9 Best Natural & Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergents, Tablets & Pods

This blog post is all about the best natural and non-toxic dishwasher detergents, tablets, and pods!

Whether you run your dishwasher every day, a few times a week, or only on occasion, choosing safe dishwasher detergent is important if you want to reduce the amount of chemicals you’re exposed to.

The thing is, most detergents, tablets, and pods on the market are filled with toxic substances we do not want lingering on our dishes.

They also pollute waterways and negatively impact aquatic life.

If you’re ready to make the switch to healthier and more eco-friendly options, I have you covered!

In this article, I’ve rounded up the 9 best natural and non-toxic dishwasher detergents, tablets, and pods so you can clean your dishes safely and sustainably.

This post is about dishwasher detergent, but if you’re looking for detergent for handwashing dishes, check out this one: 9 best natural & non-toxic dish soap brands for sparkling clean dishes.

This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details.

Why buy from natural & non-toxic dishwasher detergent brands?

Most dishwasher detergents, whether they’re pods, tablets, gel, or powder, are filled with toxic chemicals that are not only bad for the planet but also for human health.

The problem is that when we use them, those substances can linger on our dishes, and we might unintentionally ingest them with our food.

Here are some toxic chemicals commonly found in many conventional dishwasher detergents:

Isothiazolinone preservatives like methylisothiazolinone or benzisothiazolinone
Phosphates
Ammonia
Chlorine bleach
Ethoxylated surfactants such as SLS and PEGs
Dyes
Synthetic fragrances
Polyacrylates
Sodium hypochlorite
Phthalates
Benzotriazole

Those can negatively impact our health if we’re regularly exposed to them!

Some of these, like benzisothiazolinone, can irritate the lungs, skin, and eyes, while others, such as benzotriazole and some synthetic dyes, are endocrine disruptors.

Some, like polyacrylates, have even been linked to cancer and other serious health issues, including neurological and cellular damage and reproductive toxicity.

Not to mention that many of those chemicals found in dishwasher detergent are toxic to aquatic life and marine ecosystems.

For all those reasons, it’s crucial to switch to non-toxic dishwasher detergents!

The best natural and non-toxic dishwasher detergents, tablets, and pods are made with plant-based ingredients.

Which dishwasher detergent is the least toxic? The best natural & non-toxic ingredients

If you want to buy non-toxic dishwasher detergent, make sure to carefully read the ingredient lists.

Stay away from products that contain any of the ingredients listed above.

Usually, the shorter the ingredient list is, the better!

Instead of those toxic products, buy detergent made with natural plant- and mineral-based ingredients such as sodium carbonate, citric acid, protease, amylase, and sodium silicate.

Also, either choose unscented products or detergent scented using 100% natural oils.

To ensure you’re buying a safe product, look for third-party certifications such as:

MADE SAFE
Ecocert
Green Seal
EPA Safer Choice
USDA Organic
USDA Biobased
Cradle to Cradle
EWG Verified

For a more sustainable option, also choose biodegradable formulas as well as products that come in plastic-free packaging.

9 best natural & non-toxic dishwasher detergents, tablets & pods for a safe clean

1. Public Goods

Types: Dishwasher Pods

Scented? Yes With Essential Oils

Sustainable marketplace Public Goods offers these non-toxic dishwasher pods made to break down grease and dirt on dishes without harming us or marine life.

Their all-natural, biodegradable formula emulsifies oil and grease, removes stains, and sanitizes flatware while minimizing water spots.

These eco-friendly pods are made with four mineral- and plant-based ingredients: sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, enzymes, and lemon essential oil.

They’re also baby-safe and grey water-friendly and do not contain any phosphates, phthalates, formaldehyde, chlorine, dyes, parabens, petroleum, or animal by-products.

Plus, since they come in convenient water-soluble pouches, you won’t need to measure or risk making messes!

SHOP PUBLIC GOODS NATURAL DISHWASHER PODS

2. Grove

Types: Powder Detergent, Tablets, Pods, Gel Detergent

Scented? Unscented + Scented Options

Grove has a large selection of dishwasher detergents from many different brands including Molly’s Suds, Seventh Generation, Nellie’s, and its own brand Grove Co.

You’ll be able to choose from various dishwasher tablets, pods, and detergents in a gel or powder form.

While some products are better than others in terms of ingredients, you’ll be able to use the website’s filters to choose exactly what you’re looking for.

Many options are certified by EPA Safer Choice or USDA Biobased, cruelty-free, vegan, sold by B Corp companies, and fragrance-free or scented only with natural ingredients!

I also love that you can get products packaged without plastic, for instance, in aluminum containers or cardboard boxes.

SHOP GROVE NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER DETERGENT

3. Blueland

Types: Dishwasher Tablets

Scented? No

Blueland sells plastic-free dishwasher tablets that eliminate grime, grease, and food stains without dissolving harmful ingredients or plastic film onto your dishes.

Are Blueland dishwasher tablets non-toxic?

Absolutely!

Certified by EPA Safer Choice and Cradle To Cradle, these tabs are made without phosphates, PVA, preservatives, parabens, phthalates, chlorine, and many other harmful chemicals.

Their formula is also EWG Verified and only contains clean, mineral- and plant-based ingredients.

What’s more, it contains a rinse-aid ingredient so you won’t need to add rinse-aid and will be able to minimize the number of products you use.

