What are Natural Dishwasher Detergents?
Natural dishwasher detergents, as the name suggests are made entirely of natural ingredients like natural oils of coconut, palm, etc. along with a mix of water, citric acid, salt. They contain a natural fragrance of lemongrass or orange that releases a mild smell.
Advantages of Natural Dishwasher Detergents?
Switching to natural dishwasher detergents is not only beneficial for the skin but also for the environment. Let us take a look at a few of the benefits of switching to natural detergents
Natural Dishwasher Detergents are Skin-friendly
Artificial detergents contain harsh chemicals that might penetrate through your skin, leaving you prone to health problems. Our skin contains tiny little pores and any artificial ingredients may prove harmful if used over a prolonged time.
Safe for Health
Many times, the artificial detergents that we use tend to cling to the utensils despite washing it thoroughly. As the utensil dries, so does the detergent and forms a thin non-visible layer of the top of the surface. Thus, when we eat, that layer mixes with food and ends up in our stomach. This may have serious ill-effects on our health.
Eco-friendly
Artificial detergents contain harmful chemicals like chlorine that is harmful for aquatic creatures as well as sodium acrylate that has the ability to pollute the local waterways and poison the organisms present. Also, many artificial chemicals in a natural detergent makes them insoluble, allowing them to be present in the water for a long time. This has some far-reaching consequences as far as nature is concerned.
Does Not Involve Cruelty
Many of the artificial ingredients in the dishwashers are tested on animals before reaching our door-step. This is done to see the effect of the detergent on animals before usage by humans. Natural detergents, do not involve such cruelty, and thus switching will not only help you but nature as well.
Substitutes for Natural Dishwasher Detergents
Although switching to natural detergents is in all ways useful for you, sometimes switching becomes difficult, due to unavailability of materials. At such you can either go for your very own DIY Dishwasher detergent that is devoid of any chemicals but equally effective or buy a dishwashing detergent that is devoid of certain ingredients that we will mention below.
DIY Natural Dishwasher Detergents
This involves a mix of washing soda, citric acid, kosher salt and citric acid. Mix it all in a proportion of 0.5: 1, where a mix of ½ cup of citric acid and kosher salt along with 1 cup of borax and washing soda is used . Put all of these in a jar and use 2 tbs per load every time you use your dishwasher.
Ingredients to Avoid While Buying a Dishwasher Detergent
The usual dishwashing detergents contain certain chemicals that are quite harmful for marine animals and humans alike. Thus, checking the ingredients the next time you purchase dishwashing detergents will help.
Formaldehyde
Methanol, or methylene oxide are basically forms of formaldehyde and can be seen using in the majority of dishwashing detergents. They are carcinogenic in nature and prolonged use can put your health in danger.
Phosphates
Phosphates are majorly used to soften any hard water as soft water allows a thorough cleaning. But they are poisonous for the marine animals and quite harmful for the environment. They have the ability to clog drains and kill many marine species.
Sodium Laureth Sulphate
This ingredient is the cause of allergies in the skin and can cause rashes and itch. They allow the detergent to lather to the maximum so that a thorough cleaning can be achieved. However, if in contact with the skin for a prolonged period, they can cause serious harm.
Triclosan
This is a major ingredient to kill all the bacteria in dirty dishes. However, this ingredient not only eliminates bad bacteria but good bacteria too. And when it comes in contact with the skin, they eliminate the good bacteria from the skin too.
Ammonia
This ingredient is present in lesser quantity but, in combination with bleach, it forms a very dangerous ingredient that can harm your eyes and skin. So, make sure to read the product description before purchasing.
Dyes
Many detergents come in the colors of blue, or green while claiming to be effective as compared to others. However, the color has got nothing to do with the power. It rather is harmful for skin and should be avoided at all costs.
Phthaltes
The presence of phthalates offers a pleasant fragrance to the dishwasher detergent that lasts throughout. They don’t do any good apart from the fragrance, rather than harming the skin.
Best Natural Dishwasher Detergents
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Pods
These are absent of chlorine, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances making them one of the best dishwasher detergents of all time.
Nobody’s Perfect Natural Dishwasher Detergent
This contains Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside that has the power to solubilize oil into the water making them one of the safest options for the environment
Mamasuds Automatic Dishwasher Powder
This dishwashing detergent is completely made of 100% natural formula and is safe, vegan friendly and perfect for dishes. Its unique formula allows a thorough cleaning and it doesn’t even harm the environment.
Conclusion
Natural dishwashing detergents are gaining a gradual surge in popularity as a natural step towards protecting the environment. The synthetic chemicals are the biggest sources of water pollution and thus switching to a natural-based dishwashing detergent has become imperative for the planet as well as our health. Natural detergents are convenient, skin-friendly, and harmless making them a popular pick today over other dishwasher detergents. If you want to know more about the safe options, take a look at some of the products that Bestviewsreviews have reviewed and recommended for use. They recommend only the best products that are trending the market currently.