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Doing the dishes may be a part of life, but a good dish soap can make a mundane ritual a lot more enjoyable, not to mention more efficient. The best dish soaps have high-quality biodegradable ingredients that don’t irritate the skin or leave behind residue on plates. They also help remove grease, grime, starches, and protein without excessive scrubbing. But with so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which dish soap is best.
I recently spent 20 hours testing 10 different dish soaps—from unscented dish soap to spray soap and even a bar soap meant to reduce plastic waste—to see how they held up against grease, protein, and starchy messes. My favorite overall was the Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap. It got the highest marks on all of the tests I performed, and it is one of the more eco-friendly dish soap options out there. Read on to learn how the best dish soaps on the market fared in our hands-on testing.
- BEST OVERALL: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear Dish Soap
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Dawn Ultra Original Dishwashing Liquid
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SPRAY: Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Ecos Hypoallergenic Plant Powered Dish Soap
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BAR: Simplut Zero Waste Natural Solid Dish Soap Bar
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Ajax Ultra Triple Action Orange Dish Soap
↓ Jump to Review - HONORABLE MENTION: Dawn Apple Scent Platinum Plus Powerwash Dish Spray
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Method Dish Soap
↓ Jump to Review
Before You Buy a Dish Soap
Before you purchase a new bottle (or bar) of dish soap, it’s important to consider effectiveness, cost, and lifestyle. Spray dish soaps can be convenient, but they may be impractical when washing in large quantities. A bar of dish soap can reduce plastic consumption, but it may not work on caked-on messes. Plant-based and biodegradable dish soaps break down faster, leaving behind less residue or harmful additives in water and soil, and are easier on septic systems. Dish soaps have other uses beyond dishes as well. They can be used as general cleaners or pest control in the garden.
Additives and fragrances may also be a factor. While fragrance preference is subjective, I’ve noted in this guide which products have stronger fragrances, as this may be a concern for some shoppers. In addition, potentially harmful ingredients, including phthalates, are typically included during the fragrancing process. Phthalates can cause reactions in some individuals, including skin irritation and respiratory issues. Opting for a fragrance-free dish soap can help reduce exposure to these additives. Phosphates can be found in many household products and food in both natural and synthetic forms, and studies have found exposure to phosphates can contribute to health problems, including kidney disease. Many products state that they are phosphate-free. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a foaming agent and common ingredient in dish soap. It may be synthetic or plant derived, but in both forms, it is known to irritate skin and cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.
How We Tested the Best Dish Soaps
I performed four tests with each of the dish soaps: oil, starch, protein (egg), and general household use. For each test, I noted how effective each soap was on the stains (on a scale of 1 to 5). I used warm water to evaluate the performance of each soap. I also noted residue after rinsing. Other evaluating factors included additives, fragrances, biodegradability, cost, and versatility of use.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested: | 10 |
| Hours spent testing: | 20 |
| Tests performed: | 4 |
| Price range: | $3 to $20 |
Our Top Picks
Dish soap that requires more soap to get the job done is a waste of money, and soaps that are hard to rinse are a waste of water. Here are our top picks based on performance and value, keeping resources like budget and water consumption in mind.
Best Overall
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Plant-based, biodegradable, phosphate-free
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Dispensed by: Squirt-top bottle
What We Like
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice certified for less harmful ingredients
- Bottle is made from 100 percent recycled plastic
- Fragrance-free and dye-free
- Effective on oil, starch, and protein messes
- Biodegradable and safe for septics
What We Don’t Like
- Contains plant-derived SLS
During testing, Seventh Generation Free & Clear performed better than every other dish soap on this list. In general household tests, a few drops got high suds in the sink and left everything clean with no fragrance or residue behind. In addition, the company has been certified by the EPA as a Safer Choice product, which means it contains no harmful ingredients for humans or the planet.
