Liquid Dish Soap to Use and Why

Remember when we began switching our cleaning and laundry detergents? We’ve gone from all of our cleaning and laundry supplies from the standard cleaning aisle, advertised on TV, and least expensive to only a handful of store bought products that are made by a few companies. The liquid dish soap was the last switch – yes, it’s taken a couple of years! But, as with every product we’ve switched and replaced, we began with health in mind.

One thing I’ve learned through this process is that not every product sold at health food stores, organic markets or in the ‘healthy’ or ‘natural’ section of the grocery store is good for every component of health and that’s been my goal in this process. If I’m going to the trouble of switching brands, health inside our home (for my family) and health outside of our home (for the environment) is what I want. It’s hard to hit all on every level – and still be able to find the brand at the grocery store.

While our switch has only included products that received all A’s in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) database of cleaners, there are other options available. Look for these on the label: certified biodegradable, not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, and good at cutting grease. But, I suggest checking EWG’s list. They’ve done the work for us! They’re my go to source. No one else is monitoring whether or not a product is actually ‘green’ or ‘healthy’ or ‘natural.’ It’s been enlightening!

Liquid Dish Soap to Use and Why

What I settled on is liquid dish soap from a brand called Planet. Their liquid dish soap got all A’s – and they recently updated their formula and it’s reflected in the review on EWG. (Here’s EWG’s review of Planet liquid dish soap.) But, the soap was too thick – it’s concentrated – and when I put it in our glass jar dispenser, people were complaining. We don’t want to stop people from doing dishes, do we? Nope.

So, here’s my solution…

1. Fill the glass dispenser about 1/3 full of water.
2. Add liquid dish washing soap to the top.
3. Put on lid, cover dispenser with finger and tip bottle back and forth a few times. This isn’t shaking but just a few tips.
4. Use a few drops on dish sponge or in a pot of water of in the sink for dishes.

Be careful when adding liquid dish soap to sponge or a pot for soaking because now the liquid soap comes out quicker. (My family loves to soak pots and pans – find out why.) Also, once the liquid dish soap squeeze bottle is empty, I add about 1/4 cup or so of water to it and shake it up. Then, I use this for dishes. This lets me get every single drop of liquid dish soap out of the container before recycling it.

Dishes are done, every drop of liquid dish soap is out of the container, and my glass jar dispenser is looking pretty. Yes this is more expensive than the cheapest stuff at the grocery store but all of the ingredients are listed on the container – unlike most brands. It’s good for the environment and good for our health. I’ve stopped bringing chemicals into our home in the form of cleaning supplies and I’m feeling pretty good about that.

What dish washing liquid do you use? Have you given any thought to switching?

Go Gingham related links:

Clean and shiny – glass cleaner that works with ingredients you have at home
Grimy and greasy? – a spray combination that will cut the grease without chemicals
Laundry detergents to use and why – clean laundry and clean bill of health!
Need an automatic dishwasher detergent recipe? You’ll find that here.
How about a natural rinse aid for the dishwasher? Yes, you have it in your pantry right now

More related links:

Want to know what chemicals are in your cleaning supplies and laundry detergents? Check with Environmental Working Group. They’re my go to source when it comes to chemicals in consumer products. They’re a, “non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.”