Best Dish Soaps

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 30, 2024
Dish soap is a sink-side staple detergent that cleans greasy dishes, silverware, and cookware, making them shiny clean! Yet today dish liquids help us with so much more. Check our review of the best dish soaps, find more about them, and choose one!  ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Safety
Ingredients
Active Formula
EFFICIENT FOR
Capacity
 
PROS
Dawn dishwashing liquid is so concentrated that can clean 2X more dishes, which means less waste from plastic bottles.
CONS
It's rather pricey.
OUR VERDICT
Dawn Ultra liquid is a pretty universal and efficient cleaning agent! Besides dishwashing, it works well for removing stains, cleaning kitchen utensils, and washing a car.
detailed parameters
Type
Gel
Safety
Based on cleaning ingredients vs. non-ultra Joy®, Ammonia-free, Bleach-free, Non-toxic
Ingredients
-Sodium Laureth Sulfate -Alcohol Denat -Sodium Chloride -Phenoxyethanol -Methylisothiazolinone
Active Formula
Concentrated formula helps get through more dishes with less dish detergent
EFFICIENT FOR
Removes grease, Cleaner, Removes dirt, Cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom sinks, Eliminates stains, Car cleaner
Capacity
2 х 21.6 Oz
PROS
Green Tea & Lime fragrance leaves a fresh smell in your kitchen. For every sale, Puracy donates funds to a charity organization.
CONS
It's somehow watery.
OUR VERDICT
Owing to such ingredients like coconut oil, other natural essential oils, and Himalayan pink sea salt, this soap is very gentle on skin and yet effective on dishes.
detailed parameters
Type
Gel
Safety
Naturally derived, Biodegradable Hypoallergenic, Gluten-free, Vegan, Non-toxic, Free of: Sulfates, Phosphates, Triclosan, Parabens, Phosphates, Petrochemicals, Dyes or caustics
Ingredients
-Sodium Lauroamphoacetate -Lauryl/Myristyl Glucoside -Decyl Glucoside -Sea Salt -Sodium Citrate -Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetatе -Aloe
Active Formula
Baby-safe formula, Thicker Liquid Formula and Hyper-concentrated formula cleans 160 sinks full of dishes per bottle
EFFICIENT FOR
Removes grease, Cleaner, Removes dirt, Cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom sinks
Capacity
3 x 16 Oz
PROS
Mrs. Meyers dish soap creates rich grease-fighting suds which don't require too much rinsing. A perfect multi-surface cleaner for any office.
CONS
Not 100% hypoallergenic.
OUR VERDICT
Mrs. Meyers concentrated formula contains 97% naturally-derived ingredients, including soap bark extract which is one of the best natural degreasers in the world.
detailed parameters
Type
Gel
Safety
Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, Glycol solvents, Chlorine, Formaldehyde, Artificial colors, Animal-derived ingredients, MEA, DEA
Ingredients
-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -Lauryl Glucoside -Citrus Limon Peel Oil -Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract -Glycerin -Aloe Barbaden
Active Formula
Concentrated dish soap formula for hand washing dishes includes Soap Bark Extract, another ingredient from the garden that is one of nature's best degreasers
EFFICIENT FOR
Removes grease, Cleaner, Eliminates stains, Removes dirt, Removes residue
Capacity
3 x 16 Oz
PROS
Palmolive dishwashing liquid will leave your skin soft, preventing cracking on your hands. The super concentrated formula fights the toughest grease!
CONS
Its fragrance is a bit heavy.
OUR VERDICT
Palmolive dish soap boasts super suds that will make all your dishes, flatware, pots and pans shiny clean. It works perfectly on grease and kind on hands!
detailed parameters
Type
Gel
Safety
Phosphate-free
Ingredients
-Lauramidopropylamine Oxide -Sodium Chloride -Ammonium laureth sulfate -Magnesium sulfate -Pentasodium pentatate -Sodium bisulfite
Active Formula
Powerful formula removes grease and leaves your dishes sparkling clean
EFFICIENT FOR
Removes grease, Cleaner, Removes dirt, Cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom sinks
Capacity
2 x 38 Oz
PROS
USDA certified formula includes powerful plant-based ingredients (95%), making the liquid totally eco-friendly. Plus it's kosher-certified and cruelty free.
CONS
It may dry your hands a bit.
OUR VERDICT
This detergent has a natural non-toxic formula without any dyes or triclosan and, thus, is absolutely safe for kids. Now you can teach your little one to be organized and neat!
detailed parameters
Type
Gel
Safety
100% recycled plastic bottle (excluding colorant), No Animal Testing, Clinically proven hypoallergenic, Free of: Paraben, Triclosan, Phthalate, Fragrances, Dyes, Cruelty
Ingredients
-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, -Caprylyl/Myristyl glucoside, -Lauramine Oxide, -Magnesium Chloride -Benzisothiazolinone -Methylisothiazolinone -Glycerin
Active Formula
Plant-based dish soap formula saves you time as it fights grease and powers through tough, dried-on food
EFFICIENT FOR
Strong enough to clean silverware, blenders, dirty dishes, and pots & pans, Gentle enough to clean baby bottles, baby toys, breast pump parts and child cups
Capacity
3 x 25 Oz
X

