What are the best five eco washing-up liquid brands? With more companies claiming to produce non-toxic products, it can be hard to know which ones are real. We trawl through eco-friendly products, so you don’t have to. Read on to find out the top five top planet friendly non-toxic washing up liquid brands.
The brands we have chosen are all available from their websites or Amazon and ship their products Worldwide. If you want to know more about each company’s shipping policies, please check their websites.
What is the best eco-washing-up liquid?
Many eco-friendly companies are popping up, especially in sustainable cleaning products. Most people are becoming more aware of how everyday items can affect the environment.
Things like washing up liquid may seem harmless in small amounts, but they become more harmful when used by a large population.
Overall Best – Ekologic
Ekologic washing-up pods are the best overall eco-friendly product for washing dishes, and It ticks all the boxes.
Long Lasting – Eco-Mate
Ecomate is the best eco-friendly washing-up liquid regarding how far a bottle goes when washing the dishes.
Most Popular – Marcels
Marcel’s Green Soap is in demand and selling well compared to other eco-friendly washing-up products.
Best Price – Ecover
The best eco-friendly washing-up liquid for your wallet is Ecover which is nearly half the cost per litre!
Is washing up liquid environmentally friendly?
In short, no, washing up liquid is not eco-friendly or sustainable to use. First, water is one of the main ingredients in washing up liquids. Although this is not harmful to the environment, water is awkward and heavy to transport. This results in a large carbon footprint created by water haulage, which is avoided by environmentally friendly washing up liquids.
What chemicals are in washing up liquid?
Along with its large carbon footprint, washing-up liquids contain harmful chemicals. Ingredients may include surfactants, hydrotrope, salts, preservatives, fragrances, and dyes. Phosphates are in some washing-up fluids linked to increased algal blooms.
Other notable chemicals that are in washing up liquids:
- Triclosan – is an antibacterial product that is hazardous to our hormones.
- SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)/SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) – Can cause rashes.
- Fragrance – Any given fragrance mixture can contain up to 3,000 chemicals.
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine) – can also disrupt hormones.
- Chlorine – Extremely toxic to fish.
- Formaldehyde – a Known carcinogen- might appear on your detergent label as methanol, methyl aldehyde, and methylene oxide.
- Ammonia – Even if trace amounts mix with bleach, it can cause irritating fumes.
Why do we use washing-up liquid?
Washing up liquids is preferred over dish soap because they do not react with the minerals in water & from soap scum. Soap scum is a challenging film that forms in your sink & drains over time. It is tough to remove, so people prefer washing up liquid.
Best five eco-washing-up liquid
Number 1 of the top environmentally friendly dish washing up liquids is Ecover Washing Up Liquid. They have developed a washing-up fluid that unleashes the power of plant-based, biodegradable ingredients to leave your dishes squeaky clean without causing damage to the environment or causing rashes on your skin.
Why choose Ecover washing up liquid?
Their lemon & aloe vera scent has passed the Good Housekeeping Institute test and which accredited by the company.
Do they use plastic?
Recycled plastic, yes, the refillable washing-up liquid bottles are 100% recycled plastic with 50% recycled plastic caps. The company also offers refill options to buy up to a massive 15L refill box!
Is Ecover washing up liquid good at cleaning dishes?
Ecover is very good at removing grease and grime from dirty dishes. It is amicable on the skin, according to lots of happy customers.
Top points for Ecover products
- Ecover creates products in a factory that is certified Zero Waste.
- Is Ecover Vegan Friendly? Yes, the products Ecover produces are vegan and environmentally friendly.
- The bottles use 100% recycled plastic & the bottle caps use 50% recycled plastic.
- It does a great job of removing grease & other foodstuffs from dishes.
Discover more ways to make eco-friendly choices in your home by reading How to Live a More Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Life.
Ecover Customer Reviews
anoola (Amazon Product Review) – ‘Love the natural smell. Not harsh on the skin but effective on the dishes’.
Jules (Amazon Product Review) – ‘Great all over washing up liquid and easily handles all residues. With particularly tough build up, like casserole pots etc, I found apply/rubbing in the liquid with my finger on the stains and leaving for 10 minutes before washing working a treat’
Shonaw (Amazon Product Review) – ‘It’s great quality, eco friendly and doesn’t hurt my hands like the “leading brand”. Customer for life!’
Eco-mate is a fully biodegradable product from its bottle to its contents! They are both also ‘Sea-Safe,’ giving this brand a huge thumbs up from us at the Backyard Farmer. This tiny British Start-up was born in rural Rutland with the ethical aim of making environmentally friendly washing up liquid & cleaning products.
Why choose Eco-mate washing-up liquid?
It is safe to say this company tops the ethical chart regarding sustainability. Eco-mate is 100% biodegradable, and the product also stands up well against mainstream companies. It is effective at removing grease and other stubborn foodstuffs.
Do they use plastic?
A resounding No! Eco-mate has made it their mission to use 0% plastic in their products making them a top environmentally friendly washing up liquid.
Is Eco-mate washing up liquid good at cleaning dishes?
Eco-mate washing-up liquid is as good as brands such as Fairy, with users stating the product is effective and smells great!
Top points for Eco-Mate washing up liquid
- They use 100% Plant-based ingredients.
- Biodegradable Paper Bottle & Contents.
- The product is Vegan Friendly.
- Eco-mate is Hypoallergenic for people with more sensitive skin.
- As good as mainstream brands at removing grease & foodstuff.
