DIY Dish Washing Liquids and Powders

[supernova]

The Guardian has finally updated their http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving/story/0,,2177550,00.html">Homemade Homemaker column for September. This month's recipe is for dish washing liquid and general cleaning supplies. There is also a list of interesting stain removal techniques.


Dishwashing liquid

<snip>
3 tbsp liquid Castile soap
2 cups warm water
2 tsp glycerine
2 tbsp. white vinegar
10 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a jar, cover, and shake well to blend. Use about 1 tbsp for dishwashing.

Dishwasher powder

If you're after a dishwasher powder to go in your machine rather than a washing up liquid for the sink, your best bet is to mix together equal parts washing soda and household borax. Both of these should be available in your local supermarket or chemist but if you do have trouble finding them, you can buy them both direct by mail order from the manufacturer Dri-Pak, who also stock a range of other traditional ingredients like bicarb and laundry starch. In place of petrochemical-based rinse aid products, you can put white vinegar in the rinse compartment, which will do the job just as well.

Me again. Since I use the dishwasher, I think I will try the Borax recipe for it. Maybe less expensive than Electrasol. Does anyone know if Borax is safe for septic tanks? I've never used it before.

Anyway, Have fun. :-)

[NMDemDist2]

1. i don't know about the septic systems question but I use boraxo on my face

everyday so I've been sending small amounts down for over a year :shrug:

a quick google brought me this

Large amounts of certain chemicals, however, may interfere with the breakdown of wastes in the tank or could clog the drainfield. You also need to keep in mind that the products you use may eventually find their way into local ground-water systems. Consider using biodegradable alternatives for routine cleaning chores. Oxidized bleaches, borax, vinegar, and baking soda are less hazardous alternatives to common household cleaning products.

[supernova]

2. Wow, I've never heard of

using Borax on your face. :crazy: Hey, whatever works.


Yes, all these things are easier on the environment. I was asking about the septic tank b/c you don't want to flush something into it that would halt the little microbes in there that eat waste. And I guess Borax doesn't bother them either. Good to know.

[kestrel91316]

12. "Boraxo" is the name of a granular soap brand.

"Borax" is a chemical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boraxo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax

Even I learn something new every day.......lol

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

3. I want to try the dishwasher stuff,

but I can't figure out what washing soda is. I even went to the link provided by Homemade Homemaker & it didn't clear it up. Any ideas?

[supernova]

4. I think we call it Baking soda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

So the recipe here is equal parts baking soda to borax. And vinegar for an astringent drying agent.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

5. Cool. Thanks. I've got to give it a try.

We have a septic too. I don't think that this would be worse for the septic than the chemical crap I've been using.

I'm going to try the vinegar too.

[supernova]

6. Cool!

Let me know if the boiling hot vinegar runs you out of the house. :D

:crazy:

:yoiks:

[NMDemDist2]

8. check here for 'washing soda'

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AH1001&Show=ExtInfo

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

10. You're right. Here's the definition:

The Baking Soda/Washing Soda question pondered . . .

A definition from Dr. Dan Berger (Faculty- Chemistry/Science dept. at Bluffton College) gives a bit of understanding regarding the primary difference between Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate) and Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).

". . . washing soda will consume two equivalents of acid, while baking soda will only consume one equivalent."

So, what does this mean for those of us concerned about laundering our cloth diapers and family laundry? Well, basically that Washing Soda is a stronger base than baking soda, and is in fact, CAUSTIC. This is one reason why it isn't used for baking!

http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_bakingsoda.asp

It looks like washing soda could be available at the market. I'll check it out next time I'm there.

Thanks! :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

7. i thought it was the soda ash, not baking soda

:shrug:

as for the Boraxo for my face, the dermatologist suggested it 30+ years ago and everytime I try something else I break out.

I'm not talking Borax here, but Boraxo Powdered Hand Soap

[kestrel91316]

14. Boraxo soap is full of borax (yikes, lol!) and when I used it on my

hands years ago it seemed really, well, HARSH.

I make my own soap (fats, lye, stirring, better living through home chemistry.....) and when I use olive oil and don't put essential oils in for scent, there is nothing in the world gentler or milder. Making soap at home can be done safely, but you have to be able to follow directions exactly. I taught myself, but I also was one class away from a minor in chemistry when I graduated from college. Lye is nothing to trifle with.

[kestrel91316]

13. WARNING: Washing soda and baking soda are NOT the same!!!

Washing soda, aka sodium carbonate, is used in cleaning products and is not edible!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

Baking soda is sodium BIcarbonate, is used in cooking (and can be used in cleaning) and is edible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate

PLEASE NEVER CONFUSE THE TWO. Somebody will get poisoned.

This is why basic chemistry should be required and not just optional in all high schools.

[zuzu98]

11. Arm & Hammer makes it

I found it in the laundry section of our local supermarket after tips from others on this forum.:)

[NMDemDist2]

9. check out this site....

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/Lye_Soap_Washing_Powder_p/stew01.htm