The Best Dish Detergents As Ranked By Real Customer Reviews

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Washing dishes shouldn't be a difficult task. You simply fill your kitchen sink with water, add a dash of your favorite dish detergent, and go about the task. Better yet, you load your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, fill the detergent slot, and let it do its job. However, things get tricky when your soap fails to cut through layers of burnt food at the first pass. Worse, some might dry out your skin, leave a fine film on your dishes, smell weird, create relatively less suds, contain harmful chemicals, or be harsh to the environment.

And finding a new dish soap or dishwasher detergent isn't as simple as picking between dishwasher pods vs powder vs liquid detergent. With so many options available and each brand promising a new set of benefits, it's easy to get overwhelmed. So, to simplify things for you, we scoured through online customer reviews to find the best dish detergents across categories, including bio-based, cleaning prowess, value for money, vegan, smell, pods, tablets, liquid, powder, and more. All the recommended products have a minimum of 2,500 reviews and an average star rating of 4 and higher. For a more detailed explanation, check out the methodology paragraph towards the end of this article.

Seventh Generation's Dishwasher Detergent Packs are ideal for eco-conscious individuals. Established in 1988, the brand aims to reduce reliance on chemical-based products that are bad for the environment and human health. The detergent packs are fragrance, dye, phosphate, and chlorine bleach-free. They're also EPA Safer Choice Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, USDA Biobased Certified, and made with primarily plant-based or renewable raw materials. At the same time, the enzyme-based formula promises to be tough on greasy, dried, and messy dishes, but remain gentle on your septic tank. Further, the product comes in 90% plastic-free packaging — the outer packaging is made of recycled paper boxes.

One potential drawback is that the Seventh Generation dishwasher pods (like most others) are made out of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Although soluble in water and included in the EPA's Safer Chemicals Ingredient List, there are concerns around whether PVA can be a source of microplastics in the environment. A portion of PVA particles are thought to be able to break down if they pass through a water treatment facility, but if your dish water is going untreated, (for instance, if you have a graywater system in place to water fruit trees), or you'd simply prefer to avoid PVA-encapsulated pods altogether, then this might not be the dishwasher detergent for you. To learn more, here's what you need to know about plastic covered dish pods.

With over 11,000 reviews, the detergent has an average star rating of 4.6, and 81% of customers gave it a 5-star review. Agreeing with the advertised claims, an impressed customer mentioned, "What I appreciate the most is that it's made with plant-based ingredients, which makes it gentle on the skin and free from harsh chemicals. I've noticed a significant difference compared to other detergents I've used in the past. The fresh, natural scent is an added bonus, making the dishwashing experience more pleasant. I highly recommend the Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent for anyone looking for a reliable, eco-friendly option." However, others mention that you might need a stronger formula if you're dealing with super greasy dishes.

If you're not a big fan of rinsing dishes before you load them in your dishwasher, try out Cascade Complete ActionPacs Dishwasher Pods. The cherry on top? The company says you get to save nearly 15 gallons of water per load due to skipping any pre-washing steps. The ActionPacs possess 25% extra cleaning power compared to the brand's Original pods. They claim to clean dishes sporting dried (up to 24 hours) and burnt food residue with ease, and are equipped with Dawn's grease-cutting formulation. Being phosphate-free, Cascade promises that its pods won't pollute water bodies or harm aquatic life. Moreover, the Cascade is recommended by popular dishwasher brands (as part of mutually beneficial co-marketing agreements) like Haier, Frigidaire, GE, LG, Electrolux, and more, so you won't have to worry about them being incompatible with your machine. Just ensure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and don't make any of these common mistakes with your dishwasher pods.

After being reviewed more than 111,000 times, Cascade's ActionPacs have an average star rating of 4.8 and flaunt 87% 5-star reviews. Speaking from personal experience, a customer wrote, "Cascade Complete Dishwasher Pods deliver excellent cleaning performance with minimal effort. The pre-measured ActionPacs dissolve quickly and leave dishes, glassware, and silverware spotless and free of residue." They continued, "These pods effectively handle tough, baked-on food and greasy stains, even without pre-rinsing." Other reviews remark on their dishes being free of water marks, eliminating the need for any post-wash touch-ups. 

Filling your sink to soak and scrub a burnt pan, cheesy baking tray, greasy casserole dish, or delicate wine glasses wastes around 15 to 45 liters of water (depending on your sink size). This will adversely impact your utility bills and jeopardize your water conservation efforts. If you're wondering how else you're supposed to cut through the tough layer of grease and stuck-on food, Dawn Powerwash Original Dish Spray is designed to replace soaking. The liquid soap forms suds without water and adheres to the sprayed surface instead of sliding off. Dishwashers these days come equipped with dirt sensors, which is one of the reasons why you don't always need to soak dishes before loading the dishwasher — but there are times when thick grease or stuck residue might require some pre-treatment, and the Dawn Powerwash dish spray definitely packs a punch. 

