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Clean Dishes, Clean Conscience: 16+ Non-Toxic Dish Soaps
Updated: 7 hours ago
Every time you wash your dishes, you might unknowingly be rinsing harmful chemicals into your home and down the drain. What if your everyday dish soap could do more—protect your health, care for the planet, and still tackle greasy messes like a pro? It's time to swap out conventional suds for non-toxic alternatives that clean effectively without compromise. Ready to discover the secret to healthier, greener dishwashing?
What Makes a Dish Soap Non-Toxic?
Not all dish soaps are created equal, and what you use to clean your plates can impact your health, home, and the planet. But what exactly makes a dish soap non-toxic? Here’s what to look for when making the switch to safer, eco-friendly options.
Ingredients to Avoid
Many conventional dish soaps rely on harsh chemicals that can harm both humans and the environment. These ingredients might make suds and grease-fighting power impressive, but at a cost. Watch out for:
Phosphates: Often used to enhance cleaning performance, phosphates can pollute waterways, causing algae blooms that harm aquatic life.
Sulfates (like SLS or SLES): These create the rich lather we associate with cleanliness but can irritate the skin and disrupt ecosystems.
Synthetic Fragrances: While they smell appealing, these can contain harmful phthalates and allergens that affect air quality and health.
Dyes and Preservatives: These unnecessary additives often bring more harm than good, contributing to water pollution and potential allergic reactions.
Triclosan: Once a popular antibacterial agent, this ingredient has been linked to hormone disruption and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Key Features of Non-Toxic Dish Soap
A truly non-toxic dish soap skips the harmful stuff and focuses on plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that are safe for your family and the planet. Here’s what to look for:
Biodegradability: Ingredients that break down naturally without harming ecosystems.
Plant-Based Formulas: Derived from renewable resources like coconut oil or corn, these are as effective as conventional options.
No Harsh Chemicals: Gentle on skin, non-toxic soaps clean effectively without exposing you to unnecessary risks.
Packaging Matters, Too
Non-toxic doesn’t stop at the formula. Look for options that embrace sustainable packaging:
Bar Dish Soap: An excellent zero-waste alternative that eliminates plastic altogether.
Refillable Containers: Reduce single-use plastics by opting for brands offering bulk refills or reusable bottles.
Compostable or Recyclable Materials: Ensure your packaging aligns with your sustainability goals.
Certifications to Trust
While not every non-toxic soap carries certifications, they can help identify truly sustainable products. Certifications like USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny, or ECOCERT ensure the soap has met rigorous standards for safety and sustainability.
Switching to a non-toxic dish soap isn’t just a small step for your kitchen—it’s a significant move toward a healthier home and a cleaner planet. Next, let’s explore the different types of non-toxic dish soap available and how to choose the one that fits your lifestyle.
Types of Non-Toxic Dish Soap
When it comes to choosing non-toxic dish soap, the options go far beyond the traditional plastic bottle. Today, eco-conscious consumers can find innovative solutions that combine effective cleaning with sustainability. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of non-toxic dish soap available, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Liquid Dish Soap
The most familiar form of dish soap, liquid versions remain a go-to choice for many households. Non-toxic liquid dish soaps are formulated with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that cut through grease without the harmful chemicals found in conventional brands. Look for options that are free from phosphates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances while delivering the same sparkling clean results. Many brands now offer refill stations or concentrated formulas to reduce waste and packaging.
Why choose liquid dish soap?
Easy to use and versatile.
Often available in bulk or refillable containers to reduce plastic waste.
Effective on everything from greasy pans to delicate glassware.
Bar Dish Soap
For those aiming to minimize plastic waste, bar dish soap offers an excellent alternative. These solid soap bars pack a punch when it comes to cleaning power, often outlasting their liquid counterparts. With minimal or compostable packaging, bar dish soaps are a favorite for zero-waste households. They’re also compact and ideal for small kitchens or outdoor adventures like camping.
Why choose bar dish soap?
Plastic-free and space-saving.
Long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent repurchasing.
Many options feature ultra-simple ingredient lists, making them gentle on skin and safe for the environment.
Dish Soap Alternatives
Innovative solutions like soap tablets, dishwashing powders, or concentrated refills are becoming increasingly popular. These alternatives are designed with sustainability in mind, often arriving in minimal packaging or in a format that requires less water during production. Simply mix concentrated refills with water at home to create your own liquid soap or use pre-portioned tablets for easy, mess-free cleaning.
