What can you use instead of dishwasher detergent?

What do manufacturers offer?

There is a huge assortment of detergents and cleaning products for PMM on store shelves. Even if you choose the most inexpensive ones, you still need to allocate several thousand rubles annually, which will not be acceptable for every family.

Users especially liked the universal “3-in-1”, “7-in-1” or “All-in-1” tablets. This product gradually dissolves during washing and rinsing, supplying the desired substance at each stage. But such pleasure also costs an order of magnitude more. If you actively use the dishwasher, you will have to shell out 6,000 rubles, and that’s just for tablets. This amount makes you think and start looking for a more affordable alternative.

The gel is somewhat cheaper than tablets, but more expensive than powder. The latter is reasonably priced, but many people want to use an environmentally friendly detergent, and the powder can hardly be called such.

When using a gel or powder product, do not forget about the cost of rinse aid, which protects plates and cups from smudges. Therefore, add at least a thousand to the approximately 3,000 rubles.

Important! Calculating the approximate annual cost of tablets, gel and powder, we considered the most affordable options from low price categories.

Conclusion. Even with economical consumption and selection of the most affordable products, you need to allocate at least 5,000 rubles for the purchase of all the necessary “chemicals”. Unfortunately, PMM cannot be used without salt and detergents, but you can try to find an alternative by replacing expensive products with homemade formulations. It won’t be easy, but we will try to offer you the most suitable analogues to purchased products.

DIY powder: pros and cons

Skillful housewives are also experimenters, so they came up with a recipe for dishwasher powder from improvised ingredients. According to their assurances, the cost of it will be no more than 700 rubles annually. So, for a homemade dishwashing product you will need the following components:

• soda - baking soda or ash;
• mustard in powder form;
• cheap washing powder for white laundry.

Mix soda, washing powder and mustard powder in the following proportions: 100/30/30 g, respectively. The mixture is stored in a glass or iron container. Storage conditions: dry place, low temperature. If the storage rules are followed, the composition will remain undamaged for six months.

Before use, it is sent to the appropriate compartment of the cuvette, then the desired program is selected and the washing cycle is started.

Benefits of homemade powder:

1. Cost price. The components are the cheapest, so they won’t break your budget.
2. ECO formula. This natural remedy will not cause allergic reactions, unlike factory-produced household chemicals.
3. Easy to manufacture and no special storage requirements.
4. Availability of ingredients - soda, mustard and washing powder can be found in every home.

Of course, there are also disadvantages. Mustard powder, like washing powder, has a negative effect on the dishwasher. An examination during which such homemade compositions were tested showed: already from the third cycle, the sprinkler nozzles began to become clogged with small granules of crushed mustard. When using the product, you will have to constantly clean the injectors with a toothpick.

Using mustard, the quality of washing dishes is quite good, but again, no one has canceled the cost of rinse aid. And if you use this powder constantly, you need to add regular cleaning of the PMM to your mandatory list of household chores.

On a note! Do you plan to constantly use a mustard-based composition? In this case, reduce its volume to 20 g.

Comparison of factory-made and homemade tablets

The main differences between ready-made and homemade tablets, as already noted, are the composition and price. Industrial household chemicals contain harmful components and are much more expensive.

The substances that make up the compressed tablets do not dissolve simultaneously, but at a certain moment. When using them, dishes are washed and refreshed, and the car is maintained.

Let's consider the main categories of factory-made tablets, differing in chemical composition and price:

• Relatively inexpensive basic tablets consisting of three components.
• Ecological biodegradable tablets without phosphates. Ideal option for allergy sufferers.
• Capsules are tablets in a dissolving shell.
• Universal multi-component tablets, to the basic composition of which are added components for cleaning crystal, antimicrobial substances, rinses, fragrances, etc.

Expensive tablets are more effective and safe compared to cheap industrially produced analogues.

In terms of cleaning quality, the homemade product is closer to the basic tablets. When testing homemade tablets, it was found that their effectiveness is almost as good as that of inexpensive factory-made products.

Biodegradable, eco-friendly tablets, like those made by yourself, do not contain harmful substances, but are much more expensive and guarantee excellent results.

Modern 3-in-1 or 7-in-1 tablet detergents are effective provided that they are used in new-style machines that have the ability to recognize them. The most popular brands are Finish, Somat, Bio myo and a number of others

The capsules provide high quality washing and are convenient in that the soluble shell provides protection from accidental ingress of moisture. Comparison of washing results with multi-component tablets is not in favor of homemade tablets. The former are much more effective, as they contain basic and additional components.

