Since I discovered the carnivore diet and eliminated most plant toxins from my diet, I have been on a mission to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals as much as possible and try to home-make whatever I can if I can’t find a good alternative. Homemade dishwasher is one of them.
Why make your own dishwasher powder
Like other household cleaning products, dishwasher powder contains chemicals that can be harmful even in small dose. Common ingredients in dishwashing detergents are:
- Phosphates
- Bleaching agents
- Surfactants
- Alkaline salts
- Enzymes
- Anti-corrosion agents
- Anti-foaming agents
- Perfume
- Anti-caking agents (in powder detergents)
- Starches (in tablet based detergents)
- Gelling agents (in liquid or gel based detergents)
A study has found that dishwashing detergent residues cause inflammation and damage to the gut lining.
Below is what I found on consumer. website with regard to dishwasher detergent safety:
Several common detergent ingredients are classed as toxic or irritating by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Sodium carbonate: toxic if ingested or inhaled and an irritant to skin and eyes
- Sodium silicate: toxic if ingested and corrosive to the skin and eyes
- Sodium percarbonate: irritating to the eyes
- Alcohol ethoxylates: most are toxic if swallowed and can irritate the skin and eyes; some can also damage your eyes
- Enzymes (e.g. amylase, protease and subtilisin): most enzymes in dishwasher detergents aren’t dangerous if ingested, but they can affect the respiratory system if inhaled, and can irritate the skin and eyes
Method 1 – Washing soda, essential oil, and white vinegar
The easiest and cheapest way to make your own dishwasher detergent is to buy a bag of washing soda (not baking soda), add essential oil if desired (10 drops per cup) and mix together till there are no clumps left.
You’ll need to use around 2 tablespoons per load.
As for rinse aid, just fill the rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar instead of rinse aid and you’ll have sparkling clean dishes every time.
Method 2 – Washing soda, baking soda, sea salt, citric acid, and essential oil
Ingredients
- 1 cup washing soda (available in the grocery store’s laundry aisle)
- 1 cup baking soda (available in the baking aisle of grocery store)
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup citric acid (available in baking aisle of grocery store)
- 20 drops of essential oil (e.g. tea-tree oil, lemon oil, citrus oil)
Method
- Mix all ingredients together and store in a sealed container
- Use 2 tablespoons per load.
Cleaning your dishwasher
If you use your dishwasher regularly, you should clean your dishwasher around once a month.
In addition to removing all debris inside the dishwasher and cleaning dishwasher filter, please run two empty cycles, one with a cup of vinegar placed on the top rack of the dishwasher and one with a cup of baking soda sprinkled over the bottom of the dishwasher. Both cycles should be run on the hottest setting.
Other recipes that you may be interested in:
What Are the Best Ways to Cook Meat on the Carnivore Diet?
How to Make Your Own Multi-Purpose Cream from Tallow
Super Easy Carnivore Bone Broth Recipe
How to Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Detergent
Homemade Toothpaste for Carnivores
Pure and Natural Homemade Deodorant for Carnivores
Carnivore Sticky Lamb Ribs Recipe
References
How to clean a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for reference purposes only and is not intended to constitute or replace professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Please check out our disclaimer for more detail.