Roll Your Own...Dishwasher Detergent

My daughter and her sister-in-law have a blog called Domestic Bliss, which is focused on very domestic activities...some of which are becoming increasingly important, as people with graduate degrees lose their jobs, and have to find ways to save money.  Their motto:

Two Sisters living in two States. Totally obsessed with anything and everything crafty, coffee, cooking and our adorable kids. Doing our best to create domestic bliss.

One of the recent posts is about how to make your own dishwasher detergent for a fraction of the cost of store-bought.  And homemade Gak for keeping your children amused at little cost.  Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.  It isn't exactly going John Galt, but for those who are doing so (voluntarily or otherwise), there are some useful tips!