Top 12 Dish Soaps to Remove the Toughest Stains

April 11, 2024
Updated:
April 11, 2024
Top 12 Dish Soaps to Remove the Toughest Stains
(Left) 9 Elements Dishwashing Liquid (Right) Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap (Illustration by The Epoch Times, Amazon)
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Dish soaps are key to getting that stubborn stain off of your plate. But what other reasons do we have for using them? What even are the best dish soaps? These questions are often left unanswered because, well, it’s not like people care that much about dish soaps. We, on the other hand, care greatly and are here to answer every question you might have. Without beating around the bush too much let’s get to it.

Get ready to streamline your dishwashing routine with the top dish soaps on the market!

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid 

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid  Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid
Seventh Generation company has been creating plant-based products that are safe for hands and effective on dirty dishes since 25 years ago. This experience helped them to remain one of the famous dish soap liquids on the market. 
Its clear liquid dish soap with a plant-based formula is one of the famous soap fighting spots and grease powerfully. Just a few drops of Seventh Generation make your dishes clean and shiny. 
It is fragrance-free and suitable for any person sensitive to smells. Moreover, it’s formulated for gentle use on sensitive skin. People who are sensitive to scent or have sensitive skin can make the most of the Seventh Generation. 
Pros
  • Biodegradable: It has a 100% biodegradable formula with a 100% recycled bottle.
  • Hypoallergenic: It is good for sensitive skin, making it soft. 
  • Fragrance-free: It does not contain any added fragrances or perfumes.
  • EPA Safer Choice certified product: The product meets strict safety and environmental standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • USDA-certified bio-based product: The product contains a significant amount of renewable biological ingredients, as verified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Cons
  • Very bubbly and watery: It appears to be diluted with water.
  • Small quantity: Size reduced from 24oz to 19oz, but price unchanged.
$4.29 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap 

Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap  Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap
4X faster in cleaning oil and grease, Dawn Platinum dish soap is one of the most effective liquids in removing 99% of grease and food from the dishes. Effortlessly, you can enjoy your shiny dishes!
This American powerful soap is not only perfect for dishwashing but also helpful for cleaning the external surface of cars and other utensils! You can clean your kitchen appliances, like a stove or microwave with this powerful liquid. 
It is known for its refreshing rain smell. However, some people believe that its smell has changed and is no more like a refreshing rain.
Pros
  • Powerful oil cleaning: It is strong in grease removal.
  • Versatile use: This potent American soap is ideal for both dishes and other uses like car cleaning.
  • Refreshing rain: The scent is incredibly refreshing.
Cons
  • Weak bottles: Sometimes the bottles are damaged during delivery and the liquid comes out of the bottle. 
  • Very perfumy: It has an excessively strong and offensive perfume scent.
  • Not refreshing rain: Its smell has changed and is no longer like refreshing rain based on some consumers’ reviews. 
$5.84 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

L'AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap Refill

L'AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap Refill L'AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap Refill
L'AVANT collective dish soap has a natural, non-toxic, and plant-based formula with no harmful ingredients. It works well on both your skin and the dishes!
Moreover, its refill pouch (32 oz.) can fill your glass dish soap bottle two times, benefiting both you and the environment! Make the most of your reusable glass bottle to help save the environment. 
However, this liquid is so thick and doesn’t make enough suds. Some water should be added to this liquid to make suds. 
Pros
  • Plant-based formula: It is effective with no harmful ingredients. 
  • Refill benefits: Its refill pouch (32 oz.) can fill your glass dish soap bottle twice. 
  • Cruelty-free: It is not tested on animals. 
Cons
  • Not enough soapsuds: It does not suds up well. 
  • Very thick soap: It needs a little water to help it dispense.
$29.95 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Dawn Powerwash Spray Starter Kit Platinum Dish Soap

Dawn Powerwash Spray Starter Kit Platinum Dish Soap Dawn Powerwash Spray Starter Kit Platinum Dish Soap
Dawn Powerwash Spray starter kit is a concentrated soap that helps you wash the dishes in half the time. It is 5 times more efficient in removing oil and grease. 
Simply spray suds onto the surface, wipe, and rinse your dish. Save time and energy! All happens in seconds! If the dish is very dirty, wait some seconds before wiping and rinsing. 
Dawn Powerwash is at your service to help you enjoy your life instead of spending a long time on the tedious task of dishwashing! 
Pros
  • Waterless suds activation: Suds activate instantly upon contact, no need for water until rinsing.
  • Convenient refills: You can easily refill the spray bottle. 
  • Strong: It works well on grease and oil. 
  • Easy to use: It can be sprayed easily on the dishes. 
Cons
  • Cheaply made spray bottle: The spray bottle doesn’t work well and the soap comes out in an uneven pattern.
  • Artificial scent: Its strong artificial scent may cause allergic responses in some people. 
$8.02 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