Blueland provides a beautiful reusable tin to hold its tablets.

But you can also get them in a compostable refill pouch or in a set with other cleaning products like dish soap or laundry detergent.

These natural dishwasher detergent tablets are also cruelty-free and vegan, and the brand received the Climate-Neutral and B Corp certifications!

SHOP BLUELAND NATURAL DISHWASHER TABLETS

4. Dirty Labs

Types: Dishwasher Detergent Powder

Scented? Unscented + Scented Options

Dirty Labs dishwasher detergent is an ultra-concentrated powder that breaks down stubborn stuck-on food and grease and leaves a spot-free finish.

It is formulated with advanced bio enzymes and non-toxic ingredients and doesn’t contain any CA Prop 65 chemicals of concern, sulfates, dyes, preservatives, parabens, 1,4-dioxane, BPA, or phthalates.

The formula is also biodegradable, septic-safe, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Plus, Dirty Labs dishwasher detergent powder is made in the USA and certified by Green Seal and USDA Biobased.

And it comes in a plastic-free cardboard container with a convenient scoop made of responsibly sourced wood.

SHOP DIRTY LABS NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER DETERGENT

5. Dropps

Types: Dishwasher Detergent Pods

Scented? Unscented + Scented Options

Dropps has two different types of dishwasher pods, both of which are effective at breaking down stuck-on food residues and grease.

Its Ultrawash Plus pods also have a built-in rinse aid, so you’ll have spot-free glassware with no streaks or film without needing to use an extra product.

Are Dropps dishwasher pods non-toxic?

Both pod versions are certified by USDA Biobased and Leaping Bunny and are formulated without dyes, phthalates, parabens, dyes, chlorine, phosphates, and sulfates.

However, I recommend that you get the unscented ones as the Environmental Working Group rated them A as opposed to B for the citrus-scented pods.

I also like that Dropps is a certified B Corporation and that it provides carbon-neutral shipping.

SHOP DROPPS NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER PODS

6. Branch Basics

Types: Dishwasher Tablets

Scented? No

Besides its great all-purpose concentrate cleaning solution, Branch Basics has these non-toxic dishwasher tablets made with plant- and mineral-based ingredients.

They’re designed to eliminate sticky messes, food residue, and tough grease all while softening water and leaving a streak-free result.

Not only that but they’re also 100% biodegradable and safe to use.

They do not contain any fragrance, sulfates, phthalates, fillers, chlorine, or plastic film (no PVA), and are held together by a plant-based binder.

Branch Basics’ tabs are safe for everyone including babies, and they’re EWG Verified and certified by MADE SAFE and Leaping Bunny.

SHOP BRANCH BASICS NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER TABLETS

7. AspenClean

Types: Dishwasher Pods

Scented? No

These natural dishwasher pods by AspenClean are effective at cleaning your dishes, yet they’re gentle on our health, the planet, and septic systems.

They cut through food stains and grease without leaving water spots and films and are formulated with non-toxic and natural ingredients.

These unscented pods are also certified by Ecocert and EWG Verified, so they’re 100% non-toxic.

They’re free of harmful chemicals such as chlorine, sulfates, phosphates, dyes, parabens, carcinogens, preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and more.

Plus, they’re cruelty-free, vegan, and packaged in a 100% plastic-free, recycled paper box.

SHOP ASPENCLEAN NATURAL DISHWASHER PODS

8. Attitude

Types: Dishwasher Pods

Scented? No

Attitude offers these unscented dishwasher tablets covered in a water-soluble film that dissolves during washing.

They’re designed to thoroughly clean and tackle tough stains on your dishes without leaving residue or streaks.

They also help prevent limescale in your dishwasher so that it lasts longer.

Plus, they’re effective whether you prefer short or longer wash cycles, and whether you wash your dishes at low or high temperatures.

Attitude makes its pods using sustainable processes and doesn’t use any ingredients of concern according to the Environmental Working Group.

There are no phosphates, dyes, chlorine, fragrances, or PVHO.

SHOP ATTITUDE NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER PODS

9. MamaSuds

Types: Dishwasher Powder

Scented? No

This dishwasher powder by MamaSuds is made with only four ingredients, all of which are non-toxic, so it’s safe for you, your family, and the environment.

This biodegradable solution will effectively tackle sticky food residues and tough grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean with every wash.

It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and earned an A rating from the Environment Working Group.

So you can use it with peace of mind knowing it’s completely healthy to use!

MamaSuds’ unscented powder is also certified vegan by PETA and cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

SHOP MAMASUDS NATURAL DISHWASHER DETERGENT

Final thoughts on the best natural & non-toxic dishwasher detergents

I hope you’ve found this article about the best natural and non-toxic dishwasher detergents, tablets, and pods helpful!

No matter which type of detergent you’ve chosen, these will help you have sparkling clean dishes without exposing you and your family to toxic substances and polluting waterways.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

Which non-toxic dishwasher detergent brands have you decided to try?

Make sure to leave a comment!

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Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!

It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!

9 BEST NATURAL & NON-TOXIC DISHWASHER DETERGENTS, TABLETS & PODS FOR A SAFE CLEAN

Why buy from natural & non-toxic dishwasher detergent brands?

Which dishwasher detergent is the least toxic? The best natural & non-toxic ingredients