Its concentrated formula helps it work through grime in half the time. This gives it five times the cleaning power over other non-concentrated Dawn varieties. Equipped with cleaning boosters missing in conventional dish detergents, the spray offers the results of an overnight soak within just a few minutes. In case a piece of dishware is particularly greasy and dirty, let the soap work its magic for a while prior to rinsing it away. Additionally, you can use it to clean stubborn laundry stains, mucky sinks, filthy grills, and dirty countertops. Moreover, the plastic spray bottle is convenient to use and refillable.

Enjoying an average star rating of 4.8 after being reviewed nearly 4,500 times, the Powerwash has 88% 5-star reviews. Explaining the reasons why they like this dish soap, a reviewer wrote, "Dawn Powerwash cuts through grease like a dream, even on stubborn, baked-on messes. Unlike traditional dish soap, you don't have to fill the sink with water — just spray, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe or rinse." The overwhelming positive reviews indicate that Dawn Powerwash really does live up to the hype of everything it claims to do, but a small number of people warn that the scent is very strong. 

Tired of contracting irritant contact dermatitis (redness, cracks, and skin irritation) every time you wash your dishes without wearing rubber gloves? Switch to a dish detergent specifically formulated to protect your hands, like the Dawn Ultra Gentle Clean Dishwashing Liquid. Although it'll be kind to your skin, its 2x cleaning power will still de-grease dirty dishes with relative ease. In short, you get the cleaning power of Dawn, sans the chemicals that irritate your skin. The best part, though? The company claims that you can achieve this with 50% less scrubbing as compared to other non-concentrated dish soaps.

The Ultra Gentle Liquid has been reviewed over 3,200 times, has an average star rating of 4.8, and 88% of its reviewers gave it a 5-star rating. A long-time customer wrote, "I have been using this product for many years now. It does an excellent job with cleaning, and is very gentle to your skin. I am very sensitive to many soaps, but this one never causes any problems. I can highly recommend it."

Walmart's in-house brand — Great Value — is known for offering consumer goods at economical prices, and its dish detergent is no exception. Case in point, the Ultra Dish Liquid costs $2.58 for a 28-fluid-ounce bottle. In other words, you pay a mere $0.09 per ounce of soap. Conforming to the EPA Safer Product Standards, the brand claims this liquid detergent is three times more potent than Dawn. Plus, it's phosphate-free, so it won't have an adverse impact on water bodies. Further, the surfactants in it ensure your dishes are clean after every wash. Unfortunately, dish soap is one of the cleaning agents you should never add to your dishwasher, so you can only use it when you wash your dishes by hand. However, if you're anything like Devi Vishwakumar's mother in "Never Have I Ever" and rarely turn on the machine, you'll find the bottle's pull-top mechanism quite handy while doing your dishes.

Its reviews don't disappoint, either. After garnering over 8,200 reviews, the dish detergent has an average star rating of 4.6 with 77% 5-star reviews. A satisfied customer said, "Like all Great Value products I buy and use (including food items) I am consistently and pleasantly surprised by the fact that they are easily and comparatively on the very same par as almost any national brand. This dish liquid is no exception. It gets the job done as well or better than any other major brand I've tried throughout my years of 'dishwashing drudgery.' And it does it at a price that makes it worth it." A majority of reviewers comment on the fact that this soap is comparable — or even better — than brand-name alternatives.

Named after Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day aims to combine her passion for both cleaning and gardening. Essentially, its products are cruelty-free and contain plant-derived ingredients, along with essential oils. Consequently, they're devoid of harmful chemicals like parabens, formaldehyde, chlorine, ammonia, and phthalates. Simply put, Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Dish Soap line tackles grease with ease and smells distinctly of your favorite flowers, fruits, and herbs. Available in multiple fragrances, including honeysuckle, rose, rain water, peppermint, lilac, snowdrop, Iowa pine, orange clove, mint verbena, mum, and eucalyptus, the brand stands out by ensuring there's something for everyone. So, you can look forward to cleaning your dishes and making your kitchen smell like a blooming garden with every wash. You could even change the scent based on seasons for a truly enchanting experience.

With over 2,600 reviews under its belt, the dish soap has an average star rating of 4.8 and 87% 5-star reviews. Besides loving its subtle scent, several consumers mentioned that a little goes a long way and the suds last longer than other brands. One of them shared, "Mrs. Meyer's products smell so much better than other common products found in the market. You only need a drop ... it lasts so long and cleans so well." However, you should avoid putting this dish soap in the dishwasher since the manufacturer only advises using it when you hand wash your dishes.

Founded in 2006 to help people find a better way to care for the planet, ATTITUDE produces a range of home and body products. The ATTITUDE Dishwashing Liquid is an EWG Verified dish detergent. What sets it apart from other bio-based or eco-friendly soaps on the list is that it's 100% vegan, too. This means that the brand doesn't use animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, carmine, and lanolin, to manufacture its products. It's cruelty-free and has a certification from PETA. Even though it's made of 97% natural and mineral elements, it cuts through the grease and food residue clinging to your dishes for dear life. Plus, the Canada-based company uses HDPE #2 plastic for the outer packaging (bottle) to promote recycling. 

