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I don’t know anyone who likes doing dishes in the sink, but we all have to do it. Next time you are sudsing up those dishes, have you ever wondered what ingredients would be safest for your family and the Planet? Well, we found out for you! You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best cleaning products, best non-toxic laundry detergents, & best non-toxic soap & body washes, now join us for the safest non-toxic dish soap liquid & bar soap brands for 2021.

For a full list of Mamavation’s product investigations go here. (Here’s dishwasher detergent if you are looking for it.)

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post contains affiliate links, most of which are to Amazon. Please make sure to do your own research because products and ingredients can change without warning. As we see changes, we will update this post. 

Little housekeeping fairy girl tired of home chores - doing the dishes

So Where Did Dish Soap Come From?

Somewhere, someone way back in the day we decided that hey – these things (meaning bodies and the like) need cleaning, and some brilliant ancient Babylonian fixed that by inventing soap in 2800 BC.

A bit far from what we use today, we’re still using that knowledge to create the soaps and detergents we use to clean ourselves, our laundry, clean our dishes, and our homes.

Soap is, in fact, named after an ancient Roman legend of Mount Sapo and the first soap.

According to the story, rain washed down the mountain while mixing with both animal fat and ashes, resulting in a clay mixture found to make cleaning more simple.

And by the 7th century, soap-making was an established art in France, Spain, and Italy; they were early centers of the manufacturing of soap due, in some part, to their glorious supply of ingredients – like olive oil.

Life went on, people smelled better, and people were less prone to certain diseases.

Unfortunately, we got a lot grosser in the Middle Ages when cleanliness wasn’t a big deal, but do not fear, by the 17th century, England had begun to make soap, bathing, and cleaning dishes, bringing it back into fashion.

In the 1950s, the world was introduced to laundry detergent and stain removers, and by the 1970s, we had dish soap!

Of course, as soon as it was available, industry giants bought up the patents and created a monopoly on the market.

Until recently.

Asian couple doing the dishes using non-toxic dish soap

The Harms of The Non-Specific Ingredients in Dish Soap

Before we launch into our known toxins (most of you know these by heart, but a few may surprise you.)

So, first this: as many of you are familiar with, there really is no set requirement or standard that forces companies to list every single ingredient in our household cleaning products, and like any old company trying to look their best, many of these companies use catch-all phrases for the worst of the chemicals.

We’re all aware of “fragrance” which may make my soap smell like honeysuckle, but it could contain over 100 different chemicals that you’ll never know about (unless you have your own lab).

The same goes for artificial flavor, though we at Mamavation really do hope that you don’t eat your soap.

The household cleaning industry has, of course, their own types of jargon that they’re not required to disclose – and just like fragrance, these names can account for hundreds and hundreds of chemicals that you wouldn’t let in your house, even if they paid you.

couple doing dishes together using non-toxic dish soap

Types of Ingredients in Your Dish Soap

The ingredient label on the back of your bottle may seem a bit intimidating to read. But we are here to make that all easier for you. When you are scrubbing those pans with your eco-friendly dish soap, you’re likely doing this to avoid harsh chemicals while also wanting that product to cut grease and break up residue. Here are some of the main ingredients you’ll find in dish soaps and why they are problematic:

  • Surfactants: Effects may include aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects, general systemic concerns, and organ damage.
  • PH Adjuster: Effects may include developmental, endocrine, reproductive effects, irritation, allergies, damage, respiratory damages
  • Buffer/buffering agent: Effects may include developmental, endocrine, reproductive effects, skin irritation, allergies, damage, and respiratory issues.
  • Foam booster/foaming agents: Effects of these can include cancers, and chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
  • Water softener/water-softening agent: Effects can include developmental, endocrine, reproductive effects, skin irritation, allergies, damage, and respiratory problems.
  • Preservatives: Major concerns can include cancer, general systemic organ damage, acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory problems, chronic aquatic toxicity, and skin problems.

young latino boys washing dishes at the kitchen sink using non-toxic dish soap

The EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning Drops Clues for Dish Soap

Our friends at the Environmental Working Group took a look at most of the popular cleaning products like dish soaps, cleaning solutions, and laundry detergents several years ago. They concluded the following, which drives home our need for safer cleaning ingredients:

  • 53% of the brands they assessed contained ingredients that are known to harm the lungs.
  • 22% of the brands they assessed contain ingredients linked to asthma symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals
  • Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, is sometimes used as a preservative
  • 1,4-dioxane, a human carcinogen, is a suspected contaminant of widely-used detergent chemicals
  • Chloroform, a human carcinogen, can escape in fumes released by chlorine bleach.

As you can see, there is a need for safer products in the cleaning product world! If you would like our recommendations for cleaning products, click here.

