The Best Non-Toxic Dish Soap
This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we’ll earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. For more details, please read our disclosure.
For most people, dishwashing is a daily necessity. Even for those with dishwashing machines, not all items are compatible with this kind of washing, and an element of hand washing is also required. Many of the regular dish soaps we see in stores contain a plethora of ingredients that can be at best slightly harmful and irritating to our skin, and at worst toxic and extremely detrimental to our overall health and that of our families, pets, and the environment.
Because of this, more and more brands are now offering explicitly toxin-free cleaning products. Here you’ll find the best non-toxic dish soaps for a safe and healthy home.
Unless you wear gloves regularly, it’s likely that dish soap comes into direct contact with your skin on a regular basis. For this reason, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the ingredients within these products and the effects they might have on the health and condition of you and your skin. Synthetic fragrances and other harmful ingredients can cause dryness, cracking, and even allergic reactions in many people, especially with continuous use.
Eradicating these toxic ingredients from your daily life not only ensures the health of you and your household but also the wider environment.
The fumes produced by some of these chemicals and the pollution they release into waterworks and the atmosphere can be extremely harmful. Marine life, in particular, tends to suffer as a result of these products being washed down drains and sent directly into waterways leading to the ocean. In a world where the climate emergency is a primary global concern, it’s important that we each do our bit to protect the earth and reduce our use of harmful substances and chemicals which pollute our air and water.
Finally, as well as the cosmetic impact on our skin, and the detrimental effect these products have on the environment, they can also be extremely harmful to our overall health. Ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Formaldehyde are widely present within many dish soaps and have been linked to respiratory issues and irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs. Clearly, switching to non-toxic alternatives is the best way of reducing our contact with these products and in turn protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and the world we live in.
Related: List of Septic Safe Dishwasher Detergents
Listed below are some of the best non-toxic dish soaps to consider when detoxing your home.
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Versatile  | Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint)
| 9.9 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Eco Me Dish Soap
| 9.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Better Life Sulfate Free Dish Soap (Pomegranate)
| 9.3 | Check Price on Amazon |
The Best Non-Toxic Dish Soap
1. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
Castile soap refers to all soaps made from vegetable oils, as opposed to animal fat derivatives. Buying soap labeled as Castile also ensures all ingredients are eco-friendly and non-toxic. When looking for ecological, natural soap to incorporate into your daily chores and cleaning routine, buying castile soap is an easy way of making sure you’re getting the all-natural product you’re looking for.
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is particularly great, as it is so multi-functional. It boasts eighteen different uses in just one bottle. The liquid soap can be used for washing dishes, all-purpose cleaning, in your laundry, and also for personal hygiene care uses such as washing the body or face, or even brushing your teeth. As far as liquid soaps go, it’s pretty unique and completely non-toxic.
The soap is gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegan, so it’s suitable for a huge range of people. It’s made with a majority of fair-trade and organic ingredients and contains no synthetic preservatives. If you’re not yet convinced of its many ecological and useful properties, the packaging is also made of recycled plastic bottles.
If you’re looking to implement more environmentally-friendly products into your daily life, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is a great starting point.
2. Better Life
Better Life’s sulfate-free dish soaps are gentle and mild, yet highly effective. Better Life’s mission is to create products that are completely non-toxic, predominantly plant-based, and tough on grease and stains.
The sulfate-free dish soap is chemical-free and comes in various scents as well as an unscented option. The fragranced options are completely natural, scented using essential oils or botanical extracts. The products are also biodegradable, meaning no water or air pollution or unnecessary damage to our planet.
Given that the soap is sulfate-free, you can use it freely without the need for gloves, knowing that it won’t dry out your skin or cause any adverse reactions. Vitamin E and Aloe are also added to promote hydration and softness.
Better Life products are never tested on animals and are made using solar energy. All in all, this is a brand that strives for the highest levels of environmental sustainability, prioritizing eco-friendly ingredients and production means when making their high-quality cleaning products.
3. Eco Me
The Eco Me Natural Liquid Dish Soap is earth-friendly, family-friendly, and tough on dirt. The soap cuts through grease, dirt, and grime, and has all-natural antibacterial properties. So your dishes are left sparkling clean, without the need for any harsh chemicals or toxins.
As well as being highly effective, Eco Me Dish Soap is also free from synthetic fragrances, preservatives, colorants, phthalates, sulfates, BPAs, and all other harmful chemicals or toxins. Because of this, it won’t irritate your skin or leave behind any filmy residues.
Given its gentle ingredients, this soap is great for use on glass and silverware, as well as baby bottles and countertops. It’s also suitable for use around children and pets without worrying about any dangerous fumes or irritants.
4. Ecos
ECOS is a well-known brand, recognized for its range of products that champion natural, chemical-free ingredients over cheaper, toxic, or harmful alternatives. They’re esteemed for the high quality and effectiveness of their eco-friendly products.
Made from all naturally derived products, Ecos Dishmate Dishwashing Liquid is a great option when it comes to toxin-free, non-harmful dish soaps.
The soap is completely vegan and cruelty-free, so you can rest assured that your daily dishwashing isn’t contributing to the suffering of any animals. It’s also hypoallergenic and naturally scented, so it shouldn’t cause any adverse reactions.
Scent options include pear, lavender, and almond, as well as an unscented option if you find that essential oils or botanical extracts don’t suit your skin type.