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Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 21.6 Ounce, Pack of 2

The Best of the Best

Tired of greasy tough stains on your clothes? Your laundry detergent just can't grease off those nasty stains and, thus, you have to use bleach which spoils the fabric? Dawn Ultra liquid can take grease stains out of everything! Really EVERYTHING! It's a super versatile detergent that is perfect not only for washing dishes but also for sterilizing baby bottles, refreshing clothing, as well as washing a car, leaving no all those itchy stains. The bonus? Thanks to its ultra-concentrated formula, you can use less money for more jobs! For example, just one drop allows you to wash 2X more dishes! Based on cleaning ingredients vs. non-ultra Joy®, Dawn does not contain chlorine, ammonia, thereby being totally safe to our environment. And its original scent makes dishes smell clean, saving you from discomfort while cleaning both your kitchenware and a tool kit. All in all, nothing can compete with this #1 Dawn dish soap.

 

Review of Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 21.6 Ounce, Pack of 2

180-year History

Probably, you know Dawn as the US leading brand producing dishwashing liquids. But do you know that Dawn is a part of a world-known Procter & Gamble Group? Have you ever interested how had P&G became the seller of EVERYTHING you need for your home? 

It all began back in 1837 when the USA declared its independence. While most Americans were trying to get out of the crisis, a candlemaker William Procter and a soapmaker James Gamble decided to found their own company that would manufacture soap and candles. During the Civil War, thanks to the pre-purchased tar, they became the main suppliers of candles and soaps for the Union Army. And in 1879 they created Ivory Soap, the first soap that floated in water, which brought them to a new level, bringing millions of profit. Later, the appearance of the first washing machines influenced the company's development and in 1911, P&G  presented their new product - Crisco, a soap made of vegetable oils, which was used for washing machines. Since then, the company began to expand the lines of household products. During 1920-1930 radio became extremely popular and Procter & Gamble didn't miss a chance to sponsor some radio programs. This is where the "soap operas" come from. In the late 1950s, Procter & Gamble began purchasing smaller companies all around the world. What is most interesting, nowadays the company consists of nearly 300 brands that are represented in more than 160 countries, and its annual turnover exceeds 68 billion dollars.

Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 21.6 Ounce, Pack of 2 in the use

More Products to Consider

Lysol Professional Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, Citrus Scent, 32 oz will kill all harmful bacteria in your kitchen.