The cleanliness of the dishes and the machine itself in the composition of the tablets is ensured by:

• detergent as the main component;
• salt to soften water and protect the inside of the machine from scale; if it is missing, stains, whitish deposits and smudges remain on the dishes;
• rinse aid that enhances and consolidates the effect of the detergent;
• an anti-scale agent that prevents the formation of limescale if the water in the water supply is hard;
• a degreaser that breaks down the greasy layer that settles inside the machine;
• deodorant that eliminates unpleasant odors;
• additional substances of various effects.

We suggest you read: Washing children's clothes: how and how to wash children's clothes

The composition of homemade tablets is limited to a set of improvised means used in the household.

Soda, citric acid and other ingredients are universal tools that cope well with the tasks.

The components in the factory tablets act sequentially, starting to work at the right moment. Self-made tablets do not have this technology.

Homemade dishwashing tablets are cheaper and safer, and their composition can be adjusted to suit your needs.

There are also negative aspects to this:

• overusing liquid dishwashing detergent will have a negative impact on the quality of washing and may damage the machine;
• an excess amount of soda will cause the tablets to dissolve poorly;
• Excess citric acid can cause damage to plastic parts.

The dosage of industrial tablets, unlike homemade ones, is regulated in accordance with GOST, TU and other standards.

Self-made tablets do not have an ideal appearance - this is another argument not in favor of home-made analogues. Factory-produced products look much more aesthetically pleasing.

When choosing factory-made tablets, you do not have to waste your personal time on selection, searching for ingredients and manufacturing.

When mixing the mixture for tablets, you must take safety precautions. Gloves and a mask will protect you from the aggressive effects of soda and powder on mucous membranes.

An ordinary tablet weighing 16 grams, obtained industrially, costs 9-10 rubles. Multicomponent products are even more expensive. The cost of homemade tablets, based on the price of the ingredients, is significantly lower. A simple calculation shows that you will spend 54 rubles for 31 tablets, that is, one tablet will cost 1.75 rubles.

Industrial and home-made dosed packaging has a number of common advantages. They cannot be scattered, spilled or overloaded. They do not take up much space and are easy to store. Ready-made tablets are stored in their original packaging, while home-made tablets are stored in a closed glass jar or plastic container with a lid.

Hand dishwashing detergents should not be used in machines. At the same time, the active substances of tablets, powders and gels used in dishwashers have a negative effect on the skin of the hands

The dosage composition of factory-made tablets is regulated by regulatory documents, while homemade tablets are regulated by recipes tested from our own experience.

Tablet detergents clean dishes no worse, and often better, than other detergents.

DIY tablets

Universal capsules that dissolve step by step are very difficult to prepare. But you can make an excellent replacement for classic tablets, such as Finish Classic. What you will need:

• soda ash 200 g;
• borax 100 g;
• Epsom salt 100 g;
• lemon juice 100 g (can be replaced with citric acid).

Mix dry ingredients and add lemon juice. If you use acid, mix it with everything else and gradually add water. Once the mixture sizzles, continue to create a reaction by adding juice or water. When the reaction is complete, load the resulting slurry into ice molds and place it in the sun (or on a radiator).

After drying, remove the homemade “tablets”, place them in a container and store out of the reach of children and animals. This product is ideal for washing dishes - it can easily replace regular washing capsules.

As you can see, home-brewed products are easy to make, easy to store, and their efficiency is sometimes no worse than that of store-bought counterparts. But always remember that by saving on chemicals, you risk the serviceability of the dishwasher. If you carefully studied the instructions, you may have noticed that the manufacturer categorically does not recommend using homemade “chemicals”. If you experiment, do it with machines that have already expired the warranty period, otherwise, in the event of a breakdown, you may be denied warranty repairs.

Source

Natural tablet substitutes for dishwashers

Almost the entire modern world has a wide range of choices in household appliances for the home. Due to constant employment, there is not always enough time to solve all household issues. That is why household appliances are needed, so that with their help you can save precious time, and make housework easier and more efficient.

Many owners have dishwashers at their disposal, and are very happy about it. When a certain amount of used dishes has been collected, you just need to place it in a special machine and put in the appropriate products for its operation.

However, sometimes you can encounter such an unpleasant situation when the necessary remedy that you used, for example, tablets, has run out. What to do and what to do?

This article will discuss the main and alternative options for dishwashers. To know exactly what you can use to replace dishwasher tablets, and not to fear for the quality of operation of this unit, and especially for its future fate in long-term use. Or it is possible to switch to other means altogether in order to make more economical purchases and save the family budget.

