They’re volatile oils, not water based or even quite the same as a carrier oil. I didn’t have an issue with them turning the powder hard for me, but you could leave them out and see if that helps. If the powder is exposed to moisture in the air and not kept in an airtight container and your home is more humid, that could effect it too.

Are you not supposed to add the essential oils to the powder then? Wouldn’t that be the moisture that’s making it turn rock hard?

I want to live this but it leaves a white residue no matter how I adjust. Any suggestions?

Note: I am reviewing the recipe in the article.

Are you reviewing Katie’s recipe or the one from the comments? Did you try the recipe from the article?

I tried this because you said it worked so well. I even put my dishwasher setting on heavy and extra boost and my dishes certainly did not come out clean. Everyone of my glasses had a white film that looked like they were rinsed in milk. I also have a 3 month old dishwasher. This recipe was horrible and will throw the rest of it away.

So I don’t like leaving negative reviews or comments, but borax is not safe to ingest. It can cause poisoning and organ damage. I just know it’s fairly easy for a dishwasher to not rinse off everything effectively every time. Is there a safer alternative to borax?

I’d like to try this. How much white vinegar do you add?

It may have gotten some moisture in it and already activated. It should be a powder still, not hardened.

I would guess that it wouldn’t work to clean the dishes and it might just harden in the dishwasher.

Is there anything we can do if it activates? Will it still work or do we need to start again?

It sounds like maybe some moisture or water got into the mixture. It shouldn’t fizz as that means the citric acid is already activating.

I’ve just created this recipe, has anyone had fizzing once all mixed together. I can’t put the lid on yet as it’s still fizzing 5 minutes later?

It should work the same, the one linked in the article though is non-GMO and made without corn.

It might leave a mineral deposit on dishes but you could try it.