Choosing eco-friendly dishwashing soap, dishwasher detergent, and biodegradable tools decreases your exposure to toxic chemicals while protecting ecosystems from runoff and reducing plastic waste. Making small changes to your dishwashing habits can conserve on water, too.

Non-toxic dish soap

Go Green: Plastic-free dish soap

Solid dish soap bar

• Meliora Dish Soap Bar ($10.99) – Vegetable soap bar available either unscented or with a lemon scent. MADE SAFE and Leaping Bunny certified. Packaged in a paperboard box. Also available at Grove
• Grove All-Purpose Hand & Dish Bar Soap ($4.99)- Ginger lime natural fragrance made from essential oils and plant-derived ingredients, and made without parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, or synthetic ingredients. Packaged in an FSC-certified paper box.
• No Tox Life Vegan Dish Block ($9.98) – Palm oil-free, vegan, and zero waste. Sulfate-free and Paraben-free. Free of plastic, harsh detergents, toxic preservatives, or synthetic fragrances. Also available at ZeroWasteStore / EarthHero

Liquid dish soap

• Grove Dish Soap Refill ($5.49) – 16-ounce refills come in a recyclable aluminum bottle. Soap is made with 98% plant-based ingredients, free of additives like triclosan, parabens, phthalates, phosphates, and dyes.
• Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap Refill ($16.49) – A 32-ounce FSC-certified paperboard refill carton uses 82% less plastic than their plastic bottles. This castile soap is made from plant-based oils (some of which are fair trade certified) and contains no synthetic detergents or foaming agents. For handwashing dishes, Dr. Bronner’s suggests pre-diluting 1 part soap with 10 parts water, or adding 1-2 Tbsp. (15-30 mL) to a large sink of water. EWG verified, Leaping Bunny certified, Certified Vegan, Non-GMO. Also available at Grove / Target / Amazon
• Branch Basics The Concentrate – ($55) Like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, The Concentrate can be used to clean just about anything. For dishes, add about 1 tsp to hot water. This concentrate is made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, and is fragrance-free and biodegradable. MADE SAFE certified and receives an ‘A’ Grade from EWG. Unfortunately, the concentrate comes in a plastic bottle, but with its clean ingredients, versatility, and ability to make 13 cleaner refills in a 16-ounce spray bottle, this cleaner gets a plastic pass.

Dishwashing powder

• Blueland Dish Soap Refills ($12) – Pour the powder onto a sponge or dish, add water, and squeeze to create a thick foam. Made without dyes, fragrances, parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle Certified, Leaping Bunny, EWG verified. Packaged in a compostable pouch. You can also purchase a dish soap starter set that comes with a refillable shaker bottle.

Dish soap dispenser

Complement your plastic-free dish soap refills with an attractive refillable dispenser.

• Grove Refillable Dish Soap Dispenser ($13.99) – Crafted from partially recycled glass with a protective silicone sleeve. Stainless steel pump.

Cookware cleaner

Non-toxic dishwasher detergent

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading consumer watchdog, evaluates household products for safety and environmental impact. Out of 325 dishwasher detergents they reviewed, only 135 were rated as low concern for health and the environment. That means many popular brands could be leaving behind more than just a sparkling finish—they might also be exposing your home to harmful chemicals. These substances may not be completely rinsed off in your dishwasher, and you may be ingesting the residues with your food. Over time, this repeated exposure—though subtle—can build up in the body and potentially contribute to health issues. In addition, many of these chemicals are known to pollute waterways, causing harm to the environment and aquatic life.

Chemicals of concern in dishwasher detergent include:

• Phosphates
• Phthalates
• Formaldehyde
• Sulfates
• Ethanolamines
• Chorine
• Ethoxylated ingredients
• Synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Go Green: Skip dishwasher detergent pods and sheets

Dishwasher (and laundry) detergent pods and sheets are frequently marketed as eco-friendly options. But this isn’t exactly true.

