Eco-Friendly Dishwashing: How to Choose a Natural Dish Soap
By Attitude | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Buying Guides
Choose a natural dish soap by checking plant-based content, biodegradability, and scent tolerance. Here are decision rules for eco-friendly dishwashing liquid.
Quick answer
Choose a natural dish soap based on three things: a high percentage of naturally derived ingredients, a scent you can tolerate, and enough degreasing power for your cooking style. If you want a plant-based dish soap that cuts grease without heavy fragrance, start with Attitude Dish Soap Citrus Zest. If your hands react to regular soap, choose a gentle formula like Attitude Hand Soap Sensitive Skin Fresh Apple for hand-washing and use a separate dish soap for greasy pans.
What 'natural' actually means on a dish soap label
There is no single legal definition of 'natural dish soap,' so labels use different signals. The most useful ones are the percentage of naturally derived ingredients (often stated as '97% naturally derived' or '+98% naturally sourced'), third-party verification like EWG VERIFIED, and whether the formula is dermatologically tested. These are concrete, checkable claims. Vague terms like 'green' or 'eco' are not. When a product lists no percentage and no verification, treat the natural claim as marketing until the brand provides details.
Match the formula to your sink habits
A dish soap that works for one household can fail in another. If you cook with oil, butter, or coconut milk, you need strong degreasing power and a formula that rinses clean without leaving residue. If you mostly wash cups, fruit, and light plates, a gentler surfactant blend is enough and may be kinder to your hands. Scent matters too: a strong fragrance can linger on silicone spatulas, plastic containers, and baby bottles. For those items, choose a mild or unscented dish soap, or rinse with hot water after washing. Also consider the format you will actually use. A 33.8 fl. oz. bottle suits a family that washes dishes daily, while a smaller bottle is easier to store and use up before it separates.
Biodegradable and non-toxic: what to verify
Biodegradable dish soap breaks down in water and reduces the load on septic systems and waterways. The claim should be specific: 'readily biodegradable' is a testable standard, while 'environmentally friendly' is not. For non-toxic dish soap, look for a short ingredient list, plant-derived surfactants, and no chlorine bleach or ammonia. Remember that 'non-toxic' describes the formula at intended use, not a guarantee for every person. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, patch-test by washing one dish by hand and checking your skin the next day.
Dish soap for sensitive skin: separate the jobs
If your hands crack or itch after washing dishes, the problem may be the dish soap, the water temperature, or how often you wash. A dish soap for sensitive skin should be free of heavy fragrance and harsh surfactants. But even a gentle dish soap is designed to break down grease, which can strip your skin's oils. Many people do better by using a dedicated hand soap for hand-washing and a separate dish soap for dishes, or by wearing gloves for greasy jobs. If you want one gentle formula for hands, a soap with oat and a verified gentle formula is a reasonable choice. For dishes, keep a degreasing dish soap on hand and use it only when needed.
Decision rules for buying natural dish soap
- Rule 1: Check the naturally derived percentage: Look for a stated figure like 97% or +98% naturally derived or naturally sourced ingredients. A specific percentage is a concrete signal; a vague 'natural' claim is not. If no percentage is listed, ask the brand or choose a product that states one.
- Rule 2: Match degreasing power to your cooking: If you cook with oil, butter, or coconut milk, choose a dish soap with strong degreasing power and foaming action. If you mostly wash light dishes, a gentler formula is enough. Buy the smallest size that matches your cooking frequency so the formula stays fresh.
- Rule 3: Decide on scent before you buy: Citrus and herbal scents can linger on silicone and plastic. If you wash baby bottles or silicone spatulas, choose a mild or unscented dish soap, or rinse thoroughly with hot water after washing. If you dislike lingering fragrance, test a small bottle first.
- Rule 4: Separate hand soap from dish soap when your skin reacts: A dish soap for sensitive skin should be free of heavy fragrance, but even gentle dish soaps strip oils. Use a dedicated hand soap with oat for hand-washing and a separate dish soap for greasy dishes. If your hands still dry out, wear gloves for greasy jobs.
- Rule 5: Verify biodegradability and non-toxic claims: Look for 'readily biodegradable' and a short ingredient list with plant-derived surfactants. Avoid chlorine bleach and ammonia. 'Non-toxic' describes intended use, not a guarantee for every person. Patch-test by washing one dish by hand and checking your skin the next day.
Product facts to compare
- Dish Soap Citrus Zest-33.8 FL. OZ.: Infused with a crisp and refreshing aroma, ATTITUDE dishwashing liquid – Citrus zest with foaming action eliminates grease and residue. Formulated with 97% naturally derived ingredients, ATTITUDE dishwashing liquid with strong degreasing power is your new home essential. Its invigorating citrus top notes blend harmoniously with floral and herbaceous lavender. This is a plant-based dish soap with a stated naturally derived percentage and strong degreasing power, so it fits households that cook with oil and want a biodegradable dish soap option. The citrus-lavender scent is noticeable, so it may not suit people who prefer unscented products.
- Hand Soap - Sensitive Skin Fresh Apple-16 FL. OZ.: This vegan cleansing soap is formulated with +98% naturally sourced ingredients, including oat, to soothe and improve the appearance of dry skin. Its gentle EWG VERIFIED and dermatologically tested formula is enriched with a crisp apple fragrance accentuated with fresh, herbal hints of rosemary. Use this as a hand soap for sensitive skin rather than a dish soap. The oat and EWG VERIFIED formula make it a better fit for dry or reactive hands, but it is not designed for heavy grease, so keep a separate dish soap for pots and pans.
Who should choose which
Best for
- Households that cook with oil and want a plant-based dish soap with strong degreasing power
- People who prefer a biodegradable dish soap with a citrus-lavender scent
- Sensitive-skin users who want a separate gentle hand soap for hand-washing
Not for
- People who need a completely unscented dish soap for baby bottles or silicone
- Anyone looking for one product to clean both greasy pans and reactive hands without a separate hand soap
- Households that prefer a fragrance-free formula for all cleaning products
