Running out of something like dishwashing liquid a few days before payday can be very inconvenient. You don’t want to spend your last few cents on cleaning products, but you can’t exactly live with dirty dishes. Do not fear, Counting Coins has a few alternatives that you can use to get those dishes clean without spending any money.
Have a look around the house and see if you don’t have any of these alternatives for dishwashing liquids:
1. Baking soda
Baking soda is a must-have item for budget shoppers. You can do almost everything with it, including washing your dishes. Mix baking soda with a little bit of water in a bowl to form a baking soda paste. Smear your dirty dishes with the paste as you wash them.
2. Baking soda and vinegar mix
To form an even stronger homemade dishwashing liquid, mix a few drops of white vinegar with your baking soda paste. If you still have your empty bottle of dishwashing detergent, put your mix in the bottle so it can mix with the little liquid left in the bottle.
3. Shampoo
Shampoo, and even body wash, will do just fine for washing your dishes. The only problem might be that your shampoo or body wash is strongly scented. To avoid having your dishes smell like lavender or roses, just make sure to rinse your dishes properly with hot water.
4. Washing powder
Yes, the washing powder you use for your clothes will be perfectly fine on your dishes. Mix washing powder and water, similar to your baking soda mixture.
5. Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is not something that every household will have. However, if you do have some, you can use it to get those dishes clean.
6. Bath soap
Bath soap is another cheap and handy household ingredient. The ideal is to grate your bar of soap and use the grated pieces to wash your dishes.
Note: These tips are for handwashing, not machine washing.
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