Citrus Dishwasher Tabs
The combined cleaning powers of citric acid, washing soda and powdered lemon peel will leave dishes and glassware sparkling clean. Make up a batch of these tablets for yourself and another for an eco-conscious friend.
Ingredients
1 cup washing soda *
6 tablespoons powdered citric acid
6 tablespoons Epson salts
2 tablespoons pure soap, finely grated
2 tablespoons powdered lemon peel
15 drops lemon essential oil (25% off July 2015)
Directions
Fill a small spray bottle with water; set aside.
Combine the washing soda, citric acid, Epson salts, grated soap and powdered lemon peel in a bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk to mix. Add the essential oil and stir again to combine.
Spritz the mixture two or three times with water, while stirring. Your goal is to moisten the mixture just enough so that it sticks together when pressed with your fingers.
Pack the mixture into molds (silicone molds, small muffin tins, ice cube trays, etc.). Place the molds in a place where they can “cure” undisturbed for 24 hours. Pop out the tablets and store them in a jar with an airtight lid.
To use, place one tab in your dishwasher’s detergent receptacle and run as usual.
* Washing soda (Sodium carbonate) is produced by Arm and Hammer and can be found in the cleaning supply or laundry supply section of most supermarkets. It is also available from various online sources.
You can also make your own at home from baking soda. Yes, you read that right – washing soda is just one carbon molecule away from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which you’re going to remove using your oven. Just spread 2 cups of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in an ungreased and unlined baking pan or tray and set in the oven. Bake at 400, stirring once or twice, for about an hour, or until the material becomes grainy.
