In the context of a constant crisis and widespread increase in prices for household chemicals, we have to think about the issue of saving, as well as limiting the harm to health. After all, it is the chemicals that are in various means to maintain cleanliness and restore order that cause permanent damage to our well-being.
Because of all this, many people begin to think about making tablets for dishwashers with their own hands. Reviews of people who have already tried them in practice are almost always positive. Anyone can make pills - there are materials at hand in almost every home. And the budget savings are significant, while the quality is not inferior to copies purchased in the store.
If you are the owner of a dishwasher, then you are familiar with the prices of pills for them. It seems that the composition uses gold powder or precious metals. So, tired of the constant (and not very small) costs, we will try to make tablets at home, using the ingredients that are in any apartment.
What are factory dishwashing detergents made of?
Any powder and liquid substance for dishes are made using special substances (surfactants) necessary for good foaming. Fat acid and water softeners are also added. In addition, bleaches, corrosion inhibitors, fermented substances, brighteners, thickeners and many other chemicals that are not always useful for the human body are added.
Each manufacturer competes with another, adding completely unnecessary substances - special gels with supposedly protection for glasses and coatings that provide slow dissolution with a gradual return of the detergent, etc. We pay for all these additives, not getting anything as a result, except allergic reactions.
Of course, the composition is indicated on the packaging of the product, but which of us gets acquainted with it before buying? Nobody, we focus only on advertising and reviews of friends.
And here are the simplest foaming agents (surfactants) with the addition of enzymes, salts, phosphates, soda and perfumes.
Each manufacturer more than once emphasizes that this chemistry is harmless. But every person at least once in his life faced such an unpleasant problem as allergies. This is due to the fact that when combined with each other, all harmless substances begin to react to others and thereby release harmful components.
The most dangerous component is the one that is produced with a chlorine content, followed by formaldehydes and phosphate compounds, as well as those containing hydrochloric acid. They are always included in dishwasher products and repeated rinsing will not be able to save us from them.
Remaining on the surface of the dishes (mind you, perfectly washed), they, together with food, will enter the body. Accumulating, they bring great harm to health. This significantly reduces the immune forces, leads to skin aging, allergies, etc.
Phosphates are very dangerous, which can carry a harmful substance into the blood stream and deliver them to organs that are important for life. And there are additives that are part of the powder and tablets that are absolutely unnecessary. This, for example, sodium silicate, "saving" the dishwasher tank (already created from stainless steel) from rust.
So, having familiarized ourselves with the usual means, we conclude - it is best to make tablets for dishwashers with their own hands. Virtually any of the substances, except soda, is contained in the powder for washing clothes. And the goal is the same. Thus, it is worth spending a little time and preparing the detergent yourself.
The use of chemicals in the home "industry"
This recipe, the first on our list, is suitable for almost everyone - the use of surfactants is minimal and will not be able to seriously affect the well-being of even allergy sufferers. This tool is very effective and simple. The components for it are sold in pharmacies and household chemical stores, and the third ingredient is in any home.
To work, you need:
- Neonol (surfactant) - 30 g. It is an oily liquid substance, colorless or with a yellowish tinge. Often used in household needs, in the woodworking industry, in textile mills. The substance is quite aggressive, be sure to use protective equipment - gloves and glasses when in contact with it.
- Sulfanol - 30 g. The main synthetic detergent. Almost the entire world production of household chemicals uses it. It is a granule - white, yellow or brown, with a slight smell of kerosene. There is pasty sulfanol, as well as a solution. Its most important feature is that it is able to combine various substances into a homogeneous mass. It is an emulsifying property that is valuable in the manufacture of do-it-yourself tablets for dishwashers with soda. The reviews here are ambiguous - someone is categorically against such funds because of the use of neonol. Others find it much safer to do the washing up.
- Baking soda - 900 g.
As is clear from the quantitative ratio, the basis here is soda powder.
Everything is thoroughly mixed in a suitable container and laid in pre-prepared molds for drying.
Do not forget about gloves and glasses - chemical substances on the skin and mucous membranes can cause serious health problems.
Vinegar as an ingredient in the production of detergent tablets
It is also possible to prepare completely safe dishwashing detergents at home. Stock up for production:
- Magnesia (if it is difficult to buy, then simple table salt is suitable) - 250 g. It is good for softening water.
- Soda - 80 g. Removes grease from surfaces.
- Brown - 100 g. Sold in a pharmacy, shops for gardeners. It is able to disinfect bacteria and germs.
