Tired of compromising between clean dishes and a clean conscience? Fret no more, because we’ve got you covered with this lineup of more sustainable dishwasher detergent brands.
Why Choose Eco-friendly Dishwasher Detergents?
Here are three reasons we think this is important:
- Conventional detergents often contain phosphates (and other harmful chemicals), which can lead to harmful algal blooms, and long-term damage to aquatic ecosystems. They can also irritate skin and harm respiratory health.
- Eco dishwasher detergent brands typically opt for more thoughtful packaging that can easily be recycled or they may offer zero waste options like refillable detergent powders. This limits single use plastic and ultimately plastic pollution.
- Opting for brands focused on natural, plant-based ingredients and sustainable business practices is how you can vote with your dollar for the kind of future you want. These brands are usually doing more than creating great products – they’re often working to reduce carbon emissions, push innovation and change the industry for the better.
So you might say we’re coming to your (rinse) aid to help you scrub away the culinary and chemical residues from your dishes, pots, and pans. For this list, we’ve focused on featuring brands that offer cruelty-free, vegan, and PVA-free detergents made from safer ingredients; use ideally low or zero waste packaging; and/or have a broader sustainability related mission.
Additionally, you may notice “rated” brand(s) on the list below. Our Brand Rating System rates brands (who opt in) on a wide range of sustainability related criteria, including things like climate action, biodiversity impact and packaging. Look out for these on the list below and find other rated brands here.
Note: This guide focuses on dishwasher powders and tablets where no Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is used to case the tablets. If you’re after a longer list of tablet options, see our guide to dishwasher tablets.
We independently research all featured brands, and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
The Best Sustainable Dishwasher Detergents
We’re big fans of Blueland’s Dishwasher Starter Kit, which makes it easy to clean up, thanks to PVA-free tablets and a handy, refillable tin for storing them. We found the tablets effective even on short cycles and the compostable refill packs keep everything low-waste. Blueland has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.
Dirty Labs plastic-free dishwasher detergent is packaged in a recyclable cardboard container and is good for 48 loads. They’re certified by the EPA Safer Choice and USDA Biobased programs, and they’re cruelty-free and vegan (certified by PETA).
Common Good offers a zero waste dishwasher powder that is highly reviewed by their customers. Made in the USA, all their products are rated ‘A’ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They’re also cruelty-free and vegan.
Index: Environmentally Friendly Dishwasher Detergent Brands
- Blueland Jump to brand
- etee Jump to brand
- Common Good Jump to brand
- Dirty Labs Jump to brand
- ecostore Jump to brand
- Nellie's Jump to brand
- Seventh Generation Jump to brand
Blueland
Carbon Neutral
Brand has been certified as Carbon Neutral.
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Minority Owned
Brand is owned by Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
PFAS Free
Products have been tested and verified to be free of PFAS
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Refillable
Product packaging can be refilled with more product, either at a physical store or via a return program.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
B Corp
Climate Neutral Certified
Cradle to Cradle
EPA Safer Choice
EWG
Leaping Bunny
MADE SAFE®
USDA BioPreferred
B Corp
The B Corp Certification, administered by the nonprofit B Lab, recognizes companies that meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Certified B Corps balance profit with purpose, committing to responsible practices that benefit workers, communities, customers, and the planet while embedding sustainability into their business model.Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard, administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, evaluates products for their safety, circularity, and sustainability across five key categories: material health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Products earn certification levels (Bronze to Platinum) based on how well they meet these rigorous criteria.EPA Safer Choice
The EPA Safer Choice label, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, identifies products made with ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Every ingredient is reviewed by the EPA’s scientific team to ensure it meets strict safety and performance standards, meaning products with this label are effective, low in toxicity, and formulated to reduce pollution and environmental impact.EWG
The EWG Verified® mark, issued by the Environmental Working Group, identifies products that meet the organization’s strictest standards for health and transparency. To earn the label, products must avoid ingredients of concern, fully disclose all ingredients (including fragrance components), and follow good manufacturing practices.Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny certification, managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), is the globally recognized gold standard for cruelty-free products. It ensures that neither a company’s finished products nor their ingredients are tested on animals at any stage of development. Brands must also agree to independent audits and supplier monitoring, guaranteeing genuine cruelty-free commitment across their entire supply chain.MADE SAFE®
The MADE SAFE® certification is a comprehensive non-toxic seal that verifies products are made with safe ingredients not known or suspected to harm human health, animals, or ecosystems. Overseen by the MADE SAFE nonprofit, it screens every ingredient against a database of toxicological and environmental science criteria.USDA BioPreferred
The USDA Certified Biobased Product label, part of the BioPreferred® Program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, identifies products made from renewable biological ingredients. It displays the percentage of biobased content verified by the USDA.Set your dishwashing routine free from artificial fragrances, bleach, dyes, ammonia, VOCs, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, and plastic with Blueland.