Detailed review of Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 21.6 Ounce, Pack of 2

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $31.88
Stock In stock
ASIN B001XQ7LOS

VIDEO
Dawn Dish Soap Powers through Grease with Ease
 

Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap, Green Tea & Lime - Pack of 3

Charity with Green Tea & Lime Scent

The American company Puracy uses only natural organic ingredients and manufactures environmentally friendly household products. Each their product boasts label artworks made by local artists, which show the beauty of natural ingredients and respect for nature. What is notable, part of the money from each sold product goes to charity organizations such as Austin's Children's Shelter, The Ronald McDonald House, and others.

Most modern dishwashing liquids harm our health. The phosphate, for example, has a negative impact on skin, while chlorine causes allergic reactions. But with Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap, you can forget about that problems. All natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable! You don't have to worry that chemicals may leave behind on your dishes and your hands. Speaking about Puracy natural dish soap efficiency, you'll be pleasantly surprised that such a mild product can be very efficient on your dishes, leaving them squeaky clean. Plus! Owing to Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, glycerin, and aloe vera, your hands will always stay soft after washings.

 

Review of Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap, Green Tea & Lime - Pack of 3

History of Washing Agents

Do you know when the first detergent was invented? In what country was it first used and what for? The story goes in ancient times, when instead of artificially created detergent, people used sand, clay, wood ash and alkali salts.

In the early 20th century Fritz Gunther created the first artificial detergent (alkilsulfanat - the reaction of naphthalene with an ethanol) which boasted low cost and ease of manufacture. Since 1950, the chemical composition began changing, and various studies of its impact on human health were carried out.

Over time, the use of chemical agents was supplanted by more natural ones, people began to care about our nature and use environmentally friendly components. Nowadays there is a variety of different household products. 

Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap, Green Tea & Lime - Pack of 3 in the use

More Products to Consider

Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge is #1 scrub in the USA. It removes all the messes much faster than other sponges.

Detailed review of Puracy Natural Liquid Dish Soap, Green Tea & Lime - Pack of 3

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $17.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00IS9DKBG

 

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap Lemon Verbena, 16 Fluid Ounce, Pack of 3

Soap Bark Extract

Have you ever faced burnt-on or baked-on food? Do you remember that huge amount of detergent and water? What about nasty spots after washing? Obviously, the problem was in your detergent. With this super Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap that includes soap bark extract (effective natural degreaser), you will forget about dirty dishes! Its super concentrated formula contains 97% natural ingredients and does not require multiple rinses. You'll need just a drop to get rid of grease for the whole sink! And you will be really surprised how Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap can lift all the sticky stuff off the dishes. Just soak your baking pots or pans in this fantastic soap solution for 10 minutes and then use just a sponge. And ta-da: you'll get shiny clean cookware! Concerning fragrance, it smells nice - clean and summery. And a vast choice of different scents really amazes, you can choose Lemon Verbena, Basil, Rosemary, Lavender, Iowa Pine, Geranium, of Honeysuckle scent.

 

Review of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap Lemon Verbena, 16 Fluid Ounce, Pack of 3

Variety of Sponges

Not everyone has a dishwasher and has to wash dishes by hands. It may be not such a big deal if you have a good dishwashing detergent and a high-quality sponge.

An interesting fact that the very first sponges included particles of sand and shell, thereby causing some damage to kitchenware and dishes. After a while, the first foam sponges were invented, yet they constantly crumbled and tore. But technology doesn't stand still, the sponges have evolved and become stronger and better. Today there is a huge variety of sponges, they surprise us not only with their shape and color but also with their filler, the current market is full of sponges made of various materials. For example, a sponge of foam is mainly used for the small jobs. Cellulose sponge, due to its antibacterial properties, is ideal for cleaning walls, furniture, etc. Abrasive sponges help us get rid of burnt-on food on the cast-iron frying pans. There are also some sponges that consist of two layers (cellulose and abrasives). A microfiber sponge, as well as bamboo, does not even require a detergent for washing dishes.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap Lemon Verbena, 16 Fluid Ounce, Pack of 3 in the use

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Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels. Being 2X more absorbent, they will be useful in any household!

