Liquid Dishwasher Soap Alternative: What Can I Use Instead of Dishwasher Soap?

Have you ever opened your dishwasher after a load only to find leftover residue and overwhelming chemical odors on your dishes? This is a common issue, regardless of the type of liquid dishwashing soap you choose.
But what if there were an alternative to dishwasher soap that saved you from still-dirty dishes and ethical concerns?
We have good news – there is! However, not all dishwasher soap alternatives will deliver sparkling clean results. Most dishwasher soaps and alternative options even have harsh chemicals that aren’t safe for you or the environment.
So, what can I use instead of dishwasher soap?
Clean People dishwasher pods are the ideal replacement for conventional dishwasher soap. Our pods contain only safe, natural, and cruelty-free ingredients that are compatible with all dishwashers and septic systems. We use sustainable packaging and eco-friendly ingredients, resulting in 60% less plastic waste and a 50% lower carbon footprint.
We’re the safest choice for your family and the environment. Hear it from customers like you who have switched to our sustainable dishwasher pods:
“I was skeptical that this would clean my dishes. I always added liquid dishwasher detergent to my store brand pods to get my dishes clean without a filmy feeling on them. Clean People dishwasher pods are incredible. I used their pod alone, and the dishes came out clean, with no film residue, and the glasses actually looked sparkling! So impressed!”
“I just used the pods in my dishwasher, lemon scent, and they were great! Loved the smell too! TRY IT YOU’LL LOVE IT!!!”
“I love the dishwasher pods, they work so well and knowing they do not contain any toxics makes it even better!!”
Visit our online shop to choose from 4 scents and get sparkling-clean glassware!
Why You Might Want a Better Alternative to Dishwasher Soap
Why should you choose an alternative to dishwasher soap? Are the dishwasher soap alternatives out there better than the ‘tried-and-true’ conventional liquid dishwasher detergents?
You don’t have to settle for ‘adequate’ in today’s world. You want a dishwasher soap that leaves you with shiny glassware and no speck of leftover residue, all without harsh chemicals.
You’re in a Pinch as You Ran Out of Dishwasher Soap
You’ve loaded all your dishes into the dishwasher over the past few days, and as you reach for your soap, a sense of dread overwhelms you.
We have no more dishwasher detergent in the pantry. What can I use instead of dishwasher soap?
We’ve all been there before. The reality is that dishwasher soap isn’t the only option for cleaning your dishes. There are even a few dishwasher soap alternatives you may have lying around your house, which we’ll explore later in this guide.
You’re Tired of Putting Harsh Chemicals on the Dishes You Eat/Drink From
Many conventional dishwasher soaps contain harsh ingredients, including bleach, synthetic fragrances, phosphates, and parabens. You use these soaps on dishes that hold your food or drink. There’s a good chance you’ll ingest these nasty ingredients with each bite or sip you take.
The idea of even accidentally putting those chemicals in your body is scary enough, so why risk doing it intentionally?
Thankfully, several dishwasher soap alternatives skip the extra ingredients. You can keep your family safe by ditching the conventional soaps with dubious additives.
You’re Fed Up With Ineffective Cleaning and Leftover Residue
It’s incredibly frustrating to pop open your dishwasher after a cycle only to find leftover gunk on your dishes. Traditional dishwasher soaps are prone to this, especially if they lack suitable ingredients.
You must find dishwasher soap alternatives that actually give you the sparkling clean results you’re looking for. Your life is too busy to spend time scrubbing down half-clean glasses and plates – get a reliable alternative to dishwasher soap and save yourself the stress.
You Want Something That’s Better for the Environment, Too
Conventional dishwasher soaps are full of chemicals that are just as harsh on your local ecosystem as they are on your physical health.
Synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and dyes can end up as runoff in your waterways. Traditional dishwasher soap typically comes in large plastic jugs that end up as waste in your local landfill. Some soaps are even animal-tested, which is antithetical to a Vegan lifestyle.
But you don’t have to accept these moral hazards just to achieve spotless dishes.
Choosing the Right Dishwasher Soap Alternative: What Can I Use Instead of Dishwasher Soap?
Traditional dishwasher soaps aren’t the best option for you and your family. It’s time to truly consider a reliable alternative to dishwasher soap – one that is safe for your family and the planet, all while delivering the immaculate and speedy results you’re looking for.
So, what can I use instead of dishwasher soap?
Let’s explore the options available to you.
The Best Alternative for Dishwasher Soap is Our Pods at Clean People
Dishwasher pods are receiving all the hype as the most reliable alternative to dishwasher soap. They‘re easy to use, don’t take up much space in storage, and have optimized ingredients to deliver the cleaning results you seek.
But you can’t just choose any dishwasher pod brand off the shelf and call it a day. There’s a significant difference between the average pod and the best of the best. Thankfully, you don’t have to go far to find the premier option – our eco-friendly dishwasher pods are the #1 choice worldwide!
We’re proud to offer the most ethical dishwasher pods on the market. We weighed what dishwasher pods are made of typically and realized that conventional options just don’t cut it. Many pods use harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. These pods have an overwhelming smell, are harmful to the environment and your health, and deliver poor cleaning results.
Our products are free of nasty ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and chlorine. We package them in recyclable containers to reduce plastic waste.
Our pods are plant-based and contain certified cruelty-free ingredients that are proven to deliver sparkling clean results. There are 4 fragrances (including a fragrance-free choice) that will leave a pleasant aroma without interfering with your next dinner.
