Dishwasher Tablets

[Mama Fergie]

Going to give this a try tomorrow. Are the results as good as the commercial products?

[judydawn]

I found it washed the dishes really well but left the stainless steel cutlery a little darker - if that doesn't worry you, yes it works really well.  Do a 1/2 a batch and give it a try - you will need to find bulk suppliers if it is to work out cheaper than commercial powder/tablets.  I've just had a new dishwasher installed so I have started off with purchased tablets although there is nothing in this recipe which can damage your dishwasher.  I use vinegar in the rinse aid compartment.

[Mama Fergie]

Does the vinegar leave a smell Judy?

[judydawn]

Not at all Mama Fergie.  I just use cheap homebrand.

[Mama Fergie]

Great idea as the rinse aid is quite expensive. Will buy some homebrand white vinegar tomorrow at Coles. Thanks Judy

[Frozzie]

I use cheap vinegar also in the dishwasher rinse compartment.. Works better than rinse products in my opinion.. Lady who had the house before us used to use it all the time too and the guy who came out toncheck the dishwasher for a joint that was worn said the inside was more sparkly than he had seen a dishwasher in a while..

Vinegar is used alot here for natural cleaner as it gets off calcaire built up or tartre, is a disinfectant and a softener... Good all round ... Also heard that its great on weeds.. Havent tried that out yet..

[droverjess]

I did a weed experiment before our holiday. On a rare hot and dry day I painstakingly painted  with a pastry brush a lot of leaves with distilled white vinegar.
It scorched a leaf of two, but totally FAILED to kill them, even small ones I guess it depends on climate. In a wet humid british summer no way. The weeds were bigger than ever when we got back. The time would have been better spent pulling them out. But at least I tried it scientifically.

[judydawn]

I recently had the kids outside with a spray bottle each, spraying sour sobs.  The very next day they had turned yellow (the sour sobs not the kids). I couldn't believe it.  They don't seem to shrivel up and die though so I need to get out there and pull them out now.  They are easy to remove though, they seem to just break off now they have been weakened and their growth stopped.  These were only little soursobs, about the size of a biscuit.  The kids had a great time and it was quite safe for them to be using.

[Frozzie]

Good to know re weeds.. Think we ill use weed killer then on the drive snd part of garden..

[keiramax]

I brought citric acid from Hindustan imports in Dandenong vic for $4.50 for 1kg.  This seems quite cheap based on other prices mentioned.

[judydawn]

Yes, a good price keiramax.

[Fairyqueen]

I bought 1Kg of Citric Acid from Gaganis this week for $3.90. I'm about to make my first batch. 

[judydawn]

Thanks for that information Fairyqueen.  When I rang Garganis they only gave me a price for 25kg which worked out at $3 a kg but who needs that much?  This is the best price around then so is where I'll be heading when I can get there.

[judydawn]

Since Katie bought me a l kg pack of citric acid I have been using this recipe, the powder version not the tablets.  I find a heaped tablespoon works really well for me, less and it is not so good.

[achookwoman]

Like Judy,  I have been using this in powder form in the dish washing machine.  I rinse the dishes first and then use a full dessert spoon of powder to a full machine. Good, and no problem with septic.