Your Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent Guide (& 3 of Our Favorites!)

With the invention of the dishwashing machine, people no longer needed to spend hours in front of the kitchen sink washing all their dishes by hand anymore. Dishwashers are very convenient, especially for families, so they’re often a top priority when purchasing kitchen appliances.

Following that, it’s also essential to buy a quality dishwasher detergent, and you can often find the best dishwasher detergent online.

Although they save us a considerable amount of time, using a dishwasher comes with its own set of disadvantages. Namely, the chemicals in dishwasher detergents can be quite harmful. Even though we may think they leave our dishes completely clean, they can leave some harmful residue we cannot see.

Many ingredients can cause a dishwasher detergent to be toxic, so we’re here to provide you with insight into this topic.

Why Buy a Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent?

Have you ever wondered what goes into the detergent you’re using to make your dishes sparkling clean? As it removes even the most stubborn stains, it must be something quite strong. However, how do these strong ingredients affect us, and are they safe?

You probably already know the answers to these questions, so think about what dishwasher detergent you’re using. The hazardous ingredients can’t just be rinsed away, and dishes, especially glass, and Tupperware, often absorb them. Finally, they are further transferred from dishes to food.

Buying a non-toxic dishwasher detergent is essential and highly recommended. There are more and more choices of harmless detergents on the market now, and alongside making dishes clean, these dishwasher detergents make the dishes safe to use too.

List of Harmful Chemicals

Regular dishwasher detergents are filled with harmful and toxic ingredients. If you’re wondering about how safe your detergent is, check out this list of the most dangerous chemicals often used in dishwasher detergents.

Bleach

Bleach is used in many dishwasher detergents to polish and whiten the dishes, making them appear cleaner. However, although bleach removes the stains and whitens dishes, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. In reality, you’re consuming small amounts of bleach every time you eat if your detergent contains it. That can damage the eyes, skin, lungs, and organs.

Fragrance

Each fragrance is made of numerous other artificial ingredients that don’t even appear on the labels, only to make the dishwasher detergent smell more pleasing. As fragrances don’t play any role in the detergent’s effectiveness, they can simply be kicked out. Sometimes, even going for an unscented option is a good step towards a non-toxic detergent.

Polyacrylic Acid

This substance is used in dishwasher detergent powders and packs for its water-absorbing properties. That’s why Polyacrylic Acid acid has an anti-spotting effect, and your dishes come out of the dishwasher squeaky clean every time. Although polyacrylic acid is not hazardous to humans by itself, it often comes in contact with other acids, making the mix harmful to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

Sodium Metasilicate

Sodium metasilicate is used in both laundry and dishwasher detergents as an effective water softener. This substance makes every cleaning product more effective, as their performance is increasingly enhanced. However, this substance is very harmful and toxic to humans, so avoid any dishwashing detergents containing sodium metasilicate.

3 Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergents

Luckily, there are numerous unscented and non-toxic dishwashing detergents currently on the market. Here, we picked out only three of our ultimate favorites, which offer outstanding performance and results, even with no toxic ingredients.

1. Better Life Dishwasher Gel Detergent

Another favorite is Better Life dishwasher gel detergent. This one is in gel form for anyone who likes the more traditional approach. Besides being completely natural and approved by the EWG, this detergent will remove even the toughest stains.

2. Seventh Generation Free and Clear Dishwasher Detergent

You can get this famous non-toxic dishwasher detergent in powder or pack form, both equally effective. This detergent is probably the first choice of many people converting to non-toxic dishwasher detergents because it offers the most natural and eco-friendly ingredient list.

The most harmful ingredient in Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent is a citrus scent derived from essential oils. Although entirely natural, you should avoid it if someone in your family is allergic to citrus fruits.

3. Nature Clean Automatic Dishwasher Pacs

Nature Clean came up with 96% natural dishwasher packs that combine health and efficiency. Made almost 100% out of natural ingredients, these packs are both non-toxic and eco-friendly. They are fragrance-free, biodegradable, and premeasured for the easiest use.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, paying attention to dishwasher detergent ingredients is more important than you think. As toxic and harmful ingredients can cause numerous health problems, it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

So, check out these three natural and eco-friendly detergents and make the necessary changes today. Your body will thank you.