How to Make Dishwasher Tabs

As with most things I love being able to make these at home.  

If ever I'm running low I just need to whip up a batch.  

They only takes 5 minutes to create! 

Much faster than running out to the store.

Before getting started you will need an ice cube tray.  BUT not just any ice cube tray.  The cubes created must be small enough to fit inside your dishwasher's soap dispenser.  I went to the dollar store and found trays that were perfect.  I even got two for my dollar!  *happy smile* 

Dish washer tabs are super simple and easy to make.  I lived in a community with very hard water and found the recipes available online didn't work for me.  They always left spots or white residue behind on the dishes.  I experimented with different ingredients until I found a recipe that worked every time.  We recently moved to a new area with softer water.  The tabs still work like a dream.
Here's how to make them yourself:

Dishwasher Tabs

1 cup washing soda (found in the laundry aisle)
1/4 cup kosher salt/pickling salt/coarse salt
1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
some liquid dish soap

vinegar (this is a must. Makes the dishes sparkle!!)

How to
1. Mix washing soda and salt in a bowl.  Add the hydrogen peroxide and mix together quickly.  Mix until completely combined and resembles wet sand.
2. Using an ice cube tray, pack each compartment half full with soda/salt mixture.  Push down firmly with thumb or index finger.
3. Drizzle a small amount of dish soap into each half filled cube to create a small line of soap.
4. Fill cubes with remaining mixture.  Pack firmly.
5. Allow tabs to dry for four hours (less if you live in a very dry climate).
6. Pop dishwasher tabs out of ice cube tray as you would ice cubes. Store in water-tight container.
7. To use tabs, place into soap dispensing square in dishwasher door and fill dispensing square with vinegar.  Close dispenser door.  Close dishwasher door and turn on. 

Tips Always put vinegar in with the tabs (about 1/4 c per tab).  Do not use delay start (the chemical reaction between the vinegar and soda will cause all the soda to be used up and leave none to clean your dishes!!).  And if you have any leftover soda/salt mixture, save it!  You can use it in place of a scouring detergent (such as Comet).

Thank you for joining me today!

Happy thoughts,
Andrea

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