12 Best Eco Friendly Dishwasher Detergents: Top Pods & Tablets
Sleeping, eating, and dishes. The three things that appear in every person’s daily routine. We’ve created a list of some of the best eco-friendly dishwasher detergents.
With dishwashers, it’s easy to set it and forget them. But where does the water from dishwashers go?
After leaving the dishwasher, dirty water flows through the community’s water system and into a wastewater treatment facility. These facilities are designed to treat organic materials, not hazardous chemicals. It’s possible for the chemicals in dishwasher detergents to end up in the treated water from these facilities, which ends up back in local waterways.
There are two things to look out for when determining whether a dishwasher detergent is considered sustainable. What are the chemicals used to make the detergent? How is the detergent packaged?
Many mainstream dishwasher detergents contain a cocktail of harmful ingredients. Some of these ingredients include phosphates, bleach, formaldehyde, ammonium sulphate, and dyes. These chemicals can harm marine wildlife and even end up in the foods we eat.
Detergent packaging also adds to the overall sustainability of the product. Although detergent pods reduce the use of plastic jugs, they aren’t necessarily the best eco-friendly dishwasher detergents. Especially when you consider that some pods are sold in big plastic containers.
Many brands market pods as being fully biodegradable, but this may not be the case. Pods are made from PVA, polyvinyl alcohol. Recent studies have shown the PVA released from pods only biodegrades in specific conditions, and water treatment plants do not create those ideal conditions.
In order to help protect the environment in your home, and your community, it is important to choose responsible brands that focus on being eco-friendly. Luckily, many brands are embracing non-toxic, natural ingredients and are dedicated to helping you create a healthy and safe home.
Keep reading to discover the best eco-friendly dishwasher detergents. Don’t forget to check out their websites for more information.
Best Eco Friendly Dishwasher Detergents
1. Dropps
Recommended: Dropps Detergent Pods
Dropps won EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year for strictly using clean ingredients in their products. The company offers concentrated dishwasher detergent in pod form. Dropps detergent pods are made with mineral-based ingredients that promise a triple-action clean.
No stains, no streaks, no stuck-on food, and no pre-washing. Each pod is dye-free, chlorine-free, phosphate-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free. Their pods are wrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) coating, which is water-soluble. All products come in compostable packaging instead of single-use plastic. Dropps partners with Oceana and Clearloop to neutralize their carbon footprint.
2. Cleancult
Recommended: Lemongrass Detergent Tablets
Cleancult strives to build a cleaning system that is easy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. All their products are plastic-free, cruelty-free, plant-based, non-GMO, and all packing is paper-based. The company offers its dishwasher detergent in tablet form.
Cleancult detergent tablets are biodegradable and dissolvable. Dishes come out sparkling clean each time because there is no chemical residue left behind.
Each tablet is wrapped in a biodegradable film that dissolves in water. All tablets come in recyclable paper boxes.
Cleancult offers resealable caps, refillable bottles, and a free recycling program. They also partner with CarbonFund to offset their carbon footprint.
3. Public Goods
Recommended: Public Goods Detergent Pods
Public Goods promises to provide sustainable materials, healthy ingredients, and a beautiful design, all at a fair price. From personal care and household items to groceries, they are a one-stop shop for all sustainability needs.
Public Goods detergent pods are made from all-natural, plant-derived ingredients. Each pod is free from dyes, chlorine, phosphates, parabens, phthalates, aluminum, animal products, and formaldehyde.
These water-soluble detergent pods come in a resealable pouch to eliminate unnecessary garbage. Public Goods uses bottles made from sugarcane, tree-free paper products, and plants a tree for every shipment they send out.
4. Blueland
Recommended: Blueland Detergent Tablets
Blueland is committed to a clean future by providing revolutionary, plastic-free cleaners and hand soap in reusable bottles. Their products are innovative, effective, convenient, and come in reusable packaging. Blueland dishwasher tablets are dye-free, petroleum-free, paraben-free, ammonia-free, fragrance-free, and phthalates-free.
Tablets come with a “Forever Tin” to begin with, and refills are packaged in a compostable paper pouch. The dissolvable tablets do not come wrapped in PVA/PVOH. Blueland uses recyclable shipping boxes, compostable refill packaging, paper-based tape, and water-based inks. The company is Climate Neutral Certified, B Corp Certified, Cradle to Cradle Certified, Safer Choice-Certified, EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and USDA Biobased Certified.
5. PUR Home
Recommended: PUR Home Detergent Tabs
PUR Home is dedicated to creating non-toxic household cleaning products that are simple and sustainable. PUR Dish Tabs are derived from plant and mineral-based ingredients.
All tabs are plant-based, biodegradable, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and non-toxic. All products are packaged in recyclable containers.
