With harsh chemicals causing environmental damage, we need functional natural alternatives. So, here’s our list of the best natural dishwasher detergents to help you choose. They are fragrance-free and biodegradable, feature enzymes and surfactants, and clean dishes and utensils effectively. Natural detergents also decrease toxins and chemicals present in your home.
Paula Tarling, an experienced domestic cleaner and influencer, says, “Eco-friendly detergents just keep getting better with technology. They are better for the environment as they are made with natural ingredients, and their cleaning power is just as effective as chemical products.”
So, take a step towards a greener tomorrow by opting for tried-and-tested natural dishwasher detergents listed below.
Top Picks
9 Best Natural Dishwasher Detergents
1. Best Smelling:Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergents Packs
Seventh Generation’s dishwasher detergent is an enzyme-rich formula that can cut through tough food residue and grease to clean the dishes. It is free of harmful chemicals, including chlorine bleach, phosphates, dyes, and artificial fragrances. The detergent has 78% USDA-certified, bio-based ingredients. It comes in resealable test pouches, making it easy for us. Check out the tester’s experience in this video review to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Scent made from essential oils
- No pre-rinse required
- Convenient single-use dishwashing pod
- Streak-free cleaning performance
- U.S. EPA Safer Choice-certified
Cons
- May take time to dissolve
Did you know?2. Best EPA Safer:Lemi Shine – Shine + Dry Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid
The detergent by Lemi Shine can help eradicate residuals and hard water deposits, such as rust, lime, calcium, and iron. Unlike chemical-heavy traditional dishwasher detergents, this one has natural citric acid that contains natural active ingredients. Made for all types of water, this detergent makes your utensils sparkle. It is concentrated, so you don’t have to run it through a heated, dry cycle. This video review can give you more information about the product.
Pros
- EPA Safer Choice-certified
- Septic system-safe
- Fresh lemony scent
- Free of harmful chemicals and toxins
Cons
- May leave spots
3. Best Cruelty-Free:Better Life Natural Dishwasher Gel Detergent
Better Life’s gel grease-fighting detergent has plant-based cleaning ingredients, including coconut, corn, and soap bark. It is ideal for pans, pots, utensils, glasses, and dishes. You can use this ultra-concentrated dishwasher detergent to tackle stubborn grime and stuck-on food and leave your dishes smelling fresh and sparkling clean.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Bleach-free
- Unscented
- Non-toxic ingredients
Cons
- May leave a residue after wash
Best Smelling | Best EPA Safer | Best Cruelty-Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergents Packs | Lemi Shine – Shine + Dry Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid | Better Life Natural Dishwasher Gel Detergent | |
| Dimensions | 9.19 x 8.19 x 4.63 inches | 6 x 2.7 x 6.6 inches | 5.5 x 3.75 x 10.25 inches |
| Weight | 4.04 Pounds | 0.01 Ounces | 4.36 Pounds. |
| Rating* | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Reviews | 7,710 | 3,077 | 2,493 |
| Price | $29.74 | $17.69 | $12.02 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Eco-Friendly:Nature Clean Natural Dishwasher Pods
The plant-based dishwasher pod doesn’t require any pre-soaking. It helps remove stains, grease, and baked-on food, leaving you with clean and stain-free dishes. This eco-friendly dishwasher detergent is devoid of harmful dyes, perfumes, sulfates, phosphates, and chlorine. It is hypoallergenic, vegan, biodegradable, and gluten-free.
Pros
- Septic tank-safe
- Naturally-derived and eco-friendly
- Wrapped in water-soluble film
- Not tested on animals
- Ecologo-certified
Cons
- May not clean silverware adequately
5. Best Chlorine-Free:If You Care Dishwasher Tablets
With an effective mixture of minerals and plant-derived ingredients, such as rapeseed and coconut, this dishwasher is available in the form of tablets. It is a powerful enzyme-based dishwasher detergent that can offer you clean and shining dishes. The tablets undergo a stringent process to ensure they are non-toxic and dissolve quickly in water. They come wrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, which is water-soluble, so you don’t have to unwrap them. These are free of chlorine and phosphates to give you a natural experience.
