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If you’re doing an eco-friendly edit of your kitchen, you may be wondering about switching to a natural dish soap for washing dishes both by hand and in the dishwasher. There are a lot of safe, plant-derived dish soaps on the market today for people looking for a more eco-friendly option to wash their dishes.
Note that a lot of these may not be the brands you expect (you won’t see Mrs. Meyers or Seventh Generation on this list, for instance). There’s a good reason for that.
Although these brands are marketed as all natural and safe, they actually contain some ingredients like synthetic preservatives which can cause allergic reactions and irritations in people who are sensitive to them. If you want a fully plant-derived and non-toxic dish soap, you’re better off with another, truly all natural brand.
Reasons to Use Natural Dish Soap
There are several compelling reasons why opting for all-natural dish soap is a good idea:
- Health: Natural dish soaps are made from non-toxic ingredients that are not harmful to human health or irritate sensitive skin. They do not contain synthetic chemicals such as triclosan, parabens, and phosphates that are found in conventional dish soaps and have been linked to various health problems.
- The environment: Conventional dish soaps contain harmful chemicals that can harm aquatic life when they enter the water system. Natural dish soaps are biodegradable and made from renewable resources, which makes them less harmful to the environment.
- Sustainability: Natural dish soaps are often made from plant-based ingredients that are grown sustainably. This reduces the amount of energy required to produce the soap and minimizes the impact on the environment.
- Allergies: Some people are allergic to the fragrances and chemicals used in conventional dish soaps. Natural dish soaps are often fragrance-free and made from gentle ingredients that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
9 Best Natural Dish Soaps for Hand Washing Dishes
For our favorite natural dish soaps, we’re sticking to entirely natural and non-toxic dish soaps that don’t have concerning ingredients found in conventional dish detergents.
1. Meliora Dish Soap for Hand Washing ($14)
Meliora Dish Soap for Hand Washing is a plant-based natural dish soap that effectively cleans dishes while being gentle on your hands. Unlike some conventional dish soaps, it does not contain harsh chemicals that can harm the environment or irritate your skin. It’s made primarily of vegetable soap, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and lemon peel oil.
A little goes a long way with this dish soap bar. You’ll also want to get a soap container or dish, plus a long handled or short handled bamboo brush, to create the suds you need to do your dishes.
2. 9 Elements Liquid Dish Soap ($8)
9 Elements Liquid Dish Soap is a natural, plant-based cleaning solution that effectively removes grease and grime from dishes. It’s made with hypoallergenic ingredients that are safe for those with sensitive skin or allergies, and is free from harmful chemicals such as SLS and SLES.
This liquid dish soap is eco-friendly and comes in a convenient, easy-to-use bottle with various scent options.
3. Attitude Liquid Dish Detergent ($8)
Attitude Liquid Dish Detergent is an EWG verified plant-based cleaning solution that effectively removes grease and grime from dishes without leaving any toxic residue. It’s made with natural, hypoallergenic ingredients, making it safe for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
This liquid dish detergent is also eco-friendly, as it’s made with renewable and biodegradable resources, and is free from harmful chemicals such as SLS, SLES, and parabens. Attitude also makes an excellent non-toxic cleaning spray.
4. AspenClean Dish Soap ($12)
AspenClean’s EWG-verified dish soap comes in three scent options: unscented, lavender-lemongrass, and eucalyptus-rosemary. It’s a top quality liquid dish soap made with organic ingredients.
It’s gentle and hypoallergenic, making it safe for babies, pets, and those with sensitive skin or allergies. Plus, this fragrance-free formula effectively cuts through grease, leaving dishes sparkling clean without any toxic residue.
AspenClean Dish Soap is highly concentrated and readily biodegradable, making it safe for septic systems. Plus, it’s EWG verified, Ecocert, and vegan, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. It’s also the perfect dish soap for washing baby bottles.
5. Blueland Powder Dish Soap ($18)
This environmentally friendly dish soap comes in a powder form that, when mixed with water and applied to a wet sponge, creates a thick foam that efficiently cleans your dishes. With your first purchase, you’ll receive a durable silicone shaker that is designed to last and eliminates the need for frequent replacement.
6. Branch Basics The Concentrate ($55)
If you’re balking at the idea of spending $55 on a dish soap, we hear you! However, this concentrate goes a looong way. One bottle will fill an estimated twelve cleaning bottles worth of dish and cleaning soap, plus 64 loads of laundry.
