I know I dread the sight of piling dishes after a Sunday dinner, but something about using an eco-friendly, zero-waste dish soap softens that blow for me.
The idea of using something better for the environment, my health, and even my hands makes washing dishes or just cleaning in general something to feel better about. Luckily, zero-waste dish soap is one of the easiest swaps, since it’s widely available and pretty affordable, too.
I’ve also discovered that plastic-free dish soap bars tend to last a lot longer too. Anyone struggling to dilute the last drops of washing-up liquid will know exactly what I’m talking about.
Today, we’ve gathered up some zero-waste dish soap alternatives that are way better for the environment and don’t contain nasty chemicals with no business being in our waterways.
So read on to discover the top 9 plastic-free dish soap brands for a zero-waste wash-up!
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No Tox Life Dishwashing Block Soap
Dish soap bars are a great alternative to the commercial plastic bottles of washing up liquid – they last way longer, and your kitchen won’t be as cluttered either.
The Zero waste dish soap by No Tox does exactly just that. This 6oz soap bar can tackle even the toughest dirt and grease from your weekend’s pot roast and is even suitable for glassware.
You can rest assured that this product is zero-waste, eco-friendly, and completely vegan – yay! It also doesn’t contain any palm oil, unnecessary scents, sulfates, or phosphates.
I like that the dish soap has aloe vera added to it, so your hands get a nice treatment while you scrub away. The dish soap by No Tox is pretty versatile and is suitable for cleaning household surfaces and more.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Zero Waste Dish Bars & Pods by Etee
The Etee brand has a wide range of eco-friendly products available, including dish bars and pods.
All of their products are created from 100% organic materials, and they never use artificial scents, frothing agents, synthetic additives, or parabens.
To make them even more zero-waste, the dish soap pods are totally compostable. However, they aren’t entirely vegan since the pods are made out of USDA licensed wax and a small amount of palm oil – which we don’t support.
However, their soap bars are vegan with no added palm oil and they even contain coconut oil, which is gentle on the skin.
Lastly, for the cherry on top, Etee’s manufacturing plant is run by renewable power, which we totally support!
Cleancult Dish Soap Refill
Not to be mistaken for a delicious drink, the Cleancut dish soap liquid comes in a 100% recyclable milk carton packaging, which is a nice touch.
A huge plus with this product is that you can refill them at their refillable soap dispenser. This is fantastic because you can easily use cute glass bottles or mason jars to store your own dishwashing liquid – and it’s 100% zero-waste!
The dish soap liquid is natural and tough. It has the power to cut through grime and grease, and it contains mild ingredients like coconut oil – which your hands will thank you for.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Zero Waste Dish Washing Soap Bar Set
The SOMJY dish soap blocks look cute and come with yummy smells, such as the sweet pumpkin-scented one.
The dish blocks are biodegradable and come in plastic-free packaging. They are also compact enough to not take up any space in your kitchen, avoiding unnecessary clutter.
The SOMJY dish soap blocks are ethically manufactured in South Korea, using less energy during the manufacturing process. SOMJY also ensures that the soap doesn’t contain any palm oil or nasty chemicals that have no business being in our waterways.
The ingredients they do contain are vegetable-based and wholly natural, so the soap blocks are even suitable for washing produce or baby bottles. Plus, the dish soap includes sunflower oil which is good for the skin.
Upon purchasing, you’ll get a pack of 2 soap blocks, each weighing about 3.53 oz.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
TOBE Biodegradable Dish Soap
The TOBE Biodegradable dish soap block comes in a nice 3.5oz size and is tough on all types of grease!
What makes this soap block so great is that it contains granulated brown sugar, which has a slightly abrasive effect for tackling tougher food waste. Plus, the other ingredients are natural, such as lemon essential oil, salt and sugar, and palm oil (which we could have done without).
The TOBE soap bars also have glycerin added to them, which are ideal for making your hands soft, as well as coconut oil – for more foaming cleaning power.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
mamaforest Natural Soap Dish Bar
The mamaforest natural soap bar is a natural alternative to your traditional washing-up liquid.
The soap bars use only natural ingredients such as coconut oil, black sugar, salt, argan oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, cornstarch, and much more. I especially like the argan oil since it will protect your hands from drying, and it’s also certified as a non-skin irritation product.
Additionally, the mamaforest soap bars come in plastic-free packaging, and they last for a good while too.
The set includes three bars of 5.29oz soap and a tray to store it in, as well!
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nellie’s Dishwasher Powder
If you prefer loading up the dishwasher instead of hand washing – you can join the zero-waste club too!
The Nellie’s dishwasher powder comes in a 2.2lbs tub, which is about 80 scoops per load. The powder is made out of natural yet effective ingredients such as sodium chloride, citric acid, sodium percarbonate, sodium silicate, and more. Plus, the ingredients are phosphate-free – meaning they aren’t harmful to our environment.
Keep in mind that if you have hard water at home, you might need to use additional powder than you would for soft water.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Olive My Skin Lemon Verbena Solid Dish Soap Bar
If you want to keep your hands soft, you should check out the Olive My Skin Dish Soap.
Olive My Skin is already part of a skincare line, so they definitely know will keep your hands soft while doing the dishes.
The dish soap effectively cuts through grease and grime using natural ingredients that make cleaning up a breeze.
The tin holds up to 8oz of lemon-scented olive oil dish soap and pairs nicely with a bamboo scrubbing brush for an effective clean – you can find more about that in our eco-friendly kitchen essentials piece.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Beyond Natural Dishwasher Tablets
The Beyond dishwasher tablets are a great alternative to the commercial dishwasher pods.
The tablets don’t contain any artificial chemicals, chlorine, or dyes, and they use only plant-based ingredients.
Plus, the Beyond dishwasher tablets also feature a rinse aid technology, which will effectively clean your glassware for a spot-free shine.
To use the tabs, you don’t need to unwrap them out of the plastic, simply pop one in and enjoy cleaner dishes without the use of harsh chemicals!
![Beyond Auto Dishwasher Tablets [32 tablets] - Fragrance & Dye Free - Certified Biobased. Powerful. Plant-Based Ingredients](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b730INwhL.jpg "51b730INwhL | 9 Plastic Free Dish Soap Brands For A Zero-Waste Wash-Up")
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What did you think of these dish soap alternatives? Have you used one of these brands before? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
If you like the idea of a more zero waste kitchen, you might enjoy our latest piece on the best countertop compost bins for your kitchen.
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
