6 Best Biodegradable Dish Soaps in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)
If you're in pursuit of eco-friendly cleaning products, then you definitely want to replace your chemical-ridden dish soaps with biodegradable ones. Unlike regular products, biodegradable dish soaps are often crafted with plant-based ingredients that are non-toxic and pose fewer threats to the ecosystem. They are also gentle on the skin and less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
After comparing multiple products online, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap won the grand prize in our list of favorites. Formulated with plant-based ingredients that have strong cleansing powers, it can effectively eliminate all of the grime and grease on your dishes. Curious to know what other products made the cut in our 6 best list? Keep reading! We also compiled a buying guide at the end reviewed by an environmental scientist to give you some tips for choosing the right product for yourself.
Quick List - Top Biodegradable Dish Soaps
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
Specially Formulated to Eliminate All the Grease
Dr. Bronner's
All-Purpose Cleaner With Strong Plant-Based Surfactants
Fruits and Passion
A Blend of Coriander Seeds and Olive to Degrease Your Dishes
Gwen Lynn is an environmental health and safety scientist who provides environmental and safety consulting and monitors air, land and water resources. She is also the founder of In A Green Minute, who creates podcasts and informational videos on environmental progressiveness and green technology.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- 6 Best Biodegradable Dish Soaps Ranking
- No. 1Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day | Biodegradable Dish Soap (Honeysuckle)
- No. 2Dr. Bronner's | Pure-Castile Soap
- No. 3Dr. Bronner's | Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
- No. 4Fruits and Passion | Concentrated Dish Detergent (Coriander and Olive Tree)
- No. 5Lemi Shine | Concentrated Dish Soap, 3 pack
- 1 more products
- Need Other Kitchen Cleaning Supplies?
- Buying Guide Reviewed by Environmental Scientist Gwen Lynn
How to Choose Biodegradable Dish Soaps
When choosing a biodegradable dish soap, make sure to consider factors such as the material of the product! This buying guide will give you some tips for choosing a product that works wonderfully for you.
Opt for a Plant-Based Formula
Regular dish soaps can't really biodegrade since they contain chemicals such as phosphates, cocamide DEA, and formaldehyde. In fact, dish soaps have been proven to cause algal bloom and alter the natural habitat of many aquatic species.
Therefore, you should go for a formula containing essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, lavender, or lime oil. You should also keep an eye out for vinegar, baking soda, and borax.
All of those natural ingredients can power through all the greasy residue to leave your dishes squeaky clean. At the same time, they can break down easily and won't leave behind any trace in the environment!
Avoid Potential Irritants That Can Trigger Allergic Reactions
Some of the harsh chemicals frequently found in dish soaps are parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. They are drying to your hands and can even cause allergic reactions in those with sensitive skin.
You should also stay away from products containing synthetic fragrances and dyes since they are not biodegradable and can lead to redness, rashes, or itching.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of plant-based ingredients, the better. But some natural ingredients, particularly essential oils, might trigger allergic reactions. So to be safe, choose products labeled "hypoallergenic" or those that have been tested by dermatologists. You might also want to do a patch test before using.
Look for a Soap With Official Certifications
Many dish soaps are advertised as 100% biodegradable and environmentally-friendly to appeal to consumers. But it's hard to know whether those claims are true or not just from reading the description of the product.
So to verify the eco-friendliness and safety of a dish soap, look for registered trademark symbols of certification bodies. Oftentimes, products that bear official seals like EcoLogo and USDA Certified Bio-Based Product have been carefully inspected and proven to meet the strict regulations set out by the designated certification bodies.
Choose Dish Soap Packaging Wisely
Packaging may not seem to be an important factor. But if you want to further lower your carbon footprint, then definitely choose a container that's recyclable. Also, depending on your usage, different types of packaging might be more convenient!
Decide Where You'll Use It
Biodegradable dish soaps are an excellent, eco-friendly option for your camping trip since they can effectively eliminate all of the grime and dirt on your dishes and biodegrade completely in the soil. But to make it easier when traveling, make sure to choose a lightweight, portable bottle.
You probably don't want to carry a big bottle of thirty-something ounces in your backpack! For use at home, however, you should look for big bottles since they are more economical and you can reuse and refill them afterward.
Look for Recyclable or Biodegradable Packaging
It's tough to find dish soaps without plastic packaging, but you can help reduce your environmental impact by choosing materials that are 100% recyclable. You can also look for biodegradable plastic packaging which is crafted from plant-based ingredients and is 100% safe for the eco-system.
