repost

Okay, this is ridiculous. The NYT is recommending Cascade somehow as the best dishwasher detergent. The last two people who serviced our (now 15-year-old) beloved and very quiet Miele dishwasher said don't ever put that crap in your machine.

We used the exact same pods recommended by NYT and it made our dishwasher stink and it didn't get things clean.

My wife ended up making a homemade version that uses mostly natural stuff plus a pinch of something like Oxyclean. Best detergent ever used, and that's all we use now.

In case anyone is interested, here's the recipe:

DIY Dishwasher Detergent YIELD: 4 1/2 CUPS / 2.2 LB (ENOUGH FOR 36 LOADS OF DISHES)

1 cup / 225 g super washing soda (sodium carbonate) 1 cup / 225 g powdered oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) 1/4 cup / 62 g table salt (sodium chloride) 50 drops lemon essential oil 12 drops peppermint essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil

Washing soda and oxygen bleach are skin sensitizing. I recommend wearing nitrile gloves while you prepare this DIY and washing your hands afterward.

Mix dry ingredients. Add washing soda, powdered oxygen bleach, and table salt into a large, non-metallic mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

Add essential oils and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.

The essential oils will accumulate in small clusters at first. Keep stirring to break them apart. Transfer the detergent powder into an airtight glass jar or storing container. Store sealed in a dry place, protected from moisture. Use about 2 tablespoons per load.