We've all been there: a dishwasher full of dirty dishes and no tablet to do the job.
But what do you do in this case? Now, before you start cleaning everything out and frantically washing your hands, there are some household items you can substitute with detergent if you're caught without clothes.
Here we spoke to professional cleaners to get advice on how to make your own dishwashing detergent and how to get it working again without tablets.
5 household items you can replace with dishwasher tablets
As Diana Ciechorska, CEO of Park Slope Cleaning , says, "Running out of dishwasher tablets doesn't have to ruin your day. With a little creativity and the right household items, you can achieve sparkling clean results without losing track.
"From vinegar to baking soda, these simple substitutes are inexpensive, effective and readily available."
1. White vinegar
(Image credit: Future/David Parmiter)
There are so many things in the house that can be cleaned with vinegar and, according to cleaning expert Ciechorska, it can also replace dishwasher tablets.
She says: "It works because white vinegar is a natural degreaser and helps break down food particles, leaving dishes clean and streak-free." It also acts as a polishing agent and prevents stains on glassware.
To use it, Ciechorska recommends simply pouring 1/2 cup of white vinegar, like Great Value Distilled White Vinegar, available at Walmart , directly into the base of your best dishwasher before starting the cycle.
"This allows the vinegar to mix with the water, ensuring optimal cleaning performance," he adds.
You can also effectively clean stainless steel pans with vinegar , making it a useful cleaning product to always have on hand at home.
2. Lemon juice
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Using lemons in the dishwasher not only makes plates and glasses shine, but is also a suitable replacement for traditional dishwasher tablets.
Professional cleaner Ciechorska explains: "As an alternative to dishwasher tablets, I like to clean with lemon juice . Natural citric acid effectively dissolves grease and food residue and leaves a fresh, clean scent.
To do this, simply squeeze a 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 fresh lemons, lemon juice like Great Value 100% Lemon Juice available at Walmart is a convenient alternative.
There are other things around the house that you can successfully clean with citric acid . For example, Punteha van Terheyden , Director of Solved at H&G, recently tried removing stubborn limescale from faucets with lemon juice by mixing a 1:1 solution of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and was thrilled with the results.
3. Baking soda and dish soap
(Image credit: Michael Clifford)
If you have any of these household and pantry staples on hand, Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Spekless , recommends cleaning with baking soda and dish soap (with caution) instead of dishwasher tabs.
She says: "Dish soap is formulated to remove grease and grime, while baking soda improves cleaning and reduces suds." This combination provides effective cleaning power without the risk of excessive suds, as long as only a small amount of dish soap is used.
So add two to three drops of liquid dish soap, such as Dawn Platinum Ez-Squeeze 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 Great Value Baking Baking Soda available at Walmart , to suppress foaming and run the dishwasher on the normal cycle.
"Do not use more than a few drops of dish soap, as too much can cause excessive suds, which can lead to damage or leaks in the dishwasher," warns Toner.
4. Borax
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Borax is one of the secret laundry ingredients that cleaning pros swear by , but it works just as well as a replacement for dishwasher tabs, says Professional Cleaner Toner.
"Borax is a natural mineral compound that deodorizes, disinfects and softens water, making it a very effective replacement for dishwashing detergent," he explains. Simply add a tablespoon of powdered borax, such as: B. Pure Original Ingredients Borax, available on Amazon , and run your dishwasher as usual.
But be careful not to overdo it with borax, advises Toner, "as excessive amounts can leave a residue on delicate items like fine glass."
Like lemon juice, you can also use borax to remove hard water stains and even kill carpenter ants and get rid of cockroaches .
5. Castile soap
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Finally, why not use all-purpose Castile soap as a replacement for dishwasher tablets, recommends cleaning expert Ciechorska.
She says, "Castile soap (like Yoken Pure Castile Organic Liquid Soap, available on Amazon ) is plant-based, biodegradable, and highly effective for gentle but thorough cleaning.
Mix a teaspoon of liquid castile soap with a tablespoon of baking soda before pouring the mixture into the laundry compartment and starting the wash cycle. Castile soap is also used in the best homemade window and kitchen cleaners , making it a clear winner when it comes to homemade laundry detergents and cleaning solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dishwasher work without a tablet?
It's not that your dishwasher won't work without tabs: it will still work at spraying and rinsing dishes, but won't clean or disinfect them thoroughly.
That's because dish soap is necessary to kill bacteria and remove grease and grime, and it works even more effectively if you know how to load the dishwasher properly .
Cleaning expert Ciechorska reminds us: "Although these substitutes work well in a pinch, they are not intended as long-term replacements for certain dishwashing detergents. Always avoid products that produce too much foam as these can damage your machine.
So it's always worth stocking up on tabs, and in addition to using them in the dishwasher, there are a number of surprising things that you can clean with a dishwasher tab around the house, from jewelry to showerheads to stains on upholstery.
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