Store-bought dishwasher tablets were draining my wallet—a box of 45 costs over €9, or more than €0.20 each. With daily washes, they vanished quickly.
After researching key ingredients, I developed my own effective tablets for just €0.04 apiece, saving five times the price per load.
Here's my reliable recipe, tested in my home dishwasher. 
- 200 g soda crystals
- 200 g table salt (or kosher salt)
- 200 g baking soda
- 180 ml lemon juice
- 2 mini muffin cups (or silicone molds)
- 1 large bowl
- 1 airtight jar
- 1 wooden spoon
Prep: 3 mins | Total: 0 min cooking | Yields: 48 tablets
1. Combine soda crystals, salt, and baking soda in the bowl.
2. Stir well with the wooden spoon.
3. Slowly add lemon juice while mixing—foaming is normal.
4. Mix thoroughly for one minute until it holds together.
5. Spoon the mixture into molds.
6. Press firmly to shape the tablets.
7. Let cure overnight.
8. Pop out and store in the airtight jar.
Your budget-friendly tablets are ready! Simple, quick, and highly effective. Far cheaper than Finish or Sun brands at Carrefour, Auchan, or Leclerc.
These fit perfectly in your dishwasher's detergent compartment. Place one tablet inside, run your cycle as usual, and enjoy spotless results.
100% natural, zero-waste, phosphate-free. Bonus: Tablets have other household uses too.
No white residue on glasses, even without citric acid. Salt and lemon tackle limescale and dullness; baking soda and soda crystals clean and sanitize.
Tip: Add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment for extra shine. For hard water, use 1.5 tablets; soft water, try half. Adjust based on your machine.
Ice cube trays made tablets too large, so I switched to silicone candy molds. This chocolate mold yields 24 tablets per tray—buy two for 48.