Detergent pods are encased in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a clear plastic-like substance, which is also an ingredient in detergent sheets. PVA (also known as PVOH) is a petroleum-based synthetic polymer, which alone is a consideration.

Whether PVA is biodegradable, as numerous companies claim, is hotly debated. While PVA is water soluble, some research like this Arizona State University study, say otherwise. Their findings indicated that PVA only breaks down into tiny microplastics, contributing to plastic pollution.

Other studies found that PVA is not filtered out by wastewater treatments, and is biodegradable only under specific conditions and not in nature.

The Washington Post explores this controversy if you wish to learn more. For me, it comes down to this: PVA is based on petrochemicals, which alone have a negative environmental impact. I don’t want to use them if I don’t have to, and in detergent, PVA is an unnecessary ingredient used solely for convenience. Since debate remains on biodegradability, I’d rather err on the side of caution. And there are more than enough eco-friendly, plastic-free laundry detergents to choose from.

Dishwasher Tablets

• Blueland Dishwasher Tablets are a great non-toxic detergent, free of dyes, fragrances, or toxic ingredients. EWG verified, EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle Certified, and Leaping Bunny certified. Purchase the dishwasher detergent starter set for $25, which includes a tin to hold subsequent tablet refills that come in a compostable paper pouch printed with water based inks. Or simply buy the refill and use an empty container you already have. Price: $21 for 60 tabs; $0.35/load. Save 10% with subscription or bulk order.
• Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets ($15 for 40 tabs; $0.38/load) are another fantastic dishwasher detergent option. They are non-GMO plant and mineral-based, 100% biodegradable, and free from dyes, fragrances, phosphates, or chlorine. Products are EWG and MADE SAFE verified, Leaping Bunny certified. Price: $15 for 40 tabs; $0.38/load. Save 10% with subscription. The only downside to these tablets is they are packaged in a plastic pouch.

Dishwasher Powder

• Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Powder Free & Clear formula is a USDA Certified Biobased that uses plant-based enzymes. Receives an ‘A’ rating from EWG. Price: A 45-ounce FSC-certified paperboard box is $5.99 ($0.13/ounce) at Target ; 75 ounces for $8.99 ($0.12/ounce) at Grove.
• Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Dishwasher Detergent is another formula free of dyes and fragrance that is a USDA Certified Biobased product and is also Green Seal certified. This powder comes in a cardboard container with a cute wooden scoop. Price: $20 for 16.8 ounces, which is $0.42 per load. Save 10% with subscription. Also available at Grove / Amazon
• Mama Suds Automatic Dishwasher Powder is handmade with simple ingredients: non-GMO citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium percarbonate, and sodium carbonate. This product receives an ‘A’ grade from the EWG, and is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and certified vegan by PETA. The seller recognizes that water quality can greatly influence the effectiveness of this product, and offers a 5-ounce refundable sample bag for $5 so you can try it out before buying. Price: $23 for 30 ounces ($0.76/ounce), each paper pouch averages 60-90 loads, depending on usage, which equals $0.26 to $0.38 per load. Save 15% with subscription.

Check out my blog post for more info on the best non-toxic dishwasher detergents.

Natural dishwasher rinse aid

Rinse aids may contain the same toxic ingredients that are a concern in dishwasher detergent, but rinse aids pose an even greater risk for direct exposure because their residue remains on dishes and is not fully washed away. Avoid these ingredients, instead choosing plant-based, fragrance-free, and biodegradable rinse aids.

Go Green: Plant-based rinse aid

• Seventh Generation Rinse Aid – Fragrance-free, USDA Certified Biobased, Leaping Bunny certified. Available at Grove / Whole Foods
• Ecos Plant-Powered Rinse Aid – Vegan, EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny certified, made in the USA with 100% renewable energy; women-owned company. Also available at Amazon

There are several household items you can use as inexpensive, non-toxic alternatives to commercial rinse aids.

