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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Dishwashing Detergent

The Guide > Household > Cleaning > Dishwashing Detergent 

Cleaning Products

Most cleaning products don't list ingredients. However, you can learn something about a product's hazards by reading its label. 'Danger/ Poison' - most hazardous; 'Warning' - moderately hazardous; 'Caution' - slightly toxic. Ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. These include skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.  [EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning]
  • Avoid:
  • chlorine or ammonia, listed as active ingredients
  • formaldehyde, terpenes, phenols, chlorine, organic mercurials, balsams, aluminium complexes, chlorine, organic mercurials, balsams, and aluminium complexes. These are known to have carcinogenic effects.
  • detergents containing alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) - do not degrade completely and are known hormone disruptors.
  • detergents containing phosphates - cause algal blooms in water ways
  • Look for:
  • biodegradable to AS4351, or better still, an international standard
  • plant-based ingredients, instead of petroleum-based
  • concentrated form
  • specific ingredient information (such as solvent-free no petroleum-based ingredients solvent-free, no petroleum-based ingredients) rather than unregulated greenwash claims (such as natural and eco-friendly)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the foaming agent commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, and toothpastes. It's also found in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. Although used in low concentrations in bodycare products, it ends up on the most sensitive areas of our bodies almost every day. It is well known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. In stripping away oil and drying the skin's surface, it reduces the skin's ability to effectively regulate moisture, and increases the skin's absorption of certain other chemicals such as preservatives, fragrances and colour additives. It's used in our products primarily because it's cheap, often derived from palm oil. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is the alcohol form of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. There is mixed opinion as to whether SLS and SLES are carcinogenic (cancer causing), however, it is possible both may be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is a probable carcinogen.  [EWG]
  • Avoid if you have sensitive skin. Read the product label and seek and alternative product without SLS, where possible. (i.e. ammonium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant).
  • Seek out products that claim to be 1,4 dioxane free or SLS/SLES free.

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Koh  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned, cruelty free, GECA Approved, palm oil free, toxic free
Founded by two dads from Bondi Beach. Koh dishwashing tablets are 100% Australian owned, certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of palm oil and nasty chemicals. Available online.
Manufacturer: Koh
Miessence  [more info]
Features: Certified organic, cruelty free, Australian owned, carbon neutral
Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.
Manufacturer: Miessence
Miracle Wash  [more info]
Features: Non-toxic, no petrochemicals
No Sodium Lauryl Sulphate; No Phosphates; No Harsh Detergents; No Toxic Chemicals; No Animal Testing
Manufacturer: Envirocare
SimplyClean  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, vegan, palm oil free, non-toxic
SimplyClean launched in 2012. All their products are made in Northern NSW. Their range of environmentally friendly cleaning products are non-toxic, palm oil free, vegan, cruelty free (accredited by PETA) and grey water safe. Available from selected wholefood stores and independent supermarkets.
Manufacturer: SimplyClean
Tri Nature  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, plant-based, non-toxic
Founded in 1989, Tri Nature's award winning range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products are Australian-owned and made, plant-based, accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of nasty chemicals.
Manufacturer: Tri Nature
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
ecostore  Ecostore   NZL  Praises, no criticism1
Earth Choice  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Undo This Mess  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Orange Power  Aware Environmental   Australian Owned  No rating3
Organic Choice  Aware Environmental   Australian Owned  No rating3
Shine  Woolworths   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Green Action  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Logix  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Tandil  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Unamat  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Somat  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
method  Method   (SC Johnson) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Morning Fresh  PZ Cussons Australia   (PZ Cussons) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Trix  PZ Cussons Australia   (PZ Cussons) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Seventh Generation  Seventh Generation   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Sunlight  Pental   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Palmolive  Colgate-Palmolive Australia   (Colgate-Palmolive) USA  Criticism, some praise5
Finish  Reckitt Australia   (Reckitt) UK  Criticism, some praise5
Kwit  Reckitt Australia   (Reckitt) UK  Criticism, some praise5
Coles Ultra  Coles Supermarkets   (Coles Group) Australian Owned  Criticisms6
Dawn  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Fairy  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6



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