Get Seventh Generation Free & Clear dish soap at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Runner-Up
Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear Dish Soap
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Biodegradable, phosphate-free
- Scent: Fragrance-free
- Dispensed by: Squirt-top bottle
What We Like
- U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified for less harmful ingredients
- Fragrance-free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic
- Effective on oil, starch, and protein messes
- Bottle made from 100 percent recycled plastic
What We Don’t Like
- Contains SLS
It was a close call between the Seventh Generation Free & Clear and Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear dish soap. The Palmolive dish soap was effective on all stains and had a light, pleasant fragrance (though it is still technically fragrance-free). The packaging is recycled plastic, and it offers many similarities to the Seventh Generation product. It is also Safer Choice certified. Two fragrance versions are also certified as Safer Choice. With such a close race, this product was edged out only by the fact that the Seventh Generation formula contains all plant-based ingredients, which can biodegrade more effectively and cause less harm to aquatic plants and animals. Overall, it’s a great pick and a good alternative for devotees of the bright green Palmolive dish soap.
Get Palmolive dish soap at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Best Bang for the Buck
Dawn Ultra Original Dishwashing Liquid
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.3/5; Scent 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Biodegradable surfactants, phosphate-free
- Scent: Original
- Dispensed by: Squirt-top bottle
What We Like
- Effective on all stains
- Concentrated product is a bonus to the budget
- Used by International Bird Rescue to clean up birds after oil spills
What We Don’t Like
- Contains SLS and dyes
- May contain potential allergens and skin irritants
While Dawn was a steady performer in all of the tests, it got our Best Bang for the Buck award because this product truly is a concentrate. A drop or two creates a sudsy sinkful of water that stays sudsy after washing. For this reason, it reduces the amount of product needed and slows down overall consumption. Dawn does make nonconcentrate versions, so be aware when purchasing what the exact product is. In addition, Dawn does make a Free & Clear version, though I did not test it specifically.
Get Dawn Ultra dish soap at Amazon (3-pack), Walmart, or Target.
Best Spray
Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.3/5; Scent 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Biodegradable
- Scent: Mandarin orange
- Dispensed by: Spray bottle
What We Like
- U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified for less harmful ingredients
- Easy to use; versatile and can be used countertops and other surfaces
- Uses less water than traditional dishwashing liquid
- Refillable bottle reduces single-use plastic
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than liquid soap
- Bottle is not made of recycled plastic
Foaming spray dish soaps are a popular new alternative to traditional liquid soaps and claim to help reduce water consumption. In my test of the Seventh Generation foaming dish spray, I found that, in a side-by-side comparison to the brand’s liquid dish soap, it held up well against oil and starch but was slightly less effective on the protein. While the cost may be a deterrent to some, less product may be used in the long run because it is dispensed in a controlled manner, rather than free-form squirting of liquid soap. I opted to try the mandarin orange scent and did not find it overpowering; however, alternative scents include Free & Clear (fragrance-free) or Honeycrisp Apple.
This product may not be the answer for those looking to reduce their plastic consumption. Though it comes with two refills and one spray bottle, and consumers are encouraged to reuse the sprayer tip, the bottle itself is not made from recycled plastic. The company states that both the bottle and the sprayer are recyclable.
Get Seventh Generation foaming dish soap at Amazon (3-pack), Walmart, or Target (in Honeycrisp Apple scent).
Best Eco-Friendly
Ecos Hypoallergenic Plant Powered Dish Soap
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.3/5; Scent 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Plant-based, biodegradable, phthalate-free
- Scent: Grapefruit
- Dispensed by: Squirt-top bottle
What We Like
- Made in a Zero Waste facility—the company is carbon- and water-neutral
- U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified for less harmful ingredients
- Fragrance is very mild
- Effective cleaning of most surfaces
What We Don’t Like
- Not quite as effective as others on caked-on protein
- Bottle is not made of recycled plastic
During all of the tests, the Ecos dish soap efficiently lifted starch and grease and did a decent job on the protein mess. It has a very mild scent and is a nontoxic dish soap. As a bonus, my hands felt less dry after using this in a sink full of dishes than with other brands. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how well this dish soap worked. I appreciated that it is a smaller company with a strong dedication to environmental stewardship, despite the nonrecycled plastic used for packaging.
