These days, a lot of people are switching to eco-friendly detergents that promise to not just clean your dishes as well as toxic, chemical-laden ones do, but also won’t irritate your skin or clog your septic system. And you can slice your detergent costs in the process.
Even those of us who aren’t big on cleaning our homes with nontoxic stuff prefer eco-friendly over harsh chemical dishwasher detergents for a couple reasons:
- They often clean more effectively than mainstream detergents.
- They’re cheaper than mainstream brands.
And naturally, there’s nothing toxic to get on our hands. But as often happens with such things, you end up paying a premium price for eco-friendly brands or have to cut back on your use of them – and then they don’t last as long. Today, we’ll be looking at good brands of eco-friendly dishwasher detergents.
When you shop around, one of the best brands you can find is Planet Friendly. It doesn’t use harsh chemicals such as phosphates, dyes or toxic chemicals like chlorine bleach. It also doesn’t harm your health with nasty dyes, perfumes or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
Not only that, but the company actually tests its products to make sure they do what they promise on the label.
The Best Organic Dishwasher Detergents
NELLIE’S Dishwasher Powder, 726 GR
This pink powder detergent is a combination of 100% organic fabric softener and bleach-free enzymes that clean better than regular detergents. It does not leave behind any residue or hard-water spots on dishes, glassware or other surfaces. It’s the perfect natural choice for a family that wants to save money by switching to a safer detergent.
It’s safe for septic systems and simple to use. You can also choose from lots of lotions or gel versions that work like hand soap to clean dishes while making you smell great.
Better Life Natural Dishwasher Gel Detergent
This brand is natural and the least expensive of the organic dishwasher detergents. It uses a blend of organic aloe vera and citrus extracts that work together to clean dishes well while leaving them sparkling clean.
It’s safe for your septic system, too. There’s no phosphates, dyes or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in it. The company doesn’t use harsh chemicals in its products, meaning you get fewer clogs and other problems with your septic system.
Puracy Dishwasher Pods
These organic dishwasher pods are safe for your septic system. They use a blend of three natural fruit enzymes to help your dishes come out spot-free, leaving no residue behind. It also uses sodium citrate, which is a chemical-free alternative to phosphates.
This brand doesn’t have the number one spot in this category, but it’s still a good choice for those who want an eco-friendly detergent that works as well as the best marketing claims can make it out to be. It uses natural coconut oil, olive oil and salt to clean dishes evenly and leave them sparkling clean.
It won’t harm you or your septic system either.
Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets, Citrus
Ecover dishwasher detergent tablets are one of the best brands for cleaning dishes naturally. It uses citric acid, which is a natural source of enzymes that clean your dishes without drying them out or leaving behind stains.
It’s also eco-friendly and budget-friendly. You don’t have to use a lot, so this bottle lasts a really long time.
What is the most environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent?
There are several eco-friendly brands that work as well as mainstream brands and have a better environmental impact. Among them, we have the following:
Bona
This eco-friendly organic dishwasher detergent is made in the USA and uses no phosphates or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are toxic chemicals used to make other products go further. It’s also safe for septic systems and friendly for your family, especially children. The company uses all-natural ingredients such as coconut oil, sodium citrate and aloe vera that work well on dishes without irritating your hands, skin or causing any problems with your septic system.
What is a good alternative to dishwasher detergent?
There are many natural alternatives to dishwasher detergent. Among them, these are some of the best:
Alum-free dishwasher gel and powder
This is a very effective alternative to conventional dishwasher detergent as it cleans dishes well without damaging them or irritating your skin. It uses citric acid and other ingredients that gently clean your dishes, leaving no residue behind.
It’s safe for septic systems and for your family. It doesn’t use phosphates or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) that can irritate your skin or contaminate the environment with toxic chemicals. You can also use it as hand soap to keep germs away from you, too.
Why cant you use Dawn in a dishwasher?
Dawn dishwashing liquid is pretty popular with many people, but it’s actually not good for use in dishwashers. That’s because it has a grease-cutting formula that can clog your dishwasher, leaving residue on your dishes. The soap also leaves a protective film on the dishes that can cause them to appear dirty even after you’ve washed them. Dawn isn’t too bad for hand-washing your dishes, however.
Is there a gentle dishwasher detergent?
You want one that’s gentle on your hands and leaves no residue behind, right? Pert Plus dishwasher detergent is a good choice when you’re looking for a gentle, nontoxic dishwashing detergent. It’s biodegradable and gentle on your skin and septic system. It also won’t damage your dishes with chemicals or bleach.