Dish soap is a kitchen cleaning essential, important for tackling those items that can’t go in the dishwasher, such as pots and pans, chefs’ knives, and wooden utensils. The best dish soaps have high-quality biodegradable ingredients that don’t irritate the skin or leave behind residue on plates. They also help remove grease, grime, starches, and protein without excessive scrubbing. A dish soap must cut grease, remove food residue, be gentle on hands and smell great.
Top Picks for Dishwashing Soaps in 2025
After extensive research and testing, several dish soaps stand out for their cleaning power, eco-friendliness, and user experience. Below are the top recommendations based on performance, ingredients, and value.
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Free & Clear
After 65 hours of research, testing 28 detergents and 7 years of long-term testing, we found Seventh Generation Dish Liquid to be the best for most people. Seventh Generation’s Dish Soap is still the best soap for hand-washing dishes. Out of the 28 dishwashing detergents we tested, it has the best combination of cleaning power, safety, price, and social responsibility. You can’t beat the cleaning power of Seventh Generation. Bonus: It’s cheap, it skips the synthetic fragrances, and it isn’t tested on animals. Seventh Generation’s Dish Soap rinses clean from the sponge and cuts through grease better than most soaps we’ve tested. We stick to the unscented version in Wirecutter’s test kitchen, but you can also get it in a variety of plant-derived scents. We’ve tried the clementine zest and lemongrass scent, which was lovely and not overpowering. Shop on Amazon
Dawn Ultra Original Dishwashing Liquid
Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid (known, unofficially, as ¡°Original Dawn¡± or ¡°Blue Dawn¡±) has a following of brand-loyal dish-doers for good reason. Dawn cuts grease and cleans so well that it’s the budget-friendly gold standard we hold others to in our tests. In fact, you’ll likely find a bottle at each sink in our GH Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances Lab, too. Dawn produces lots of long-lasting suds and holds grease in suspension so it doesn’t redeposit back onto dishes. It’s great for soaking and softening burned-on messes, and it takes only a little squirt to clean a big pile of dirty dishes. And it makes a handy grease stain remover for clothing, too. Shop on Amazon
Palmolive Ultra Strength
Palmolive is a surprise contender, a dark horse among dishwashing liquids. Just soaking in a dishpan of Palmolive suds lifts almost every stain off of dishes, even without scrubbing. The Palmolive Ultra Dish Soap is well-loved for its grease-busting qualities. It has five main superpowers: easily cutting grease, fighting odors, leaving behind zero residue, super-concentrated, and it removes 24-hour stuck-on food. This concentrated formula is tough on grease and soft on hands. Plus, it’s phosphate-free. Shop on Amazon
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dish Soap
While there’s a lot of great-smelling dish soap out there, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dish Soap is hands-down the best. It smells like real herbs and, well, like clean. It had the unexpected bonus of making my house smell pretty great, too. And my dishes didn’t have any weird, off-putting lingering smells either. Plus, the soap performs great, powering through greasy residues with no problem. This petroleum-free, plant-derived dish soap from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day performed beautifully in my tests. It demonstrated a nearly identical level of grease-removal power as Palmolive and had a very respectable showing during my scrubbing test. Shop on Amazon
ECOS Hypoallergenic Plant Powered Dish Soap
It’s lightly scented, effective on grease, and made with biodegradable ingredients. The ECOS brand prides itself on biodegradable ingredients and sustainable manufacturing processes, so it’s no surprise this dishwashing detergent is U.S. EPA Safer Choice Certified. Using coconut-based surfactants, this gentle dish soap created fine suds that cut through grease easily – even on harder-to-wash surfaces like silicone bakeware and plastic food storage containers. During all of the tests, the Ecos dish soap efficiently lifted starch and grease and did a decent job on the protein mess. It has a very mild scent and is a nontoxic dish soap. As a bonus, my hands felt less dry after using this in a sink full of dishes than with other brands. Shop on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Dishwashing Soaps
| Product | Price (per oz) | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seventh Generation Free & Clear | $0.15 | Unscented, plant-based, biodegradable | Excellent grease removal, eco-friendly, no synthetic fragrances | May require more soap for heavy grease |
| Dawn Ultra Original | $0.10 | Concentrated, long-lasting suds | Superior grease cutting, budget-friendly | Can leave mildewy scent on sponges |
| Palmolive Ultra Strength | $0.12 | Concentrated, phosphate-free | Removes 24-hour stuck-on food, gentle on hands | Less effective on starchy residues |
| Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena | $0.20 | Plant-derived, pleasant scent | Great scent, effective on grease | Strong fragrance may not suit all |
| ECOS Hypoallergenic | $0.18 | Biodegradable, EPA Safer Choice Certified | Gentle on skin, effective on silicone | Higher price point |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
To evaluate dish soaps, testers used standardized methods to simulate real-world dishwashing challenges. For grease removal, plates were smeared with a tablespoon of olive oil and submerged in soapy water (1 teaspoon soap per 2 cups hot water) for three minutes without scrubbing. Seventh Generation and Dawn excelled, dispersing oil rapidly, while Palmolive and ECOS performed well but required slightly more effort.
