We've all been there – a dishwasher stacked full of dirty dishes and no tablets to get the job done.
But what do you do in this instance? Well, before you start emptying everything and furiously handwashing, there are some household items you can substitute for detergent if you're caught short.
Here, we've spoken to professional cleaners for their tips on making homemade dishwasher detergent, and getting yours back up and running, even without any tablets.
5 household items you can substitute for dishwasher tablets
As Diana Ciechorska, general manager of Park Slope Cleaning, says 'Running out of dishwasher tablets doesn’t have to derail your day. With a little creativity and the right household items, you can achieve sparkling clean results while staying on track.
'From vinegar to baking soda, these simple substitutes are cost-effective, efficient, and readily available.'
1. White vinegar
Around the house, there are so many things you can clean with vinegar, and, according to cleaning expert Ciechorska, it can be used as a substitute for dishwasher tablets, too.
She says, 'This works because white vinegar is a natural degreaser, and helps break down food particles, leaving dishes clean and streak-free. It also doubles as a rinse aid, preventing spots on glassware.'
To use it, Ciechorska recommends simply pouring half a cup of white vinegar, such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart, directly into the bottom of your best dishwasher before starting the wash cycle.
'This allows the vinegar to mix with the water for optimal cleaning performance,' she adds.
You can also effectively clean stainless steel pans with vinegar, so it's a handy cleaning supply to have on hand for use all around the house.
2. Lemon juice
Using lemons in a dishwasher not only makes dishes and glassware sparkle – it's also a suitable replacement for traditional dishwasher tablets.
Professional cleaner Ciechorska explains, 'I like to clean with lemon juice as an alternative to dishwasher tabs. The natural citric acid effectively breaks down grease and food buildup, while leaving a fresh, clean scent.'
To do so, simply juice one lemon and pour the juice into the bottom of your dishwasher, or mix it with a tablespoon of baking soda for extra cleaning power. If you don't have any fresh lemons, lemon juice such as the Great Value Lemon 100% Juice available at Walmart is a convenient alternative.
There are other things you can successfully clean with citric acid around the house, too. For example, Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved here at H&G recently tried cleaning stubborn faucet limescale with lemon juice, by mixing a 1:1 solution of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle, and loved the results.
This squeezer is specifically designed to effectively juice lemons and limes in seconds, with sturdy, heavy duty bowls and an ergonomic handle.
This lemon juice is ideal if you prefer to shop organic, and is 100% pure and ready for use whether cooking or cleaning.
This handy spray bottle features a comfortable two finger grip trigger with an adjustable spray from mist to stream.
3. Baking soda & dish soap
If you've got either of these home and pantry staples to hand, Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Spekless, recommends cleaning with baking soda and dish soap in a fix (with caution) instead of dishwasher tablets.
She says, 'Dish soap is formulated to cut through grease and grime, while baking soda enhances cleaning and reduces sudsing. This combination delivers efficient cleaning power without the risk of overflowing suds, provided only a small amount of dish soap is used.'
Therefore, add two to three drops of liquid dish soap, such as the Dawn Platinum Ez-Squeeze Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap available at Target, to the detergent compartment of your dishwasher. Then, fill the rest of the compartment with baking soda, such as the Great Value Baking Soda available at Walmart, to suppress foaming, and run the dishwasher on a normal cycle.
'Avoid using more than a few drops of dish soap, as excess can cause excessive foaming, potentially leading to dishwasher damage or leaks,' warns Toner.
This baking soda can be used for cooking, baking, cleaning, and deodorizing, and is a versatile odor eliminator free of harsh chemicals.
4. Borax
Borax is one of the secret laundry ingredients cleaning pros swear by, but it works just as well as a substitute for dishwasher tablets, says professional cleaner Toner.
'Borax is a natural mineral compound that deodorizes, disinfects, and softens water, making it a highly effective dishwasher detergent substitute,' she explains. Simply pop one tablespoon of borax powder, such as Pure Original Ingredients Borax available at Amazon, and run your dishwasher as usual.
But, be sure to avoid overusing borax when doing so, advises Toner, 'as excessive amounts can leave a residue on delicate items like fine glassware.'
Much like lemon juice, you can also use borax to get rid of hard water stains, and even to kill carpenter ants and get rid of cockroaches.
5. Castile soap
Finally, why not try using versatile castile soap as a substitute for dishwasher tablets, recommends cleaning expert Ciechorska.
She says, 'Castile soap (such as Yoken Pure Castile Liquid Soap Organic available at Amazon) is plant-based, biodegradable, and highly effective for gentle yet thorough cleaning.'
Mix one teaspoon of liquid castile soap with a tablespoon of baking soda, before pouring the mixture into the detergent compartment and starting the cycle. Castile soap is also used in the best homemade window cleaner and homemade kitchen cleaner, so it's a clear winner when it comes to DIY detergents and cleaning solutions.
With no synthetic preservatives, detergents, or foaming agents, this pure castile soap is recommended by Ciechorska for a 'natural and versatile cleaning solution.' It's also available in a peppermint, citrus and lavender scent, as well as this unscented version.
FAQs
Will a dishwasher work without a tablet?
It's not that your dishwasher won't work without a tablet – it will still run, spray and rinse dishes, but it won't thoroughly clean and sanitize them.
This is because detergent is required to banish bacteria and cut through grease and grime, and works even more effectively if you know how to load a dishwasher properly.
Cleaning expert Ciechorska reminds us that, 'While these substitutes work well in a pinch, they are not designed to replace dishwasher-specific detergents long-term. Always avoid products that produce excessive suds, as they can damage your machine.'
Therefore, it's still worth stocking up on tablets, and aside from use in your dishwasher, there are also a number of surprising things to clean with a dishwasher tablet around the home, from jewelry to showerheads and upholstery stains.
