I really like this stuff and it is way less expensive than store-bought. I just fill up my soap diepensers with it. If I have something really dried on I sometimes add a squirt of dish soap to the bottom.

You can use citric acid ( Fresh fruit or Vitamin C powder) I like to use the lemon Kool-Aid it is a little cheaper and I think it works better. 

You can also make your own washing  soda to cut the cost down See how-to here

I also usually double the recipe since I have to run the dishwasher almost every day. I do know it would be cheaper to wash by hand and I have tried that but my time is also worth something. And it seemed all I was doing was washing dishes.

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

½ cup  salt

5 packets unsweetened lemonade mix

Just mix all together.

Let me know hat you think.