Like soap, detergents may contain toxic chemicals that cause allergies or other health issues. They can also get left behind on your crockery and find a way into your digestive system.

Chemicals popularly used in detergents like formaldehyde, sulfuric acid, triclosan, dioxane and phosphates are known to lead to severe allergies, indoor pollution and some have been linked to endocrine disruption and respiratory issues. At the outset, we want to urge you to at minimum wear a rubber glove when dealing with dishwashing or laundry detergents.

We researched all the popular dishwashing detergents claiming to be green and toxin-free, and selected five of these as the best, both for human health and the environment.

Please note, that we have carefully selected the exact products that we feel are the safest to use after considering multiple criteria. We are not endorsing any brand. Each product is different from the other even if made by the same company.

1. Dr Bronner’s Castille Soap

About the company – Dr Bronner’s Company finds its origins in mid 19th century Germany in a master soapmaking family, which has been making castille soap for 5 generations. Castille soap’s recipe was originally founded in Spain which combined natural oils with lye to form a cleaning, foaming soap. Till date, it is the least chemical-intensive formulation for soaps. A single bottle of Bronner can be used as soap, shampoo, dish cleaner, laundry detergent and floor cleaner.
Certifications – USDA Certified Organic, Fair For Life, Vegan, Non GMO, EWG A-Rated
Composition – No synthetic detergents or preservatives
Eco-Claims – Packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle. The soap is biodegradable.
Not safe for the dishwasher. Use for hand washing.

2. Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Powder, Free & Clear

About the company – Vermont based, Seventh Generation has been a company with a mission to protect the environment. They claim that all their ingredients are plant-based (including SLS) and non-toxic. They actively participate in the #comeclean movement, calling for an industry-wide disclosure of ingredients. It is one of the green-science cleaning products brands to have gained immense popularity.
Certifications – Certified BCorp, USDA Certified Biobased Products, FSC, No Animal Testing, EWG A-Rated
Composition – Made for Sensitive Skin and Hypoallergenic. Free from dyes, fragrances, chlorine-based bleach, phosphates
Eco-Claims – They use post-consumer recycled plastic. Their products designed from renewable plant-based ingredients are a more sustainable option than ingredients made from petroleum.
#DishwasherSafe

3. Nature Clean Automatic Dishwasher Pacs

About the company – Based out of Canada, Nature Clean was founded by a husband when his wife started developing allergic reactions to chemicals used in traditional household products. A family oriented business, with a focus on safety.
Certifications – PETA Cruelty-Free, Biodegradable, Ecologo, EWG A-Rated
Composition – No chlorine, phosphates, perfumes, dyes or animal by-products.
Eco-Claims – Biodegradable, Septic Tank And Grey Water Safe.
#DishwasherSafe

4. Better Life Dishwasher Gel

About the company – Based in Belgium, Ecover was founded to create phosphate-free cleaning products to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning agents and has since been awarded for their efforts to protect the environment. In 2008, TIME Magazine honored Ecover CEO, Mick Bremans, with the title Hero of the Environment. Ecover also owns Method, another eco-cleaner company.
Certifications – Certified B Corp, No Animal Testing, EWG A-Rated
Composition – 0% Fragrance, dyes or chlorine. Phosphate-free formula
Eco-Claims – Packaged in recycled cardboard. Made with renewable plant-based & mineral ingredients.
#DishwasherSafe

5. Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets, Zero (Fragrance-Free)

About the company – Winner of Shark Tank Tv Series and also featured on Oprah, Better Life was formed by two friends, one of them being a formulation chemist.
Certifications – Animal Friendly, Made With Solar Energy
Composition – No Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, Synthetic fragrances, Bleach, Dyes, Phosphates
Eco-Claims – Packaged using solar energy and recyclable materials, with formulas that biodegrade two-to-five times faster than leading natural and conventional cleaners.
#DishwasherSafe

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