9 Elements Dishwashing Liquid

9 Elements Dishwashing Liquid 9 Elements Dishwashing Liquid
9 Elements dishwashing liquid soap makes the process of dishwashing easy. Just spray it, wait seconds, wipe, and rinse! Everything happens in a few seconds. 
This product is environment-friendly as it is made from 9 natural elements, including vinegar, and has no toxic substance. Moreover, it has refill packages that help you refill the spray easily. 
Nowadays, earth-friendly products are popular and this natural dish soap is one of the famous substances that makes both your dishes and the earth clean and green! 
Pros
  • Vinegar-powered: Vinegar removes oil and hard water spots easily. 
  • No synthetic fragrances: It is free from synthetic fragrances.
  • Earth-friendly: It has no artificial preservatives, dyes, and thickeners. It has only 9 essential natural elements. 
Cons
  • Low-value: It is not affordable based on the bottle size and thickness. 
  • Undesirable smell: The smell of vinegar is strong, with only a faint hint of lemon aroma.
  • Watery: It lacks thickness or viscosity.
$20.99 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Caldrea Dish Soap Biodegradable Dishwashing Liquid 

Caldrea Dish Soap Biodegradable Dishwashing Liquid  Caldrea Dish Soap Biodegradable Dishwashing Liquid
With a strong smell of rosewater driftwood, the American Caldrea dish soap is a refreshing scent. It transforms the mundane dishwashing process into a delightful sensory experience!
This natural and plant-based dish soap is free from toxic, artificial colors, and harmful ingredients. It is made from soap bark and aloe vera. It features a user-friendly bottle design that allows for convenient dispensing of the liquid.
Pros
  • Tough on grease: It cleans oil and grease strongly. 
  • Natural formula: It is filled with plant-based ingredients.
  • Ease-of-use: The Bottle can be used easily. 
Cons
  • Very strong smell: It smells like a strong perfume causing headaches in sensitive people. 
  • Not affordable: It is expensive compared to other products. 
  • Suds challenge: It needs a generous amount to produce satisfactory suds.
$12.35 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Dawn Dish Soap Ultra Dishwashing Liquid

Dawn Dish Soap Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dawn Dish Soap Ultra Dishwashing Liquid
The American Dawn dish soap is known for its strong grease-cleaning capability. Additionally, it offers refill packages to help conserve resources and save money.
It is worth mentioning that the original scent has been replaced by a new floral fragrance. The new scent appears artificial and chemical-like, which some individuals find unpleasant.
However, the new scent is appealing for some of the consumers. Its smell is as strong as its power in grease removal! 
Pros
  • Strong in oil removal: It is 3 times more efficient in grease cleaning.
  • Maximizing dishwashing efficiency: Its concentrated formula saves liquid and time.
  • Good value: It is affordable and cost-effective. 
Cons
  • Displeasing scent in new products: Its new scent is floral and not as attractive as the original smell for many consumers.  
  • Quality has changed: Its quality has diminished and is no longer consistent with its previous standards. However, it is still powerful in grease cleaning. 
  • Dusty residue: After washing, once the dishes are dried, there’s a dusty residue left on the dishes.
$16.88 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap

Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Dish Soap Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap
If you want a dish soap that both removes grease and makes your dishes bright, Mrs. Meyer’s liquid dish soap can be a good choice. 
This natural and plant-based product has a cool and crisp garden scent. It has no parabens or animal-derived ingredients. 
Mrs. Meyer’s products draw inspiration from the garden. It motivates us to plant flowers and trees. This reminder is especially valuable in our crowded world where everyone is busy.
Pros
  • Biodegradable formula and eco-friendly: It has a plant-based formula without toxic ingredients. 
  • Gentle to skin: It is parabens-free and gentle to the skin. 
  • Bright dishes: It removes the grease and makes the dishes bright. 
Cons
  • Very intense scent: Its scent remains strong on dishes after rinsing and drying.
  • Sud discrepancy: It doesn’t produce as many suds as some other dish soaps.
$12.45 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Soap Dish Liquid 

Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Soap Dish Liquid  Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Soap Dish Liquid
One of the best dish soaps is Dapple Baby, which is specially designed to remove fat, protein, and carbohydrates. 
If you are worried about the fat that is typically present in baby milk bottles, sippy cups, and breast pump parts, Dapple Baby is the best solution. It is also effective for cleaning a broader context of dishes for the family.
It is available in both scented and unscented versions. It has fragrance-free types as well as lavender, mango melon, citrus, and apple pear scents. 
Pros
  • Plant-based formula: It has no chemical ingredients and parabens. 
  • Efficient in cleaning baby bottles: It removes fat, protein, and carbohydrates commonly found in baby bottles.
  • Clean label project purity award winner: It has clean, pure, and natural ingredients. 
  • Available in unscented & scented varieties: Various versions are available including fragrance-free, lavender, mango melon, etc.
  • Easy to use pump: It includes a handy pump top dispenser for simple use. 
Cons
  • Leakage: The bottle tends to leak, particularly during shipping.
$17.01 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray

Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray
With the help of Seventh Generation foaming dish spray, you have more time for pleasure. Just spray, wipe, and rinse in seconds! It produces a thick foam with a pleasant citrus fragrance. 
There is no need for pre-soak so it helps in saving water and your time. Seventh Generation has made your job easier. There is no need to waste a long time for dishwashing. 
Just test Seventh Generation and spend your invaluable time on other important tasks!
Pros
  • Biodegradable: Its ingredients are entirely biodegradable.
  • Thick foam: Enhanced cleaning is the result of its thick foam.  
  • Pleasant scent: It has a light citrus fragrance.
Cons
  • Contains chemicals: It has chemicals that are safer for health and the environment. 
  • Poor plastic squirter: The plastic squirter is poorly designed and difficult to use due to its large size and slipperiness, even for average-sized hands.
  • No spray bottle: Some buyers did not receive the spray nozzle. 
$14.60 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap

Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap
Palmolive Ultra dishwashing liquid is a clear and unscented liquid. It is efficient in dish cleaning and removing spots and grease easily. To have shiny porcelain, Palmolive can be a perfect choice. 
The product features a plant-based formula and utilizes 100% recycled bottles, making it an ideal option for environmentally conscious consumers.
Palmolive liquid is appropriate for sensitive skin. It is gentle on the skin and tough in removing the oil and spots of dishes in the blink of an eye. 
Pros
  • Efficient against grease: It tackles grease and oil, leaving surfaces clean and shiny. 
  • 100% biodegradable: It is made from natural and plant-based ingredients (free of phosphates and parabens).
  • Hypoallergenic formula: It is gentle on the skin. 
  • Recycled bottles: It has 100% recycled plastic packages. 
Cons
  • Supposed to be fragrance-free but isn’t: Although it’s marketed as fragrance-free, some consumers report that it has a distinct scent.
  • High risk of damage: There’s a notable probability that its bottle may arrive damaged at your home. Soap leakage within the box is common.
  • Not-concentrated: Some individuals find that despite advertising as thick dish soap, it is watery.
$5.30 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

Babyganics Foaming Dish & Bottle Soap

Babyganics Foaming Dish & Bottle Soap Babyganics Foaming Dish & Bottle Soap
As its name suggests, Babyganics foaming dish & bottle soap effectively cleans dried milk residue from baby bottles and breast pump accessories. 
It is the ideal dish soap for individuals with infants. They no longer worry about their babies’ milk bottles remaining dirty. If you are looking for quality dish soap to wash your baby’s milk bottles, Babyganics is the best choice. 
While it is strong in removing fat and grease, it is gentle on the skin and can be a good choice for people with sensitive skin. Try this natural and plant-based dish soap to see how powerful it is. 
Pros
  • Natural and plant-based formula: It has no phosphates, phthalates, fragrances, or dyes.
  • Strong in fat removal: It effortlessly eliminates dried milk, protein, grease, and fat.
  • Gentle on the skin: It has a non-irritating formula.
  • No animal testing: It was not tested on animals. 
Cons
  • Leakage: it has a small and travel-sized bottle but it consistently leaks under air-cabin pressure. Thus it is not good for travel. 
  • Strong chemical scent: Some buyers are disappointed about its strong chemical smell. This smell doesn’t disappear even after washing. 
$20.97 on Amazon (Price at Time of Publishing)

The Best Dish Soap Reviews 

In this section, we'll go over the best dish soap reviews to determine which one excels in cleaning grease, offers good value for money, is user-friendly, has a thicker consistency, and more. 

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid

Customers enjoy the Seventh Generation dish soap’s quality, scent, and gentleness on the skin. They say it works well, has no smell, and is gentle on sensitive skin. Some like how it makes their hands feel soft.
However, some users note drawbacks. They find it very bubbly and watery, indicating potential dilution. Also, despite the size reduction from 24oz to 19oz, the price remains unchanged!

Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap

Customers enjoy the Dawn Platinum dishwashing liquid for its effectiveness, value, and grease-cutting abilities. They say it cleans dishes exceptionally well and lasts longer than other brands. 
However, some have different views on the scent as they believe that it is very perfumy and bothersome. 

