Dishwasher Rinse Aid

DIY CLEANING RECIPE

During the rinse cycle, water naturally wants to form droplets. As those droplets dry, they leave behind dissolved minerals — especially in hard water areas. That’s what causes spotting and cloudy glass.

An acidic rinse aid works by:

  • Lowering pH
  • Neutralising alkaline residue from detergents
  • Helps prevent water clinging in droplets
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What you'll need

🫙 Makes: As required 🕝 Time: Instant


INGREDIENTS

  • Citric Acid: 1/2-1 teaspoon (approx. 5g)
  • Water: 1/4 cup (approx. 60ml)

* Generally, tap or pre-boiled water is fine. If you have hard water, use distilled or demineralised water instead.


METHOD

Simply dissolve the citric acid in the water and fill the rinse aid compartment.

Adding essential oils
A drop or two of citrus essential oil can add a light scent, but use sparingly. Oil and water don’t mix well, and overuse can lead to build-up over time.


If you still see water spots or cloudy glasses

Try reducing the amount of dishwasher powder used, checking filters and spray arms for blockages, running a cleaning cycle with just citric acid to remove built-up residue. Cloudiness is often a sign of hard water or residue already present in the machine.


Can I use vinegar instead
Yes, you can. In fact, I've recommended vinegar as a rinse aid in the past and still use it myself from time to time. Vinegar helps reduce mineral spotting and can improve the final rinse.

You may hear that regular use of vinegar contribute to wear on seals over time. The risk is often debated, and many people use vinegar for years without issue, but it's worth being aware of.

For that reason, I generally prefer citric acid. It serves a similar purpose, is odourless, easy to store, and gives you a more consistent and controlled solution.

Grab what you need

Citric Acid

Citric Acid

$11.50
Amber glass essential oil bottle with white label with Under Your Sink logo and description lemon essential oil. Has blurred images of lemon in background

Lemon Essential Oil

$10.95
Amber glass essential oil bottle with white label with Under Your Sink logo and description Eucalyptus Blue Gum essential oil. Has blurred images of eucalyptus in background

Eucalyptus Blue Gum Essential Oil

$9.95
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