Eco-Mate Reviews
Kamelia Campbell- Jones (Amazon Product Review) – ‘The fact that this product is eco friendly and biodegradable is what drew me to it in the first place. The washing up liquid itself is what will have me returning. Suds up brilliantly and the smell is lovely and fresh!’
Matt Parford (Amazon Product Review) – ‘Smells great, super soapy and what’s more …intelligently designed and constructed with huge emphasis and consideration for the environment!’
Caroline (Amazon Product Review) – ‘Switched to the whole range now and never going back.’
Delphis is a fast-growing name in the world of sustainable house products. From Delphis oven cleaners to their eco washing-up liquid, they have been making trails in the environmentally friendly industries. With 15 years in the commercial cleaning industry, it is safe to say Delphis knows its craft.
Why choose Delphis Eco washing-up liquid?
Delphis has a strong portfolio of products and experience. They are conscious of how they produce their products and are concerned with what happens when disposed of. Delphis make their eco washing up liquid sustainably, comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles, and was the first UK company to receive the EU Ecolabel accreditation.
Do they use plastic?
Delphis uses 100% recycled plastic bottles for its products and is part of the ‘Collaborate to Zero’ collaboration.
Is Delphis Eco washing up liquid good at cleaning dishes?
Yes, Eco-mate washing-up liquid is good at removing grease and grime from your household dishes. However, some reviews note that it irritates their skin and does not foam up as much as mainstream products.
Top points for Delphis Eco washing up liquid
- Eco-mate works just as well as its main competitor
- It has been formulated with aquatic organisms in mind and is ‘Sea Safe.’
- The product was born from 15 years of experience in commercial cleaning.
- Eco-mate is phosphate free and produced in an environmentally friendly way.
- Their products do not get tested on animals.
Next up is Marcel’s Green Soap washing-up liquid. This brand was born by a gentleman called Marcel from the Netherlands. He started a company in eco-friendly cleaning products because he noticed how harmful the current cleaning products were.
Marcel’s green soap was the first brand in Western Europe to use 100% recycled plastic bottles!
Why choose Marcel’s Green Soap washing-up liquid?
You should choose Marcels Green Soap because it is plant based, vegan friendly & works well! Unlike some environmentally friendly washing up liquid, Marcels Green Soap foams up with a rich foam & is gentle on the skin. It also smells great!
Do they use plastic?
In Western Europe, Marcel’s Green Soap was one of the first eco-friendly washing-up liquid products to use bottles made from 100% recycled plastic.
Is Eco-mate washing up liquid good at cleaning dishes?
Yes, from all reports, it is great at washing dishes. Customers report that Eco-mate washing-up liquid produces a good foam that cuts through grease.
Top points for Marcels Green Soap washing up liquid
- They were one of the first eco-friendly washing-up products to use 100% recycled plastic.
- It is vegan friendly and made from plant-based ingredients.
- They create their scents from natural scents.
- As effective as popular brands.
- Marcel continually works to keep his three promises: Marcel’s Green Soap smells lovely, works incredibly well, and is environmentally friendly.
Marcels Green Soap Reviews
Donna Sloan (Amazon Product Review) – ‘a little goes a long way it works really well. Also many dishwashing liquids give me itchy hands, this is very kind, no reaction. Lavender smells divine now have the radish and bergamot which also smells lovely. I will continue to use this, now ordering from another supplier that has a bigger range of Marcel products’
Donna M. Butcher (Amazon Product Review) – ‘Liked that it was environmentally friendly but still had soap suds’
Mary (Amazon Product Review) – ‘I am really pleased with this cleaning product. It is efficent without the odour being overbearing’
ekologik® Washing Up Pods are something a little different. They offer an eco-friendly liquid that comes in pods rather than bottles. The pods are 100% eco friendly and dissolve into your washing up bowl using natural products. An effective, easy-to-use, non-toxic, bio-degradable, plastic-free, Washing Up Pod made in the UK.
Do they use plastic?
No ekologik® Washing Up Pods do not use plastic. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and plastic free. The pouch the washing-up pods come in is also 100% compostable. You should dispose of them with compostable materials.
Is ekologik® Washing Up Pods good at cleaning dishes?
Yes, ekologik® Washing Up Pods are great at washing the dishes! The pods will cut through grease and grime just like your mainstream brands.
Top points for ekologik® Washing Up Pods
- They have 25 years of experience in creating sustainable, plastic-free cleaning pods.
- Easy to refill and cheaper than mainstream products.
- Highly effective at cleaning the dishes.
- No single-use plastic & no shipping of water!
- 2% of the sale of each pack gets donated to Surfers Against Sewage.
How Ekologic pods work – https://ekologik.com/pages/how-it-works
Ekologik Reviews
Holly (Amazon Product Review) – ‘These are just ingenious! So happy with my first pack and I’ve still got two left- going to save one for trips out in the campervan over the spring/summer. The kids love them, they make washing up fun! And no plastic which is the cherry on the cake’
What is the most Eco-Friendly washing-up liquid?
What is the planet friendly dish washing liquid? Any above top 5 eco-friendly washing-up liquid brands will do as they are all sufficiently sustainable. It is a case of personal choice.
Related Articles: Live a more ‘Eco Friendly’ and ‘Sustainable’ life, Living sustainably in the UK, Making eco friendly cleaning products, How to get rid of slugs naturally, Riding your Bike to work on the daily commute
Sources: How to remove soap scum, Toxic chemicals in dishsoap, Photo by cottonbro studio, Photo by mali maeder, Image by Freepik