Why choose dish soap alternatives?
Convenient and customizable options.
Reduce shipping weight and packaging waste.
Often designed to work with refillable dispensers, further cutting down on single-use plastics.
Choosing the right type of non-toxic dish soap depends on your personal preferences and commitment to reducing waste. Whether you stick with traditional liquid soap, make the switch to a bar, or experiment with alternatives, there’s a sustainable option out there for every household. In the next section, we’ll dive into some of the best brands to help you make the switch with confidence.
Packaging: -
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: No
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This award-winning dish soap will transform your kitchen. Cleansing bars have officially taken over in our bathroom and now it is time for the kitchen to join. This soap is made with sustainable soap bark and coconut-based cleansing agents so you can easily tackle the greasiest dishes, pots, pans, and glasses without destroying your hands or affecting our planet. It is so versatile, you can even use it beyond your kitchen. You can use this soap to wipe down countertops and tables, spot clean stained carpet and clothing, and even remove adhesive labels off glass jars. You can use this amazing bar anytime you have a dirty deed that needs tending.
Etee bar
Packaging: Cardboard with soy ink
How many per pack: 3
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: Canada
This plant-based zero-waste dish soap is highly concentrated meaning this 6oz bar will last you a long time. Etee is a Canadian-based company and its goal is to clean dishes without adding extra plastic waste to our environment. Using organic ingredients whenever possible this bar is very easy to use. Just wet your sponge, brush, or dishcloth and rub the bar to create a good lather, and you can clean your dishes. Their coconut and lemon scents make doing the dishes an amazing experience. Make sure you let your bar dry in between uses so you are sure it will last the longest.
Packaging: Pods
How many per pack: 3
Form: Liquid Concentrate
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: No (they use beeswax for the packaging)
Made in: Canada
If a soap bar is not for you, dissolvable dish soap is another great option. In this case, you simply empty the pod in 400ML of water creating a rather large amount of detergent that will last you a while. This zero-waste dish soap is completely plant-based and when you have diluted the contents of the pod you can use it like you would any other liquid dish soap. The pod is compostable even though it looks like plastic. Responsibly sourced beeswax is used to create these plastic-free pods. This small packaging reduces a lot of CO2 emissions as many liquid dish soaps are up to 90% water which is eliminated when you choose these pods and use tap water.
Packaging: Cardboard
How many per pack: 1
Form: Bar
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
These handmade soaps have locally sourced ingredients only and are 100% vegan with only natural ingredients. They make only small batches to ensure you always receive fresh soap when you order one. As some dish soaps can be quite harsh on your skin, this soap only has natural ingredients and they have added a decent dose of glycerine to the formula. Glycerine is known to be an ingredient that is very hydrating for the skin. However, don’t let its small size fool you, this dish soap bar is capable of cutting through the most stubborn grease and grime without leaving residue on the dishes after they are washed. This means you can safely use this zero-waste dish soap around your family.
Packaging: Glass
How many per pack: 1 Bottle good for 6 refills
Form: Liquid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: No (unscented)
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
The refillable dish spray from Dropps contains plant-based ingredients that cut through stuck-on food and grease to make sparkling clean dishes. This not only saves you tonnes of time while doing the dishes, but you also save lots of water because this zero-waste dish soap is so efficient at cleaning your pots and pans. The starter kit for this dish soap includes a refillable spray bottle but if you already have a spray bottle available, opt to go for the concentrated dish soap only. Just fill a spray bottle with water, add the concentrate, and shake it gently to combine and your dish soap is good to go.
Note that the unscented ones do not contain essential oils while the scented ones do. Whichever one you decide to go for, all are cruelty-free and biodegradable.
Packaging: Carton
How many per pack: 3
Form: Liquid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
Don’t let the shape of this container fool you, it may look like a carton of milk or juice but it is dishwashing soap. These recyclable cartons contain similar liquid dish soap as those plastic disposable bottles however, this one is much gentler on the skin with only biodegradable ingredients and a subtle scent. Just fill up your soap dispenser and use this zero-waste dish soap like you would any other dish soap. When the carton is empty, give it a quick rinse before you put it in the recycling bin. If your local recycling facility doesn’t accept these, they also have a take-back program for used containers. The cap to reseal the carton may look like plastic but it is also plant-based.