6 Best Biodegradable Dish Soaps Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Biodegradable Dish Soap (Honeysuckle) | | Specially Formulated to Eliminate All the Grease | |
2 | Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap | | Certified Fair Trade and Organic Ingredients | |
3 | Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner | | All-Purpose Cleaner With Strong Plant-Based Surfactants | |
4 | Fruits and Passion Concentrated Dish Detergent (Coriander and Olive Tree) | | A Blend of Coriander Seeds and Olive to Degrease Your Dishes | |
5 | Lemi Shine Concentrated Dish Soap, 3 pack | | Citric Acid to Drive Away the Toughest Grease and Stains | |
6 | Caldrea Pear Blossom Agave Dish Soap | | Infused With Aloe Vera to Keep Your Hands Soft |
Mrs. Meyer's Clean DayBiodegradable Dish Soap (Honeysuckle)
Specially Formulated to Eliminate All the Grease
This biodegradable dish soap is crafted with naturally-derived ingredients that have strong cleansing properties to wipe away oil and grease. Furthermore, it doesn't contain parabens or phthalates and is not tested on animals.
Some reviewers were discontented with the amount of suds, saying that there weren't actually any. Others mentioned it was hard to rinse away the smell from dishes.
Meanwhile, others were amazed at how wonderfully this dish soap worked; it cut all the grease while being pretty gentle on the skin. Many further added that the soap worked well for laundry or other household cleaning purposes.
Certified Fair Trade and Organic Ingredients
This pure-castile soap is formulated with certified fair trade and organic ingredients that are completely biodegradable and pose no risks to the environment. Also, compared to regular liquid soaps, this product is three times more concentrated and can drive away grease easily.
Even better, the bottle is crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. But some reviewers were disappointed with the thin consistency of the product. Some also complained that it produced no suds at all.
On the other hand, many reviewers loved that the product didn't contain harsh chemicals (fragrances and dyes for example) and was gentle on their sensitive skin. Others further added that the product was effective as laundry detergent and floor cleaner as well.
All-Purpose Cleaner With Strong Plant-Based Surfactants
This product is formulated with naturally-derived surfactants that are mild on the skin yet tough against grease and dirt. It can generate a lot of suds and can biodegrade quickly. Furthermore, the cleaner is versatile and can also be used as laundry detergent, window cleaner, and so on.
Some reviewers complained about receiving broken and leaking bottles. Some also doubted the authenticity of the Amazon product, so we included a link to Dr. Bronner's site just in case.
Meanwhile, many others said that the product rinsed well and was safe for the skin. Many also mentioned that the soap was super concentrated, so they actually diluted it with water before using it.
Fruits and Passion Concentrated Dish Detergent (Coriander and Olive Tree)
A Blend of Coriander Seeds and Olive to Degrease Your Dishes
Powered with coriander seeds and olive wood, this dish soap can effectively remove grease from your dishes without drying out your hands. Plus, it's highly concentrated, so a few drops will do the trick for you! The product also comes in recyclable bottles to help you reduce further your carbon footprint.
Many reviewers were hooked on this product since it cut grease well and contained gentle ingredients that worked great for sensitive skin.
Lemi ShineConcentrated Dish Soap, 3 pack
Citric Acid to Drive Away the Toughest Grease and Stains
Formulated with citric acid, this dish soap can eliminate even the toughest stains and grease on your dishes and glassware to leave them looking all shiny and clean. Furthermore, the product is designed with a flip and click valve that helps dispense the soap much more easily.
For many reviewers, this soap was effective in cutting the grease without drying out their hands. Many also adored the clever design and loved that the product generated a copious amount of suds. Reviewers further mentioned that the soap was quite concentrated, so a little went a long way!
Infused With Aloe Vera to Keep Your Hands Soft
This natural dish soap is formulated with a complex blend of lemon and jasmine essential oils to help fight off dirty grime and grease on your glassware and dishes, giving them a shiny finish. Furthermore, the addition of aloe vera keeps your hands soft and hydrated. So no more dry hands!
Reviewers claimed this product to be their favorite, adding that it generated a lot of suds and cleaned all types of dishes very well. Plus, many thought the soap was gentle on the skin and helped moisturize and soften their hands effectively.
Need Other Kitchen Cleaning Supplies?
If you're looking for eco-friendly cleaning supplies for your kitchen and would like to try out different options, take a look at our suggestions!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Environmental Scientist Gwen Lynn
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Biodegradable Dish Soaps
No. 1: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day｜Biodegradable Dish Soap (Honeysuckle)
No. 2: Dr. Bronner's ｜Pure-Castile Soap
No. 3: Dr. Bronner's ｜Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
No. 4: Fruits and Passion ｜Concentrated Dish Detergent (Coriander and Olive Tree)
No. 5: Lemi Shine｜Concentrated Dish Soap, 3 pack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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