I have vast experience in finding zero-waste solutions online but finding a plastic free dishwasher detergent was challenging even for me. However, I managed to compile a list of the least wasteful dishwasher detergents, they’re not all 100% plastic-free but expect to find the most environmental solutions currently available on the market.
My favorite plastic free dishwasher detergents from our list are the Cleancult plastic free dishwasher detergent tablets. They come in a 100% plastic-free paper mailer, they’re biodegradable and they’re ridiculously good at cleaning dishes.
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Most Popular Plastic-free Dishwashers Detergents
Below are our 5 top picks for plastic free dishwasher detergent. Keep in mind that it’s fairly hard to find a dishwasher detergent without plastic.
Why are Plastic free Dishwasher Detergents so Hard to Find?
Plastic is broadly used in the manufacturing of not just dishwasher detergents but almost all other cleaning supplies. Because it’s very comfortable and efficient to use, and most people don’t really mind it, manufacturers often disregard the problems that it presents to the environment and to our health.
Eco-friendly packaging products like metal or glass are more heavy to ship and easy to break, while natural, bio-degradable packaging materials have a short life span and usually can’t hold a chemical liquid for long without dissolving.
Slowly, the world is looking towards reducing the use of plastic and switching to more eco-friendly materials and solutions. When it happens, this list will update accordingly.
11 Best Plastic free Dishwasher Detergent
For a wider variety, here are 11 of the best plastic-free dishwasher detergents. These eco-friendly products are not in any specific order.
1. Cleancult Dishwasher Tablets
Cleancult Dishwasher Tablets are a great eco friendly choice. Not only they are completely plastic free, but they’re also made of environment-safe ingredients.
The Clean Cut Dishwasher Tablets come in a thin, eco-friendly water-soluble film. The solution is a combination of concentrated, 100% biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients.
Some ingredients include natural table salt and glycerine derived from eco-friendly plant-based oils, which together create powerful eco-friendly tablets. Clean Cult dishwasher tablets will leave no gunk, residue, or harmful chemicals, the only thing they will leave is a beautiful lemongrass scent!
To receive your regular supply of eco-friendly dishwasher tablets, you can simply order recurring refills every two months, don’t worry all products come in 100% recyclable-reusable packaging.
If you need a container for your tablets, Cleancult offers this very comfortable reusable container.
Moreover, Cleancult prioritizes the planet by investing in eco-friendly solutions throughout every single step, from sourcing the product to delivery. On the Cleancult website, you’ll find a variety of zero-waste products that have minimal impact on the environment. For instance, they are partners with key sustainable shipping systems allowing deliveries to be carbon-neutral.
Reviews
The majority of the reviewers were impressed with the Cleancult dishwasher tablets and said that the dishwashing detergent works like any other concentrated detergent. Overall customers can’t get enough of the zero-waste dishwasher tablets smell as it doesn’t affect the way the food tastes. Overall customers are impresses that all the dishes have come out sparkly clean without any residue.
2. Dropps Dishwasher Detergent tablets
Dropps is a brand with an environmental cause, they are doing their best to fight single-use plastic. Supporting them in that cause is what I believe green consumers should do, even if their products are not perfected yet.
Dropps Dishwasher Detergents are almost plastic-free. The eco-friendly dishwasher detergent pods arrive in a cardboard box but inside a plastic tub or Ziploc bag. The box contains 25, 120, or even 804 pods.
The detergent itself is biodegradable; truly a sustainable dishwasher detergent. It’s a natural, vegan detergent with no phosphates or chlorine included. They are probably one of the most environmental dishwasher detergent options we have here.
Reviews
As comfortable to use as it is, the plain cardboard box may make it a less attractive option for some. Another aspect that may drive people away is its somewhat high price.
On the other hand, some reviewers negatively commented on the durability of the pods packaging and that the pods break down during delivery.
3. ATTITUDE Biodegradable Dishwasher Eco-Pouches
The Attitude biodegradable dishwasher eco-pouches are certified environmentally friendly and are CO2 neutral, therefore, no contribution to climate change. All 26 pouches are packaged in a thin cardboard box that is easily recycled and great for the environment. The individual pods are wrapped in a plastic-free thin layer of dissolvable solution. Attitude’s dishwasher detergent is made from natural and eco-friendly ingredients that will make your dishes come out sparkling clean.
Reviews
The majority of the reviews praised Attitude’s dishwasher detergent for being enclosed in plastic-free packaging which is contributing to sustainability. The detergent does not clump up and leaves all the dishes clean and looking great. A few customers mentioned the dishwasher detergent leaves no streaks or residue.
4. IF YOU CARE Automatic plastic free dishwasher detergent
IF YOU CARE Automatic Dishwasher Tablets is the most plastic-free dishwasher detergent we have on our list. It’s actually 100% plastic-free It comes in a cardboard box and the tabs are individually wrapped by cellulose like material. This, combined with the fact that it’s not made with chlorine and phosphates, makes it my choice for the best plastic-free dishwasher detergents.
One package includes 40 tabs that come in a cardboard box. The tablets are rather smaller than usual but it’s only because they are highly concentrated. The formula for IF YOU CARE Automatic Dishwasher Tablets is natural, vegan, and cruelty-free certified. Also, it’s very comfortable to use, you don’t need to unwrap the tabs
IF YOU CARE is a well-known green-brand that produces great quality products, you can count on it to clean your dishes well
Reviews
Reviewers recommend it to people with sensitivity towards fragrances or harsh chemicals. Some said this product is great as it doesn’t upset irritate skin or cause headaches.
5. Seventh Generation Auto Dishwasher Powder
Seventh Generation is another brand with the intention of minimizing its environmental impact to the bare minimum while still manufacturing high quality products
Seventh Generation dishwasher powder comes in a cardboard box without any plastic. The powder is 87% Bio-based.