- Citric acid, and preferably vinegar - to connect and bond the dry components.
Add 15 drops of essential oil of orange or lemon, if desired. The quality of washing will not change, but the smell will be wonderful.
First, mix all the powders very carefully, and then add the liquid dropwise. Carefully mix and grind the resulting mixture, waiting for the completion of the reaction between soda and vinegar. Lay out in tins and dry in the dark for about 1.5 days.
Store ready-made tablets in a sealed container. It's that simple - use with pleasure.
DIY dishwasher tablets with soda
People who are engaged in the independent preparation of detergents agree that the best solution is citric acid mixed with soda.
To prepare a test batch of tablets for the dishwasher, do it yourself:
- 1 cup with baking soda;
- 0.5 cups of water;
- 0.5 cups of salt;
- 0.25 cups of citric acid.
First, half a glass of soda powder must be calcined in the oven - 30 minutes, heating to 200 degrees. Be sure to mix, otherwise the soda may burn.
Over time, remove this powder and mix with the second half of soda, citric acid and salt. After thorough grinding, add a little liquid, the composition will give foam. After it settles, add water and mix. Such manipulations are carried out in several stages.
The finished mixture must be quickly laid out in tins, measuring out 1 dessert spoon. It takes 1 hour to dry, then everything is placed in a dry jar and tightly closed.
DIY dishwasher tablets in ice mold
The following recipe also does not use any hard-to-reach substances. You just need to take one teaspoon of soda ash and hydrogen peroxide, mix with each other - that's all. Of course, it is useless to use this tool for cleaning burnt pans and heavy contaminants, but it will wash off plates, spoons and other small dishes perfectly.
Another option includes washing powder and soda ash in a ratio of 7: 1. As a link, plain water is perfect here. After mixing, everything is laid out in tins.
An excellent tool in the manufacture of tablets for dishwashers with their own hands with soda ash will be a mold for making ice. The dimensions of the finished tablets are perfect for the dishwasher tank.
Quality of work
Do-it-yourself pills for dishwashers made from improvised products do not possess superpowers. This is understandable, because in their composition there is no aggressive chemistry. But during home testing it was proved that they are practically not inferior to simple means of factory production.
Naturally, the capsule will provide much better washing - it is much more effective and stronger. But when comparing prices for finished products and manufactured houses, of course, homemade wins!
The pros and cons of home remedies
The degree of cleanliness of the dishes, as well as the tank of the dishwasher, depends on the quality of the main detergent that is part of the tablets, but not only. Various components also have an important effect - salts are used to soften water, remove scale and plaque. Rinses fix the effect of washing. Degreasers do not allow the fat layer to settle on the walls of the tank. Deodorizing substances give a pleasant smell, etc.
In order to make tablets for dishwashers with their own hands, such components are not used. Here, everything is limited to improvised means purchased for the home.
Factory capsules "give out" certain funds at the right time, starting work at the right time. "Home" means do not know how to do this.
But, in turn, they are made from completely harmless substances, regulating the quantitative ratio of each ingredient and adapting to your taste.
You just need to know well how this or that substance acts:
- Too much dishwashing liquid will cause excessive foam, which is very harmful to the machine.
- Excess soda will not allow the tablets to dissolve to the end and you will get a coating on the dishes.
- Excess citric acid will damage the plastic parts of the machine.
Shop pills have a well-balanced composition, which carefully applies to dishes and dishwashers.
Another disadvantage is the unaesthetics of tablets made for do-it-yourself dishwashers; their appearance is far from ideal.
Useful Tips for Beginners
If you still decide that home remedies are more suitable for you, then listen to tips that will facilitate your work:
- Before you pick up a form, familiarize yourself with the dimensions of the tablet compartment. Very large just can not fit into it.
- Some housewives do not want to mess with the mixing and formation of tablets. Of course, you can skip this step and pour the powder directly into the machine. But remember that it is sprayed on all surfaces of the machine and is not completely washed out.
- Do not forget about gloves and masks to protect the skin and mucous membranes. Even soda can sometimes cause organ damage.
- Do not add too much soda - this can lead to poor dissolution of the tablets and, as a result, breakdown of the dishwasher due to accumulation of powder in the nozzles.
The use of homemade detergent is perfect for daily washing dishes.
Their composition is absolutely safe for the human body and the state of technology. Do not neglect the care of your dishwasher. At least once every 1-1.5 months, clean it with special products.