Pros
- Can reduce emissions
- Biodegradable and non-toxic
- Concentrated
- Chlorine-free
- Green seal-certified
Cons
- May leave a white residue
6. Best Fragrance-Free: Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablet
Remove grease and stains from the dishes with the Blueland stain-removing dishwasher detergent tablets. These are also fragrance-free dishwasher detergent tablets, free of bleach, artificial dyes, petroleum-based ingredients, and other harsh chemicals. Instead, they are infused with plant-based ingredients and bio-based powders for effective cleaning performance. Moreover, these dishwashing tablets have no plastic enclosure, making them easy to use.
Pros
- EPA Safer Choice-certified
- EWG-verified
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for glass, porcelain, steel, and plastic utensils
Cons
- May not work well with hard water
- May not remove tough stains
Quick tip7. Best Phosphate-Free:Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Powder
Keep your utensils and dinnerware clean and shiny with the Ecover automatic dishwasher detergent. This formula contains plant-based ingredients and is suitable for removing tough stains and dried food from textured dishes. The phosphate-free dishwasher detergent powder leaves no chemical residue behind and is free of artificial fragrance, making it suitable for those with allergies.
Pros
- Septic tank-safe
- Biodegradable formula
- Fish-friendly
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to use
Cons
- May take time to dissolve
8. Best Plant-Based: Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder
Make your dirty dishes clean and spotless with Nellie’s dishwasher powder. The phosphate-free, septic-safe, and biodegradable formula eliminates food particles, grease, and stains from your utensils. This powder only needs to be mixed with hot water at 60℃ to 70℃ to work its magic. One tablespoon of this plant-based washing powder is potent enough to clean an average load of dishes, making each pack last long.
Pros
- Has a pleasant scent
- Sufficient quantity
- Comes in recyclable packaging
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting pack
Cons
- Might leave a cloudy film on glassware
- May not be suitable for larger utensils
9. Best Hypoallergenic:Puracy Dishwasher Detergent Packs
Image: Puracy With plant-derived enzymes, these Puracy dishwasher detergent pods help target and remove stubborn stains and foods without pre-rinse or pre-soak. The formula ensures your utensils are rinse-free, clean, and spotless. These pods can help clean dishes, baby bottles, pots, pans, and more.
Pros
- Free of harsh ingredients
- Not tested on animals
- Hypoallergenic
- Suits dishwasher-safe items
Cons
- May create excess suds
How To Choose The Right Natural Dishwasher Detergents?
If you are wondering how to choose the right natural dishwasher detergents, here are a few factors to consider.
- Type: Choose from gel-based detergents, powder, tablets, and single-load pods according to your requirement.
- Ingredients: Ensure your dishwasher detergent includes enzymes, surfactants, citric acid, and vinegar. Opt for paraben-free detergents and avoid ingredients such as chlorine, phosphates, dyes, sulfates, and phthalates that may cause an allergic reaction. You may choose mineral-based or plant-based ingredients and natural scrubbing agents.
- Fragrance: Choose natural dishwasher detergents free of artificial or synthetic fragrances. You can opt for those with natural fragrances for a pleasant experience.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Sakshi John is a product writer with expertise in kitchen products. Keeping your convenience and needs in mind, she has gone through numerous websites to bring you this list of the best natural dishwasher detergents in the market. These products are described in detail, and the required information is provided, including formulation, type, pros, and cons. Further, these natural dishwasher detergents are environment-friendly and gentle on your skin.
Eco-friendly products protect the environment and have a direct or indirect positive impact on your health. However, keep the points mentioned in this post in mind when purchasing one for your home to avoid purchasing the wrong product. Also, look through our list of the best natural dishwasher detergents to pick the ideal one for your kitchen. Also, refrain from selecting products that leave a white residue, whose pods can be stuck, may take a lot of time to dissolve, or those that cannot clean silverware efficiently.
Infographic: A Quick Guide To Using Dishwasher Detergent
While choosing a suitable dishwasher detergent to clean your utensils and cookware is important, you should also know its dos and don’ts for optimal results. So, check out the infographic below to learn more about using dishwasher detergents.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
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