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Looking for a safer, eco-friendly way to tackle your dishwashing? Check out our top picks for non-toxic dish soaps that are tough on grease but gentle on both your skin and the planet.

Text reading "the only truly non-toxic dish soap brands to trust in 2025", with various non-toxic dish soap brands, such as Aspen Clean, MamaSuds, Meliora and more.

While conventional brands may leave your dishes looking clean, they can also leave behind a residue of harmful chemicals that can irritate your skin, trigger allergies, and cause even more serious health issues.

Luckily, there are a lot of really great non-toxic alternatives out there that aren’t filled with synthetic dyes or unnecessary fragrances. 

Best Non-Toxic Dish Soap, in a nutshell…

We’ve tried and tested dozens of non-toxic dish soaps to find the best one’s made with completely natural, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your hands, your dishes, and the environment. 

We’ve carefully gone through all of the ingredient lists to make sure they’re free from harsh chemicals so you can wash your dishes with peace of mind, knowing that you’re using the safest dish soap to keep your family safe and healthy.

But before we go any further, let’s focus on the harmful ingredients hiding in conventional dish soaps and why non-toxic versions are so much better.

Toxic Ingredients Hiding In Dish Soap

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

These strong detergents are added to dish soaps to create a rich lather and cut through tough grease and grime. However, they can also cause skin irritation, dryness, and even allergic reactions, especially with prolonged or frequent contact. SLS and SLES may also contribute to dry skin and dermatitis with frequent use.

Triclosan

This antibacterial agent is sometimes added to dish soaps to reduce bacteria on dishes. However, concerns have been raised about triclosan’s potential to disrupt hormones and contribute to antibiotic resistance. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even begun phasing out its use in most consumer products.

Artificial Fragrances and Dyes

While these additives can make your dish soap smell pleasant and look appealing, they often come at a cost. Artificial fragrances can be made up of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, some of which may trigger allergies or sensitivities in people with asthma or eczema. Dyes, on the other hand, serve no functional purpose in cleaning and may also irritate some people’s skin.

Formaldehyde

This known carcinogen is sometimes used as a preservative in dish soaps to prevent bacterial growth. However, formaldehyde can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even cancer making it a concerning ingredient in products that come into contact with your hands and dishes.

Phthalates

These chemicals are often used as fragrance ingredients and to increase the flexibility of plastic packaging. However, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues.

1,4-Dioxane

This potential carcinogen is a byproduct of the manufacturing process for some surfactants used in dish soaps. 1,4-Dioxane can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, making it a concerning ingredient in products that you use in your home.

Diethanolamine (DEA)

Diethanolamine is a foaming agent and pH adjuster that can react with other ingredients in dish soap to form nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens.

While these chemicals are often used to enhance cleaning performance, the fact that these ingredients are found in products that come into direct contact with your dishes and, ultimately, your food, is particularly concerning.

Our Picks for the Best Non Toxic Dish Soaps in 2025

Non-toxic dish soap is free from harsh chemicals and potentially harmful ingredients commonly found in traditional dish soaps. Instead, they are formulated with natural, plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable and eco-friendly.

They are made from plant-based surfactants that are derived from natural sources like coconut or corn that gently remove grease and grime.

While the term “non toxic” doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a dish soap is completely harmless, it does indicate that it avoids the most concerning ingredients that pose the greatest risk to your health.

Yaya Maria’s Natural Liquid Dish Soap stands out for its commitment to using 100% natural ingredients and eco-friendly practices. It’s even earned the top non-toxicity rating from EWG.

Yaya Maria’s dish soap is cruelty-free certified by Leaping Bunny, vegan-certified by PETA, and endorsed by the Naturewatch Foundation. The soap’s purity is backed by the USDA’s 100% Biobased certification, indicating that it’s made entirely from plants without petrochemicals. 

This biodegradable soap comes in a BPA-free bottle and is made in the USA using wind energy. The company ships its products carbon-neutral and plastic-free, supporting kids in need with every purchase. 

Price

$29.50 for pack of 3

Ingredients

Distilled water, Vegetable glycerin from soybeans, Coconut oil, Potash, Castor oil, One essential oil

Shipping/Location

United States, ships worldwide

Aspen Clean’s All-Natural Liquid Dish Soap is a really great option if you are looking for a fragrance-free dish soap that is hypoallergenic and easy on your skin.

