The Best Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent (Plus a Homemade DIY Recipe)

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Have you ever read the label on your dish detergent?

Go ahead and search a few of those ingredients and see what comes up….

As you research ingredients and the effects they have on the human body, you’ll be wondering the same thing I was:

How are manufacturers allowed to put this stuff in their detergent?!

As more and more research comes forward, so many chemicals are being shown to cause things like cancer, respiratory illness, and even problematic behavior in children. Scary! 

But this non toxic dish detergent recipe will leave your dishes sparkly clean WITHOUT all the chemicals and toxins.

The best part?

It’s easy peasy!

Why Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent?

You would be shocked to hear how many chemicals are in average detergents. Here are just a few of the harmful ingredients:

• Coal tar dyes. These dyes can carry trace amounts of arsenic, lead, and cadmium. These all pose a health risk even with trace amounts.
• Chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can be a health risk. If it is consumed it can cause various health problems. If you inhale the fumes, it can cause asthma and other breathing issues.
• DEA, MEA, TEA. All of these chemicals can cause cancer as well as hormone disruption. MEA can also cause asthma in some people.
• Formaldehyde. This is a chemical that has been well known as a cancer-causing agent. It can also induce allergies and asthma.
• Glycol Ethers. This compound can cause anemia as well as irritation of eyes and nose. In laboratory testing, low exposure caused damage to sperm and testicles. Testing also showed problems with birth defects and…again…cancer.

Some try to say these ingredients aren’t an issue because you’re not consuming or coming in direct contact with them.

Unfortunately, I have seen my own dishwasher not rinse off the plates, cups, and silverware thoroughly. Plus, the residue left behind is not always visible. 

To protect my family from these toxins, I created an all natural detergent recipe that is free of any chemicals.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Without Borax

This recipe is simple to use, and best of all you can make it to accommodate your needs! 

• 2 cups of baking soda
• 2 cups of washing soda
• 3/4 cup of salt
• 1 cup of citric acid
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 10 drops of essential oil (This is optional. Bonus points for using essential oils like lavender and lemon that have some antibacterial properties)

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients.
• Slowly add in the vinegar. Continue mixing.
• Add in essential oils slowly.
• Place mixture into small round plastic or silicone molds. An ice tray will work as well. Let the mixture sit for at least 24 hours.
• Unmold and place one tablet inside your dishwasher. If it will not fit into the dispenser, place at the bottom of your appliance.

Notes:

If you don’t have washing soda, you can make your own. Simply bake baking soda for an hour at 350 degrees. And wa-la! You have homemade washing soda. 

If you would rather have your recipe in powder form, just leave out the vinegar. Place a couple of tablespoons of vinegar in the bottom of your machine on each cycle if you choose to leave the vinegar out of your recipe.

Be sure to store your non-toxic dishwasher tablets or powder in a dry place. I prefer using glass storage containers. And I may or may not make them cute with little chalkboard labels 🙂 

If you are into non-toxic DIY cleaning there’s more on this website, we have a great natural glass cleaner and an all purpose cleaner recipe.

WHAT TO BUY WHEN YOU DON’T WANT TO DIY

As easy as putting together your own non-toxic dishwasher detergent is, it’s not always possible. You may be short on time, not have the ingredients at hand, or may just be wanting to get your hands on a ready-to-use non-toxic dishwasher detergent.

In any case, I’m happy to report that there are several high-quality non-toxic dishwasher detergents out there that you can get your hands on right away. Most of them are eco-friendly,  plant and mineral based and handle hard water well.

However, sifting through the dozens of products to find the best non-toxic dishwasher detergent takes a lot of time and effort. 

Plus, if you don’t know what you should be looking for, there’s a chance that you may end up wasting hard-earned money.

But don’t fret – I’ve got you covered. We got the ones that provided the best results.

Here’s a hand-picked list of the best non-toxic choices money can buy, and all of them result in clean dishes, just like the non-safe versions.

Best Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergents: Top 7 Picks

#1 NATURE CLEAN Automatic Dishwasher Pacs

If you don’t want to spend much on a dishwasher detergent but don’t want to compromise on your health, either, the eco-friendly NATURE CLEAN Pacs are the right detergent pacs to get.

Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The detergent doesn’t leave behind any residue, and it’s also septic tank and grey water safe. This cleaning product provided the best results, it will leave behind perfect clean dishes every time and also handles hard water well.

The company does not add any phosphates or chlorine to the detergent, and the product contains no dyes and perfumes.

But what’s more impressive is the fact that all of the ingredients used are naturally derived. The non-toxic detergent is Vegan certified by PETA and is also Kosher certified. 

All these features, coupled with the fact that the detergent is pocket-friendly, make it one of the best non-toxic dishwasher detergents.

#2 Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs

If you don’t like your dishes coming out of the dishwasher smelling like perfume, you will love the Seventh Generation non-toxic dishwasher detergent packs.

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Customers love the fact that the detergent leaves no residue and doesn’t transfer an off-putting soapy flavor to the food like some of the toxic options do.

But the detergent packs offer a lot more to like. The detergent boasts an enzyme-rich formula, which cuts through the oil, grease, and food residue that’s left behind on your dishes.

