Liquid dishwasher detergents have long been a staple in households for their ease of use, affordability, and ability to tackle everyday dishwashing needs. Unlike pods or powders, liquids allow for customizable dosing, making them ideal for varying load sizes. They often contain enzymes, degreasers, and other cleaning agents to break down tough food residues, grease, and stains. This guide explores the best liquid dishwasher detergents available in 2025, highlighting top performers based on rigorous testing, their pros and cons, and a detailed buying guide to help you choose the right product for sparkling clean dishes.
Top Liquid Dishwasher Detergents for 2025
Cascade Gel with Dawn Dishwasher Detergent
You don’t need a pricey dishwasher detergent to get clean dishes. The best formulas from popular brands like Cascade do a fantastic job removing food and resisting residue in tough lab tests. Cascade Gel with Dawn Dishwasher Detergent scored a Very Good rating on cleaning tests-better than any other gel. It’s about as bare-bones as a detergent can get: no bleach for lightening stains and no enzymes for breaking down stuck-on foods. But the results speak for themselves. This is your least expensive option per fluid ounce-the gels tested cost 5 to 29 cents per load (though smaller loads will require less detergent and cost you even less overall). Shop on Amazon.
- Pros: Affordable at 5-29 cents per load, effective cleaning without bleach or enzymes, easy to dose for smaller loads.
- Cons: Lacks advanced enzymes for tough, stuck-on foods, may not perform as well on pots.
Better Life Natural Dishwasher Gel
Most important when it comes to dishwasher detergent, however, is performance. Does it actually get the dishes clean? Better Life Gel got the dishes sparkling clean, with no food residue left on the cutlery or dishes. In fact, Better Life was one of only three dishwasher detergent brands to earn a perfect score on performance during testing (1/5). The main downfall is the fact that it’s slightly more expensive per load than some top performers, earning a 2/5 for cost. It’s still a very affordable choice, and is fairly comparable to big brands like Cascade, price-wise. Overall, Better Life Gel performed near the top of the pack. Shop on Amazon.
- Pros: Perfect performance score, eco-friendly with biodegradable ingredients, no chemical residue or taste.
- Cons: Slightly higher cost per load, less effective in hard water areas.
ECOS Dishwasher Gel, Free & Clear
This Ecover detergent is an excellent option if you want to try out a powder for your dishwasher. The ingredients are plant-based and mineral, biodegradable, and safe for aquatic life. This phosphate-free formula is definitely a more eco-friendly option. What can it do for your dishes? It can attack stuck-on and stubborn food, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. It can remove dried food and tough stains without leaving behind a nasty residue. You’ll love that it has a pleasant fragrance derived from 100 percent natural ingredients. Shop on Amazon.
- Pros: Plant-based and biodegradable, safe for septic systems, effective on stuck-on food.
- Cons: Strong fragrance may not suit all users, less effective in hard water.
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel
I’ll be honest: I underestimated this detergent. In my defense, the gel had a big task ahead of it. I loaded my dishwasher with standard bowls, plates, and plastic leftover containers, but added a pan caked with day-old sweet potato gnocchi residue that I thought would be impossible to finish. But when I opened the dishwasher later and the lemon-scented billow of steam cleared, I was greeted with squeaky-clean dishes and a pan that looked just like it had pre-sweet-potato-gnocchi. The phosphate-free liquid detergent beat back the stiffest challenge I could throw at it. As with all the gel detergents, it was easy to load into the dishwasher dispenser (even though I’d never used gel detergents before) and it’s widely available at a number of retailers. Shop on Amazon.
- Pros: Tackles tough residues like day-old gnocchi, phosphate-free, mild lemon scent.
- Cons: May leave slight residue on some items, not as effective on condiments or sauces.
Comparison Table of Top Liquid Dishwasher Detergents
| Product | Price Per Load | Key Ingredients | Performance Rating | Eco-Friendly | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Gel with Dawn | 5-29 cents | Degreasers, no bleach or enzymes | Very Good | No | Budget-conscious users |
| Better Life Natural Gel | Moderate | Plant-based, biodegradable | Perfect (1/5) | Yes | Eco-conscious households |
| ECOS Dishwasher Gel | Moderate | Plant-based, mineral | Good | Yes | Septic-safe systems |
| Seventh Generation Gel | Moderate | Phosphate-free, plant-based | Very Good | Yes | Tough residues |
How Liquid Dishwasher Detergents Are Tested
Consumer Reports Testing Methodology
CR’s test engineers smear eight dinner plates with a carefully measured portion of starchy goop (it’s a secret recipe), then bake each plate until the goop gets crusty (and very difficult to remove). After running the plates through a normal wash cycle, we use imaging analysis to determine precisely how clean each dish is, and whether any water spots are present. Then we run a set of clear drinking glasses and aluminum plates through 10 consecutive wash cycles, all with very hard water (we use well water, with a wealth of minerals, to make the test extra-challenging). After that, we use a spectrophotometer to assess whether any haze or film forms on the glasses and note whether the aluminum plates have begun to discolor. The best dishwasher detergents we test are able to get the dirtiest dishes spotless while resisting water spots and white film.
