Automatic Dishwashing Liquid, Lemon 42oz

Cleaning agents (non-toxic acrylic polymers and alkoxylated linear alcohol, a biodegradable, low-sudsing surfactant for cleaning, dispersant action, and water spot prevention), Water softenersfor enhanced performance (soda ash and sodium citrate), Dishwasher and china protection agent (sodium silicate), Viscosity control agent (xanthan gum), Fragrance (green apple), Preservative (less than 0.05%)

Though I love Mrs. Meyer's Geranium line of products, the floral scent is not for everyone. Seventh Generation makes an excellent Automatic Dishwashing Liquid, and in fact, I sometimes switch between this and Mrs. Meyer's for a change every once in awhile.

If you change one product in your house, I would suggest switching to an eco-friendly automatic dishwashing liquid (or powder). Soaps designed for dishwashers are much more toxic than regular dish soaps, because they have to clean without the benefit of scrubbing power.

That being said, Seventh Generation makes an extremely effective product here. Not only is the fragrance pleasant and refreshing, but I am always amazed at how well it cleans my dishes without all those toxins.

That being said, it is important to rinse your dishes quickly before putting them into the dishwasher. Stuck-on, dried food is hard to remove even with good scrubbing; without harsh chemicals, a natural liquid is fairly ineffective at removing large areas of dried food. In addition, removing most of the food from your dishes will help maintain a sanitary environment in your dishwasher.

Because many automatic dishwashing liquids contain chlorine bleach and other harsh chemicals, you may notice that after using Seventh Generation (or any other natural brand) for awhile, a layer of build-up starts to appear around the bottom and sides of your dishwasher. Some of this is due to mineral deposits (depending on the hardness of your water), and some of it may be a slimy build-up. When you remove bleach from automatic dishwashing liquids (a very good idea for both you and the environment), microbial growth is not inhibited as much as it otherwise would be in the moist environment of your dishwasher. Occasionally doing a quick cleaning of your dishwasher (with a natural cleaner like Mrs. Meyer's All-Purpose cleaner) will prevent this build-up from occurring. Think of what would happen to your sink if you never cleaned it.... the same holds true for your dishwasher.

As we always say with natural cleaning, a little hot water, natural soap, and good-old-fashioned scrubbing can safely achieve the same results as toxic and corrosive chemical cleaning.

 

STARS: 4 out of 5 stars for naturalness
COMMENTS: Automatic Dishwashing liquid is usually much harsher and more toxic than dish soap for handwashing. This is because, in theory, the automatic dishwashing liquid never comes into contact with your hands, and so companies have used that as a rationale to make them especially toxic. In addition, because a dishwasher does not have the benefit of good old-fashioned scrubbing power, companies have utilized caustic and harsh chemicals that can remove stuck-on food without scrubbing. Think about how powerful those chemicals would have to be! And that is not a good thing, contrary to what TV commercials would have us believe.

The problem is those toxins, though not touching your hands, leave residues on your dishes and are flushed into the water system, be it a sewer or a septic tank. They will eventually reach the same water supply you drink, and the ponds, lakes, and rivers that are full of the fish that we eat. Aquatic ecosystems are in jeopardy in many areas due to chemicals that are coming from our very own homes.

Seventh Generation has established itself as a leader in the development of biodegradable, non-toxic, and recycled alternatives to typical household products. You can more about their commitment to the environment by checking out their website:
Seventh Generation