Well Water: A 45-Day Real-Life Test
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own cleaning products.
You feel capable.
You feel thrifty. I’m saving money here.
You feel like your doing something good for your family.
So I off I went and made my diswasher tab and for a few weeks they worked beautifully. Then slowly, things started to change.
The DIY Dishwasher Detergent I Used
I kept it simple:
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
It cost pennies per load.
Dishes came out clean.
Glasses sparkled.
I was excited, this is really working. I even made extra and shared it with friends.
“You have to try this.”
It felt like a win in every direction — less plastic, less money, more control.
What Changed on Well Water
At first, the shift was subtle.
Silverware needed to be rinsed again.
Glasses started looking cloudy.
Plates didn’t seem as bright.
Then the comments started:
“Are the dishes… clean?”
That’s when you know something isn’t right.
I didn’t want to switch back to plastic bottles. I didn’t want to abandon something I had made myself. It honestly felt defeating. I really wanted it to keep working.
But mineral heavy water doesn’t negotiate.
Most DIY dishwasher detergents rely on washing soda and borax to break down grease. In mineral-rich water, those minerals interact differently. Over time, they can leave film or buildup, especially on glass and stainless steel.
The chemistry change was giving my dishes a dirty look.
The Vinegar Rinse Variable
At first I used vinegar in the rinse compartment.
When the cloudiness first started, I did some extra research and I learned that vinegar can neutralize alkaline cleaners if added during the wash cycle, which may reduce grease-cutting.
So I stopped the vinegar, and that worked for a while. Then the decline started again.
The Costco Aisle Moment
I resigned to the fact that as much as I wanted a solution that aligned with my values, having clean dishes mattered more.
Off I went to Costco feeling a little defeated.
I had made something that worked. I was really hopeful, and now, I was reconsidering my choices.
Then I saw Blueland dishwasher tablets on the shelf. Same brand as the toilet tablets I’ve been testing. YES! this could work.
- No plastic.
- Refill model available.
I wasn’t excited. I was relieved. I really didn’t want to revert back to traditional dishwasher detergent.
The Switch
The difference was immediate.
Clear glasses.
No cloudy film.
Silverware stopped looking tired.
And most importantly — no more commentary from the family.
Should You Try DIY Dishwasher Detergent?
Yes, try it. It may not have worked for me and my situation but it could of you. Even with well water, each well is different.
Keep an eye out for:
- Dulling silverware
- Film inside the dishwasher tub
- Cloudy glassware
- Increased need to re-rinse
If you’re on well water or hard water, results may change over time.
Real life has variables.
Want to Try the DIY Version?
If you’re curious, here’s the simple recipe I used:
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Baking soda
- Optional citric acid
(Exact measurements in the printable below.)
[Download the printable DIY dishwasher detergent recipe.]
The Real Lesson
DIY is powerful.
But it’s not magic.
Sometimes sustainability isn’t about forcing something to work — it’s about adjusting when conditions change.
Today we have options.
Choose what fits your water, your home, and your values.
And if there’s something you’d like me to test next, let me know. I’m happy to try it in my real kitchen.