If you’re worried about how to use dishwasher pods, you’re in good hands. Pods are one of the easiest dishwasher soap alternatives to use. Just pop one into your dishwasher and run a cycle. We did the hard work of pre-measuring soap so you avoid the mess. Our pods are also septic-safe and compatible with all dishwasher models.
Hear from our wonderful customers who have switched from soap to our pods:
“I absolutely LOVE these peppermint dishwasher pods. They clean 10x better than the leading brand we have been using for years. So glad to have found these!”
“Your dishwasher pods clean better than the two top brands ever have done!!”
“I’m only using these from now on in my dishwasher! They work very well. Thank you!”
Visit our online store to order yours today and get free shipping on all orders to the USA and Canada.
Dishwasher Powder
Our dishwasher pods are the best alternative to dishwasher soap. However, there are several other choices that you should know about before making a decision.
Dishwasher powder is a dry version of liquid or gel dishwasher soap. It dissolves during the wash cycle to remove grease and stuck food. Dishwasher powder is typically gentler on the environment than liquid or gel, since it usually comes in recyclable cardboard boxes or renewable pouches rather than plastic jugs.
Powder is the most similar option to pods. However, there’s one difference – you have to measure powder manually. This can lead to spills or poor results.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is an all-natural dishwasher soap alternative that is a common find in life hack videos. Castile soap is well-known for its applications as a body soap, but it can serve as a dishwasher detergent in a pinch.
There’s a tricky drawback to using castile soap in a dishwasher. Castile soap creates lots of suds. This may disrupt your dishwasher’s ability to clean your plates and glasses thoroughly and lead to a soapy mess.
Baking Soda and Salt Mixture
Baking soda is another DIY staple. Salt and baking soda can work together to remove grease and food residue. The combination even has a deodorizing effect that is gentler than the synthetic fragrances of traditional dishwasher soap.
The baking soda and salt mix struggles with tough stains like castile soap. It’s a solid option in a pinch, but you’ll still find residue on your glasses and dishes.
White Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar is one of the best natural alternatives to dishwasher detergent. The acidity breaks down food residue, cleans spots, and gives your dishes a shine.
However, that acidity comes with a drawback. It’s corrosive enough to damage the rubber seals and hoses of your dishwasher. So while you’re getting the cleaning results you’re looking for, you’re quickly reducing the lifespan of your appliance.
Other DIY Dishwasher Soap Alternatives
All the ingredients we have explored have some advantages as replacements for dishwasher soap. Some are eco-friendly and all-natural, while others deliver excellent results (at the expense of your appliances).
Other ingredients can be okay alternatives in a pinch. Borax, essential oils, and lemon juice are some of the most common. But they come with more downsides than upsides.
Borax deodorizes and disinfects your dishes like baking soda. However, it also leaves behind residue on your dishes, so you won’t get those sparkling results you want. Lemon juice is just as harmful to your dishwasher as white vinegar, with even worse cleaning power.
Essential oils will make your dishes smell clean, but they’ll still have leftover grease and residue without other ingredients. We use some essential oils in our products for this reason.
Can You Use Dish Soap?
What about dish soap? The bottle you use for hand-washing pots and pans isn’t a viable alternative for your dishwasher. Liquid dish soap creates tons of suds. Suds can cause excess foaming and lead to poor cleaning results, just like castile soap.
Dish soap can create so many suds and bubbles that your appliance overflows. This can leave behind a soapy mess on your kitchen floor and even jam up internal parts of your dishwasher.
Dish soap is one of the worst possible replacements for dishwasher soap. You’re better off choosing an ineffective but safe replacement like baking soda and salt than risking damage.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Best Dishwasher Soap Alternative
Traditional dishwasher soaps aren’t the best option anymore. They do an adequate job of cleaning your dishes, but leave behind grease and food residue that prevents you from achieving those sparkling clean results.
Additionally, many conventional soaps contain nasty ingredients like phthalates, parabens, and chlorine. These are dangerous for your family’s health and the ecosystem – a terrible combination that no one wants.
There’s a handful of DIY options you can use in a pinch, but all of them come with drawbacks. Acidic ingredients like vinegar and lemon juice can damage your dishwasher, while options like baking soda and castile soap fail to deliver the final results you need.
There’s only one option that can replace dishwasher soap and do things better: dishwasher pods. But not all pods are equal.
The best dishwasher pods are right here at Clean People! We’re committed to natural, clean products that are safe for your family and the environment.
Our dishwasher pods are eco-powered and eco-friendly, with clean ingredients and 4 fantastic scent options. We crafted our pods to ensure they deliver those immaculate, shiny results you need.
Switching to our pre-measured pods is simple. You pop them in the dishwasher and let them do the hard work for you. No more measuring out liquid soap or dealing with a sticky mess afterwards.
We also sell dishwasher powder with the same clean ingredients as our pods. It’s a reliable option if you want to customize the amount of detergent you use with each load.
We offer free shipping and returns in the USA and Canada, including a 30-day money-back guarantee. We’re proud to be a US-based company with products made here and in Canada. You can talk to our team at any time to get answers to your questions, such as what to do if your dishwasher pods are not dissolving, or further insights into the comparison between dishwasher pods vs liquid soap.
Experience the Clean People difference for yourself today by placing an order!