The biodegradable soap isn’t harmful to water life and doesn’t produce any air or water-based pollution. Because the product is highly concentrated it also lasts extremely well. A little goes a long way and its naturally sudsing ingredients make it a highly effective cleaning product.
5. Aunt Fannie’s
The focus of Aunt Fannie’s household products is on using ingredients that are kind to your skin, balancing its PH levels, and promoting moisture and softness.
Their Probiotic Power Dish Soap is hypoallergenic and tested by licensed dermatologists, so you know that the ingredients won’t strip your skin of its natural oils or cause any dryness or cracking, unlike most chemical-heavy alternatives. In fact, the brand claims that many of its ingredients are more akin to those normally found in your skincare products, rather than in your day-to-day cleaning agents.
The soap is available in four different scents: fresh lemon, lavender, mandarin grove, or soft mint. Each is fragranced using essential oils, so no synthetic fragrances are added.
As well as being gentle on the skin and completely natural, Aunt Fannie’s Probiotic Power Dish Soap is also a powerful and competent cleaning product. It leaves dishes clean and free of grease or grime, while also smelling great.
6. Seventh Generation
Powered by Plants’ is the tagline of Seventh Generation’s Liquid Dish Soap. The mission of Seventh Generation outlines its drive to create products that are highly effective and made from renewable, sustainable ingredients and materials. Using plant-based ingredients and recycled materials to create products that won’t contribute to the immense production of waste and pollution that exacerbates our global climate crisis.
Their liquid dish soap is Leaping Bunny and EU Ecolabel certified. The ingredients are almost entirely plant-based, with their ingredients list coming directly from the earth. It contains no synthetic fragrances or colorants, so is unlikely to cause skin irritation.
As well as being completely recyclable, the packaging is also made from recycled materials, aligning the product with the brand’s mission to eliminate landfill waste from their manufacturing process.
Related: Soap vs. Detergent: What’s the Difference?
7. Attitude
Another excellent option when it comes to non-toxic dish soaps. Attitude’s Dishwashing Liquid is plant-based, cruelty-free, and completely vegan. Accredited by PETA, and a member of their ‘Beauty Without Bunnies’ program, Attitude has a clear focus on creating products that won’t cause any harm or suffering to animals.
Whether you’re vegan yourself or are simply looking into a more mindful way of consuming products and the impact of their products on animals and wildlife, this dish soap is a great option.
The soap is also Ecologo certified, meaning that it is manufactured with minimal environmental impact. It’s free of harmful chemicals and preservatives and is naturally scented using fruit extracts or essential oils.
Ingredients like Saponin aid the effective cleaning properties of the dish soap, leaving dishes sparkling clean and toxin-free. The gentle, plant-based ingredients make it suitable for use when cleaning a wide range of products and surfaces, with the added assurance that the soap isn’t harmful to you or the environment.
8. Branch Basics
Branch Basics was founded with the intention of educating consumers and everyday people on ways to eradicate toxins from their products and daily lives. They claim that all cleaning products can be replaced with one multi-purpose concentrate. With hundreds of excellent five-star reviews, it’s definitely worth checking out.
The Branch Basics Concentrate is plant and mineral-based and is MADE SAFE certified, meaning it is free from harmful toxins and chemicals. The concentrate is to be diluted and can be used for a huge range of cleaning purposes.
Being toxin-free, the concentrate is predominantly safe for use around children and most pets, as well as those with chronic illnesses or respiratory issues. It’s also not tested on animals, non-GMO and fragrance-free.
If you’re looking for a great non-toxic dish soap that also lends itself to a plethora of other uses, Branch Basics could be an excellent option.
As well as producing high-quality cleaning products, Branch Basics also provide a home detox service. Their ‘Toss the Toxins’ initiative encourages consumers to rid their homes of harmful toxins. They provide information and guidance on how to do this, as well as a handy harmful ingredients directory as part of the service.
9. Meliora
Meliora’s plastic-free dish soap is great for those of us who are looking to reduce the toxins we bring into our homes, lower our contributions to non-sustainable production and manufacturing methods, and cut down on unnecessary, excessive plastic waste.
The soap is in bar form, so there’s no plastic packaging to dispose of and is an easy-to-use and effective dish soap. Simply place the bar on the side of the sink and use it to lather up your dishwashing sponge or brush, or hold it under a running faucet for a sink full of suds.
The soap is cruelty-free, dye-free, preservative-free, fragrance-free, and palm-oil free, as well as being completely vegan and made from naturally derived ingredients.
This simple yet effective product is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, a combination that’s hard to beat.
Meliora also donates a portion of each sale to environmental causes, so making a purchase not only reduces your own intake of toxins and harmful chemicals and your waste production, but you’re also contributing to the support of a great cause.
Related: DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Versatile | Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint)
| 9.9 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Eco Me Dish Soap
| 9.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Better Life Sulfate Free Dish Soap (Pomegranate)
| 9.3 | Check Price on Amazon |
Final Thoughts on the Best Non-Toxic Dish Soap
These are just a few examples of the excellent range of non-toxic dish soaps offering high-quality, effective cleaning performance, without the need for harsh and harmful chemicals or toxins.
The products are widely affordable and accessible, so there is really no reason to be continuing with the use of other dish soaps likely to induce adverse reactions and harmful effects both on you and your family, as well as the environment and the wildlife that inhabit it.
Changing to one of the best non-toxic dish soap alternatives is a great way to reduce your negative impact on the earth and ensure the health and safety of you and those in your household.