The company ethically sources all ingredients and ethically produces its products. PUR Home participates in local volunteerism and is Leaping Bunny Certified.
6. Ecover
Recommended: Ecover Detergent Tablets
Ecover is on a mission to redefine clean and inspire people to make their world a little cleaner. Ecover dishwasher tablets are made from plant-based, vegan-friendly, biodegradable ingredients. However, the individual tablets are wrapped in plastic.
The company is working on a better, cleaner option for their packaging. Tablets are shipped in a box made from recycled cardboard.
The company works to eliminate single-use plastic by running a refill initiative and runs a certified Platinum zee-waste sustainable factory. Ecover supports and even runs multiple initiatives tackling experiments in waste management, the fight against plastic, the fight for nature, and the fight against fashion.
7. Puracy
Recommended: Puracy Detergent Pods
Puracy works with doctors, chemists, and industry experts to craft high-quality, plant-based, effective products. Every Puracy product is formulated to be at least 99.3% natural, making them safe for families, pets, and the environment.
The dishwasher detergent pods are made from a plant-based, enzyme-powered formula that is hypoallergenic and biodegradable. Their pods are free from phosphates, SLES, paragons, chlorine bleach, petrochemicals, animal by-products, dyes, perfumes, and phthalates.
Every product sold supports charity, artists, and conservation. Puracy has collected accolades from Amazon, The New York Times, Business Insider, The Bump, and many more.
8. Seventh Generation
Recommended: Seventh Generation Detergent Pods
Seventh Generation works to source renewable, plant-based ingredients and have a positive impact on the world. The company is committed to nurturing nature, enhancing health, transforming commerce, and building community.
Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent pods are made from an enzyme-rich formula that is powered by plants and minerals. Pods are free from chlorine bleach, phosphates, and fragrances.
Pods and packaged in a resealable pouch. Seventh Generation is Leaping Bunny Certified, and their detergent pods are a USDA Certified Biobased Product. The company is partnered with B Corp, Rainforest Alliance, Clean Water Action, and many other environmental initiatives.
9. Grove Collaborative
Recommended: Grove Collaborative Detergent Pods
Grove Collaborative crafts and curates earth-changing products in an effort to make it easy to shop sustainably. They curate our 150 sustainable, high-performing brands for consumers to shop on their website. Grove Collaborative detergent packs are formulated with plant-based ingredients and are 100% naturally fragranced with essential oils and plant extracts.
Pods are free from parents, phthalates, phosphates, formaldehyde, dyes, and chlorine bleach. The detergent pods are also wrapped in a PVA non-toxic coating that dissolves in water and comes in recyclable packaging.
Grove Collaborative is a partner of B Corp and EPA Safer Choice. The company is cruelty-free and is set to be 100% plastic-free by 2025.
10. Mrs. Meyer’s
Recommended: Mrs. Meyer’s Dishwasher Pods
Mrs.Meyers takes a no-nonsense, sensible approach to healthy living with products that are made from plant-derived ingredients and essential oils. Their products are free from ammonia, chlorine, paragons, phthalates, formaldehyde, artificial colorants, phosphates, and petroleum distillates.
Mrs. Meyers detergent pods are cruelty-free, phosphate-free, and chlorine-free. They come in recyclable packages.
Mrs. Meyers supports sustainable practices all through Asia, Africa, and South America. The company leads The Compassion Project, which aims to empower kids and families to be environmentally compassionate.
11. Nellie’s
Recommended: Nellie’s Dishwasher Pods
Nellie’s is dedicated to making simple, planet-friendly products to help people keep the environment as clean as their homes. All products are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and highly effective.
Nellie’s dishwasher powder is a plant-based formula that is biodegradable, septic safe, and phosphate-free. The powder comes in recyclable and reusable tins and packages.
Nellie’s believes in the power of powder and saving water. Traditional liquid detergents use large amounts of water in their formulation. By using powder Nellie’s provides a more concentrated and eco-friendly option.
12. Ecos
Recommended: Ecos Detergent Pods
Ecos is committed to creating safe cleaning products that protect the health of both people and the planet. Ecos dishwasher pods are vegan, plant-powered, and formulated with mineral-based ingredients.
The featured natural ingredient in the pods is beets, for their high sugar content which makes them good cleaning agents. Pods are coated in water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol and packaged in a recyclable pouch.
Ecos has a company environment built on ethics, empathy, and environmental and social justice. The company has reduced energy use, decreased waste, lowered transportation emissions, and invested in clean energy projects in an effort to become a climate-positive company. If you’re looking for a dishwasher detergent that is tough on dirty dishes but gentle on the planet, this list is the perfect place to start!