For stuck-on food, identical plates were coated with tomato sauce, microwaved, and left overnight. Testers scrubbed with a non-scrubby sponge, counting strokes needed to clean the plate. Palmolive led with 45 strokes, followed by Dawn and Clorox at 54, and Mrs. Meyer’s at 59. Seventh Generation required 60 strokes but left no residue.
Starch and protein tests involved smearing plates with oatmeal and egg yolk, left to dry for two hours. ECOS and Seventh Generation lifted starches effectively, while Dawn and Palmolive tackled proteins best. Testers noted that warm water (110¡ãF) enhanced performance across all soaps, and gloves were recommended to protect skin.
Pros and Cons of Top Dishwashing Soaps
Seventh Generation Free & Clear
- Pros: Plant-based, no dyes or synthetic fragrances, cruelty-free, excellent grease and starch removal.
- Cons: May need more soap for heavily soiled dishes, unscented version lacks fragrance for scent lovers.
Dawn Ultra Original
- Pros: Unmatched grease-cutting power, long-lasting suds, versatile for laundry stains.
- Cons: Can impart mildewy smell to sponges, contains synthetic ingredients.
Palmolive Ultra Strength
- Pros: Removes stuck-on food, concentrated formula, gentle on hands.
- Cons: Less effective on starches, watery consistency.
Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena
- Pros: Pleasant herbal scent, strong grease removal, plant-derived ingredients.
- Cons: Fragrance may be overpowering, higher cost per ounce.
ECOS Hypoallergenic
- Pros: Nontoxic, hypoallergenic, effective on silicone and plastic, eco-friendly.
- Cons: More expensive, less concentrated than competitors.
Buying Guide for Dishwashing Soaps
When choosing a dish soap, consider the following factors to match your needs and preferences:
- Cleaning Power: Look for soaps with strong surfactants to break up grease and food particles. Dawn and Palmolive are top performers for tough messes, while Seventh Generation and ECOS handle everyday cleaning well.
- Ingredients: If you prefer eco-friendly options, choose plant-based, biodegradable soaps like ECOS or Seventh Generation, which avoid phosphates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. Check for EPA Safer Choice or EWG certifications.
- Scent: Scented soaps like Mrs. Meyer’s enhance the washing experience, but unscented options (Seventh Generation Free & Clear) are better for sensitive noses or allergies.
- Skin Sensitivity: Soaps like ECOS and Seventh Generation are hypoallergenic and gentle on hands. Wearing gloves, such as Glam-Gloves, can further protect skin.
- Packaging: Sustainable packaging, like recyclable bottles or refill pouches, reduces waste. Bar soaps, such as Simplut Zero Waste, minimize plastic use but may be less convenient.
- Cost: Budget-friendly options like Dawn ($0.10/oz) and Palmolive ($0.12/oz) offer great value. Premium soaps like Mrs. Meyer’s ($0.20/oz) cost more but provide unique scents and eco-benefits.
How to Maximize Dish Soap Performance
To get the most out of your dish soap, follow these tips:
- Use warm water (110¡ãF) to liquefy fats and soften food particles. Avoid scalding temperatures to protect skin.
- Apply a small amount (1-2 teaspoons) to a sponge or sink for a full load to avoid waste.
- Soak heavily soiled dishes for 10-15 minutes to loosen grime before scrubbing.
- Rinse sponges thoroughly to prevent mildewy odors, especially with Dawn.
- Avoid using dish soap in dishwashers, as it creates excessive suds and may damage the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can dish soap be used in a dishwasher?
No, dish soap is not formulated for dishwashers and will create excessive suds, potentially causing overflows and damage. Use dishwasher-specific detergents like Cascade Platinum ActionPacs.
Are dish soaps antibacterial?
Most dish soaps are not antibacterial unless labeled as such. For germ-free dishes, soak them in a solution of 1 tablespoon unscented bleach per gallon of water for one minute, or use a dishwasher’s sanitizing cycle.
Which dish soap is best for sensitive skin?
ECOS Hypoallergenic and Seventh Generation Free & Clear are ideal for sensitive skin, as they are dye-free, fragrance-free, and nontoxic. Wearing dishwashing gloves adds extra protection.
How can I reduce plastic waste with dish soap?
Choose bar soaps like Simplut Zero Waste or brands with refill pouches, such as Grove Co. Look for bottles made from recycled plastic, like Seventh Generation’s.
Why do some dish soaps leave a residue?
Residue can result from using too much soap, insufficient rinsing, or soaps with heavy fragrances. Use a small amount and rinse thoroughly to prevent buildup.
Conclusion
The best dishwashing soap depends on your priorities-whether it’s grease-cutting power, eco-friendliness, or a pleasant scent. Seventh Generation Free & Clear offers a balanced, eco-friendly option, while Dawn Ultra Original excels at tackling tough grease. Palmolive Ultra Strength and Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena shine for stuck-on food and sensory appeal, and ECOS Hypoallergenic is perfect for sensitive skin. By considering cleaning needs, ingredients, and budget, you can find a soap that makes dishwashing efficient and enjoyable. For more kitchen cleaning tips, check out Good Housekeeping’s Cleaning Guide.