As a first-time mom, you should make up your mind to settle for natural dishwasher detergent because this will eliminate or reduce the occurrences of harmful chemicals in your home especially as it concerns your little one.
So, if you are not sure how to choose the best all-natural dishwasher detergent – this natural dishwasher detergent review will help you choose an all-natural dishwasher detergent that works and is efficient.
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If you are reading through this review right now, then you are about to discover the best cleaning detergent that will not only keep your home safe but also the environment.
What To Look For In A Dishwasher Detergent
The Formula: There are three types in the market namely; the gel, liquid, powder, or tablet forms – all these are designed to be used in dishwashers. However, the detergent is preferred over the liquid form because of its abrasive nature whereas the liquid form might settle in corners of the dishwasher requiring an extra to clean the appliance. Therefore, the tablet form is mostly preferred.
Residue: You should buy a cleaner that leaves little or no residue so that you can save yourself the stress of having to manually rinse the dishes.
Ingredients: The detergents are either made from natural ingredients or chemical-based materials like chlorine and phosphates which might be harmful to the environment, to humans, or animals alike. Therefore, choose detergents made with natural-based ingredients and with effective cleaning capacity.
Packaging: The packaging protects the detergent from external contamination which reduces the cleaning efficiency of the detergent. So, choose detergents that are well-packaged to prevent exposure to moisture.
Why Choose Natural Dishwasher Detergent?
There are two major reasons why you should choose a natural dishwasher detergent. These are; for the reasons of safety and health – the chemicals present in the detergents are for disinfection, hence, several become poisonous if ingested, indoor air pollution, skin irritation, or in the long run leads to cancer.
Besides, natural dishwasher detergents are environment-friendly. Most of the ingredients in these cleaners are broken down into non-poisonous substances during treatment while others that do not break down are passed directly into water bodies and affect fishes and other wild-life.
Dishwasher Soap Ingredients To Avoid
These ingredients in dishwashers leave a film on your dishes which rinsing does not take away. This then means that every time you use the dishes – a small amount of these toxins are ingested.
However, the consumption of these chemicals a few times won’t cause any harm but the continuous exposure to them for a long time eventually results in diseases like cancer.
Some of these chemicals are;
Phosphates: These are water-softening mineral additives used in laundry detergents to aid the washing performance of the soap. Phosphates if consumed can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Also, it’s corrosive and can cause skin irritation.
Besides, if phosphates find their way into the water body, they become fertilizers and assist the growth of algae – these algae eventually break down the oxygen in the water, therefore, kill fishes and other organisms.
Chlorine: This bleach is caustic and can cause skin irritation. The fumes from chlorine cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat – it’s dangerous if ingested. It combines with other gases to produce dangerous carcinogenic compounds.
Artificial fragrances: These can lead to an asthma attack, and also increase allergies. Unwholesome fragrances release the particles of phthalates (small plastic particles used in holding the artificial fragrances together) and formaldehyde into the environment. When these particles are inhaled – they cause damage to the lungs.
Artificial dyes: These are bright colors (yellow, blue, and green) used in detergent. These do not in any way affect the performance of the detergent but can pose some health risks. They are considered toxic by the EWG.org
Best All Natural Dishwasher Detergent
The following are some of the best all-natural dishwasher detergents;
Puracy Natural Dishwasher Detergent Packs
The Puracy detergent does not leave any residue or spots on dishes no matter how hard your water is. Therefore, it is safe for cleaning your baby’s bottle, cooking pots, plastics, glass, metals, porcelain, casserole dishes, and other surfaces.
The Puracy natural dishwasher detergent has no harmful chemical additives like bleach, or dyes, or perfume, or animal by-products, sulfates, or any other dangerous chemicals.
The ingredients used in this detergent are plant-based, hypoallergenic, non-corrosive, no dangerous chemicals, and therefore safe for your child and pets.
Besides, it does not contain dyes or fragrances – and it is environmentally friendly. It contains Carboxymethyl Inulin which breaks down hard water and removes tough stains. It also contains Protease and Amylase – which help to break down proteins and starch.
So, if you want a high-performance, environmental-friendly, biodegradable, and fragrance-free dishwasher detergent, then the Puracy dishwasher detergent is the best choice.
Seventh Generation Natural Dishwasher Detergent
This is also produced with improved cleaning performance. It does not contain dyes, fragrances, phosphates, or chlorine additives. The Seventh generation natural dishwasher detergent is made from natural and safe plant ingredients.
