Lavez les plats, séchez les plats, retournez les plats - { Wash the dishes, dry the dishes, turn the dishes over }

In order to add another little tick to my eco goals list and perhaps make washing up just that little bit more fun....(yeah, right!!!), I've started making my own washing up liquid. Packaged up in a glass bottle with a little pretty card label with the recipe on the back and tied with vintage ribbon it also makes a festive addition to the kitchen bench top.


It's seen us through quite a few weeks now and although it can make the glassware a little streaky at times I'm pretty happy with it (I just put a little hot water in the other sink to give glasses and cutlery a quick rinse...et voila!). The only unnerving quality is that it doesn't suds up! Word on the street (Random Scientific Facts Avenue to be precise) is that modern dishwashing liquids don't need to suds up in order to clean effectively but the manufacturers add a sudsing ingredient to keep us all happy! Apparently we'd all have conniptions if our soap wasn't putting on a razzle dazzle bubbly show. Are you sensing a flock of fluffy white sheep following each others' tails....baaaa!


The recipe for this understated performer (no frills, sequins, fripperies.....or bubbles required) is 3 tabs. liquid castille soap, 2 tsp. glycerine, 2 tabs. lemon juice/white vinegar (I prefer lemon juice), 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 2 cups of warm water.

Time will tell whether this recipe's a keeper ...have to weigh up if the sometimes slightly streaky glasses and scummy sink are too much of a bother...or am I simply a dishwashing liquid snob....or worse....a lazy bones! At the end of the day, it does do a fab job, smells scrummy and keeps the fishies and dolphins happy. C'est la vie!