• Vinegar – While this is my preferred choice for cleaning my dishwasher, sources say the acidity might be too much for rubber gaskets and other dishwasher parts.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – Regular 3% hydrogen peroxide has mild antibacterial properties and can safely be used in the rinse aid dispenser.
• Citric Acid – Add one tablespoon of citric acid powder to either the extra detergent dispenser or toss directly on the bottom of the dishwasher.

Learn more about these methods from The Spruce.

How to clean a dishwasher naturally

Dishwasher cleaner

Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner is the top pick for the best dishwasher cleaner tablets. It is an EPA Safer Choice product, and comes in a paperboard box, but each tablet is individually wrapped in plastic.

My preferred method is to clean my dishwasher with vinegar. I fill a glass liquid measuring cup with regular distilled vinegar, set in on a rack, and run a cycle. This DIY dishwasher cleaner leaves the interior of my dishwasher sparkling clean and without any odors, is very inexpensive, and involves minimal packaging.

Garbage disposal cleaner

Of all the disposal cleaner pods and tablets, Affresh Disposal Cleaner is arguably the best option, as it is EPA Safer Choice certified and the other choices have ingredients such as PVA or synthetic dyes. However, it does contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and like the dishwasher cleaner, the tablets are individually packaged.

How to clean garbage disposal naturally

I recently had to replace my garbage disposal, and when I asked the technician what he thought the best disposal cleaner was, he suggested to simply fill the with ice cubes and run. You can pour dish soap over them if you would like.

Consumer Reports gives the following disposal cleaning instructions:

1. With the disposal and faucet turned off, put six ice cubes in the chamber followed by 1 tablespoon of baking soda, three thin lemon slices, and 1 teaspoon of bleach. Top it all off with six more ice cubes.
2. Turn the disposal on without running water until you hear the grinding stop.
3. With the motor still running, flush with cold water for 30 seconds.

Another natural disposal cleaning option is to mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.

Plastic-free dishwashing tools

Nearly all dishwashing tools—sponges, scrubbers, brushes, and gloves—are made entirely of plastic. From nylon bristles to PVC gloves, the materials we rely on for cleaning shed microplastics into our homes and wastewater. They also contribute to plastic waste, especially since they require frequent replacement. Fortunately, numerous quality plastic-free alternatives are available, which are biodegradable and compostable, allowing you to keep your kitchen clean without adding to plastic pollution.

Go Green: Natural, biodegradable tools

Bottle brush

A similar vegan alternative is the CASA AGAVE Long Handle Sphere Dish Brush from No Tox Life. For $16.96 you get two brushes with bamboo handles and agave bristles.

Other great choices include:

• Zefiro Bamboo Bottle Brush ($6.50) – Has a bamboo handle with coconut fiber bristles. Note that this brush has a shorter handle, making it less ideal for tall bottles.
• Package Free Sustainable Bottle Cleaning Brush ($12) – Beechwood handle and coconut fiber bristles.

Straw cleaning brush

• EcoRoots Straw Cleaning Brush ($2.75) – Recyclable stainless steel handle and compostable coconut bristle brush.
• Brush with Bamboo Agave Fiber Drinking Straw Cleaners ($20 for a 5-pack) – agave fiber and steel steel handle

Dish brush

Scouring pads & dish scrubbers

Dish sponges

Most cleaning sponges and scouring pads found in stores are made of plastic. Instead, purchase biodegradable sponges made from 100% plant-based materials such as cellulose, walnut, or coconut coir. Avoid antibacterial sponges, as they have likely been treated with triclosan, one of the toxic chemicals found in antibacterial soaps.

Sponge reuse ideas

I cringe when I think of repurposing a gamey old sponge, but here are some ideas on what to do with old sponges for the more brave souls. There’s a couple interesting ones worth trying.

Are sponges recyclable?

No, whether made from synthetic or natural materials, sponges are not recyclable.

However, eco-friendly sponges composed of 100% cellulose, cotton, or other natural fibers are compostable when worn out. Discard regular synthetic sponges in the trash.

