Buy Eco-Friendly Dishwashing Liquid: What’s Really Going Down Your Drain


When washing your dishes at the sink, did it ever cross your mind the impact soapy dish water has on the environment? If no, you are not to blame. Many of us are not aware of the adverse effects that dishwashing liquid has on us and the planet at large. Most popular cleaning products contain toxic ingredients which can end up in our waterways. They also have the potential to cause us harm. In this article, you’ll learn what harmful chemicals are often found in popular dishwashing liquids, and why you should choose eco-friendly dishwashing liquid to keep you, your family and the environment safe.

The dirty secret about dishwashing liquids

Most dishwashing liquids available on supermarket shelves contain several toxic chemicals, some of which can have serious impacts on our health and environment. Many dishwashing liquids contain phosphate, a naturally-occurring mineral salt. Phosphate works by binding dirt with grease and suspending them in water. This allows other cleaning agents in the liquid to perform their functions optimally. While phosphate is great at removing dirt and eliminating film on dishes, it also reduces oxygen levels marine life needs. This is because when chemical-laden dishwashing liquid enters water streams, it can lead to a severe form of algae that creates a coating on the surface of the water, blocking sunlight and killing marine life through lack of oxygen. In fact, many ‘name brand’ dishwashing liquids carry a message that states “harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects”.

Chemicals you should look out for

Read the dishwashing liquid labels carefully when selecting a dishwashing liquid. Avoid these chemicals when choosing your dishwashing liquid.

Phosphates: As mentioned in this article, phosphates are a danger to marine life.

Ammonium sulphate: This ingredient creates that nice foam, but it also causes itching and skin irritation and may also be a neurotoxin.

Sodium lauryl sulphate: Can cause eye, lung and skin irritations.

Sulphuric acid: A strong chemical that can cause skin and tissue damage as well as breathing problems when inhaled.

Formaldehyde: This potent chemical has been identified as a serious carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Toxicology Program.

DEA, MEA and TEA diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and triethanolamine): additional foaming agents that have harmful effects when mixed with other ingredients causing skin irritations to forming of carcinogens.

It’s also advised to look out for any mention of “fragrance added” on the product label, as manufacturers aren’t required to list what goes into their product’s fragrances. This means you have no idea whether the fragrance is naturally or chemically-derived.

Care for your home, care for the environment

The great news is that there are much safer, environmentally-friendly alternatives available in the market right now, including our own bio-home Dishwashing Liquid. Our eco-friendly dishwashing liquid uses biodegradable, 100% plant-based active ingredients that is both dermatologically tested and pH balanced- means that it is safe for your skin and the environment too.

Using environmentally-friendly dishwashing liquids means you aren’t pouring any nasties down the drain and harming our marine life. It also translates to reduced packaging and transport-related emissions. You can even use less dishwashing liquid to wash your dishes since one pump of bio-home dishwashing liquid can wash up to 5 times more plates than ordinary dishwashing liquid. On top of that, it is produced with phthalate-free fragrances.

The true test of environmental friendliness is by checking the ingredients list. Chemical-laden dishwashing liquids can be toxic and harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Replacing with an eco-friendly dishwashing liquid like bio-home Dishwashing Liquid keeps your whole family and household safe. By using a non-toxic dishwashing liquid, you are also eliminating the potential of harming the environment and our important natural resources and wildlife. Small, thoughtful gestures like making this simple switch go a long way in minimizing your ecological footprint and in making this world a better place.