Food Network Kitchen Testing
We purchased 11 top-rated, best-selling liquid and pod dishwasher detergents. We loaded a GE Profile dishwasher and older Whirlpool model with unrinsed dishes, including cookware, collected from a full day of meals and ran each load with a different brand of detergent. We used the ¡°regular wash¡± and ¡°heated dry¡± settings for each load.
Good Housekeeping Institute Testing
Prior to testing the cleaning performance of various cycles, we uniformly apply, then bake-, dry- and burn-on mac and cheese, hamburger, oatmeal, egg yolk, milk and more to cookware and 10 five-piece settings of dishes, glassware, cups, saucers and flatware. We even ¡°kiss¡± each coffee cup with lipstick, a stain that many dishwashers struggle to completely remove. Between staining, drying and cleaning each load, we spend at least 7 hours testing just one cycle, not counting the time it takes to examine each piece once the cycle is done.
Pros and Cons of Liquid Dishwasher Detergents
Advantages
- Liquid dishwasher detergent is tried and true and this traditional type of detergent can often be found in grocery stores at a mid-level price point.
- Liquid detergent is easy to use and you can customize how much you use for each load of dishes, helping reduce waste.
- They are easy to dispense and can have enzymes, oxi bleach or other ingredients for effective cleaning, stain removal and more.
- Gels fall somewhere in between powders and packs. They can separate over time, so be sure to use them promptly and shake them well before squeezing them into the dispenser.
Disadvantages
- Although gels don’t match the cleaning power of detergent pacs, one of the gel detergents we tested does an impressive job cleaning dishes.
- However, it is important to avoid using less than a tablespoon of detergent or overfilling the detergent dispenser.
- Past tests in our labs found that powder dishwasher detergents can get the job done, although they all had a hard time cleaning pots.
- Can be messy to pour directly into the detergent dispenser and if not stored correctly can clump when exposed to moisture.
Buying Guide for Liquid Dishwasher Detergents
Understand Your Dishwashing Needs
The best type of detergent for you depends on your typical dishwasher cycles and the amount of food soil generally on your dishes. Understanding your dishwashing needs can help you find the right fit, so consider your budget, water type, loading style and your most frequently washed dishes. Different types of dishwasher detergents are formulated for various cleaning tasks and contain specialized ingredients to help get the job done right.
Consider Water Hardness
We’ve also found that cleaning power varies depending on water conditions and the type of detergent. For instance, mineral-rich hard water can diminish your detergent’s performance, leaving dishes stiff or dingy. Look for detergents formulated for hard water if this applies to your area.
Check for Eco-Friendly Options
Switch to a more natural dishwasher detergent to reduce the number of potentially harmful chemicals in your home. Green choice designates dishwasher detergents with a lower environmental and health impact, based on their ingredient transparency and ability to clean.
Tips for Optimal Performance
- Skip prerinsing. Most dishwashers have a sensor that checks how dirty the water is. The sensor determines the amount of water and time needed to get the dishes clean. But if you prerinse your dishes and the sensor detects little food, the dishwasher gives the dishes a lighter wash, which can leave bits of food on dishes and glasses.
- Use the top rack for plastic and delicate items that are dishwasher-safe.
- Put the detergent in the right place. As a general rule, you should put your dishwasher detergent in the dispenser unless your dishwasher’s manual specifies otherwise.
- The best dishwasher detergent that doesn’t leave visible residue is one specifically formulated to dry without spots or streaks. You may also want to consider using a rinse aid that helps prevent residue from sticking to your dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I choose a liquid dishwasher detergent over pods or powders?
Liquid detergents offer flexibility in dosing, making them cost-effective for smaller loads. They’re also widely available and often more affordable per load than pods. However, pods may provide stronger cleaning power for tough stains due to their concentrated formulas.
Are liquid dishwasher detergents safe for septic systems?
Yes, most modern liquid dishwasher detergents, especially eco-friendly options like ECOS or Better Life, are formulated to be safe for septic systems. They avoid phosphates and harsh chemicals that could disrupt septic bacteria.
How much liquid detergent should I use per load?
Follow the instructions on the detergent packaging, but generally, use at least one tablespoon. Avoid overfilling the dispenser, as this can lead to residue buildup. For smaller loads, you can use slightly less to reduce waste.
Can liquid detergents handle hard water?
Some liquid detergents, like Cascade Gel with Dawn, perform well in hard water, but eco-friendly options like ECOS may struggle. Check product labels for hard water compatibility or consider adding a rinse aid for better results.
Do I need a rinse aid with liquid detergents?
Rinse aids help dishes dry without spots or streaks, especially in hard water. While not mandatory, they enhance performance, particularly for glassware. Many top liquid detergents work well with rinse aids from brands like Cascade or Finish.
Conclusion
Choosing the best liquid dishwasher detergent depends on your budget, water type, and cleaning needs. Cascade Gel with Dawn offers affordability and solid performance, while eco-friendly options like Better Life and ECOS cater to sustainable households. Seventh Generation excels at tackling tough residues. By understanding your dishwasher’s requirements and following proper loading techniques, you can achieve sparkling clean dishes every time. Explore these top picks to find the perfect detergent for your kitchen. For more insights on dishwashing appliances, visit Consumer Reports or Good Housekeeping.