The bio-based formula containing enzymes that’ll break down the left overs easily. So, if you tend to cook greasy food this is a great choice.
Seventh Generation dishwasher powder cardboard box is compact, and easy to use and store. This detergent will work just fine with hard water because it contains no phosphates or chlorine. This non-toxic dishwasher detergent is easy to use, just fill both pre-wash and main wash cups completely with the dishwashing powder.
Reviews
Reviews were mainly positive. People love how well it cleans and that the powder is simply resting in the well-sealed cardboard box without any plastic. One reviewer mentioned that it’s hard to tell the amount equivalent to one load.
6. Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder
Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder is almost plastic-free. It comes as loose powder inside a single size tin (metal) can which is a great solution for plastic packaging. But inside the metal package the powder is packed in a plastic bag. It’s still less plastic than other detergents on the list.
Though, it’s a Cruelty, chlorine, and phosphate-free, natural product. Using this product may not be as convenient as other products because you need to scoop the powder and not just throw in a.
Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder is especially helpful in areas with hard water, compared to other products.
Reviews
More than one reviewer have mentioned that sometimes the tabs didn’t dissolve like they’re Customers recommend it for people who are looking for a sustainable dishwasher detergent that’ll clean their dishes well.
7. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dishwasher Detergent
Mrs. Meyer’s detergent is a natural product, yet it isn’t organic (the difference). This green dishwasher comes in packets of 3, each of them containing 20 pods, which makes it a bit expensive. These dishwasher detergent pods are vegan and cruelty-free.
Mrs. Meyer’s detergent pods are also non-toxic. It was formulated without phosphates nor chlorine. Hence, it may not work well with persistent grease and stains. Too bad, it’s packed in a plastic bag, and not in another sustainable packaging.
Reviews
Several of the reviewers weren’t happy with how the pods left a white film on the dishes and Most reviews mentioned how amazing they thought the smell of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is. They strongly recommended trying all the scents this product has to offer.
8. Beyond Natural Dishwasher Detergent
Beyond natural dishwasher detergent ingredients are all plant-based, which means that it’s vegan and sustainable. It contains no harsh chemicals like chlorine or phosphates. The tabs are extremely easy to use as the wrappers around them dissolve on their own. On top of all that, it’s budget-friendly.
The natural formula makes this tablets effective even in hard water if you’re facing problem with tablets not dissolving due to the hard water in your area. Many have recommended this product as a good solution.
The Beyond natural detergent has 32 plastic-free dishwasher tablets that come in a cardboard box with wrappers that are made from biodegradable materials. Unfortunately, there are no other sizes. The packaging may not be aesthetically but it’s 100% plastic recycled cardboard.
Reviews
More than one reviewer have mentioned that sometimes the tabs didn’t dissolve like they’re supposed to. Some reviewers said that the tablets are individually wrapped in plastic but the company representative claims the material is not plastic.
9. Puracy Natural Dishwasher Detergent
Puracy natural dishwasher detergent is a no chlorine, no phosphates, vegan, and natural ingredients formula. On top of that, it’s never been tested on animals. It also works great with hard water.
The bag contains 50 dissolvable packs with a very thin plastic wrapping for comfortable usage.
It comes in a plastic, resalable bag. Unfortunately Not the most eco-friendly packaging out there.
Reviews
More than one reviewer have mentioned that sometimes the tabs didn’t dissolve like they’re It’s not overpriced and pretty effective in cleaning the dishes. On the downside, some people say that it suds to the point of leaking.
10. Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Tablets
Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Tablets come in a cardboard box but are individually packed in plastic that needs unwrapping. On the plus side, the pod itself doesn’t contain plastic, chlorine, or phosphates. Its ingredients are all-natural and vegan.
The Effects of Detergents on The Environment
Most detergents contain compounds as nitrogen and phosphate. These minerals encourage the growth of plants. When introduced to a body of water, both the underwater plants and the algae on the surface of the water grow out of proportion.
When the algae blocks cover the water’s surface, the plants at the bottom will struggle to survive without sunlight. This leads to eutrophication, in which simply, the plants die from lack of sunlight and attract bacteria.
The bacteria fill the water in large amounts to decompose the plants and simultaneously use up the oxygen in the water to respire. With no supply of oxygen, marine life and bacteria will compete for the oxygen and eventually suffocate to death.
Read more about the environmental-effect of detergents here
Which Plastic free Dishwasher Detergent To Choose?
If you want the most zero-waste and eco-friendly detergent, then you should go for IF YOU CARE Automatic Dishwasher Tablets or Dropps Dishwasher Detergent. Both of these environmental dishwasher detergents contain no plastic in their formulas or packaging. They’re plastic-free packaging dish soaps.
If you’re looking for a main stream brand that isn’t chemically formulated and that is environmentally friendly, then Mrs. Meyers clean day dishwasher detergent is an excellent choice. It comes in different plant-driven scents like Lavender, Basil, Lemon Verbena, Geranium, and Honeysuckle.
Another budget-friendly alternative that is almost plastic free would be Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder. It comes in a small plastic bag inside the tin box but it provides great value for the money and it’s eco-friendly.
- By the way, if from time to time you’re doing your dishes by hand consider getting a biodegradable dish sponge. These sustainable sponges are not only better for your personal health (avoid microplastics) but are also much better for the environment.
My Favorite Plastic free Dishwasher Detergent
It took a while to come up with this list. Even though not all dishwasher detergents here are plastic-free, they are the best eco-friendly solutions for the time being. If I had to recommend one product it would definitely be Cleancult plastic free dishwasher detergent tablets. Not only it’s 100% plastic-free, but the ingredients are as environmentally friendly as it gets.
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