My dishwasher keeps yelling at me to add rinse aid. I don’t have any. Turns out there are quite a few good ones out there — which is perfect because it never fails that the one ingredient you need you don’t have!
These recipes average about $0.22 each compared to $4-$6 for a bottle of store bought rinse aid. That adds up fast.
This is exactly the kind of Don’t Buy It Make It hack I love — simple ingredients you probably already have, pennies to make, and works just as well as the store bought version.
⚠️ Important: Do not use straight white vinegar alone as your rinse aid. It has been found to dissolve rubber gaskets over time which can damage your dishwasher. The recipes below that include vinegar combine it with other ingredients which neutralizes this effect — but straight vinegar in the rinse aid compartment is not recommended!
Easy Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse Aid
The simplest recipe on the list — two ingredients and you are done. 3% hydrogen peroxide is the same stuff in the brown bottle at the drugstore. Cheap, easy to find, and works beautifully as a rinse aid.
Ingredients
- 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 10 drops essential oil — optional but makes it smell great
Directions
Mix together and pour directly into your dishwasher rinse aid compartment. Use whatever is left over as a general cleaner around the kitchen. That’s it — seriously that easy!
Cost per batch: About $0.22
Easy Citric Acid Rinse Aid
Citric acid is the same ingredient used in commercial rinse aids and dishwasher pods — it cuts through hard water deposits and leaves dishes sparkling. You can find food grade citric acid on Amazon for a few dollars and it lasts forever.
Ingredients
- 4 cups citric acid
- 20 drops citrus essential oil — optional
Directions
Combine citric acid and essential oil and stir until there are no clumps. Pour into a jar and seal tightly. Use a small spoonful per load in your rinse aid compartment. This batch will last you a very long time!
Cost per batch: About $0.22
Super Efficient Rinse Aid Recipe
This is the most effective recipe on the list — the combination of citric acid, rubbing alcohol and a small amount of vinegar creates a powerful rinse aid that tackles hard water spots better than most store bought versions. The food coloring is optional but actually really useful so you can see how much is left in the compartment!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp citric acid
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup rubbing alcohol
- 12 drops lemon essential oil
- 3 drops blue food coloring — optional but useful!
Directions
Pour all ingredients into a container and stir — the citric acid should dissolve easily. If it doesn’t dissolve completely put the lid on and shake gently. Add food coloring if using. Pour into your rinse aid compartment.
Store the remaining solution in a dark place out of reach of small children. Label it clearly — even natural cleaners can be harmful if ingested.
Cost per batch: About $0.22
Tips for Using Homemade Rinse Aid
- Start with less — homemade rinse aids can be more concentrated than store bought. Start with a smaller amount and adjust if needed
- Hard water areas — if you have hard water the citric acid recipes work best. Citric acid specifically targets mineral deposits
- Spots on glasses — if you are still getting spots try increasing the amount slightly or switching to the Super Efficient recipe
- Store properly — keep in a sealed container away from heat and sunlight for best results
- Label everything — always label homemade cleaners clearly, especially if you have kids in the house
Love making things instead of buying them? Check out my Living section for more Don’t Buy It Make It ideas — from homemade body scrubs to DIY cleaning products that save real money!
