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Dishwasher Tablets (& Powder)

Dishwasher Tablets (& Powder)

🌱 DIY Green Cleaning Recipe
By Analisa from Under Your Sink


The dishwasher tablet - that’s actually how Under Your Sink began and how my whole eco-conscious journey kicked off.

I wanted to replicate a dishwasher tablet at home using simple ingredients. I thought it would be easy. So I did a deep dive… and was mortified to discover that one tiny Powerball tablet contains more than 30 ingredients.

I started looking at other brands too, and saw the same patterns: recurring ingredients, synthetic fragrances, and a whole list of long, chemical-sounding names. Most of them weren’t even essential to cleaning - they were there to help with shelf life, water hardness in different countries, or just to bulk it out. 

So I jumped online and tested heaps of DIY recipes. I also experimented with my own combinations over the years, using different machines and setups - and honestly, there are no hard and fast rules!

The idea is to use a few really alkaline ingredients. Washing soda and percarbonate are the two key ones I use. You can definitely add other things like borax, bicarb, or even a bit of coconut soap - play around with it. I’ve even used my laundry powder as dishwasher powder/

When I first started, I was making tablets - pressing the mix into ice cube trays to get that classic commercial look. But honestly - there’s absolutely no need to do that! You can leave it in powder form, scoop it into the detergent drawer, and away you go. It actually disperses better in the machine and is way quicker and more convenient to make.

That said, there’s still a place for dishwasher tablets - especially when it comes to things like scrubbing grout. But more on that later.

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  • Ingredients

    • 1 cup Washing Soda
    • 1  cup Sodium Percarbonate
    • 1-2 tbsp Coconut Soap Flakes (optional)
    • 20ml water
    • Essential Oils (optional)

  • Makes

    500g which is approx. 20+ loads.

  • Method

    1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl taking care not the breathe the raised dust.
    2. Add the essential oil drops and slowly add water to the mixture until it resembles wet sand.
    3. Press the mixture firmly into ice cube trays or a silicone mould of your choice.
    4. Leave the mixture to dry for at least 24 hours or until hard.
    5. Pop the tablets out of the mould and store them in an airtight container.


    Prefer Powder?
    Easy! Skip the water and mould step. Just mix the dry ingredients and keep them in a jar. It's optional, but you can also add a few drops of essential oil to the jar and shake well.

  • How to use it

    Use 1 tablet per load or 1-2 teaspoons of the powder (approx. 25g)
    Use hot cycles and pair with rinse aid for glassware.

  • 💡 Tips 

    • Use only on dishwasher safe items, do not use on aluminium.
    • Use a hot wash cycle to activate the ingredients properly.
    • Use a rinse aid like citric acid or vinegar in the rinse compartment.
    • Got hard water? You can tweak the ratios or add a pinch of bicarb and omit the soap to fine-tune it

Common Questions

How does this compare with commercial dishwasher tablets?

Both a commercial tablet and this DIY solution will wash your dishes. However, making your own dish powder has lots more benefits in my opinion.

  • DIY is cheaper - At roughly 8-10c a load compared to 30-60c a load for the commercial equivalents and you don't need to wait for the half price sale!
  • DIY means less chemicals - 2-4 natural powder ingredients that are eco-friendly compared to 30+ in the average commercial tablet, with many synthetic and toxic. 
  • DIY is more versatile  - multi-use ingredients and product itself, compared the the one product, one job.
  • DIY is Zero Waste - You can get the ingredients or even the handmade dish powder in plastic free packaging which is home compostable - compared to single use soft plastic that can't be recycled and not the mention the micro-plastics in the tablets themselves!

Can I leave out the soap flakes?

Yes! The flakes add a bit of degreasing power, but they’re totally optional. If you're using a hot cycle and you’ve got good water flow, the washing soda and percarbonate alone usually do the trick. In fact, if you are in areas with harder water I recommend leaving it out.

Why are my tablets too soft or crumbly?

Too much or too little water. You want the mix to feel like damp sand - just enough moisture to hold together when pressed, but not wet. If they puff up or crack, dial back the water next time. If they crumble, add a splash more but you can still use the crumbs! No waste.

Can I use vinegar or citric acid? And where?

Yes - but not in the same compartment as your powder or tablet. Vinegar reacts with percarbonate and neutralises its power. Instead, use vinegar or a citric acid solution in the rinse aid compartment to help with glassware and residue.

Is this safe for septic or greywater systems?

It’s septic-safe - all the ingredients are biodegradable and don’t contain phosphates, chlorine, or synthetic fragrances.

When it comes to greywater, it’s a bit more nuanced. While the ingredients are technically biodegradable, they’re also alkaline, and may not be ideal for the garden.

Can I use this powder for handwashing dishes too?

You sure can. Just dissolve a small scoop (about a teaspoon) in hot water in your sink. It’s great for greasy pots and pans -and you can add a little Castile Soap or dish liquid if you want some extra soapiness.

However, because this mix is alkaline, it can irritate sensitive skin. If your hands are going directly into the water, I recommend wearing gloves - especially if you're prone to dryness or irritation.

What else can I use this powder for?

Here's what to try:

  • Use a rinse aid - A splash of vinegar or a citric acid solution in the rinse compartment helps neutralise any residue and gives a nice clear finish.
  • Use less powder - You might be using a little too much detergent. Try cutting back to ¾ tablespoon and see how it goes.
  • Check for overloading - Make sure water can circulate freely around your dishes.
  • Give your machine a clean - Build-up in your dishwasher can affect results, especially if you’ve just switched from commercial pods.

The powder works best in a hot cycle, so if you’re running eco or short washes, that can affect performance too.

My dishes came out a bit cloudy – what should I do?

It’s surprisingly versatile! You can:

  • Dilute it in hot water for heavy-duty cleaning jobs like bathroom grime
  • Use it as a laundry soak or stain remover
  • Soak greasy pots and pans
  • Clean out “bin juice” at the bottom of your kitchen bin (yep, done that)

Once you’ve got it mixed up, you’ll find yourself reaching for it all over the house.

  • ⚠️ Just a Note

    These recipes and guides are based on what works in my home. Every setup is different, so always test and tweak. I’m not a scientist, just a long-time DIYer with a strange passion for DIY green cleaning.

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