But perhaps the best thing about the dishwasher detergent is that it is USDA certified bio-based (78%), making it one of the safest non-toxic dishwasher detergents available. 

#3 Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets

Some prefer having their dishes come out smelling fresh and clean. If you, too, hold this preference and are looking for a quality non-toxic option, the Ecover dishwasher tablets won’t disappoint.

It’ll leave behind a refreshing citrus scent – but won’t harm your health or the environment like its toxic counterparts.

Besides being phosphate-free, I find the fact that the company only uses sustainable ingredients to make the detergent very appealing.

Another big advantage is that Ecover does not test the detergent on animals, making it one of the most environmentally friendly options on this list.

#4 Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Pods 

It’s natural to feel the need to be extra careful if you have a child or a pet in the house. If you’re looking for a safe, non-toxic detergent that also leaves a pleasant lemony fragrance behind, you cannot go wrong with the Lemi Shine Detergent Pods.

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The dual-chamber pods comprise powder and dishwasher gel for the best results, meaning you can skip the pre-wash and slip your dishes right into your dishwasher. The dishes will come out sparkling clean!

The detergent doesn’t leave behind a soapy residue since the product contains natural citrus extracts. This also makes it environmentally friendly and leaves behind a pleasant smell.

#5 DAPPLE Baby Dishwasher Pacs

When you have a baby, you have enough to worry about. The safety of your detergent shouldn’t add to your list of worries. 

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DAPPLE is one of the most popular baby dish soap brands for good reason.

The pods have a fragrance-free formula that blasts away all the residue and odor from your dishes, baby bottles, and all your other kitchenware.

The detergent is scent-free, so neither you nor the baby will be irked by it. Its all-natural formula is tested by pediatricians and dermatologists and is proven hypoallergenic.

But perhaps what’s most reassuring is the company’s transparency. They promise that the detergent is free from parabens, dyes, fragrances, and all other dangerous chemicals that put you and your baby at risk.

#6 Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods

If you don’t mind paying a little extra for quality, you won’t regret getting your hands on the dishwasher detergent pods from Dropps.

Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It’s one of the most effective non-toxic dishwasher detergents you can buy. All detergents remove the stuck-on food, but the Dropps pods take things a step further by leaving your glassware and dishes sparkling like they were new.

You don’t have to worry about your safety, either. The company’s biodegradable formula only uses plant-derived ingredients. No perfumes, dyes, phosphates, bleaches, or other toxic substances are added to the detergent.

The recyclable box the pods come in is a nice touch.

#7 Beyond Natural Dishwasher Tablets

If you have a finicky dishwasher and are unsure what non-toxic dishwasher detergent is right for you, the tablets from Beyond Natural are perfect for you.

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They work with almost every dishwasher, new and old, and their super-effective formula leaves your kitchenware spot-free.

No dyes, bleaches, or other toxic substances are used, and you won’t need to worry about the environment since the detergent is USDA-certified bio-based (75%).

But the best thing about the detergent is that no plastic is used for packaging. You don’t even need to unwrap the pod, and the shell will get dissolved in the dishwasher.

You may also be interested in using safe dinnerware in your household, check our review of non-toxic dishes.

Open Questions in the Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent topic

What are some ingredients I should avoid in detergents?

If you see colors, binders, stabilizers, fragrances, phosphates, formaldehyde, or sodium phosphate in the list of ingredients, steer clear from the detergent.

What is the best way to find out if a dishwasher detergent is non-toxic?

Checking the EWG ratings is the best way to find whether a given detergent is non-toxic or not.

How to choose the best non-toxic dishwasher detergent?

Since I’ve only included top-rated products that customers swear by, you can safely pick and detergent that fits your budget on this list without worrying about quality or toxicity. 

Verdict

The NATURE CLEAN dishwasher detergent is undoubtedly the best non-toxic dishwasher detergent on this list.

The detergent is affordable, PETA certified, Kosher, and doesn’t leave behind a residue or fragrance.

I can unreservedly recommend it to anybody looking for a non-toxic dishwasher detergent. 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DIY Recipe 

Will this natural dishwasher recipe kill germs?

Yes, especially if you use antibacterial essential oils! My favorites that are citronella, grapefruit, and tea tree.  

Will it leave residue on my dishes?

No, this recipe will not leave any soapy film or residue.

Is this recipe 100% natural and non-toxic?

Yes! Some homemade detergents use borax, which is questionable, but this one is borax free!

Why does this recipe use salt?

Salt creates a scrubbing action, helping to clean your dishes better.

What can I use instead of dishwasher detergent?

Natural or not, if you just want an alternative to dish detergent in general, try this:

• Load your dirty dishes as normal
• Add 2 drops of dish soap to the detergent cup (no more than 2 drops unless you want a massive suds fest!)
• Fill the cup just over half full with baking soda
• Fill the remaining space with salt
• Run the dishwasher!

Related Reading:

Detox Your Kitchen: Step by Step!

Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

DIY Clorox-Free Disinfectant Wipes

Homemade Ant Repellent 

Non Toxic Glass Cleaner

Over to you, what’s your favorite way to wash dishes naturally?