DIY Dishwasher Tablets That Don’t Clog, Clump, or Fail
Last Updated on June 24, 2025 by Kiersten
These DIY dishwasher tablets are cheap, easy to make, and leave dishes sparkling clean without wrecking the rubber seals in your machine.
When I retired from nursing, I had to budget the household money very carefully. Among the first items to get deleted from the shopping list were dishwasher pods that smelled like fake lemons and commerical dish soap (this homemade version cuts all grease).
I run the dishwasher at least once a day, sometimes twice in the summer when the kids are in and out nonstop grabbing snacks and cups. Dish pods were eating up a huge chunk of my budget and it was completely not worth it.
I’ve gone through a few different homemade versions of dishwasher powder. Some clumped into a brick at the bottom of the machine, others left weird sandy residue on my dishes causing me double the work when I had to wash them again by hand.
I finally nailed down a version that works, and I’ve been using this one for about 5 months. I figured that was enough time to confidently test, write, and stand behind them.
These DIY dishwasher tablets leave everything sparkling clean – including glass and stainless steel – and won’t wreck your machine.
The recipe uses simple ingredients I always have in the basement or laundry room and it costs next to nothing compared to commercial dishwasher pods. If you’re already making your own laundry soap or cleaning sprays, you probably have everything you need already.
****P.S. – If you also need a perfectly pH-balanced, grease fighting natural dish soap – this is the one my family makes and exclusively uses.
DIY Dishwasher Tablets That Don’t Clog, Clump, or Fail
Ingredients:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup coarse salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
- 20 drops lemon essential oil, optional
Washing Soda: softens hard water and helps lift food particles, grease, and grime off of the dishes. It’s stronger than baking soda and absolutely essential. Washing soda and baking soda are not interchangeable.
Citric Acid: helps cut through mineral buildup and remove water spots. Makes glasses sparkle and helps the dishwasher stay fresh. This is a must if you have hard water like I do.
Coarse Salt: gives the dishwasher tablets a little grit to scrub caked-on messes. Also helps soften the water even more and balance pH so the detergent works better.
Baking Soda: adds a bit more scrubbing power and helps with odor control. It’s like backup support for cleaner, fresher dishes.
Hydrogen Peroxide: acts as the binder that holds the tablets together, and it gives the formula a little disinfecting boost. It fizzes slightly as it dries, which helps create a packed but not rock hard texture.
Lemon Essential Oil: this is totally optional and I honestly don’t put it in anymore. The lemon gives the tablets a fresh, clean scent and adds a little extra grease cutting power. I forgot to put them in one time, and the only noticeable difference was that the tablets didn’t have any scent.
Recommended Supplies:
Small rectangular silicone molds (makes 48 tablets)
Instructions:
Mix the washing soda, citric acid, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
Slowly drizzle in the hydrogen peroxide one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. It will immediately bubble and foam – this is okay.
You want to end up with a texture like damp sand. It should clump when you squeeze it in your hand, but not be dripping wet.
Pack the mixture tightly into silicone molds. Really press it down so they hold together.
Let them dry overnight on the counter. If it’s humid, give them a full 24-48 hours. While they are drying, they may expand slightly.
Pop the tablets out and store them in an airtight container. I keep mine in a big mason jar under the sink with a scoop of dry rice on the bottom to absorb moisture.
How to Use:
We use these every single day with no problems. I do pre-rinse the dishes if it’s a sticky mess but for the most part, I don’t.
Drop one tablet into the detergent compartment of your dishwasher like you would any regular pod. Run your dishwasher as usual.
* If you have really hard water or cloudy glasses, add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment. This helps cut any lingering residue and keeps things squeaky clean. I would avoid adding vinegar to regular wash cycles as it can wear down any rubber sealants inside the washer.
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DIY Dishwasher Tablets That Don’t Clog, Clump, or Fail
These DIY dishwasher tablets are cheap, easy to make, and leave dishes sparkling clean without wrecking your machine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup coarse salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
- 20 drops lemon essential oil, optional
Instructions
- Mix the washing soda, citric acid, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Slowly drizzle in the hydrogen peroxide one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. You want a texture like damp sand. It should clump when you squeeze it in your hand, but not be dripping wet.
- Pack the mixture tightly into silicone molds. Really press it down so they hold together.
- Let them dry overnight on the counter. If it’s humid, give them a full 24 hours.
- Pop the tablets out and store them in an airtight container. I keep mine in a big mason jar under the sink with a scoop of dry rice on the bottom to absorb moisture.
How to Use:
We use these every single day with no problems. I do pre-rinse the dishes if it's a sticky mess but for the most part, I don't.
Drop one tablet into the detergent compartment of your dishwasher like you would any regular pod. Run your dishwasher as usual.
* If you have really hard water or cloudy glasses, add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment. This helps cut any lingering residue and keeps things squeaky clean. I would avoid adding vinegar to regular wash cycles as it can wear down any rubber sealants inside the washer.