Dish Soap 2020 2

Watch Out For These Specific Ingredients in Dish Soap

Not all dish soap is created equal in terms of health and the environment. Some formulas are better than others. When you wash dishes, make sure to avoid the following in your dish soap:

  1. Fragrance or Perfume: Fragrance sounds wonderful, but it’s actually a “catchall” term used to hide ingredients brands don’t want you to know about. Fragrance can hide phthalates, a potent endocrine disruptor, and several other types of chemicals.
  2. PEGs or Polyethylene Glycol: PEGs are used as penetration enhancers. They allow the other chemicals to penetrate more quickly into the skin. PEGs are typically followed by a number. The lower the number, the easier the penetration of other chemicals into the skin. However, the rub is the manufacturing process of PEG’s may use ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane, which are known human carcinogens that may interfere with human development and can harm the nervous system.
  3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate: This is a surfactant that helps the oils bind with the water in the formulation. Surfactants work to weaken the defense mechanisms of our skin and that can lead to issues. Not only does it irritate the skin, but it can also penetrate the skin and that is what makes it problematic to certain people.
  4. Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, & Benzisothiazolinone: These preservatives are very commonly found in dish soap in lots of bad and better brands. Rats exposed to these chemicals had neurological damage, but mostly they are very common skin allergens and are poisonous to aquatic life.
  5. DMDM Hydantoin (Quanternium-15): This is a preservative and antimicrobial agent preventing the growth of fungi, yeast, and harmful bacteria that can make people sick or give them rashes. The problem is it slowly releases small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is cancer-causing.
  6. Polysorbates: This chemical starts out harmless, but then is processed with ethylene oxide. It’s usually followed by a number to demonstrate how much ethylene oxide it’s processed with. For instance, “polysorbate 20” means it’s treated with 20 parts of ethylene oxide, which is a chemical contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a human carcinogen. Animal studies have also demonstrated developmental and reproductive toxicity.
  7. Dipropylene Glycol: This is a type of alcohol used as a solvent, viscosity-decreasing agent, masking agent, and fragrance ingredient. It helps to dissolve the other ingredients evenly in a formulation without chemically altering other ingredients. Clinical tests have determined that the glycols produce mild to severe ocular (eye) irritation. Other glycols like propylene glycol are problematic, but this one is milder.
  8. Chemicals ending with -eth like Laureth-7: These chemicals may be contaminated with  1,4-dioxane which is a human carcinogen.
  9. Cocamidopropyl Betaine: This is a detergent and surfactant. It is used to reduce static in the formulation and condition the skin & hair while increasing the foaming action of dish soap.  This chemical earned “Allergen of the Year” in 2004 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. It’s also a suspected environmental toxin.
  10. Coal Tar Dye & Petroleum in Pretty Colors: In the case of dish soap, it’s just silly that we need colors because they aren’t really worth the hassle. The issues will vary with the color but may include cancer, organ toxicity, and aquatic destruction.
hands with sponge washing dishes in kitchen sink

Mamavation’s Investigation of Dish Soap Liquids & Bar Soaps

Mamavation took a look at over 120 different products and ranked them based on the safety of ingredients used. Brands that did not disclose their ingredients were automatically placed in the “Not Our Favorite” section for lack of transparency.

Not Our Favorite Dish Soap Liquid & Bar Soaps

These brands were problematic in terms of ingredient transparency and/or using ingredients that are linked to cancer, other diseases, or environmental disruption which were mentioned above.

  • Bon Ami Dishsoap
  • Ajax Antibacterial Dishwashing Liquid
  • Ajax Triple Action Dish Liquid Hand Soap
  • Boulder Clean Natural Liquid Dish Soap
  • Caldera Dish Soap
  • Citra Solv Citra Dish Natural Dish Soap
  • Clorox Sentiva Dish Soap
  • Dawn Free & Clear of Dyes Lemon Essence
  • Dawn Original Dishwashing Liquid
  • Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid
  • Eco Buzz Dishwashing Soap Block
  • Ecos Dish Soap Bamboo Lemon
  • Ecos Dish Soap Natural Apricot
  • Everspring Mandarin & Ginger Dish Soap
  • Fairy Manual Washing Up Liquid
  • Fairy Pure & Clean Original
  • Great Value Ultra Original Dish Soap
  • Great Value Ultra Dish Liquid Soft & Smooth Pomegranate
  • Kirkland Signature Environmentally Responsible Ultra Liquid Dish Soap
  • Kirkland Signature Liquid Dishsoap
  • Modere Clean Dish Soap
  • Molly’s Suds Dish Soap (scented: Lemon Burst or Lavender)
  • Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena Dish Soap
  • Mrs. Meyers Bluebell Dish Soap
  • Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear Unscented
  • Palmolive Ultra Strength
  • Shaklee Hand Wash Dish Soap Concentrate
  • The Unscented Company Dish
  • Williams Sonoma Dish Soap
woman washing ceramic pan with non-toxic dish soap

Better Dish Soap Liquid & Bar Soaps

These brands represented products that used better ingredients than the “not our favorite” brands, but still had ingredients of concern like surfactants, harsh preservatives, and/or no fragrance disclosure. These brands had less of the chemicals we mentioned above.

