How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent (That Really Works!)

We’ve all been there: You’ve loaded your dishwasher to the brim with just about every useful dish you own and then realize you’re completely out of dishwasher detergent. If a last-minute dash to grab some isn’t in the cards, it might be easier to whip up a DIY dishwasher detergent that’ll get the job done until you can make it to the store. 

We’ve seen a lot of DIY dishwasher detergent recipes that include items you may not already have in your home (like washing soda, which — yes — is different from baking soda!). To simplify, below are three DIY dishwasher detergent “recipes” that you can make with things you’re much more likely to actually have on hand. 

The combo might be famous for “volcano” concoctions, but both baking soda and vinegar are excellent natural cleaners. To use this DIY method, Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert at CottageCare, suggests the following: 

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar

1. Add baking soda to your dishwasher’s soap compartment.
2.  Fill a small glass with white vinegar and place it somewhere standing up in the top tray.

“This cleaning duo will cut grease, deodorize, and freshen your dishes,” he says. And if you have a septic system, Schrader advises you to steer clear of recipes that are heavy in borax. Instead, he recommends using vinegar or baking soda solutions like this one instead.

Need something more abrasive for tough stains or super dirty dishes? Try this natural dishwasher detergent that uses the scrubbing power of salt for an amped-up clean. 

• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• juice of 1 lemon

1. Combine all three ingredients in a jar
2. Shake well to combine
3. Add 2 tablespoons to your dishwasher’s soap compartment

“The salt gets rid of greasy residue and the lemon oils cut right through it, which leaves your dishes sparkling clean,” Schrader says. 

I’ll preface this recipe with the warning that it’s generally not recommended to use dish soap in your dishwasher. That’s because it can create suds that can cause potential damage to the machine (not to mention a soapy mess on your floor when it overflows). But if you’re really in a pinch and don’t have anything else in your home, Schrader recommends using a tiny amount of Castile soap. 

• 1 teaspoon Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon baking soda

1. Add no more than 1 teaspoon of Castile soap and baking soda to the detergent compartment.

“This is mild enough for most machines but is effective,” Schrader says. “Of the three options, the Castile soap combination is the best option for glassware because most harsher DIY powders will leave a cloudy film,” he advises. 

Though it requires a few more steps, this is a gentle but effective option to use instead of store-bought dishwasher detergent, says Marilee Nelson, cofounder of Branch Basics.

• 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda (or oxygen boost product)
• 1 teaspoon dish soap 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar

1. Add baking soda (or an oxygen boost product), dish soap, and salt (if you have hard water) to your dishwasher’s detergent compartment.
2. For extra cleaning power, fill a cup with white vinegar and place it in the top rack before running.

Of course, handwashing dishes is always an easy option, Nelson says. Dish soap is preferable, but experts say hand soap can work in a pinch — with some caution. Because many hand soaps include mild additives that aren’t food-safe, be diligent about rinsing to prevent buildup. To sanitize and kill any lingering germs when handwashing, public health experts suggest dishes need contact with water that is 170 degrees or hotter for at least 30 seconds. 

Alternatively, you can soak dishes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of cool water for at least 1 minute. But make sure you read this guide to cleaning with bleach before you do!

Bookmark this guide to DIY dishwasher detergents so you’ll know exactly what to do if you ever run out when you’re cleaning your dishes. These common household items can totally save the day if you happen to run out of store-bought detergent — and some even work better!

What do you do when you run out of dishwasher detergent? Let us know in the comments below!

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent (That Really Works!)