I think I’ve done it! I’ve finally hit on the best recipe that will get my dishes clean, as well as allowing them to be rinsed thoroughly. Oh I know that many have been using this recipe for eons, but I’ve tried a few different ones and have been less-than-enchanted with them, so imagine my delight in finding this recipe. I tweaked it “for me”, and this is what I do:
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
What you need:
1 quart sized mason jar
1.5 cups baking soda
1.5 cups borax
1 envelope Lemonade Kool-Aid
10-20 drops citrus-type essential oil (optional)
What you do:
Pour baking soda into your mason jar. Add essential oil drops to baking soda, close lid and shake well to incorporate oil throughout the baking soda. Open jar and add borax and Kool-Aid. Shake well again. You’re done!
How you use it:
Add two tablespoons of detergent per load. For best results, use vinegar as your rinse agent if you have a place for that. Make sure it stay relatively full for a complete rinse.
Edited to add: There are recipes all over the internet for this, but my friend Amber at Naturally Frugal Mom was the one who shared hers with me and I loved it, and this recipe is closely based on hers. Thanks Amber! 
Yay!! Love that its working for you!!
BTW doesnt the orange smell yummy coming out with the steam? Sometimes I would just open the door to let all that good steam cleanse my pores LOLOLOL
BTW I have a good “comet” type recipe that I have been using!! I’ll post it on my blog this week sometime XD
opps wrong face, meant the smiley..lol
Yes, Amber, and thanks for sharing it!
I do love the smell of the orange, it’s wonderful!
Oh—COMET??? I can’t wait! I am still buying that!
He he, I always type the winking smiley on accident!
Do you know of any recipes for a liquid/gel dishwasher detergent? I don’t buy powder, except to use in pans that have a baked-on mess…or unless I’m totally out and then just for one night or two until I can get to the store. My dishwasher is new as of last fall so I want to handle it with kid gloves.