Peculiarities

Dishwasher rinse aid is a specially formulated aid. Its task is to completely remove residues of detergent compositions from all surfaces: dishes and the walls of the dishwasher. As you know, in a dishwasher there is no mechanical impact on the dishes; they are in a stationary position, and dirt can only be washed off with a powerful jet of hot water with a chemical dissolved in it. The rinse aid gives a sparkling shine to clean utensils, helps them dry quickly and completely, and is also responsible for the absence of streaks on the surface.

Any rinse aid for PMM contains chemicals that create a thin film that weakens the surface tension of water, causing drops to roll off a clean surface.

However, despite the chemical component, these substances are safe for health, do not in any way affect the taste and aroma of cooked food, and at the same time they add a bright shine to any glossy surface.

Functions of rinsers for PMM:

neutralization and removal of residues of acids, alkalis and other components included in tablets, gels, powders;

elimination of unpleasant odors, residues of detergents, food, fatty deposits;

neutralization of stains and stains remaining on glass, porcelain, earthenware, ceramic, metal surfaces after interaction with hard water;

Chemical composition

Based on the composition of their contents, cleaning chemicals are of the following types:

• Products containing chlorine are suitable for removing heavy stains and deposits from drinks and have a whitening effect; They can damage the surfaces of fragile, thin and metal utensils.
• Weakly alkaline detergents clean dishes carefully and at low temperatures, suitable for all types. They can cope with all stains on dishes;
• Detergents , which are made from natural ingredients, completely decompose when washing dishes. They do not contain any aggressive chemicals (dyes, phosphates, chlorine, synthetic preservatives, etc.). They are able to dissolve any contaminants due to active natural ingredients and oxygen.

In the process of washing dishes, you will need not only basic chemicals, but also additional ones:

• Dish rinses. The main task of such products is to eliminate deficiencies after the main washing of dishes; they contribute to the impeccable cleanliness and shine of all surfaces of any dishes;
• Water softener. Such products are added along with the main detergent; they soften hard water, which has a detrimental effect on the technical condition of the dishwasher.

Effect of rinse aid

At the end of washing in the dishwasher, the dishes do not always look attractive: detergent residues and water stains on the surfaces of the plates. Over time, the dishes lose their original appearance and become dull. To avoid this, it is recommended to use dishwasher rinse aid. Dish detergent performs the same function as fabric softener. Dishwasher detergents have a more active composition than hand washing detergents. If there is no contact with the skin of your hands, you can use substances that are more aggressive to stains and dirt. But such a chemical composition cannot be removed by simply washing off the water; over time, under the influence of the product, the dishes become cloudy and lose their shine. Dish rinses are gentle and remove even the strongest detergent residue from dishes.

Another distinctive feature of the operation of dishwashing machines is that washing occurs at high temperatures. Dishwashing detergents used in dishwashers must be suitable for hot water. The temperature reaches its maximum at the last stage of rinsing. Dish rinse aid reduces the drying time of dishes, causing the dishwasher to consume less electricity. The composition of rinse aids removes detergent residues from products, which leads to reduced wear on the dishwasher due to reduced interaction of parts with aggressive substances. Neutralizing the detergent also makes the dishes crystal clean.

Two-in-one sets are easy to use and contain dishwasher salt and rinse aid. Adding salt to your machine softens the water, making dishes easier to wash and reducing wear and tear on the dishwasher. Rinse aid helps to better remove detergent residue, resulting in crystal clean dishes.

What can replace special products?

There are alternative detergents, since special detergents do not have a cheap price policy.

1. Degreasers;
2. Rinse aids;
3. Special salts.

However, it is imperative to wash it yourself at least once a month with detergents such as citric acid and vinegar .

There are some reasons why people refuse chemical detergents when using dishwashers.

This is due to the fact that such funds are expensive and run out quickly; their content includes substances that have a harmful effect on the human body; natural products are environmentally friendly and cheaper.

Rinse aid composition

Despite the fact that rinses may differ in their functions and cost, their composition is almost always identical.

Any dishwasher rinse aid contains the following substances:

1. Ionic and cationic substances are designed to remove grease and stubborn stains from dishes.
2. Nonionic substances prevent excessive foaming.
3. Polycarboxylates - serve to protect dishwasher elements from corrosion.
4. Acids are needed to neutralize aggressive components contained in dishwashing detergents.
5. Alcohols are intended to reduce the surface tension of water and create a film on the surface of the dishes.
6. Water is needed to combine all of the above components into one product.

Some manufacturers add essential oils to rinse aids, which give the washed dishes a pleasant aroma (apple, pear, fruit, etc.).

