6 Eco Friendly Dishwasher Tablets (for guilt free cleaning!)

Eco friendly dishwashing tablets are the best way to clean your dishes while being gentle on the environment. These tablets are made from all natural ingredients and are completely biodegradable. They are also gentle on your dishes, leaving them streak free and sparkling clean.

Which dishwasher tablets are most environmentally friendly?

Eco dishwasher tablets should have all or most of the following qualities:

• Plastic free
• Phosphate free
• Grey water/ septic safe
• Palm oil free or responsibly sourced palm oil
• Ethically produced
• Carbon neutral

I’ve rounded up six dishwasher tablets that can be considered environmentally friendly..

• Tirtyl
• Lil’ Bit
• Zero Co
• Koh
• Eco Store
• Ecyo

What happens to the plastic on dishwasher tablets?

The plastic usually seen coating dishwasher tablets is PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). It is a flexible plastic derived from petrochemicals. When the plastic “dissolves” it is discharged into the environment, particularly waterways, where it is ingested by marine life.

There is no clear conclusion from scientific studies about how bad a pollutant PVA is. Some studies say that it is low toxicity whereas others have discovered that synthetic fibres including PVA have been ingested by inhabitants of deep ocean trenches.

For more information, Sustainable Jungle has written a really comprehensive article that examines the environmental impact of PVA from all angles.

None of the eco dishwasher tablets recommended in this article contain PVA.

What are eco dishwasher tablets made of?

Eco dishwasher tablets contain various compounds such as sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, glycerin, mineral salts, acetic acid and essential oils. 

What you will NOT find in any of these eco friendly dishwasher tablets is parabens, phosphates, ammonia, bleach, phthalates or microplastics.

Palm oil is a contentious topic. Palm oil and its derivatives are used in many foods and household products including cleaning products. The main problem with palm oil is that forests are cleared for palm oil plantations which threatens endangered species and biodiversity.

It is possible for palm oil to be sustainably sourced, although this comes at a premium. Dishwasher tablets have only been included in this list if they contain responsibly sourced palm oil or no palm oil at all.

Can I make my own eco dishwasher tablet?

Yes! Many people prefer to make their own dishwashing tablets so that they know exactly what is going into them. You can try these instructions for natural dishwasher tablets or check out the how to video below.

6 Best Eco Dishwashing Tablets

Tirtyl

Tirtyl dishwasher tablets come in a plant based wrapper that does not need to be removed making it super easy to pop into the tablet compartment. The plant and mineral based formula is effective at low temperatures (45C) and contains no fillers of food dyes.

Tirtyl try to source alternatives to palm oil based ingredients but they are not always available so sometimes use palm oil. Whenever that is the case, Tirtyl ensures the palm oil derivative  is RSPO certified and responsibly sourced. 

You can buy Tirtyl eco dishwasher tablets along with their flagship product, foaming hand wash tablets. They also collect an ocean bound plastic bottle for every dish tab sold.

For further info, see my full review of Tirtyl dishwasher tablets along with their foaming hand soap and laundry detergent sheets.

Lil’ Bit

Lil’ Bit dishwasher tablets are handmade in small batches. The pink salt is harvested from the Wimmera region of Victoria, respectfully following the advice of the traditional landowners.

Lil’ Bit do not use palm oil in their dishwasher tablets and cajeput as deodoriser which has a similar scent to eucalyptus only fresher. Made in Australia, they are plastic free, vegan and cruelty free and grey water and septic tank safe.

Zero Co

Zero Co dishwasher tablets provide a comprehensive dishwashing solution for those looking for an eco-friendly option. Not only are these tablets vegan, but they are also grey water and septic tank safe as well as being biodegradable and having plastic free wrappers. 

Zero Co also offer a subscription service so that you never run out of dishwashing tablets again.

Eco Store

These powerful tablets are formulated with plant active enzymes that help remove tough grease and grime without harsh chemicals. They’re also fragrance free, vegan and septic tank suitable. 

Additionally, they have been certified by B Corp as meeting their rigorous standards of ethical production. Plus they come in recyclable cardboard packaging certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Ecyo

Ecyo dishwasher tablets are lightly scented with orange oil and are plastic free, vegan and contain no palm oil. 

These tablets contain activated charcoal to provide superior cleaning power while being kind to the environment and a rinse aid to provide protection against limescale.

Koh

Koh Dishwasher Tablets come in biodegradable wrappers and are grey water safe, making them a great eco-friendly choice. 

Furthermore, Koh Dishwasher Tablets have been certified by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program as an allergy friendly product, so you can rest assured they won’t cause any adverse reactions. As an added bonus, Koh pledges to plant a tree for every order placed. 

Have you tried these or any other eco friendly dishwasher tablets? Let me know in the comments.

More eco friendly swaps

• Eco Friendly Razor Review
• Laundry Detergent Sheet Review
• 13 Australian Shampoo Bars for Plastic Free Hair Care