This eco-friendly liquid soap is made with organic, plant-based, and mineral-based ingredients, for a fully effective clean without harsh chemicals.

It’s strong against grease and grime but gentle on your hands, thanks to the addition of organic glycerin and aspen bark extract. 

Aspen Clean’s dish soap is also septic-safe, readily biodegradable, and comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle with a convenient pump dispenser. 

Certified by EcoCert and Leaping Bunny, this Canadian-made dish soap offers full transparency with all ingredients listed on the label.

Price

$11.99

Ingredients

Water, Salt, *Lauryl Glucoside, *Coco Glucoside, *Organic Glycerine, Citric Acid, Aspen Bark Extract

*Derived from sustainable and natural sources

Shipping/Location

Canada, ships to US and Canada

Mama Suds Pure Castile Dish Soap is a unique solid bar option that offers the same cleaning power as liquid dish soap but without the plastic bottle. 

This 8-ounce bar is made with one single ingredient: saponified olive oil.

It effectively cuts through grease and dirt, leaving your dishes clean without any harmful residues.

You can also use this dish bar for various cleaning tasks around the house, like removing clothing stains or cleaning the stove. 

Mama Suds dish soap is vegan, cruelty-free, biodegradable, and septic-safe. To use, pair the bar with an eco-friendly brush or scrubby, and re-lather as needed. Store the bar on a slotted soap dish to extend its life.

Price

$13.00

Ingredients

Sodium olivate (non-GMO)

Shipping/Location

United States

4. Meliora

Meliora’s Dish Soap Bar is a people-friendly and planet-friendly option that comes in a plastic-free, recyclable paperboard box. 

Available in lemon-scented and unscented, these solid dish soap bars are just as effective as liquid dish soap but without the added synthetic fragrances or preservatives. 

Meliora uses a simple, safe ingredient list that includes vegetable soap made with organic coconut and sunflower oils.

All of Meliora’s ingredients are MADE SAFE Certified, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and vegan. 

Meliora prioritizes transparency by listing every ingredient, including scents, on the front label, so you know exactly what you’re using in your home.

Price

$9.99

Ingredients

Sodium cocoate, Sodium sunflowerate, Cocos nucifera oil, Helianthus annuus oil, Glycerin, Citrus medica limonum peel oil

Shipping/Location

United States, ships worldwide

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Hemp Peppermint Liquid Soap is a versatile and concentrated option that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, including washing dishes. 

Dr. Bronner’s dish soap is free from synthetic preservatives, detergents, and foaming agents, making it a completely natural dishwashing option.

The concentrated formula allows for easy dilution, so a little goes a long way. 

Made with organic and certified fair trade ingredients, this biodegradable soap is packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle. 

Price

$16.99

Ingredients

Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Palm Kernel Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Mentha Arvensis, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Mentha Piperita, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

*Certified Fair Trade Ingredients 

**None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin.

Shipping/Location

United States, ships worldwide

6. Etee

Etee’s Unscented Super Concentrated Liquid Dish Soap is a stand-out for its eco-forward packaging and ultra-concentrated formula. 

Their dish soap comes in backyard compostable pods, eliminating the need for plastic packaging and reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping dish soap that is mostly wanter. 

The concentrated formula is made with just four plant-based ingredients and is free from artificial foaming agents like SLS.

To use, simply tear open the pod, squeeze the contents into a jar, shake, and let rest for 20 minutes. The pod can then be composted or repurposed. 

Price

$15.20

Ingredients

Alcohol Ethoxylate, Polyglucoside, Amine Oxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose 

Shipping/Location

Canada, ships worldwide

No Tox Life’s DISH BLOCK is a concentrated solid dishwashing soap that offers a rich, sudsy lather with powerful grease-cutting capabilities.

Their updated formula provides bigger, fluffier bubbles and stronger performance even in hard water. 

With the addition of aloe vera, DISH BLOCK is gentle on your hands while effectively cleaning dishes, pots, and pans. Each 6 oz bar goes a long way, making it an economical choice. 

DISH BLOCK is made with biodegradable, vegan ingredients and is free from phosphates, sulfates, parabens, fragrances, gluten, palm oil, and animal cruelty. It’s also septic-safe and biodegradable.