Get Ecos dish soap at Amazon.
Best Bar
Simplut Zero Waste Natural Solid Dish Soap Bar
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.3/5; Scent 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Plant-based; chemical-, palm oil- and dye-free
- Scent: Lemon
- Dispensed by: Bar
What We Like
- No plastic—including packaging
- Can also be used to clean fruits and vegetables
- Effective for cleanup and uses less water
- Excellent choice for camping or travel
What We Don’t Like
- Harder to presoak dishes
- Requires the use of a sponge or scrubbing tool
For those concerned about plastic consumption, a rising alternative to dishwashing liquid is the solid dishwashing bar. According to the box—which is made of paper—each bar can replace up to 2 to 3 bottles of liquid dish soap, though no specific ounces of liquid are specified. My box contained three bars, all of which look and feel just like a bar of soap. The lemon scent was very mild and pleasant.
To use, wet a sponge and rub it on the side of the bar of soap. I also used a dampened scrubber to create a bit more lather, but each time, the soap rinsed clean, leaving behind no residue.
When it came to the starch and protein, I lathered the sponge and squeezed the soap from the sponge into the water to presoak it. Not surprisingly, this did not create an abundance of suds. However, despite having to rethink how I used the soap, it performed well and even outperformed some traditional liquid dish soaps on the testing list. It does form a small film on the outside after use, which the manufacturer states is due to the cold-processing technique they use to make the soap—one which is supposed to help preserve the active natural ingredients. All in all, this soap surprised me with its effectiveness.
Get Simplut dish soap at Amazon or Simplut.
Best Heavy-Duty
Ajax Ultra Triple Action Orange Dish Soap
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 4.5/5; Scent 2/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Phosphate-free
- Scent: Orange
- Dispensed by: Squirt-top bottle
What We Like
- Effective for cleaning most surfaces
- Helps remove bacteria from hands and surfaces
- Fragrance is made from real citrus extract
What We Don’t Like
- Contains SLS
- Was not quite as effective as others on caked-on protein
Ajax has a reputation for cutting through grease, and it certainly performed against oil and starch during my tests. It was fairly effective on the caked-on protein, though less so than others that are ranked higher on our list. A little Ajax does go a long way, anecod it can be used to clean up grease on grills, clothing, floors, and counters, as well as dishes. This product got lower marks from me because the fragrance was strong—for some, it may even be considered overpowering. It also comes in other scents beyond orange. Though the label states this product is phosphate-free, it is not dye-free, and the combination of the dye and the fragrance may be off-putting to some.
Get Ajax dish soap at Walmart or Target.
Honorable Mention
Dawn Apple Scent Platinum Plus Powerwash Dish Spray
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 3.8/5; Scent 2/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Phosphate-free
- Scent: Apple
- Dispensed by: Spray bottle
What We Like
- Easy to use; versatile and can be used on countertops and other surfaces
- Refillable bottle reduces single-use plastic
- Uses less water than traditional dishwashing liquid
What We Don’t Like
- Contains dyes and fragrance
- Not as effective on starch or protein
Although the spray mechanism is slightly different from that of the Seventh Generation spray soap, the principle is the same: Using a spray or two of this soap will help you use less product and, in theory, less water. I found the Dawn Platinum Plus Powerwash dish spray to be effective on oil on dishes and handy for cleaning up countertops and other surfaces. However, it could have been more effective during the starch and protein tests, especially compared to the Dawn liquid soap I tested.
Though this product is designed to be sprayed directly onto dishes, I sprayed some into a sink, added water, and agitated it, and was able to get it fairly sudsy. All in all, this product works better when sprayed directly onto dishes. It also has a strong fragrance and dyes, which may not appeal to some. However, Dawn does make a Free & Clear version.
