After reading the archives I tried a recipe for my dishwasher. After a few experiments I found something that works really well. I bought generic grease cutting dish soap[label said compare to dawn] for 1 dollar. I fill both the dish soap areas half full then add baking soda to fill the rest of the way. My dishes are cleaner then ever. Just thought I would share. Have a great day

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), July 21, 2001

Answers

I have always been under the impression that regular liquid soaps were not to be used in a dishwasher because of over sudsing. Does the baking soda keep this to a minimum?

In a previous job I saw the results of someone placing straight dishwashing liquid in a dishwasher. Suds coming out around the gasket, and water on the floor. It was a real mess to clean up.

I'm just a little gun shy to try this now that I finally have a dishwasher of my own. Does it really work well.

-- Bob Wick (bjwick@hotmail.com), July 21, 2001.

My primary dish washer has 4 feet and a tail, uses no soap, and works cost free! Secondary washer is the sink. The things about soap is that I use Ajax dish washing soap in my laundry. The bottle says do not use in laundry because of over sudsing, but it is the only thing that will cut the grease out of my clothes and it does not over suds.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), July 21, 2001.

The baking soda prohibits the suddsing. Having a family of 5 plus working 50+ hours a week and maintaining 3 horses, cow, goat 50 chickens and 9 turkeys I will take all the help I can get...dishwasher. After spending $4.00 every week on dishwashing stuff for my dishwasher I decided there must be a better way. This does work. Tracy

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), July 21, 2001.

I believe I can save you even further money....You say you fill BOTH soap areas. You need not fill both--the second is usually only for when you have caked on stuff and presoak. The amounts that soap companies give for use of the product is alway exagerated to get you to purchase more.

I buy the cheapest bulk automatic dishwasher powder I can. I use one tblsp of that plus one tblsp of Backing soda. It works fine ( and I really fill each load). I do scrape the dishes before they go in because we have septic and no disposal.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), July 21, 2001.

Haven't tried to add baking soda, but in Tightwad Gazette, I think is where I read the tip, it was mentioned that you only need a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and that's all I use, and it does work fine. Just scrape and rinse any really messy things that the dog didn't clean off first! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), July 21, 2001.

I have only filled one "soap area" for years and it works fine.Once very month or so I fill the soap holders with baking soda and wash w/ it and nothing else it works fine. While we are at it--when I dry clothes in the dryer I use only 1/4 of the dryer sheets. It works great.

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), July 21, 2001.

RE: dryer sheets. Mix liquid fabric softener to about 1//3 softener and 2/3 water in a sprayer bottle. Designate one old terry bath cloth and spray the mixture on it until damp then toss in the dryer. After several weeks' worth of laundry, toss it in the washer to remove the residue and start over with the same cloth. A bottle of softener will last forever using it this way.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), July 21, 2001.

Thanks for the clarification Tracy.

-- Bob Wick (bjwick@hotmail.com), July 22, 2001.

One thing you might try is your 1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda mixed with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of dish liquid in one cup. The baking soda also acts as a deodorizer and mild abrasive. If you have trouble measuring out 1/8 teaspoon, you can get small measuring spoons that do 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 at places like Bed, Bath, and Beyond for around $3.

They are also very useful for measuring out essential oils, and small amounts of spices.

Even if automatic dishwashing detergent weren't so expensive, it is still nasty stuff to breathe in and to run through your septic. Any alternative is probably better. Remember, it is the hot water and the agitation of the water doing most of the cleaning.

By the way, you can also use 1/4 teaspoon (or a little less depending on size of tank) of liquid Tide or dishwashing liquid in your home carpet steamer. MUCH cheaper than the other stuff. Test in an inconspiuous area first, and follow up with a vinegar/water (1/4 cup or so vinegar, then fill the tank with water) rinse. Too much soap just attracts dirt. Even using the rental machines, you can easily use just half of what they recommend and still do a good job.

I love the idea for employing the family pet as dishwasher. Ours currently works as a vacuum, and is especially good at getting under the couch! lol GT

-- GT (randomnotznospam@yahoo.com), August 05, 2001.