Swedish dishcloths

I have become a big fan of Swedish dishcloths–essentially compostable sponge cleaning cloths. Swedish dishcloths tend to harbor fewer germs than traditional sponges, primarily because they dry quickly and don’t retain as much moisture. Bacteria thrive in damp environments, so sponges—which stay wet for long periods and have deep pores that trap food particles—create an ideal breeding ground.

These versatile cloths have multiple uses: they can serve as a kitchen sponge, paper towel, and dishrag. They can be laundered in the washing machine or dishwasher. And best of all: they are made with natural cellulose and cotton which can be composted when they reach the end of their life. What’s not to love?

My favorites include:

• Grove Swedish Dishcloths ($9.49 for 2)
• Swedish Wholesale Store: available on Target, Amazon ($17.85 for 10), Walmart
• Papaya Reusables. Besides coming in tons of super cute designs, these cloths have a little hole in one corner for hanging from a hook, which can be purchased. A pack of two plus a hook is $18. Also available at Whole Foods.

Pot scrapers

Eco-friendly dishwashing gloves

If you have a latex allergy, nitrile dishwashing gloves are likely the best option. While these are still a synthetic material, and therefore not biodegradable, they are non-toxic and a more eco-friendly alternative to vinyl gloves. I had a hard time finding 100% nitrile gloves meant for household cleaning and not single-use. The only option I have found is the HDX Green 11mil Reusable Nitrile Glove ($2.98) at Home Depot.

Silicone gloves are another latex-free option, and while they are not biodegradable, they do not create microplastics. Try Norpro Silicone Cleaning Gloves ($4.95). Made with FDA-certified silicone, the palms of these gloves are covered in bristles so you can actually use the gloves themselves to scrub your dishes. Also available at Target.

Dish drying rack

Go Green: Plastic-free drying rack

Seek dish drying racks made from stainless steel or bamboo.

• iDesign Bamboo Folding Collapsible Dish Drying Rack ($37.99)
• IKEA ORDNING Dish Drainer ($34.99) – This large dish rack is made from stainless steel and can hold 29 plates.
• The Sur La Table Over-the-Sink Drying Rack ($29.95) is a nice option, constructed of stainless steel and silicone. It can be rolled up when not in use and can also serve as a colander or trivet.

Bottle drying rack

Bottle drying racks are also great for drying your reusable sandwich bags.

• Grove Multi-Purpose Drying Rack ($15.49) – Collapsible rack made from stainless steel with silicone tips and suction cups on the base.
• Zefiro Bamboo Drying Rack ($7-$9) – A simple peg design can be used for bottles, plates, or cups. Also available at: EarthHero / ZeroWasteStore

Save resources with better dishwashing habits

To rinse or not to rinse: What should be done with dishware before washing it in a dishwasher?

Save water and energy by skipping pre-rinsing dishes whenever possible. Instead, scrape leftover food into the garbage or disposal, then place dishes right into the dishwasher. Experts, such as Consumer Reports, all point out that modern dishwashers should be able to get dishes clean without pre-rinsing, but of course some dishwashers perform better than others, so use your judgement.

Other efficient dishwashing habits to adopt include:

• Use your dishwasher instead of handwashing: studies show that using a dishwasher uses much less water per load.
• Don’t run your dishwasher half full. It takes the same amount of energy either way, so wait until you have a full load.
• Learn how to load your dishwasher properly to maximize cleaning, and refer to your dishwasher’s manual for specific information for your model.
• Don’t wash plastic items in the dishwasher. As with microwaving plastic, the heat of a dishwasher causes plastic to break down more quickly, releasing chemicals and microplastics into wastewater. The tiny particles are often too small to be filtered out by treatment plants before ending up in bodies of water. Work towards replacing plasticware in your kitchen as much as you can.
• Don’t keep the tap running while doing dishes or cleaning.
• When it’s time to replace old appliances or plumbing fixtures, upgrade to newer water or energy efficient models when possible. Learn more about to save money and resources with energy efficient appliances.

Learn more about non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products and get recommendations here.