Detailed review of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap Lemon Verbena, 16 Fluid Ounce, Pack of 3

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $14.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00ID2NGHQ

 

Palmolive Ultra Original Dish Liquid, Twin Pack, 38 Fl Oz

Original Dish Soap

The modern market is full of household cleaning products. The shelves of supermarkets, food stores, and online shops offer us tons of detergents. Yet the majority of them contain the same components. But that doesn't go for Palmolive Ultra Original Dish Liquid!

Its unique concentrated formula removes 2X more grease per drop than other non-concentrated dish liquids, which allows you to spend two times less money. Palmolive liquid dishwashing soap provides crisp and ample foam that maintain its strength. The suds stay through the entire wash to take care of a sink full of cups, plates, and silverware. Palmolive gets them shiny and squeaky clean. Many customers are super happy not only with its super formula but also with its original scent that perfectly blends with cooking spice or herb fragrances. On top of that all, we would like to stress that this fantastic soap cuts the toughest grease, staying gentle on your hands. Looking for a mild dish soap? Get this!

Review of Palmolive Ultra Original Dish Liquid, Twin Pack, 38 Fl Oz

Harmful Elements and Their Impact

Detergents have a direct impact on the human body and health. Thanks to tons of ads trying to convince us that we need a huge number of household chemicals, our bathrooms are full of various chemical products. Most of them can be very dangerous to our health. Only 3% of people carefully examine the product before buying, 47% due to agents' efficiency turn a blind eye to the harmfulness, while the remaining 50% customers don't look at the composition at all. To avoid sad consequences, look through the most dangerous components below and always read the composition of each household product before buy.

  • Surfactants harmfully affect your skin, and a constant use of detergent, which has anionic surfactants in its composition, can lead to dehydration, reduced immunity, increased cholesterol level.
  • The next toxic component is chlorine which affects hair and skin. It's the chlorine that may cause anemia and hypertension.
  • Various studies prove that regular use of cleaning products containing phosphates disrupt the acid-alkaline balance of our cells. This gives rise to allergic reactions and dermatological diseases.
  • Formaldehyde, in its turn, causes respiratory irritation.

To summarize, in order to protect your health, we highly recommend you to study in detail the composition of household products. It's advisable to choose the one containing the least amount of harmful substances and always give preference to goods with the most environmentally friendly and natural ingredients.

Palmolive Ultra Original Dish Liquid, Twin Pack, 38 Fl Oz in the use

More Products to Consider

Deco Brothers Pan Organizer Rack can save some countertop space, organizing pans of any size.

Detailed review of Palmolive Ultra Original Dish Liquid, Twin Pack, 38 Fl Oz

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $19.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00T4JQYH6

 

Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Fragrance Free, 25 Ounce Pack of 3

The 7th Generation of Ecological Products

Have you ever thought what we're going to leave behind? Our next generation deserves the bright future. Seventh Generation is a company producing environmentally friendly products for home & family. All their products are healthy solutions for the air, fabrics, surfaces, pets and people you live with. Seventh Generation is a relatively young company and for over 25 years the engineers have been formulating products containing plant-based ingredients. And these products really work! Note that Seventh Generation is one of the first USDA certified companies and is an active participant USDA BioPreferred.

Seventh Generation Dishwashing Liquid is a biobased product safe for children, non-toxic and cruelty-free (was never tested on animals). Even the bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic, which is essential for a clean environment. This organic dish soap doesn't include dyes or synthetic fragrances, all the scents are provided by essential oils and botanical extracts. Plus! This dishwashing detergent powers through the thoughtest grease and dried-on food. Seventh generation dish soap leaves no stains and residue on glasses, silverware, kitchenware, dishes and is perfect for washing baby bottles. Say "goodbye" to grease!

 

Review of Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Fragrance Free, 25 Ounce Pack of 3

Is your Detergent Really Effective?

