How to make toxin-free dishwashing powder

As I've said before, I like to use cleaning products that are free of dangerous toxins and chemicals. Up until recently I've been buying Eco-Store cleaning products because I know they are safe to use. Unfortunately, with a new tight grocery budget, it's a lot more difficult to pay for expensive natural cleaners.

For this reason I have been investigating how to make my own simple cleaners. I've already given you the recipe for an all-purpose spray cleaner I make, and now want to share the recipe for a homemade dishwashing powder I've started using.

Ingredients

• 1c borax
• 1c baking soda (AKA bicarbonate of soda)
• 1/4c citric acid.

Sift ingredients together, stir to thoroughly combine and transfer into an airtight container. I'm storing mine in an old Eco-Store dishwashing powder container, as it's convenient to pour from.

Use approximately 2T of powder per wash and accompany with white vinegar as a rinse aid. 

I've only tried this mixture a few times but it seems to do a good job. I generally rinse everything before sticking it in the dishwasher and this helps prevent baked-on nastiness, so I don't know how good it would be if you didn't rinse first.

We also have a packet of Powerballs in our cupboard that I haven't used since making this new mixture, but I'm sure will make an appearance again when we're needing extra grunt. I'm hoping to wean our family off using Powerballs though.

Note: I found all the ingredients to make this dishwashing powder at Bin Inn, where I was able to buy them in bulk.