For those of us whose bane of our existence is handwashing dishes (me!), many people have the option of popping some dishwasher detergents or tablets into the washer, and forget about the dishes for the next hour. But considering you are placing food on your dishes and then eating that food, you should consider the chemicals that are used in your dishwasher detergent, because they might just end up in your gut!

Here is my all-time faithful dish soap. 

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap is a multi purpose soap. It can be used as a body wash or a shampoo or even as a cleaning spray or a dish soap. It has no synthetic detergents or preservatives and none of the ingredients are genetically modified. It is also biodegradable. It is even packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles.

In addition, it is USDA certified organic and vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.

EWG (The Environmental Working Group) Hazard Score: A (A is the least hazardous, F is the most hazardous)

Ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, potassium hydroxide, organic palm kernel oil, organic olive oil, organic orange oil, organic hemp oil, organic jojoba oil, organic lemon oil, organic lime oil, citric acid, tocopherol

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID 

Triclosan – an antibacterial synthetic chemical classified by the Environmental Working Group as very toxic to the environment and aquatic life. It is linked to skin allergies, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer in humans.

Diethanolamine (DEA) –a chemical known to cause cancer, kidney damage, skin and skin corrosion. Avoid its similar manifestations listed under the guise of monoethanolamine (MEA), and tri-ethanolamine.

Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate – a cleansing agent and disinfectant that causes serious gastrointestinal issues when ingested (AKA used in cleaning dishes àuse dishes to eat àgets into your stomach!). It can cause diarrhea, lethargy, GI irritation.

Formaldehyde – also listed as methanol, methyl aldehyde, and methylene oxide. It’s serves as a preservative for the detergent, and also as an embalming solution for the dead. Avoid.

Ammonia – VERY TOXIC. Exposure to ammonia can cause damage to your eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Concentrated exposure causes blindness and lung damage.