Packaging: Paper
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: South Korea
Safely wash your fruits, veggies, and even baby bottles with MamaForest Natural Dish bar. Lab-tested to be safe for skin and has proven to remove bacteria like E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Mamaforest' is a small zero-waste brand based in South Korea that uses natural ingredients only. This means that they don’t use surfactants but only choose ingredients that have proven to not leave residues on your pots and pans. This eco-friendly dish soap has a hint of a scent and quickly lathers up where it thoroughly and quickly cleans.
Packaging: Craft paper
How many per pack: 1 lb
Form: Powder
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: No
Vegan: No
Made in: USA
This dish soap powder is only 4 ingredients. For the most part is washing soda with a little kosher salt, non-GMO citric acid, and sodium borate. Just add one teaspoon to your dishwater and wash your dishes like you normally would. All ingredients used are 100% cruelty-free and free of synthetics, and no palm oil is used. Most of Butter Me Up Organics’ products are vegan except for a few lotions and bath products. For their packaging, they only use glass, tin, or paper-making your product as zero waste as possible. In the case of this zero-waste dish soap, craft paper is used which is completely compostable.
Packaging: Cardboard
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This zero-waste dish soap is great for people with dry or sensitive skin, as this non-irritant soap is made with all-natural ingredients like coconut oil and sunflower seed oil. This means you can safely wash the dishes with your bare hands. Next to natural ingredients, this dish soap bar is also vegan, dye-free, preservative-free, and synthetic fragrance-free.
To use the bar, wet a sponge or brush, rub it over the soap to create a lather, and wash your dishes like regular. This bar includes a dish to store your bar on. This makes sure it can dry properly after use and it will last you the longest.
Packaging: Tin
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: yes
Made in: Canada
Enjoy the efficiency of this solid, long-lasting, and easy-to-use cleaning product! Simply rub a sponge, a dishcloth, or even a dish brush on the zero-waste dish soap until you create a lather, then wash your dishes as usual. The product is so concentrated, you'll only need a bit of it and it will last you a long time. Even though it has only 3 ingredients, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium coco sulfate, and vinegar, it’s strong enough to also clean ovens and even stained Pyrex. These ingredients may sound daunting but if you check the ingredients on your shampoo bar, you will see lots of similarities. This soap-making company has the goal to become a completely zero-waste brand. Many of their products come in compostable cardboard or reusable glass or tins. When you return a package to this amazing company, you get a discount on your next purchase. They also offer discounts for returned packaging.
Packaging: Cardboard
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes (optional)
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This zero-waste solid dish soap is completely plant-based and 100% biodegradable. No artificial dyes or fragrances are used only essential oils for a slight scent on your bar. Strong enough to clean dirty dishes while being gentle on your hands. A small loofah sponge is included with your purchase. This can be used to clean dishes but it can also be used to store your dish soap bar. This allows for proper drying of the bar making it last as long as possible. This loofah is compostable meaning when you can no longer use it, toss it into your garden where it will slowly break down into the soil.
Packaging: Paper
How many per pack: 4
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This amazing-smelling soap do wonders for your dishes. These soaps are minimally packed with mostly compostable recycled paper and a heavier-duty craft paper label. This pack includes 4 different scents: cactus flower, cucumber mint, rosemary, and thyme, and clean and fresh. Unlike most soaps, this soap is hot processed (most are cold processed) without the use of phthalates, petroleum, dyes, SLS, or other toxic chemicals while boasting both antibacterial and stain dissolving properties, they’re not only great for cleaning the kitchen but great for spot cleaning stained laundry. In addition to soaps, they hand-make deodorants, ointments, and a few other beauty products in small batches.
Packaging: Cardboard and Plastic
How many per pack: 1
Form: Liquid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: No
Vegan: Yes
Made in: Canada
This zero-waste dish soap is a great option if you prefer liquid dish soap but you have no option to buy it in bulk. This 130 fl/oz 4-liter box will last you a while. This certified B Corp makes dish soap that is free from fragrances, dyes, and phosphates that is strong enough to cut through grease while being gentle on your hands. This easy-to-store 4L Refill Box not only represents a significant reduction of plastic use, but it also substitutes 5 disposable bottles from entering landfills. Simply refill your soap dispenser and use this dish soap like normal.