So if you add up how much twelve bottles of surface cleaner plus dish soap and a bottle of laundry detergent would cost you all together — and think about how much plastic that would be adding to the environment — the numbers and the eco-friendliness do seem to come out in favor of going with The Concentrate.
Branch Basics concentrate is a safe, effective, and sustainable cleaning solution that replaces all toxic cleaning products in your home. Its plant and mineral-based formula is gentle on skin yet cuts through grease and grime, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or environmental concerns.
Diluted with water, it can be used for laundry, dishes, floors, and surfaces, and is free from harmful chemicals and fragrances. It comes in a compact bottle and can be used in different ratios for various cleaning tasks.
You can also buy several different starter sets, with reusable bottles labeled for different cleaning purposes, to suit your needs. Over the long term, this is one of the more eco-friendly options for dish (and other) soaps.
7. Carolina Castile Soap ($19)
Carolina Castile Dish Soap is an EWG verified, plant-based cleaning solution that effectively removes dirt, grime, and grease from dishes. It is free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives and is gentle on your hands.
This dish soap is made with all natural and organic ingredients and is biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly option. It can also be used for a variety of household cleaning tasks, including washing produce and cleaning floors.
We like that this soap is made of olive oil, kukui nut oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. Consumers use it for more than just dishes. It can also clean laundry, surfaces, and can even be safely used for bathing!
8. Eco Me Dish Soap ($15)
This natural dish soap is a powerful plant-based cleaning solution that effectively removes dirt, grease, and grime from dishes, leaving them sparkling clean without any residue. Its natural plant extracts and soap formula make it safer for your family and gentle on your hands.
This dish soap is free from sulfates, perfumes, dyes, and harsh preservatives and is made with natural ingredients. It’s perfect for worry-free cleaning of glasses, silverware, baby bottles, and countertops, and can tackle caked-on food and greasy pots and pans. Plus, it’s made in the USA and has not been tested on animals.
9. Sonet Dishwashing Liquid
Sonett Dishwashing Liquid is a fully biodegradable, plant-based cleaning solution that effectively removes grease and grime from your dishes. The liquid is made from all non-toxic ingredients and is free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
It smells like lemongrass, and its surfactants are derived from vegetables. Plus, it works really well at getting your dishes clean.
5 Best Natural Dish Soap Pods for Dishwashers
Here are some of the best natural detergents for popping in your dishwasher.
1. AspenClean Dishwasher Pods ($18)
AspenClean Dishwasher Pods are a natural and effective cleaning option for your dishes. These pods are made with plant-based ingredients and are free from synthetic fragrances, harsh chemicals, and phosphates.
They come in compact and eco-friendly packaging, making them a convenient and sustainable choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact.
2. Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablets ($37 for 120 pods)
Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tables are a sustainable and effective cleaning solution for your dishes. Made from non-toxic ingredients, these tablets are free of harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
These tablets are conveniently packaged in a compact and eco-friendly container, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact.
3. Puracy Dishwasher Detergent Packs ($20 for 50 pods)
Puracy Natural Dishwasher Detergent Packs are a plant-based and biodegradable dishwasher detergent option that effectively cleans dishes while also being gentle on the environment.
These packs are low-sudsing, pre-measured, and free from harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and dyes. They are easy to use, cruelty-free, vegan, and come in a recyclable pouch. These work super well to clean dishes, even in high efficiency dishwashers.
4. Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets ($15 for 40 pods)
These Branch Basics tabs are 100% biodegradable and made to remove tough grease and sticky messes. Each tablet is PVA-free and designed to fit all dishwashers. Each refill comes with 40 tablets.
5. Defunkify Dishwasher Detergent Packets ($37 for 47 pods)
Defunkify dishwasher packets are EWG verified, plant-based cleaning pods that are unscented and free of harmful chemicals and fragrances. They provide a convenient, effective, and eco-friendly solution for cleaning dishes without compromising on performance.
Load Up on All-Natural Dish Soap for a Cleaner Kitchen
So, there you have it folks — when it comes to keeping your dishes sparkling clean, there’s no need to rely on harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. With all of the amazing all-natural dish soaps and dishwasher detergents on the market, it’s easy to switch to a safer and more eco-friendly option that still gets the job done.
So, let’s raise a glass (or a dish) to cleaner dishes and a cleaner planet – because when it comes to dishwashing, natural really is the way to go.
If you’re also on the lookout for non-toxic hand soaps, check out our guide to help you choose the best one.
