Oftentimes, even using the best dishwasher detergent fails to keep the dishes perfectly clear and shiny. This is why you need a good DIY dishwasher rinse aid to prevent cloudiness and spots on your dishes.
Dishwasher rinse aids act like drying aids because they help dishes dry faster. If you have hard water in the taps in your home, a dishwasher rinse aid is particularly beneficial for you. This is because hard water contains a large amount of minerals that deposit onto the surface of the dishes. So, using a dishwasher rinse aid will prevent minerals deposits as well as water droplets from loitering on your dishes.
While commercial rinse aids also do the job just as well, it’s a good idea to make one at home because a DIY dishwasher rinse aid offers greater benefits than the latter.
Why You Should Use A DIY Dishwasher Rinse Aid
If you’ve noticed that your dishes still have water spots or film residue after the washing process, a dishwasher rinse aid is going to solve this problem for you.
There are many benefits of using a DIY dishwasher rinse aid over commercial rinse aids, such as:
- A DIY dishwasher rinse aid is free of any chemicals, which prevents your dishes from damage.
- It’s an eco-friendly option since it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients. Also, you will be reusing the bottle or container in which you make the solution, thereby producing less waste and trash.
- It uses very few ingredients, most of which you might easily find in your pantry as well.
- It is an inexpensive alternative to commercial rinse aids because it uses low-cost products that you can also get in bulk.
Make Your Own Dishwasher Rinse Aid At Home
There are numerous ingredients that you can add to your DIY dishwasher rinse aid. There are also many ways to make one at home.
We have the most effective dishwasher rinse aid recipe you can prepare at home with ingredients that are both easily and readily available.
Ingredients
- 2 cups distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
- 3 tbsp. citric acid
- A few drops of any essential oil of your choice
- 2-3 drops of food coloring (optional)
Materials
A squeeze bottle or a plastic container
Directions
- Take your container or squeeze bottle and pour all the ingredients into it. Note that the food coloring is entirely optional. It is simply used to make it easier for you to see the dishwasher rinse aid solution through its compartment in the dishwasher
- Although you can use any essential oil of your choice, a great option is lemon because it’s highly acidic and helps your dishes achieve a spot-free shine.
- Attach the lid and shake gently to help the ingredients mix together well.
- Once mixed, pour the solution into the rinse aid compartment until full. If there’s any leftover, store it properly cool, dry place and make sure to label the container or the bottle.
Learn About the Ingredients
While the ingredients in this DIY dishwasher rinse aid do a great job at keeping your dishes clean, it’s a good idea to know how they work and what benefits they have to offer.
Citric Acid
This is one of the most common and popular ingredients used in cleaning products. It’s popular because of how it effectively kills bacteria, mildew, and mold. Citric acid is excellent for cleaning and disinfecting, and when used in a DIY dishwasher rinse aid, it helps remove hard water stains, soap residue, calcium deposits, and rust.
Lemon Essential Oil
This essential oil works as an amazing degreaser and does a great job at eliminating hard water stains and mineral deposits from dishes. It provides added germ-fighting power to the rinse aid. Moreover, lemon essential oil has a fresh smell that adds a nice freshness to all your dishes.
Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar is generally acidic, a characteristic that helps break up mineral deposits in hard water. Additionally, it kills bacteria, grime, grease, and dirt.
Hydrogen Peroxide
With anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-mold properties, hydrogen peroxide makes a highly effective cleaner, deodorizer, and disinfectant. It is another ingredient that most cleaning products contain as it helps leave dishes super clean, clear, and spot-free.
Final Word
A DIY dishwasher rinse aid is obviously a better, simpler, and easier option as compared to commercial rinse aids. It’s not only easy to make, but it does a better job at cleaning your dishes and ensuring that they are completely free of spots, residue, and mineral deposits.
Mrs Bean says
My very old dishwasher runs. It does not have a rinse aid dispenser. How would I use a rinse aid in it?