Also, the enzymes Protease and Amylase in a combination of other cleaning agents go through tough grease and food residue to produce sparkling clean dishes. The cleaning agents remove grease and dirt by suspending the molecules for easy washing.
However, it is packed in a dissolvable PVA film that can easily be poured into the dishwasher – you do not need to unwrap or measure.
Therefore, the Seventh generation natural dishwasher detergent works like a magic and it can favorably compete with the Puracy natural dishwasher detergent.
Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets
So, if you are parents looking for an eco-friendly dishwasher tab produced from powerful cleaners and renewable ingredients – then the Ecover automatic dishwasher soap tablets are the best choice.
It is easy to use and tough on stubborn stains. The Ecover automatic tablet is produced from plant-based mineral ingredients – they are free from phosphates, are biodegradable, and effective on dirty dishes. Each tablet is wrapped differently and it has both scented and unscented options.
Besides, each tablet is wrapped in plastic and packaged in bigger recyclable cardboard. Also, it is environmentally-friendly and does not have any harmful effect on the planet.
Therefore, if you want a plant- and mineral-based cleaner, the Ecover automatic dishwasher soap tablet is up to the task as they produce dishes that are film and spot-free.
Biokleen Auto Dish Powder
The Biokleen dishwasher powder is another amazing dishwasher detergent with ingredients that are safe for humans, the environment, and animals. It is a loose powder and not a pod which makes it easy to quantify.
The powder is phosphate-free, chlorine-free, and it’s very active on dirty dishes. Also, it’s not produced with dyes or fragrances making it suitable for people with sensitive skins.
So, the mineral-based ingredients help to break down food particles and grease while the oxygen bleach is tough on stains. It is easy to open and close with very clear label directions.
It is made to be 3× concentrated which contributes to its toughness on stains. However, the Biokleen auto dish powder contains no chlorine, no phosphates, or ammonia, or petroleum solvents, glycol, or any other material that is dangerous to health.
Therefore, if you want a detergent that will not leave behind any film or spot on your glassware, the Biokleen is your right choice.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Automatic Dishwasher Pods
The Mrs. Meyer dishwasher pod is chlorine and phosphate-free for an effective and safe dish cleaning. They are safe for use in most dishwashers and are made without animal-derived ingredients.
Besides, this plant-based dishwasher pod is eco-friendly and comes in a variety of scents which include basil, lavender, lemon verbena, geranium, and honeysuckle. Each bag contains 20 packs of dishwasher pods.
However, this pod leaves you with clean dishes with no leftover stains, no grease, and no streaks. Also, it’s easy to open, close, dispense, and with clear directions on the label.
So, if you want a dishwasher that is tough on hard water residue, with unique scents, and leaves no spots on glass – try the Mrs. Meyer clean day automatic dishwasher pods.
DIY Natural Dishwasher Detergent
The following ingredients are important in making the homemade natural dishwasher detergent.
- Washing soda
- Salt
- Citric acid
- Citrus essential oil
Washing soda increases the cleaning pH which helps to break down grease, soften the water, and ensures no film is left behind
Salt is added to soften the water in case you live in an area with hard water
Citric acid is used to help remove tough stains from tea and coffee, remove hard water deposits from your dishes, and also get rid of tough stains.
Citrus essential oil adds a sweet smell to the product. The oil is antimicrobial and antibacterial. Examples are lemon essential oil, lime essential oil orange essential, and some others.
Process:
- Pour a cup of washing soda into a bowl
- Add a quarter cup of salt
- Pour a half cup of citric acid
- Add about 30 drops of essential oil
- Mix the materials
- Pour it into an airtight container
- Label the airtight container
How to use the homemade detergent
Use one tablespoon/load of dishes
You could use vinegar (though this is optional) I the rinse aid part – vinegar works as a natural rinse agent
However, you should check the instructional manual on your dishwasher to be sure it’s safe to use a homemade natural dishwasher detergent.
Therefore, all these raw materials can either be bought online or from grocery stores, Walmart, or Target.
Conclusion
By now you should have made up your mind to choose the natural dishwasher detergent because they are not only environmentally-friendly but they are safe for humans especially children.
Also, in searching for the best natural dishwasher detergent, there is a need to focus on the formulation, packaging, and residue.
However, you must watch out for the ingredients used in making the detergents and how safe they are, and of course, one man’s preference is another man’s hate.
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