DIY Dishwasher Detergent: Does It Really Save Money?

Thinking about making your own dishwasher detergent? Here’s what it really costs, when it saves money and when a store brand option may be the better bargain.

TDS Money-Saving Strategist: Andrea Norris-McKnight | posted March 2026

Homemade dishwasher detergent has been around for years. Some people want fewer synthetic ingredients. Others want to cut costs. A few just enjoy knowing exactly what’s in the mix.

If you’re trimming essential expenses, the real question is simple:

Does DIY dishwasher detergent actually cost less than buying store-brand powder or pods?

The answer depends on your prices, your water and how well it performs in your machine.

Can Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Save Money?

Compared to name-brand pods, yes — it often can.

Compared to low-cost store-brand powder? The savings may be smaller than expected.

DIY recipes rely on inexpensive ingredients like washing soda, borax, citric acid, salt and vinegar. When bought in bulk, those can bring your cost per load down. Many DIYers say homemade dishwasher detergents come out to 7–10 cents per load.

But here’s what matters:

Do your local or online ingredient prices support the math?
Are you rewashing dishes?
Are you using extra product to get acceptable results?

If you’re rerunning even a few loads a month, the savings shrink quickly.

If you want a few DIY dishwasher detergents to try out, here are two recommended online and a few shared by Dollar Stretcher readers.

DIY Powder Dishwasher Detergent

This powder recipe came from Jillee Nystul at OneGoodThingByJillee.com.

Ingredients:
1 cup washing soda or baking soda
1 cup borax
¼ cup kosher salt
¼ cup citric acid

Use 1–2 tablespoons per load in the detergent compartment along with 3 drops of dishwashing liquid (no more — too much will cause overflow).

Splash ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher before starting.

Jillee shared that she experienced consistent, clean results and enjoyed opening the dishwasher to squeaky clean dishes washed with her own mix.

This version also doubles as a mild scouring powder for other cleaning tasks, which can stretch the use of ingredients even further.

DIY Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

For those who prefer liquid, here’s a recipe:

Ingredients:
2 cups vegetable-based castile soap (such as Vermont Soap Organics or Dr. Bronner’s)
½ cup water
½ cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 drops essential oil (optional)

Shake well before each use and measure about 2 tablespoons per load.

Liquid versions are simple to mix but may vary in performance depending on your water hardness and dishwasher model.

Dishwasher soap is easy to make and cost-effective. I mix up a batch in an empty canister and pour it into the dishwasher as needed.

Mix and use per dishwasher load:

1 Tablespoon Borax
1 Tablespoon Baking soda

Mix equal parts Borax and Baking Soda, and add 2 Tablespoons per load. Increase the soda proportion for hard water. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Lorraine

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I make my own soap by using:

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax 20 Mule Team

I use about two tablespoons in the dishwasher compartment. I’ve also added citric acid if needed.

To tell if citric acid is needed, look at your silverware. If it seems a little gray, check your dishwasher manual; it will typically tell you what to add and how much to add. My silverware has actually been shinier with this than the expensive dishwasher tabs.
HS

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Financial Pros of DIY Dishwasher Detregnt

Lower cost per load (especially compared to pods)
Ingredients often multitask for other cleaning jobs
Bulk ingredients can stretch across months
Less plastic packaging
Flexibility in scent and ingredients

If you’re already buying washing soda or borax for laundry or household cleaning, adding dishwasher detergent to the list may increase overall savings.

Financial Cons of DIY

Upfront cost to buy unfamiliar ingredients
Time spent mixing and storing batches
Possible performance issues with hard water
Potential rewashing if results aren’t strong enough
Some newer dishwashers perform best with commercial enzyme formulas

Commercial detergents contain enzymes designed specifically to break down food residue. DIY versions rely more on abrasives and water-softening components.

In homes with very hard water or lots of baked-on cookware, performance differences may show up.

Already Buying These Ingredients? Get Your Money’s Worth

If you’re purchasing ingredients to make your own cleaners or detergents, stretch your dollars by using them in other ways around your home.

Before you buy, make sure you can use each ingredient in more than one way.

More ways to use:

Dawn® dish detergent: stain treatment, grease cutting, DIY cleaning sprays
Castile soap: hand soap, body wash, all-purpose cleaner
Borax: laundry booster, odor control, general cleaning
Vinegar: rinse aid, glass cleaner, deodorizer

Dollar Stretcher tip: If you can’t see at least two or three uses for an ingredient, the “DIY savings” may not be as strong as they look.

A Practical Middle Ground

Some households use:

DIY powder for everyday dishes
Store-brand powder for tougher loads
A premium pod occasionally for heavily soiled cookware

You don’t have to commit to one option exclusively.

When DIY Makes the Most Sense

DIY dishwasher detergent tends to work best when:

You have moderate or soft water
You scrape dishes well before loading
You don’t routinely wash heavily baked-on pans
You’re motivated to reduce packaging or synthetic additives

If you’re mainly trying to cut costs, compare your ingredient prices to store-brand powder before committing.

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Budget Level Savings: DIY Dishwasher Detergent

No need to tackle every tip at once. Start with the tips best suited for your budget.

If money is stretched and you’re living paycheck to paycheck:

Compare ingredient costs to generic powder first.
Make a small test batch before buying in bulk.
Track whether you’re rewashing any loads.

Goal: True savings, not just a cheaper-looking recipe.

If your budget is stable, but irregular expenses knock you off track:

Use DIY for everyday dishes.
Keep a commercial detergent for heavy cookware.
Watch for ingredient sales to lower long-term costs.

Goal: Balance savings and reliability.

If your budget is strong, but you want additional savings:

Choose DIY if reducing packaging or controlling ingredients matters to you.
Factor in your time and convenience preferences.
Prioritize consistent one-cycle cleaning.

Goal: Align your detergent choice with both budget and values.

TDS Takeaway

Homemade dishwasher detergent can save money — especially compared to pods.

But the real savings depend on performance. If dishes come clean in one cycle and ingredient costs stay low, DIY can stretch your household supplies budget.

If you’re rewashing or buying extra boosters to compensate, store-brand powder may be the better bargain.

As with most things in the cleaning aisle, the smartest choice isn’t the trendiest one. It’s the one that works in your kitchen at the lowest total cost.

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About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight is the Money-Saving Strategist behind The Dollar Stretcher.

She helps people on tight budgets cut everyday costs, build steadier money habits and create a little breathing room—without guilt, gimmicks, or unrealistic advice.

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