Packaging: Cardboard
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This solid dish soap is made with VegeCert Certified plant-based ingredients that were never tested on animals. They only use 4 simple, natural ingredients to make a simple yet very effective zero-waste dish soap. Their waterless, ultra-concentrated dish soap bars are formulated to cut through grease and grime all while keeping plastic bottles out of your kitchen. These soaps are handmade in small batches by a family-run business so you are sure to always receive a fresh soap when you place an order. Packed in recycled kraft paper boxes, each bar can replace up to 2-3 bottles of liquid dish soap and will last 3-5 months depending on the intensity of use.
Packaging: -
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: No
Vegan: Yes
Made in: France
This soap bar is made with 72% olive oil using traditional methods that have been passed along throughout generations. This soap is very versatile. It is not only great for dishes but also gentle enough to wash your hands making it great to use in the shower as well. Like many solid zero-waste dish soaps, simply use a wet sponge or brush to create a lather and use it like you usually would clean dishes. As only natural ingredients are used, this dish soap is completely biodegradable making it safe for both the planet and your skin.
Packaging: -
How many per pack: 1
Form: Solid
Palm oil: No
Essential Oils: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Made in: USA
This 100% all-natural kitchen soap cube is made with plant-based oils. Next to organic coconut oil, organic ground coffee, and essential oils, organic starch is used to absorb grease from all your dirty pots and pans. There are no additional chemicals, no dyes, or other funny business used in this soap. Coffee may seem like an odd ingredient here but it is great to deodorize kitchen smells off your hands, such as fish, meat, garlic, or onion. This zero-waste dish soap is great for both dishes but can also be used for spot-treating lines.
DIY Dish Soap
DIYing soap may sound scary but not as hard as you may initially think. In this post I have may a very clear beginner-friendly tutorial where I show you how you can make your dish washing soap.
Why Switch to Non-Toxic Dish Soap?
Switching to non-toxic dish soap isn’t just a trendy move—it’s a smart choice for your health, your home, and the planet. Conventional dish soaps may get the job done, but they often come with a hidden cost: harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary environmental harm. Here's why making the switch matters:
1. Protect Your Health
Many conventional dish soaps contain chemicals like phosphates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances that can irritate your skin, trigger allergies, and even harm your respiratory system. These substances don’t just vanish when you rinse your dishes—they can leave residues on plates and utensils, potentially ending up in your food. Non-toxic dish soaps are made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that are gentle on your skin and safe for your family.
2. Safeguard the Environment
Every time you wash dishes, the soap you use flows into waterways. Conventional soaps with non-biodegradable chemicals can contribute to water pollution, harming aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. Non-toxic alternatives are typically biodegradable and free from harmful additives, ensuring that your cleaning routine doesn’t come at the expense of the planet.
3. Reduce Plastic Waste
Choosing eco-friendly options like bar dish soap or brands with refillable packaging helps reduce the overwhelming problem of single-use plastic. These sustainable packaging options allow you to minimize waste while keeping your kitchen tidy and stylish.
4. Maintain Effective Cleaning Power
There's a common misconception that natural or non-toxic products aren’t as effective. The truth? Modern non-toxic dish soaps are formulated to cut through grease, grime, and food residue with ease—all without relying on the harsh chemicals found in conventional products. You get a spotless clean without compromising your values.
5. Feel Good About Your Choice
Switching to non-toxic dish soap isn’t just a practical decision—it’s an empowering one. Every bottle, bar, or tablet you choose signals your commitment to a healthier home and a more sustainable future. It’s a small change that makes a big difference over time.
By swapping your conventional dish soap for a non-toxic, ecological alternative, you’re creating a ripple effect of positive change. From healthier skin to a cleaner planet, the benefits are undeniable—and surprisingly easy to achieve. Ready to explore the options? Let’s dive into the best non-toxic dish soaps available today.
Conclusion: Make the Switch to Non-Toxic Dish Soap Today
Your dish soap might seem like a small part of your daily routine, but its impact is far-reaching. By switching to non-toxic dish soap, you’re not just choosing a healthier option for your home—you’re contributing to a cleaner planet and a more sustainable future.
Whether you prefer the convenience of liquid eco-friendly dish soaps, the simplicity of bar dish soap, or innovative dish soap alternatives, there’s a perfect option out there for every kitchen. These products are not only effective at tackling grease and grime but also kind to your skin and the environment.
Small changes add up, and by making the switch, you’re taking a meaningful step toward a lifestyle that aligns with your values. So why wait? Start exploring the incredible range of non-toxic dish soaps today, and let your everyday cleaning routine become a force for good.
Your health, your home, and the planet will thank you. 🌿
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