Price

 $9.98

Ingredients

Sodium ester salts, sodium salts, cocoyl, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl polyglucosides, sodium carbonate, potassium cocoate, vegetable glycerol, quillaja saponaria, aloe vera leaf, sodium citrate, sodium gluconate, sodium benzoate, purified water

Shipping/Location

United States, ships worldwide

Pure Haven’s Dish Soap is a family-friendly, environmentally safe natural dish soap that harnesses the power of citrus-based cleaning agents to cut through grease and oil, leaving your dishware sparkling clean. 

They pride themselves on being the leading manufacturer of guaranteed toxin-free products, with over 95% of their products sourced, formulated, and manufactured in their own USDA Certified Organic facility.

Pure Haven’s unique Pure Protect non-toxic preservation system ensures the safety of their products without compromising shelf life.

Their dish soap formula is safe and gentle for your whole family.

Price

$19.95

Ingredients

Water, Organic Can Alcohol, Coco-glucoside, D-limonene, Non-GMO Vegetable Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Organic Lemon Peel Oil

Shipping/Location

United States

What should I consider when selecting the right non-toxic dish soap?

Cleaning Effectiveness

Of course, the primary purpose of dish soap is to effectively remove grease, food residues, and grime from your dishes. So you’ll want to look for plant-based surfactants like alkyl polyglucosides or coco-glucosides that provide powerful cleaning without harsh chemicals. Enzymes can also boost cleaning power against tough, baked-on messes.

Natural, Non-Toxic Ingredients

Opt for dish soaps made with plant-derived, biodegradable ingredients instead of synthetic compounds. Avoid soaps containing phosphates, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Look for soaps certified as cruelty-free and vegan.

Biodegradability

Choose biodegradable formulas to minimize environmental impact. Plant-based surfactants and ingredients like soap nuts are readily biodegradable, unlike petroleum-based compounds. This prevents buildup of toxic chemicals in waterways.

Scent Preferences

Many non-toxic soaps use natural, essential oil-based fragrances or are unscented. Select a scent you enjoy, or opt for fragrance-free if you have sensitivities. Avoid synthetic fragrances which can cause allergic reactions.

Are non toxic dish soaps as effective as conventional ones?

Absolutely! Non toxic dish soaps can be just as effective as conventional ones at cleaning dishes. 

Plant-based surfactants are powerful grease cutters that match or exceed the cleaning power of synthetic surfactants found in conventional soaps. Enzymes like proteases and amylases added to eco-friendly formulas boost their ability to remove stubborn, baked-on food stains and dried grease.

Are non toxic dish soaps safe for septic systems?

Yes, non-toxic dish soaps are generally safe for septic systems.

Since non toxic dish soaps use plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that can break down properly in septic tanks without harming the beneficial bacteria.

Plant-derived surfactants, enzymes, and natural ingredients in non-toxic soaps are designed to degrade fully, unlike petroleum-based compounds found in conventional brands.

Using non-toxic, septic-safe dish soaps helps prevent buildup of chemicals that could contaminate groundwater from the septic system’s drain field.

If you are concerned, look for a dishwashing liquid that is specifically labled as septic-safe like Aspen Clean or Mama Suds. 

This has been your complete guide to the best non toxic dish soaps for a clean and healthy home!

Making the switch to non-toxic dish soap is hands-down one of the easiest and most impactful ways to prioritize your health and show some love to our planet. 

By choosing plant-based, biodegradable formulas that are free from icky chemicals like SLS, phosphates, and artificial fragrances, you can rest easy knowing that your dishes are not only squeaky clean but also totally safe for you and your loved ones.

Let’s be real, the potential risks that come with using conventional dish soaps, like skin irritation, allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and even cancer, are just not worth it. 

As consumers, we have the power to vote with our wallets and support brands that prioritize our health and the planet. By choosing non toxic dish soaps, we send a clear message that we value transparency, sustainability, and the well-being of our families and communities.

Check out our other amazing Non-Toxic Cleaning Products articles:

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Text reading "toxin-free & natural dish soap brands", with various non-toxic dish soap brands, such as Aspen Clean, MamaSuds, Meliora and more.

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