Automatic Dishwashing Powder

                                                       

Looking for a natural alternative to synthetic dishwashing powder? Homemade chemical-free powders often leave an unpleasant film. Here are some tips for making an all-natural powder that works for you.

1. Make your powder.
   
   • 1 cup washing soda
   • 1/2 cup baking soda
   • 1/2 cup borax
   
   Combine and store under the sink. Use 1-2 tbsp. per load. *
   
   I make a borax-free version using 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup washing soda. I avoid borax when it comes to my dishes but use it readily for my laundry soap. For more on the pros and cons of borax in natural products, see the article Borax: Friend or Foe?
   
   I make my own washing soda by heating baking soda for 30-60 minutes at 400 degrees. (See How to Make Your Own Washing Soda for more specifics.)
   
   * If your dishes appear cloudy, try using less of the powder. Sometimes a little less than 1 tablespoon is plenty.
2. Add white vinegar.
   
   White vinegar makes an ideal rinsing agent. However, adding it to the rinse compartment can corrode the dispenser over time. I add vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher, using approximately 1/2 cup.
   
   For added benefit, soak your leftover lemon peels in white vinegar for several days. This will add natural citric acid to your dishwasher rinse. I soak lemon peels and pour the strained vinegar into my old white vinegar bottles (pictured above).
3. Add a dash of liquid castile soap.
   
   Too much soap is a problem. However, a tiny bit of liquid soap on the bottom of the dishwasher may be helpful. I keep a squeeze bottle of homemade liquid castile soap under my sink for this purpose, using 1-2 squirts per load. (The momsAWARE Online Store offers all-natural Coconut Castile Soap easily grated for liquid soap.)

With a little trial and error, you may find your dishes sparkling . . . chemical-free.

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How to Make Your Own Washing Soda

Washing soda makes a great addition to any natural household. It offers a nice punch for cleaning since it has a higher pH than its "cousin," baking soda. Washing soda is sodium carbonate. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda has a pH of 8.4, washing soda a pH of 11. (To view the pH values of other common household items, see this Chemistry of Stain Removal Chart from momsAWARE.)

Just as its name implies, baking soda is great for baking since it reacts with an acid to create an airy, spongy texture. (This is why baking soda, an alkali, is combined with cream of tartar, an acid, to make baking powder.) Washing soda, on the other hand, is great for cleaning since it consumes twice as much acid as baking soda. It is too caustic, however, for baking.

Since the two are closely linked, it's possible to transform baking soda into washing soda simply by heating it. The heat causes the baking soda to release steam and carbon dioxide, leaving a more alkaline substance behind in the form of washing soda.

Since washing soda is not as readily available as baking soda, it may be simpler to make your own.

Directions:

Spread an ample amount of baking soda on a cookie sheet or any other baking pan. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper if desired. (Doing so makes it simpler to pour the finished product.) Heat in oven at 400 degrees.

Remove pan after 30 minutes or so. Allow to cool. Transfer to a suitable container. Voilà: washing soda!

You'll notice the powder has become grainy and more crystalline. In this photo, the washing soda is on the left and the baking soda on the right. If you're not sure if the process worked, and can't see the difference, try tasting both. You'll know right away!

For suggested uses for washing soda, see momsAWARE's Natural Year Challenge: Household Edition.

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Bath Bonanza Gift Set Recipes

A simple gift of bath salts can be expanded to include an appealing array of luxurious, natural products. Here are a few ideas to help lend inspiration to your gift-giving plans!

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Bath Salts:

• 2 c. baking soda
• 1 c. sea salt. Dead Sea salt is optimal, available from vendors such as SoapGoods.
• 1 c. Epsom salts
• 1/4 tsp. vitamin C powder. Helps neutralize chlorine and makes a nice addition to the salts. Options include Perque Potent C Guard from Natural Healthy Concepts.
• 5-10 drops essential oil of choice

Dendritic salt, a very fine-grain salt that helps hold the fragrance of the essential oil, may be used to replace either of the other salts—just keep the ratio of salts to baking soda at 1 part salts to 1 part baking soda.

Combine all ingredients and stir to blend. Pour into mason jar or decorative container. (For decorative bottles and jars, try SKS Bottle and Packaging.)

You may also want to include a small bottle of glycerin for your recipient, with directions to add 10-12 drops to the bath to avoid dry skin. To enhance the glycerin, add several drops of lavender or other essential oil to the bottle. Glycerin can be purchased at health food stores or online. Options include Heritage Products Vegetable Glycerin from Vitacost.

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Floral Bath Bag:

• 1 9x9 square of muslin or cheesecloth
• 8 tbsp. dried floral blossoms (chamomile, lavender, and rose petals all work well)
• 1 tbsp. ground oatmeal or sunflower seed meal
• 10 drops essential oil of choice (options include lavender, chamomile, and rose)

Place dry ingredients in the center of cloth. Add essential oils and mix. Gather material into a loose pouch and tie with string or yarn. (Make the string long enough to hang from the water tap in the tub so that running water will flow through the bag.)

Include directions to untie the bag and allow to float in the water during the bath. Can be used to rub on the body as well.

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Bath Oil:

• 2 tbsp. castor oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil
• 5 drops essential oil of choice

Combine ingredients in a decorative bottle. Include directions to add 2-4 drops per bath.

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Accessories:

• Wooden scoops make a great addition to the package. These are reasonably priced and available at suppliers such as San Francisco Salt Company.
• Include a skin brush for dry brushing before the bath. Include directions for dry brushing as an added bonus.

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Combine all of the above and package in a reusable shopping bag with tissue paper or recyclable filler. The Original Soap Dish has some innovative ideas for packaging!

These recipes are designed to spark your creativity. Have fun experimenting. Who knows, you may end up keeping a jar or two for yourself!

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