Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

2 ¼ cup borax
1 ¾ cup baking soda
¾ cup uniodized salt
¼ cup citric acid* (optional, but very effective for hard water)
OR
30 drops lemon or orange essential oil
White vinegar

Use 1 Tbsp. for each load.

Add vinegar as your rinse aid (as you would Jet-Dry), or about 3 Tbsp. straight into the dishwasher before starting the wash cycle.

Double the salt if you have very soft water in your home.

*Citric acid can be found in the canning section as a preservative, as vitamin C tablets, or the main ingredient in lemon flavored powdered drink packets (like Kool-Aid).  If you use drink packets, please be aware that colored varieties may stain acrylic soap containers of certain dishwashers.  It will take about 10-15 packets to equal 1/4 cup.  Or substitute about 1/2 Tbsp. bottled lemon juice per load, added to the dishwasher before starting the wash cycle.