Begin with the Dishwasher Starter Set, which includes a handy reusable container, then refill it via compostable paper refill packs when you run out (or subscribe, so you don’t forget!). Despite their convenient tablet form, we love that they don’t include a PVA wrapper, which means they’re some of the most environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent tablets around.
Blueland offers a range of household cleaners, with certifications from Cradle to Cradle, Leaping Bunny, USDA BioPreferred, EPA Safer Choice, and MADE SAFE, along with containing EWG verified ingredients.
The refillable cleaning brand is also a Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral certified, and gives back via organizations such as Lonely Whale and DIGDEEP.
Blueland has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
My Personal Review of Blueland’s Dishwasher Tablets:
“Given my long history of loving this brand, I wasn’t surprised when I tested these cruelty-free tablets and found them an effective and worthy addition to my cleaning cabinet, already lined with Blueland products. They’re super easy to use and leave dishes residue-free. Plus, the fact that they’re the ONLY PVA-free tablet on the market is a huge bonus. I often make my own DIY dish tablets, but when life gets really busy, I always make sure to have some of these on hand in case I don’t have time to make more. Even running the shortest cycle our dishwasher allows, there’s never been an issue with stuck-on food or grimy film left on dishes after using Blueland’s tablets.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
etee
etee has not been rated.
etee’s eco-friendly dishwashing soap will help you achieve sparkling clean dishes and a home free of plastic. While they offer various solid and liquid dish soap options, only one is designed for your dishwasher.
The Concentrated Dishwasher Detergent is a baking-soda based biodegradable dish soap that’s formulated with septic-safe, non-toxic ingredients. These don’t include synthetic fragrances, foaming agents, palm oil, unnatural preservatives, dyes, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or plastic of any kind—thanks to its compostable paper bag packaging.
etee is 100% zero waste resource for everything you might need to care for your home and self. Everything etee offers is made through an ethical and traceable supply chain, including their renewable energy powdered factory.
Common Good
Common Good has not been rated.
Tackle the grime with Common Good’s zero waste dishwasher powder. Made using a blend of mineral-based ingredients and potent enzymes, this detergent has an average of 4.6/5 star reviews on Common Goods’ website.
Made in the USA, the detergent is free from sulfates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances, and is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. Housed in a cardboard paper tube with an easy-to-use wooden scoop, this dishwasher powder leaves nothing to waste.
Founded by Sacha with a vision to make products that were safe for her kids, Common Good prioritizes ingredient safety with products rated ‘A’ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The brand also offers refillable cleaning and household products with the objective of reducing single use plastic waste.
Dirty Labs
Dirty Labs has not been rated.
Dirty Labs brings cutting-edge science into the world of eco-friendly dish cleaning with their Bio Enzyme Dishwasher Detergent. This detergent is made with advanced bio enzymes, for deep cleaning (customers rate it 4.78/5 stars at the time of writing). The detergent comes scented or unscented, and contains no SLS, SLES, dyes, parabens, preservatives, 1,4-dioxane, CA Prop 65 Chemicals, or phthalates.
48 loads worth of their plastic-free dishwasher detergent is packaged in a recyclable cardboard container and the scoop is made from responsibly sourced schima superba wood. You can also purchase an elegant refillable canister if you don’t already have one.
Founded by a team of chemists, biologists, and environmentalists, Dirty Labs is committed to revolutionizing cleaning products by achieving high-performance cleaning without the negative environmental footprint. Their products are packaged in recyclable aluminum and cardboard to avoid single use plastic, and Dirty Labs’ detergents are certified by the EPA Safer Choice and USDA Biobased programs. They’re also certified as cruelty-free and vegan by PETA.
ecostore
ecostore has not been rated.
ecostore offers a plant and mineral-based dishwasher powder which is packaged in a bottle made from a mix of sugarcane plastic and recycled plastic – in other words, no fossil fuel derived plastic – and it’s recyclable.
The lemon scented formula is kind to your septic tank, compliant with greywater systems, and is free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Ecostore’s full range is easily available in Australia and New Zealand but in the US, only available on Amazon, and a select few retailers.
Founded in New Zealand, ecostore has been dedicated to creating safe, sustainable household products since 1993. With a commitment to transparency, ecostore lists all ingredients used in their products and continually innovates for safety and sustainability. They are also a Certified B Corp.
