.

I often find my dishes left with stuck-on food or residue. It's definitely not appealing! Naturally, I wanted to make an at-home solution. I knew that there must have been a way to create an effective dishwasher solution/detergent.

These homemade dishwasher tabs are made with washing soda, borax, baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and a few drops of citrus essential oil. They cost pennies per load compared to store-bought pods, and a full batch takes about 20 minutes of hands-on time.

We’ve shared a powdered homemade dishwasher detergent before, but I like these tabs even better. Each one is already portioned, so there’s no measuring at the sink.

They also make a pretty, practical homemade gift. Pack them in a Mason jar and tie a ribbon around the rim. Choose a ribbon color that matches the recipient’s kitchen for an extra-thoughtful touch.

What You’ll Need

Arm & Hammer Super Washing SodaMILLIARD Borax Powder – Pure Multi-Purpose CleaneAmazon Brand – Solimo Epsom Salt Soaking Aid3-Pack Variety of NOW Essential Oils: Citrus Blend – Orange, Tangerine, LemonLorann Oils Liquid Food Color, 1 oz, OrangeOMorc Ice Cube Trays 4 Pack

Supplies:

• 1 cup washing powder (This is found on the laundry aisle of the grocery store or you can order it here)
• 1 cup borax (This is found on the laundry aisle of the grocery store)
• ⅓ cup baking soda
• ½ cup Epsom salt (If you don't have Epsom salt, you can use table salt, sea salt or coarse Kosher salt)
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 15-20 drops of citrus essential oil(s) (I used orange and lemongrass)
• Food coloring if desired (I used a few drops of orange food coloring. This will not stain your dishes in any way)
• Ice cube tray or silicone mold

How to make Homemade Essential Oils Dishwasher Tabs:

Step 1: Add washing soda to a medium size bowl

Step 2: Add borax

Step 3: Add baking soda

Step 4: Add Epsom salt or table salt, sea salt or coarse Kosher salt.

Step 5: Add essential oil(s)

Step 6: Add food coloring

Step 7: Add vinegar. It will fizz a bit, but that is just the vinegar reacting with the baking soda. Remember those volcano experiments in school?!

Step 8: mix together well until you can form a small ball when you squeeze it in your hand.

Step 9: Press firmly into ice cube tray or mold. Allow to dry completely. I usually let it sit in the sun for a few hours. If drying inside, it is best to leave overnight to make sure it is completely dry.

How to Use and Store Your Dishwasher Tabs

Place one tab in your dishwasher’s detergent dispenser or cup, just like a store-bought pod, and run your usual cycle.

Once the tabs are completely dry, pop them out of the tray and store them in a jar or container. Keep the container out of reach of kids and pets.

Have you ever made your own cleaning products? I would love to hear what you made and how it worked for you!

(For another option, we have a simple recipe for dishwashing powder made up of only two ingredients in this Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe.)

Homemade Dishwasher Tabs FAQ

Can I use regular salt instead of Epsom salt?

Yes. Table salt, sea salt, or coarse kosher salt all work in place of Epsom salt.

Will the food coloring stain my dishes?

No. A few drops of food coloring give the tabs a pretty color without staining your dishes. You can also skip it entirely.

How long do the tabs take to dry?

A few hours in the sun usually does it. Drying indoors takes longer, so leave them overnight to make sure they’re completely dry before you pop them out of the tray.

Why does the mixture fizz?

That’s the vinegar reacting with the baking soda. It’s normal and settles down quickly as you mix.