Get Dawn Platinum Plus Powerwash dish soap at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Also Consider
Method Dish Soap
Our Ratings: Cleaning Power 3.8/5; Scent 3/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Ingredients: Plant-based, biodegradable, phthalate-free, paraben-free
- Scent: Clementine
- Dispensed by: Pump bottle
What We Like
- Bottle is made from recycled plastic (minus pump)
- Free of phthalates
- Narrow bottle design takes up less space on countertop
- Refillable bottle reduces single-use plastic
What We Don’t Like
- Contains SLS and dyes
- Pump doesn’t dispense as easily as squirt bottle
While the Method dish soap was very effective on grease and oil, it was less so on starch and protein, especially in the side-by-side comparison with other dish soaps. It did create suds, but even these were less intense compared to the top players on this list. The soap is generally affordable and gets the job done, but the fragrance and dyes may be unappealing to some. The pump design makes it harder to dispense soap at a direct target.
Get Method dish soap at Amazon, Target (Lime + Sea Salt scent), or Method.
Also Tested
Though Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap did a decent job on grease and was fairly effective on protein, it did not lift starch as well as any of the others on this list. While the ingredients are plant-based, the fragrance is strong and may not appeal to some. It also created the least amount of suds of all the soaps on this list.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Dish Soap
Before you choose the best dish soap for the job, consider the following key factors: ingredient lists, concentration levels, scent, and packaging. Don’t confuse liquid dishwashing detergent with dish soap meant for washing dishes by hand. The soaps on this list should not be used in a dishwasher. Dishwashing detergent and liquid dishwashing soap don’t have the same formulation, and using dish soap in a dishwasher can result in a foamy mess all over the kitchen.
Ingredients
Most dishwashing soaps are biodegradable, but to what extent is up for debate. Biodegradable dish soap means that the dish soap breaks down without leaving behind trace chemicals or other ingredients that could be harmful to fish and other wildlife. Plant-based dish detergent breaks down easier than synthetic, and the label will state if the product is plant-based. Other ingredients to be aware of on labels are phthalates, phosphates, parabens, and SLS. SLS is known as a surfactant, and it is the sudsing agent in soaps. It is very common, but it can cause skin irritation.
Concentration
Some dish soaps come in concentrated forms that may require only a few drops per sinkful, while spray dish soaps are formulated to be used directly on dishes or cookware without diluting.
Scent
From essential oils to fragrance-free, the best dish soaps offer consumers options. Because scent preference is personal, those who are sensitive to other fragrances or perfumes will want to look for fragrance-free options, often marketed with terms like “free and clear.”
Packaging
Most dish soaps come in plastic bottles of varying sizes. Larger bottles can be used to fill dish soap dispensers, which may look more attractive on the counter and take up less physical space. Plastic bottles can be made from recycled plastic and will state as much on the label. Products like dish soap bars are offered in plastic-free packaging.
FAQs
Dish soap is a common household staple, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions about it. Here are some of the most frequently asked.
To make your own dish soap at home, gather the following ingredients: undyed soap, Borax, and essential oils of your choosing. You can add washing soda to create suds, but this is optional. You will also need a cheese grater and saucepan. Grate the bar soap and combine it with the Borax. Boil water and slowly mix in ingredients, adding essential oil last. Note that Borax is essentially sodium lauryl sulfate, so exercise caution when using it as it can irritate skin.
Liquid soap is a generic term that can be used for liquid hand soap, dishwasher liquid detergent, or dishwashing liquid. There are also dishwashing rinse aids that are typically liquids and come in squeeze bottles similar to dish soap. All of these terms should be distinct from dishwasher cleaner, which is an entirely different product designed to clean the machine itself, not your dishes.
EDTA, which stands for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is used in dishwashing liquids as a stabilizer.
Meet the Tester
Amber Guetebier is a freelance writer and editor and also the mother of one active son and four pets, all of whom track in dirt, make messes, spill things, and generally require cleaning up after.
