The Invisible Risks of Dishwasher Detergents

The Hidden Dangers of Standard Dishwasher Detergents: What You Need to Know

Do you remember a few years ago there was a big safety concern regarding the accidental ingestion of detergent pods? Every major news network was running a story about incidents involving children eating “Tide pods” claiming that they accidentally mistook them for candy? Between 2013 and 2014, poison control centers received over 62,000 calls related to children consuming detergent pods! Scary stuff, but also made me think, If the pods are toxic enough to lead to accidental poisonings, (sometimes death) why are we constantly using them on the items we eat from? Down the rabbit hole we go!

Common Types of Dishwasher Detergents

Dishwasher detergents are available in lots of different forms, including powders, pods, gels, and liquids. Most households gravitate toward convenient options like pods or gels, but all forms have one thing in common: they often contain chemicals that may leave residues on your dishes! You know, the ones we eat off of?

Common Ingredients in Conventional Dishwasher Detergents

Here’s a closer look at some of the ingredients typically found in major dishwasher detergent brands:

• Phosphates: Used to soften water and improve cleaning efficiency. However, phosphates can disrupt ecosystems when they enter waterways, leading to algal blooms that harm aquatic life.
• Chlorine Bleach: Added for stain removal and sanitization. Chlorine bleach can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system and may form harmful byproducts when mixed with other substances.
• Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances give detergents a pleasant smell but are often derived from petroleum and may contain phthalates, which are major endocrine disruptors.
• Surfactants: Chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) help break down grease and food particles. These can be harsh on the skin and toxic to aquatic organisms.
• Dyes: Added to give the detergent a visually appealing color. Many synthetic dyes are unnecessary and may contain harmful substances like heavy metals.
• Enzymes: Used to break down proteins and starches. While enzymes are generally considered safe, they are often paired with other harmful ingredients.

Popular Dishwasher Detergent Brands and Their Ingredients

1. Cascade Complete Pods
   • Ingredients: Phosphates, surfactants, enzymes, artificial fragrances, and chlorine bleach.
2. Finish Powerball Tablets
   • Ingredients: Sodium carbonate, phosphates, surfactants, bleach, and synthetic fragrances

Leading Brands

The global dishwashing detergent market is substantial, with the United States leading in revenue at approximately $3.6 billion annually. To put it mildly, they sell a lot of detergents!

While specific annual sales figures for individual brands are not publicly disclosed, several key players dominate the market:

1. Cascade: A flagship brand of Procter & Gamble, Cascade is renowned for its dishwasher detergents, particularly its pods and gels.
2. Finish: Produced by Reckitt Benckiser, Finish offers a range of dishwasher detergents, including tablets and gels, and holds a significant market share globally.
3. Dawn: Also under Procter & Gamble, Dawn is primarily known for its manual dishwashing liquids but has a presence in the dishwasher detergent segment as well.
4. Palmolive: A Colgate-Palmolive brand, Palmolive provides both manual and automatic dishwashing products, catering to a broad consumer base.

Why This Matters: The Problem with Residues

The intense cleaning action of standard dishwasher detergents often comes at a cost. Some chemicals in these detergents may not rinse off completely during the wash cycle, leaving residues on your dishes. Over time, these residues can accumulate and potentially transfer to your food and beverages. The idea of consuming even trace amounts of chemicals like phosphates or phthalates in synthetic fragrances can be unsettling, especially for families with young children or individuals with sensitive health conditions.

Environmental Concerns

In addition to potential health risks, the ingredients in conventional dishwasher detergents can harm the environment. When wastewater from your dishwasher enters the sewer system, chemicals like phosphates and surfactants can leach into rivers and lakes, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and harming wildlife.

What we are doing about it!

The good news is that you don’t have to rely on chemical-laden products to achieve clean dishes. After many, many hours of research, I found a brand that makes dishwashing detergent with ZERO harmful chemicals in it! And not only is it completely clean ingredients wise, but it also does a great job cleaning!! The icing on the cake is that they not only make non toxic dishwashing detergent, but they have every cleaner you could need to keep your entire house clean, making it a one stop shop.

TrulyFree

NonToxic Soap!?

Get started with my discount on Truly Free here!

Another Way: DIY Non-Toxic Dishwasher Detergent

If you are a DIYer like me, then here is another non toxic option for you! Making your own non-toxic dishwasher detergent is not only simple but also cost-effective and eco-friendly. Here’s how you can do it:

Ingredients:

• Washing soda: A natural water softener and cleaning agent.
• Baking soda: Helps remove stains and neutralize odors.
• Citric acid: Cuts through grease and eliminates hard water spots.
• Kosher salt: Enhances scrubbing power and helps soften water.
• Liquid castile soap (optional) unscented or scented with natural essential oils: Adds cleaning power.
• Essential oil drops (optional): For natural fragrance (e.g., lemon, lavender, or tea tree).

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the following:
   • 1 cup washing soda
   • 1 cup baking soda
   • ½ cup citric acid
   • ½ cup kosher salt
2. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined.
3. If desired, add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Stir well.
4. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage.
5. To use, simply add about 1 tablespoon of the mixture to your dishwasher’s detergent compartment for each load.
6. If you’d like extra cleaning power add a few drops of castile soap to to the detergent compartment as well.

Tips for Best Results:

• For extra shine, fill your dishwasher’s rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.
• Avoid overloading your dishwasher, as this can impede water flow and reduce cleaning efficiency.

Final Thoughts

As a family that tries so hard to limit toxins in our home, this realization about dishwasher detergent hit close to home. We grow our own vegetables to avoid pesticides, choose organic whenever possible, and go out of our way to use nontoxic household cleaners to keep chemicals out of the air our kids breathe and off the surfaces they touch. Yet, somehow, we overlooked what might be hiding on the plates we eat from every day. It’s a humbling reminder that we’re all learning as we go.

If you’re anything like us, you want to do what’s best for your family without feeling overwhelmed by all the changes you could make. Starting small makes a difference. Swapping out your dishwasher detergent for a non-toxic alternative—whether it’s homemade or store-bought—is a simple step that can have a big impact.

Please don’t feel guilty about what you didn’t know. Instead, feel empowered to take action now. Your family deserves a home that’s safe and healthy, and you’re already doing a great job by caring enough to make these changes. Let’s take this step together toward a cleaner, greener, and healthier future.