Best Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent for Sparkly Clean Dishes

Discover the best eco-friendly dishwasher detergent brands in terms of non-toxic ingredients and sustainable packaging, and find the natural dishwashing detergent that works best for YOU!

Oh, the magic of the dishwasher! Pile in a day’s worth of dirty dishes, load in the detergent, press the button, and voila – clean dishes!

Having lived without an automatic dishwasher in a few apartments in my younger years, I distinctly remember the feeling that a machine that washed my dishes was truly magic!

One thing I didn’t give much thought to in those early years was the type of dishwasher detergent I was using. Turns out, I should have been!

Ingredients in Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent

So some ingredients in dishwasher detergent are better than others? You guessed it! If you’re a regular reader of mindfulmomma you know that there are many harmful ingredients hiding in conventional cleaning products. These ingredients can be harmful to human health, as well as harmful to aquatic life, plant life and the environment.

Harmful chemicals you should try to avoid in dishwasher detergents include:

• sodium hypochlorite – a bleaching agent (chlorine bleach) linked to respiratory effects in humans and acute aquatic toxicity
• zinc carbonate – can cause burns to skin and eye damage, also very toxic to aquatic life
• formaldehyde – a known carcinogen
• ethoxylated ingredients – they can create carcinogenic 1,4 dioxane when mixed
• acrylic polymer – not biodegradable in the environment
• artificial fragrances – these non-specific ingredients can be allergens and hormone disruptors
• artificial colors/dyes – these non-specific ingredients my be linked to developmental, endocrine or reproductive effects

Instead, you should look for dishwasher detergents made with ingredients of plant or mineral origin, including sodium carbonate, sodium citronate and sodium silicate. Don’t worry – these natural ingredients still have strong cleaning power!

My strong preference is for an unscented dishwasher detergent, because I do not like any scent left on my clean dishes at all. But if you do prefer a scented dishwasher detergent, be sure that the scent comes from natural essential oils or plant extracts only.

Fortunately, one of the worst environmental offenders, phosphates, have been effectively banned in dishwasher detergents, so we don’t have to worry too much about them anymore. Just beware of cheap dollar store dishwasher detergents or random products on Amazon that may still have phosphates hiding in them.

Packaging of Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent

A truly eco-friendly dishwasher detergent is about more than just ingredients. It’s about the packaging too.

Cleaning products are notorious for being packaged in big plastic bottles, and dishwasher detergent is no exception. Fortunately, some smart, eco-friendly alternatives have popped up!

There are three primary types of dishwasher detergent and they all come packaged in different ways.

• Dishwasher detergent pods: Individually wrapped pods are sold in either a cardboard box or a plastic bag. The pod wrapper is a biodegradable film.
• Dishwasher detergent powder: Powder is sold in either a cardboard box or a plastic bag.
• Dishwasher Detergent gel: Dishwasher gels come in a plastic bottle.

Personally, I try to choose the least amount of packaging possible, so I either buy pods that are packaged in recyclable cardboard, or a powder sold in a cardboard box. I avoid the gels, but am including them here because some people prefer them so it’s good to have a non-toxic option.

RELATED: Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

Best Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent Brands

(I may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure)

So let’s help you find the best dishwasher detergent that is non-toxic and eco-friendly and most of all – meets YOUR needs!

A note about hard water: If you live in an area that has especially hard water, you may need to use a rinse aid. Seventh Generation Rinse Aid works well for me!

A note about pricing: In my comparison of brands below, I’ve included a cost per load. Some brands recommend 1-oz per load and others go by 1/2-oz per load. The amount you need depends on your dishwasher. Also, prices will change over time, so check brand websites for current pricing!

Best Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent Pods

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

Dropps

• Ingredients: Sodium carbonate*, sodium percarbonate*, poly(itaconic acid-co-AMPS) sodium salt* , trisodium citrate dihydrate*, alkoxylated alcohol*, subtilisin, silicic acid*, tetraacetylethylenediamine*, alpha amylase, polyvinyl alcohol film (PVOH). *Denotes plant or mineral origin.
• Options: Unscented or Lemon
• Other benefits: Shipped in low-waste, recyclable cardboard packaging.
• EWG rating: A for unscented, B for lemon
• Cost per load: $.26 to $.39 per pod, depending on subscription
• These are the pods I use most often – I have them on subscription!

Buy Dropps Dishwasher Pods (Get 15% off your first order with code DROPPS15 at checkout.)

ATTITUDE

• Ingredients: 5-15% oxygen-based bleaching agents (sodium percarbonate), <5% vegetable non-ionic surfactants, <5% enzymes. Contains also : Sodium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, glycerin.
• Options: Unscented
• Other benefits: EcoLogo certified
• EWG rating: Current product not listed
• Cost per load: $.28 to $.38 per tablet, depending on subscription.

Buy ATTITUDE Dishwasher Tablets (Get $10 off when you subscribe to the ATTITUDE newsletter.)