First of all, each consumer pays attention to the effectiveness of dish soap and, of course, the absence of harmful components. We propose you to conduct several experiments with your dish detergent and make sure whether it foams enough, how concentrated it is and how many times you must rinse dishes to completely wash off residue.

For the first experiment, we offer you to stir a teaspoon with your soap with a few liters of water. Pay attention to the suds. In case you see too much foam, this may signal of a high concentrate of surfactants. Check on the time how long you need to rub one plate to remove the dried remnants of food. Compare the result, doing the same without detergent and with a wet sponge only. Now, rinse the plate and see how quickly the stains go away. If that doesn't take a long time, your chosen cleanser is doing a great job then!

Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Fragrance Free, 25 Ounce Pack of 3 in the use

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Countertop dishwashers and dishwasher detergents can save your time and efforts. 

Detailed review of Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Fragrance Free, 25 Ounce Pack of 3

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01HNW6592

 

What is a Dish Soap

Despite the popularity of dishwashers, a lot of people still give preference to hand wash. So, if for any reason, you can't totally rely on a dishwasher machine, you do need a good dish soap that would effectively remove the grease and work kindly on your hands. Keep reading our review and choose from the most popular brands we've handpicked for you.

We also propose you to consider dish racks which will let you store away all your sparkling clean dishes in a neat way.

What Features to Compare

The modern market offers a huge variety of washing agents and each of them has its own specific characteristics. Thus, the choice is not so simple but crucial since dish soap directly contacts our hands, kitchen utensils and consequently food.

Type

Dish soaps can be of two types: gel and powder. The advantages of gel-based soaps include convenient application, the ability to clean dishes at low temperatures, a pleasant smell and a gentle effect on hands.

Composition

Yet the main purpose of any dish detergent is to wash off all the residue from dishes, silverware, pots, pans, etc. That's where you may want to consider composition and active formula of different agents to see for yourself whether the one you chose doesn't contain any toxic ingredients. Such chemical compounds as surfactants, chlorine, chemical dyes, mineral salt, betaine, enzyme, alkali, sodium, Laureth sulfate, coconut and citric acid, carbamide, hydrotropes, sodium chloride, etc.  can negatively affect your skin causing an allergy reaction. Avoid using washing agents with the high concentrate of preservatives and fragrances. For your safety, we recommend choosing a dish soap free of all the mentioned chemical compounds. 

Packaging

Needless to say, a packaging affects the ease of use. Powdered dish agents are usually sold in cylindrical boxes with small holes in a lid. In order to save money and environment, many manufacturers produce washing agents in plastic bags that should be poured into reusable containers. Also, a huge number of liquid wash soaps are available in environmentally friendly recycled plastic bottles. Transparent bottles allow you to assess the sediments and the amount of liquid left. Most bottles also have a dispenser to admeasure the precise amount of liquid. Families with small children should select a dishwashing detergent with a retractable cap.

Sources:

1. Lauren Piro 10 Genius New Uses for Dish Soap, Good Housekeeping. September 12, 2014.

2. Lauren Piro 5 Places You Should NEVER Use Dish Soap, Good Housekeeping. May 28, 2015.

3. Elisha McFarland 88% Of Dish Soaps Tested Are Hazardous to Your Health. Here’s How to Find a Safe Brand, The Hearty Soul.

4. Chris Woodford Detergents and soaps, ExplainThatStuff. June 22, 2016.

5. A Cleaner Way to Wash Up — 11 Avoidable Ingredients in Dish Detergent, MightyNest.

6. Michael Black Active Ingredients in Dish-washing Detergent, eHow.

7. Jack Brubaker What Ingredients Are in Detergent? LIVESTRONG.com. February 17, 2015.

8. Sarah Aguirre Top Dish Soaps, About.

9. Whitney Coy 32 Uses for dish soap that you probably haven't thought of, SheKnows. Oct 10, 2014.

10. Matthew Steen How we test dishwashing liquids, Choice. February 29, 2016.

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