The Best Non Toxic Dishwasher Detergent | Chemical Free Dishwasher Detergent

Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by NonToxicSwaps

The average dishwasher detergent likely contains a handful of harmful chemicals. Eliminate your exposure by switching to one of these non toxic dishwasher detergent options instead.

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Information provided in this post is updated as of the date of the post. Brands may reformulate products after the date of this post. Check back for updates.

I used to think my dishes were sparkling clean.

Shiny plates, crystal-clear glasses, no streaks – perfectly clean!

Then I learned the truth: those “clean” dishes were coated in a chemical film that never fully rinse away.

And we were eating off them. Every. Single. Day.

Ingredients to Avoid in Dishwasher Detergent

These ingredients are commonly found in popular dishwasher detergent brands. For further research, click on the PubChem links.

1,4-Dioxane: a suspected carcinogen (PubChem CID: 31275)
Ethoxylated ingredients (PEGs, PPGs, polysorbates, ceteareth, phenoxyethanol): ethoxylation process produces ethylene oxide, a carcinogen and developmental toxin (PubChem CID: 6354) and 1,4-dioxane, a suspected carcinogen (PubChem CID: 31275)
Alkoxylated ingredients (alkoxylated alcohol, etc): contamination with harmful impurities like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, known carcinogens.
Dyes: can be carcinogenic, genotoxic and offer no benefit to the product other than color (example: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) (PMID: 23026007)
Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)
Propylene glycol: penetration enhancer (PMID 31786711), bioaccumulative, can impact the nervous system (PMID: 25762872)
Potassium sorbate: skin, eye, respiratory irritant, (PubChemID: 23676745); caused DNA damage when combined with ascorbic acid and Fe-salt (PMID: 12176085) and deemed genotoxic to human lymphocytes by this study (PMID: 20036729)
Sodium benzoate: study has shown to be mutagenic and cytotoxic in lymphocytes (PubChem ID: 517055); can form benzene when combined with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) (PMID: 33371618)
Parabens: preservatives linked to endocrine disruption (PMID: 29596967), known to be carcinogenic due to endocrine disruption (PMID: 36746253) Parabens may be listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Fragrance/Parfum: umbrella term including hundreds of toxins, including hormone disrupting phthalates, as well as skin irritants and allergens. Chemicals that are hidden behind this term can be carcinogenic, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, and more (PMID: 35669814)
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): skin & potential respiratory irritant (PubChem CID: 3423265)