If you think about it, scrubbing your cups, plates, and utensils with chemical-laden soap is on par with licking a subway poll. Your skin, the largest organ in your body, absorbs all the mysterious-sounding chemicals in dish soap, and research suggests they can promote allergies, lead to reproductive issues, and increase the risk of some cancers.

Another issue to consider: when we wash chemically enhanced antibacterial soap down the drain, it goes into our sewage system and waterways—yikes! For example, triclosan, an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent found in some soaps, and detergents, has been frequently detected in lakes, rivers and sea water. From there, it accumulates in aquatic life and infiltrates food chains, ultimately posing multiple eco-toxicity risks.

Suffice to say, you, your family, and the environment are better off with clean, green dish soap, so we did all the digging to find the best eco-friendly ones out there. Read on for which ingredients you should seek out, which you should avoid, and which dish soaps are the safest and most effective.


Similar to when shopping for healthy packaged food items, look for household products with the shortest list of ingredients. Generally, the more basic the ingredient list, the safer the product is for cleaning. Common and useful mainstays for eco-friendly soaps include water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and borax.

According to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), it’s usually a good sign when a label is transparent in listing what’s inside. The FDA requires companies to list ingredients on consumer cosmetic, personal care, and food products, but not on cleaning items. Many companies have made the decision to disclose all of their ingredients, sometimes only online but ideally right on the product labels.

Keep your eyes peeled for any and all of these descriptors on your dish soap label: “plant-based surfactants,” “Phlathate (synthetic fragrance)-free” “1,4 Dioxane-free,” “Dye-free,” “Petrochemical-free,” “Glycol-free,” “Phosphate-free,” and “Caustic-free.” Still confused? Surfactants are one of many different compounds that make up a detergent, breaking down the interface between water and oils and/or dirt. If non-toxic, surfactants are a harmless chemical element involved with removing dirt. Plus, when you see "biodegradable," especially if it lists a short timeframe like three to five days, you're onto something good.


For nearly two decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has used the Safer Choice label program for products that are safe for our use (plus our pets, workspaces, and the environment). A chemically based product can receive the label after being evaluated through a rigorous scientific process. There's a whole host of tests done in an attempt to increase transparency and understanding of safer ingredients.

Some popular bad words that don't get the seal of approval: phosphates (inorganic phosphates are damaging to one's health), diethanolamine (these function as emulsifiers or foaming agents and their safety is questionable), triethanolamine (a reactionary byproduct of two toxic substances), and Butyl cellosolve.

Again, the OCA makes it easy to decipher the good versus the bad: avoid "DANGER" and "POISON" on the label. Ingredients that require such a warning are generally not going to be good for your skin or respiratory system.


Below are our top choices for dish soaps that comply with the Safer Choice standards.

Seventh Generation Dish Liquid

Seventh Generation checks off all the boxes: the plant–derived formula is free of dyes and synthetic fragrances, biodegradable, and packaged in a 100 percent recycled plastic bottle. It's gluten- and hypoallergenic fragrance-free, so it's a great option for those with sensitive skin.


BUY IT: Seventh Generation Dish Liquid, Free & Clear (pack of six), $17.34 on Amazon

ECOS Dishmate Dish Liquid

A nice thing about this dish soap's ingredient label is its transparency. These words might look scary at first glance: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, and Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, but fear not, those are just coconut-based surfactants, and surfactants are okay. A little goes a long way with this hypoallergenic, vegan, and gluten-free formula.

BUY IT: ECOS Dishmate Dish Liquid, Free and Clear (pack of two), $6.82 on Amazon

Honest Dish Soap

The Honest Company has created a gentle, plant-based dish soap that's as good for your hands as it is for removing dirt and grime. It has aloe leaf juice for your skin and plant-derived cleaning agents for the dishes.

BUY IT: Honest Dish Soap, $3.99 from Honest

Vanessa Solis / i4color

Green Works Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid

This dish detergent has a small and straightforward ingredient list—a good sign! Like the rest of the crew, this soap is full of plant-derived ingredients that keeps it on the clean list.

BUY IT: Green Works Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid, $12.97 on Jet