Aspen Clean

• Ingredients: Sodium Citrate; Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide; Sodium Sulfate; Sodium Silicate, Decyl Glucoside (Coconut, Palm Kernel Oil derived), Subtilisin (Enzyme), Alpha-amylase (Enzyme), Sodium Carboxymethyl Inulin (Chicory Root derived), Water / Eau, Alcohol (Corn derived)**, Sodium Chloride (Salt) Film: Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer (water-soluble, biodegradable) 
• Options: Unscented
• Other benefits: Comes in a recyclable cardboard box
• EWG rating: EWG Verified™
• Cost per load: $.51 to $.57 per pod, depending on subscription

Buy Aspen Clean Dishwasher Pods

Grove Collaborative

• Ingredients: Sodium carbonate, citric acid,* sodium sulfate, sodium percarbonate, sodium silicate, sorbitan caprylate,* tetrasodium glutamate diacetic acid,* sodium carboxymethyl inulin,* protease,* amylase.* *Plant-derived ingredient (Scented product includes: natural fragrance,** citral,* d-Limonene,* linalool.*)
• Options: Free & Clear or Lemon & Eucalyptus
• Other benefits: Flexible plastic bag is accepted back for recycling.
• Cost per load: $0.35 per pod

Buy Grove Co. Dishwasher Packs

Best Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent Powder

Dishwasher powder is the simplest form of dishwasher detergent. It can be poured or scooped directly into the detergent dispenser. The advantages of dishwasher powder are that it is affordable and also that it often comes packaged in a cardboard box instead of plastic. The disadvantages of powder is that it can be messy. Also, I have found that if I accidentally over-fill my detergent dispenser, it either won’t open during cleaning, or there is powder still left over at the end of the cycle.

Seventh Generation

• Ingredients: Sodium chloride (mineral-based processing aid), sodium sulfate (mineral-based processing aid), sodium carbonate (mineral-based cleaning agent), citric acid (plant-derived water softener), sodium percarbonate (mineral-based oxygen stain removal agent), ppg-10-laureth-7 (plant-modified synthetic cleaning agent), sodium silicate (mineral-based cleaning enhancer), sodium polyaspartate (synthetic anti-filming agent), protease enzyme blend (plant-based soil remover), amylase enzyme blend (plant-based soil remover).
• Options: free & clear
• Other benefits: USDA Certified Biobased Product (87%), comes in a cardboard box
• EWG rating: A
• Cost per load: $0.14 (based on 1-oz per load)

Buy Seventh Generation Dishwasher Powder

Ecover

• Ingredients: Sodium sulfate (pH adjuster/processing aid), Sodium carbonate (Cleaning agent/pH optimizer), Sodium citrate (pH adjuster), Sodium chloride (pH adjuster/processing aid), Sodium metasilicate (Corrosion inhibitor/pH adjuster), Sodium carbonate peroxide (Cleaning agent), Sodium polyitaconate (Anti-filming agent), Alcohol alkoxylate (Cleaning agent), Subtilisin (Enzymatic stain removal), Amylase (Cleaning enzyme)
• Options: Zero (fragrance free) or Citrus
• Other benefits: Comes in a plastic-free cardboard carton
• EWG rating: Current product not listed
• Cost per load: $0.32 (based on 1-oz per load)

Buy Ecover Dishwasher Powder

Rosey Dishwasher Detergent Powder

(used to be Thrive Market brand)

• Ingredients: Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Protease Enzyme.
• Options: Unscented or Lemon
• Other benefits: The lowest cost per load
• EWG rating: Current product not listed, but previous version was an A
• Cost per load: $0.06 (based on 1/2 oz per load)

Buy Rosey Dish Detergent Powder from Thrive Market

Best Eco Dishwasher Detergent Gel

Some people prefer dishwasher gel because it is easier to dispense the correct amount than with powder, although you can still over-pour if you are not careful. A big disadvantage of dishwasher gels is that they come packaged in a plastic bottle. Even though it is recyclable, it is still plastic and I’m all for avoiding plastic whenever possible!

Better Life

• Ingredients: Purified water, Potassium Cocoate, Sodium Citrate, Coco Glucoside, Sodium Silicate, Decyl glucoside, Quillaja saponaria bark extract, Glycerin (vegetable), Sodium carbonate, Xanthan gum, Sorbitan oleate, Enzyme blend, Citric acid
• Options: Unscented
• Other benefits: Easy squirt bottle
• EWG rating: A
• Cost per load: $0.24 (based on 1/2 oz per load)

Buy Better Life Dishwasher Gel

ECOS dishwasher gel

• Ingredients: Water, Sodium Citrate (plant-derived water softener), Citric Acid (plant-derived pH adjuster), Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (plant-derived water softener), Xanthan Gum (plant-derived thickener), Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside (plant-derived surfactant), Potassium Sorbate (plant-derived preservative), Enzymatic Blend (soil remover).
• Options: Free & Clear
• EWG rating: A
• Cost per load: $0.11 (based on 1-oz per load)

Buy ECOS Wave Dishwasher Gel

Do you have a favorite eco-friendly dishwasher detergent? Let me know in the comments!