Having an average star rating of 4.4, the vegan liquid dish soap has been reviewed over 4,300 times out of which 71% are 5-star ratings. A happy customer wrote, "I love this dish soap! It's clean, natural, in recycled packaging, vegan, and cruelty-free... and I don't notice it being any less effective than big brands like Dawn. Plus the coriander and olive scent is amazing! Especially when mixed with the green apple and basil. Please don't ever raise the price, and I'll be a customer for life!" That being said, one customer warned that the soap can get unnaturally thick, making it difficult to squeeze some out when you need it. So, make it a point to seal the bottle properly and keep it away from water.

If you're not a big fan of the plastic dishwasher pods, but find that dish detergent powders are too much work, take the middle route and opt for BLUELAND Dishwasher Detergent Tablets. The lack of a plastic film differentiates them from pods, and the pre-measured pieces make it easier to drop them in your dishwasher detergent dispenser. These concentrated tabs pack a punch with their oxi-stain fighting capability and dual enzyme power. They can readily cut through grease and grime, making them the perfect secret ingredient to clean a scorched pan. They can even tackle food that's been stuck to your dishes for up to 48 hours. Further, these mineral and plant-based tabs include a rinse-aid element, so they're suitable for households with hard water as well. This means they can minimize unsightly spots and films on your washed dishes. Although BLUELAND is slightly more expensive than its counterparts, it comes in compostable packaging and is made of clean ingredients.

The dishwasher tablets have over 5,200 reviews and an average star rating of 4.2, out of which 68% are 5-star reviews. An appreciative product user said, "If you're looking for an eco-friendly, effective dishwasher detergent that doesn't compromise on performance, these dishwasher detergent tablets are exactly what you need! As someone who's always looking for ways to reduce plastic waste, I absolutely love that these tablets are 100% plastic-free — no more worrying about the harmful plastic film that's found in most conventional pods." It's worth noting, though, that not everyone is satisfied with how well they clean, with some finding better success than others. 

Afraid of feeding your baby a little dish soap along with their milk? Or, maybe, you aren't a big fan of the strong smell that lingers in their bottles, sippy cups, or pacifiers after you wash them. Whatever your dilemma, use a dedicated dish detergent like Dapple Baby Bottle Soap to bid your woes goodbye. The dermatologist and pediatrician-tested liquid soap doesn't contain toxic chemicals like synthetic dyes, phthalates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Its mineral and plant-based hypoallergenic formula specifically targets protein, fat, and carbohydrates in milk and formulas. This will keep your child's dishes and bottles, as well as your breast pumps, clean and residue-free. Moreover, the detergent relies on organic elements, like baking soda, to neutralize all lingering scents. Plus, you can use it to clean your regular dishes, too.

Amassing over 33,000 reviews, the baby bottle soap has an average star rating of 4.8 and sports 88% 5-star reviews. A grateful parent mentioned in their review, "We originally used Dawn soap to wash bottles, but the strong soap smell made us worry that our baby was ingesting the Dawn soap. This soap has been great." They and others praise the lack of smell combined with the ability to clean off milk residue. As far as downsides go, a few reviewers point out that the brand needs to work on its packaging for a leak-free delivery experience.

Specially formulated for use in automatic dishwashers, dish detergent powders are more economical than pods and tablets. While there are multiple options available, Cascade Complete Powder Dishwasher Detergent found a spot on our list because its a cost-effective, traditional powder option that cleans dishes effectively (even if you skip pre-rinsing). Better yet, it doesn't leave behind unwanted residue in your machine's dispenser compartment, so you don't have to deal with cleanup after. Plus, the pack comes with a built-in spout to help you pour the amount of powder you need without creating a mess. That being said, you'll have to fill the pre-wash and main detergent slots to the brim for sparkling dishes.

With more than 6,700 reviews, the powdered detergent has an average star rating of 4.6, out of which 80% are 5-star reviews. A user spoke from their experience and wrote, "This is such a good, low-cost option for dishwasher detergent. A box lasted me about 6 months, and got my dishes squeaky, beautifully clean. There's no mess left over in the detergent compartment or anything. Compared to the price of other detergents, this one's so low." On the flip side, a small handful of reviewers reported that the powder left residue on their dishes, especially in combination with hard water.

To pick the best dish detergents across categories, we bypassed brand claims and turned to real customer reviews. We only chose products with a minimum average star rating of 4.2. This helped us weed out companies that overpromise and don't meet user expectations. To further filter our search results, we hand-picked dish detergents with at least 2,500 organic reviews on popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. We also took stock of the common cons for each soap to provide a clearer picture of the true capabilities of these detergents.