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Out of dishwasher detergent? Use this tip

This easy dishwasher detergent replacement gets the job done.

Alina Bradford CNET Contributor
Alina Bradford has been writing how-tos, tech articles and more for almost two decades. She currently writes for CNET's Smart Home Section, MTVNews' tech section and for Live Science's reference section. Follow her on Twitter.
Alina Bradford
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This quick and easy detergent alternative gets your dishes squeaky clean.

Alina Bradford/CNET

If you have a pile of dishes and are fresh out of dishwashing tabs, don't worry. There's no need to change out of your pajamas and head to the store. Chances are you already have all you need to make a good alternative.

Just put three drops of liquid dishwashing soap (Dawn, Palmolive, Fairy, that kind of thing) in the soap slot of your dishwasher. Then, fill the slot the rest of the way with baking soda and close it. Your dishes will come out just as clean as if you used a dishwasher tab.

Don't worry about a mountain of suds bursting forth from your dishwasher, either. I tried this tip on multiple loads and my floor stayed perfectly dry.

If you also need to do a load of laundry, but are out of laundry detergent too, there's a quick alternative to laundry detergent, as well.

30 spring cleaning tricks you'll wish you'd known all along

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