My Personal Review of ecostore’s Dishwasher Powder:
“We’ve used this powder in our household for years and years (often switching between this and the dishwasher tablets). We discovered them when living in New Zealand and they’ve really been our go-to ever since. Luckily they’re easily accessible in our local stores! The dishwasher powder is a winner, a little goes a long way so one bottle lasts for ages and dishes come out clean and sparkling. There’s not much scent to the dishes post-wash, which I like too.“
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ Co-founder
Nellie's
Nellie's has not been rated.
Nellie’s highly concentrated dishwasher powder is made with just a handful of biodegradable, plant- and mineral-based ingredients, including sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate, for a residue-free clean. It’s free from phosphates, chlorine, and harsh synthetic fragrances.
Nellie’s offers a refillable tin as well as bulk dishwasher powder. Each refill bag provides up to 50 loads and the powder is septic-safe, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny certified.
Based in Canada, Nellie’s has built its brand around effective, low-waste alternatives to conventional cleaning products.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation has not been rated.
Seventh Generation’s fragrance-free dishwasher detergent powder is made with plant-based enzymes and is both Leaping Bunny Certified (cruelty-free) and USDA Certified Biobased. It contains no chlorine, bleach, phosphates, dyes or fragrance.
Unfortunately, the box this detergent comes in is not recyclable given a thin plastic layer – so that’s something to keep in mind.
Seventh Generation are a Certified B Corp and their commitment extends to full ingredient transparency and the continual testing of their products to ensure efficacy.
DIY Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergents
We’ve actually written a whole guide on homemade dishwasher detergent recipes. So if you want to be entirely plastic and waste free, time to get your hands dirty (and your dishes clean).
For the TLDR, here’s our DIY dish detergent pods recipe:
- Combine Epsom salt, borax, and washing soda in a medium sized bowl.
- Add lemon juice and stir well.
- Pop the mixture into ice cube trays or some other reusable mold and let dry overnight.
Another option is to mix baking soda, borax, white vinegar, Epsom salt, and essential oils into a mold.
Once the tablets are dry, remove them from the mold and store in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them to keep your dishes sparkling clean.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergents
Q: What makes a dishwasher detergent eco-friendly?
A: Generally, they are formulated with plant-based or mineral-based ingredients that are biodegradable and non-toxic. They are cruelty-free (i.e. no testing on animals), vegan (i.e. not made with animal products), and avoid harsh chemicals like phosphates, artificial fragrances, bleach and chlorine. Ideally, they’re made ethically and packaged in zero waste, low waste or easily recyclable packaging. We love to see brands giving back too!
Q: Are sustainable dishwasher detergents as effective as conventional ones?
A: Yes, many eco detergents use enzyme technology to effectively clean dishes. They are formulated to target grease and stains without leaving harmful residues, proving as efficient as their conventional counterparts.
Q: Can eco-friendly dishwasher detergents be used in all machines?
A: Most are compatible with standard and high-efficiency (HE) dishwashers. Always check the product labels for any specific usage instructions.
Q: Are there any cost differences when buying environmentally friendly dishwasher detergents?
A: While eco-friendly products can sometimes be more expensive, they often offer better value with concentrated formulas. Also, their less negative impact on health and the environment can justify the extra cost, as far as we’re concerned. Though acknowledging it’s not always possible to pay more.
Q: How can I ensure the dishwasher detergent I choose is genuinely sustainable or zero waste?
A: Look for certifications such as EPA Safer Choice, MADE SAFE, USDA Biobased, or EWG Verified. These certifications indicate adherence to specific environmental and health standards. From a broader sustainability perspective, certifications like B Corp, Climate Neutral and Cradle to Cradle help gain some comfort around a brand’s set of values.
Q: Where can I buy the best eco friendly dishwasher detergents?
A: You can use this list to help you navigate to more sustainable options. You can also purchase them in many health and eco-specialty stores, and through digital marketplaces like EarthHero and other alternatives to Amazon.
Joy has been a passionate advocate for the environment since she was a small child. She grew up in South Africa and has been lucky enough to be exposed to the wonders of nature not just in Africa but all over the world. She founded Sustainable Jungle (together with her husband Lyall) back in 2017 after becoming enraged by the devastating impact of palm oil. She then founded the Sustainable Jungle Podcast and together with Lyall interviewed remarkable people from all over the world who were finding ways to create positive impact. Outside of Sustainable Jungle, Joy has always worked in the corporate world, starting out as an auditor and later moving into management consulting. More recently she specialized in Climate Investing for the Asia Pacific region. Given her experience, her current passion is Brand Ratings. She is very much enjoying going deeper on what it really means to drive sustainability performance and true impact through business operations.