Woman with yellow latex gloves

Best Dish Soap Liquid & Bar Soaps

These products represent the brands that are providing the least toxic option for your family. We recommend you purchase from these brands or at least try a new one today!

Recent Product Investigations

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Carol

    I just found out that ecos free and clear that I switched to from the best list has phenoxyethanol so it should have never been on the best list.

    Reply

  4. Caroo

    I just found out that ecos free and clear that I switched to from the best list has phenoxyethanol so it should have never been on the best list.

    Reply

  5. Debbie

    Hi Leah,
    I just searched Walmart for castile soap, and it seems there are various brands (maybe all made at same company?). I’m wondering if at some point in the future you would test some of these because they may be less costly than some of the brands already tested.

    I tried Dr. Bronners for (hand) washing dishes and didn’t care for the way it cleaned. However, it is wonder as hand soap with a foam type dispenser.
    Thank you, Debbie

    Reply

    • Sunny Margitan Wonsettler

      I feel the same about Dr Bronners used straight out of the bottle but it’s GREAT as a foam hand soap

      Reply

  6. Debbie

    I’m so happy to have this list Leah! I’m trying to decide which to try first! I was thinking about Truly Free Dish Soap, which should be a good match for me, but they don’t sell “just” dish soap (handwashing) and I don’t have a dishwasher. Maybe they will change that in the future, I know I’d appreciate that.

    Ladies, if you have used Truly Free Dish soap, what do you think of it?

    Thanks, Debbie

    Reply

    • Janine

      I just ordered it , but be prepared to literally be bombarded with offers before you complete your purchase and after ! They even called me

      Reply

  7. olivia

    Hello,

    The list of chemicals that should be avoided in detergents is a great resource and, I thank you for that. But in the list of “best soaps ….” you have listed many dish soaps that have such chemicals, including one that has been banned and two other that have been banned in Europe. It is irresponsible and dangerous to people that due their health must avoid such chemicals. My suggestion is that a deeper research need to be done before you published your blog.

    Reply

    • Toxicman

      Any of those on the list that are actually good? I feel like these list are to big maybe we need a list of soaps that are 100% toxic free not 25 “better “ ones

      Reply

    • Anonymous

      You are right. I did some research and there are many of them that have toxic ingredients. Glad I’m not the only one who saw that.

      Reply

  8. Heather Kurtz

    I just grabbed a couple bottles of 9 Elements because they’re on the “Best” list. But the first ingredient listed on back is SLS? Confused how they made the list and bummed I spent the money.

    Reply

  9. Leah Segedie

    The Dr. Bronners Sal Suds is considered “better”, it’s the original peppermint castile soap formula that is in the “best” category. That brand saddles better & best with products.

    Reply

  10. Lynn

    Yikes, thanks for posting this, as I went out buying it thinking it was good, because it was on this list. I’m always amazed at what readers impart in the comments, sometimes there are nuggets of gold in the comments section.

    Reply

  11. Mara

    I appreciate the list of toxic ingredients! However, several of the dish soaps listed in you ‘best’ list use scents or herbs that have known estrogenic effects. Examples are: Lavender, Rosemary; or are progesterone blockers like peppermint. Those of us who are estrogen dominant would appreciate a list that eliminates these hormone disrupters.
    thanks!

    Reply

  12. water bottles

    Thank you very much for this article. What a great post! I love how you shared the details of the chemicals used in these soaps and how they can harm our bodies. I think I should consider purchasing the ones you suggested. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply

  14. Mareta

    I’d like to know this too. Living outside of US and so have to rely on brands that iherb carries and Seventh generation is one of them.

    Reply

  16. April

    I have severe skin allergies associated with personal cleansing and household cleaning agents that contain Quanternium – 15 and formaldehyde In addition to many others listed. I am searching for products that will not produce allergic reactions that seem to worsen over time. Replacing my dish liquid ASAP. Appalled to find the prevalence of harmful chemicals in personal care products. It’s taken a lifetime to discover the culprits. Thank you for sharing !

    Reply

  18. Hydro Cell USA

    What a great post! I love how you shared detailed information about the chemicals used on these soaps and how they can harm our bodies. I think I should consider buying the ones you suggested. Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply

    • Leah Segedie

      Actually, we haven’t, but I just looked and added them to the “not our favorite” list. Thanks for heads up on that one.

      Reply

  21. g

    pure haven has been approached in the past to be on store shelves directly, but the mission of the company is to EDUCATE people about harmful ingredients in every day products and while people would pick up a bottle and think it looks nice, smells good, etc… they might never realize there is an issue! grateful for the community on mamavation who ARE typically educated in this issue, but there are many many more that are not… and the BAD network marketers DO give the entire industry a bad name and that makes me sad as they don’t need to and we aren’t all like that! 😂 it kept me away too for sure!

    Reply

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