On the market you can find special products without the addition of aggressive substances that are intended for allergy sufferers.

What can substitutes be made from?

As an alternative to special dishwasher detergents, you can prepare characteristic mixtures yourself at home, knowing the composition of the components. You can safely refill the PMM with such mixtures and not have to worry about the quality of dishwashing, especially when you don’t have tablets on hand.

You can achieve maximum harmlessness by adjusting the percentage of all necessary components. All the necessary components can be purchased at a hardware store or on pharmacy counters, and some are simply sitting around the house unused.

Detergent substitutes are prepared on the basis of such natural products:

lemon juice, citric acid;

lemon juice, citric acid

soap - laundry soap, an absolutely harmless substance, is added to the mixture with hot water, glycerin and alcohol in the correct proportions;

baking soda - perfectly removes grease and heavy dirt, mixed with borax and added when washing dishes;

Conclusions and useful things to see on the topic

A properly selected rinse aid will help wash the greasy plates, dirty cups and other kitchen utensils as cleanly as possible, speed up the drying of dishes and protect the metal parts of the dishwasher from limescale deposits and corrosion.

Such a purchase will not greatly affect the family budget. The product is used sparingly, and even the most expensive bottle will last for at least 150 washing sessions.

If you trust manufacturers and believe in magical formulas that ensure your dishes are perfectly clean, and you don’t care about the price, choose ready-made tablets. There is another option: stock up on inexpensive dishwashing tablets in the dishwasher one evening. How aesthetically pleasing they will be depends on the correct ratio of ingredients and the forms in which the mixture will be placed.

Want to share your recipe for effective homemade dishwasher tablets? Write the recipe and specifics for preparing tablet detergent, add unique photos of the finished product in the block under this article.

If you want to express your opinion on the advisability of using homemade tablets, express your point of view in the comments to this publication.

Homemade detergent recipes to replace tablets

Of course, it’s not entirely possible to make a full-fledged substitute for dishwasher tablets, but you can prepare products that are close in composition.

There are several simple recipes that can replace dishwasher tablets.

Recipe No. 1

Necessary ingredients: lemon juice (200 g), salt (10 g), soda ash (200 g), borax (100 g).

1. pour all the bulk ingredients into a container and mix, pour in lemon juice and mix thoroughly (don’t be alarmed, the mixture will sizzle);
2. We take small molds, and after the mixture stops sizzling, fill them (you can take ice molds);
3. put it in a warm place (out of direct sunlight or a warm radiator);
4. After the mixture dries, “tablets” are obtained, which can be used as a replacement for special tablets for dishwashers.

Recipe No. 2 (very cheap and effective substitute)

Required ingredients: hydrogen peroxide (1 teaspoon), hot water (1 glass) and soda ash (1 teaspoon).

Method of preparation: all components are simply mixed and added to wash dishes.

This product is well suited for spoons, forks and plates.

Not suitable for washing burnt kitchen utensils.

Recipe No. 3

Necessary components: borax (125 g), mustard (250 g); soda ash (250 g).

Method of preparation: the components are thoroughly mixed.

The product must be stored in a cool place.

Recipe No. 4

Necessary components: grated soap (170 g), soda ash (50 g), glycerin or dishwashing detergent (5-10 g).

Method of preparation: mix the ingredients, bring to a uniform paste and place in molds, then dry.

If such a substitute product does not provide the desired shine, then you need to add a rinse aid.

Recipe No. 5 (rinse aid substitute)

Necessary components: lemon juice (100 g), glass cleaner (20 g), essential oil (30 g).

Method of preparation: mix all ingredients thoroughly and can be added to the special compartment of dishwashers.

Compositions

We have already discussed the main ingredients included in mouthwashes. This point is worth dwelling on in more detail. Let's consider what exactly these or other substances are characterized by:

water is the main ingredient of the conditioner, in which all the following components are dissolved;

Surfactants (surfactants) - anions and cations that bind molecules of dirt and fat, effectively removing them from the surface being treated;

Non-ionic surfactants - it is thanks to them that the solution does not “choke” with foam, that is, it has reduced foaming;

polycarboxylates - protect metal parts from corrosion and prevent rust;

acids (lactic, fruit, citric) - are responsible for neutralizing the aggressive effects of alkali, which is part of detergents.

Tensides and fatty alcohols - thanks to them, the surface tension of water is reduced and a thin protective film is created on the walls of the dishes. Sometimes the conditioner contains essential oils that scent the washed dishes, but not all of them. This means that there is always a choice of which flavor to use.