L'AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap Refill

People appreciate the L'AVANT Collective dish soap for its plant-based formula. They also like the refill benefits, as the refill pouch can fill a glass dish soap bottle twice, reducing waste. Additionally, customers value that it’s cruelty-free, meaning it’s not tested on animals. 
However, some users have noted drawbacks. They mention that it doesn’t produce enough soap suds, which might affect its perceived cleaning power. Furthermore, some find the soap to be very thick, requiring a bit of water to help dispense it more easily.

Dawn Powerwash Spray Starter Kit Platinum Dish Soap

Customers appreciate how easy and effective Dawn Powerwash dish soap is. They find it convenient to apply directly onto dirty dishes and quick to use. It’s excellent at tackling grease and is especially helpful for cleaning stoves. 
However, opinions vary on its value and scent. Some people believe that its smell is artificial. Also, its bottles are unsatisfactory. 

9 Elements Dishwashing Liquid

Customers mention that 9 Elements is effective on oil and grease. They’re satisfied with its chemical-free composition, ease of use, and the shine it leaves. 
However, some have mentioned concerns regarding its value. It isn’t worth the price. The smell is unpleasant and not natural and it is watery and not concentrated. 

Caldrea Dish Soap Biodegradable Dishwashing Liquid

Caldrea dish soap impresses users with its strong grease-cleaning power. It has a natural formula with plant-based ingredients. It’s convenient to use with an easy-to-handle bottle. 
However, some find its strong scent overwhelming and may cause headaches for sensitive individuals. It’s also noted as relatively expensive compared to other options and may need a larger amount to produce satisfactory suds.

Dawn Dish Soap Ultra Dishwashing Liquid

Dawn Dish Ultra is great at removing oil and grease, saving time and money with its concentrated formula. Customers praise its exceptional value, quality, and performance. 
They highlight its effectiveness in cleaning various surfaces, noting its versatility and superiority over traditional liquids.
However, some people don’t like its new floral scent and feel its quality has decreased slightly, although it still cleans grease well. There are also complaints about a dusty residue left on dishes after washing and drying.

Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap

Based on the consumers’ reviews, Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap is praised for being eco-friendly. It doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. It’s also gentle on the skin because it doesn’t have parabens. Plus, it does a great job of removing grease and making dishes shine brightly. They appreciate its value, top-notch quality, and its safety features.
However, some people find the scent too strong, and even after rinsing and drying, it still remains on the dishes. Additionally, it doesn’t make as many bubbles as some other dish soaps, which some users might not like.

Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Soap Dish Liquid

Customers love the Dapple Baby dish soap for its plant-based formula, ensuring safety. It efficiently cleans bottles, removing fats, proteins, and carbs. 
It’s also recognized for its clean ingredients and comes in various scents. Customers praise its quality, delightful scent, and excellent performance.
However, some people experience leakage issues, especially during shipping. And some find it pricey for what it offers.

Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray

Customers adore the Seventh Generation foaming dish spray for its high quality, pleasant scent, and user-friendly design. It is biodegradable and creates thick foam for effective cleaning. 
It has a nice citrus scent. Customers are satisfied with both the price and the volume of the product.
However, some are concerned about its chemical content, despite being safer. The plastic squirter is poorly designed and slippery, making it hard to use. Also, some buyers didn’t get the spray nozzle.

Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap 

Customers love the Palmolive Ultra cleaning agent for its quality, durability, and pleasant smell. It’s great for dishwashing and lasts a long time. It has a formula made from 100% biodegradable natural ingredients. It’s gentle on the skin and packaged in recycled bottles.
However, some customers notice a scent despite it being advertised as fragrance-free. There’s also a risk of damage during shipping, and some find the soap to be watery despite claims of thickness.

Babyganics Foaming Dish & Bottle Soap

Based on the customers’ reviews, the Babyganics dish soap is made with a natural, plant-based formula that’s gentle on the skin and not tested on animals. It effectively removes tough stains like dried milk and grease. 
However, it often leaks during travel (while its bottle is small and designed for travel). It has a strong chemical smell that doesn’t go away even after washing.

Facts about Industry

The best dish soap liquids on the market are the ones that keep the following important facts in mind:
  • Environmental concerns: There’s growing consumer demand for eco-friendly dish soaps. This is because of the increasing awareness of environmental issues.
  • Natural scent: Consumers are sensitive to the dish soap smell and almost all of them avoid using perfumy dish soap liquids. 
  • Easy-to-use bottles and sprays: Consumers prefer dish soaps with user-friendly bottles and sprays.
  • Grasse and oil removal: Buyers highly value the effectiveness of dish soap in removing oil and grease. 

Are All Dish Soaps The Same? 

Dish soaps vary in several aspects. We explore these points in this part, helping you select the best dish soap easily. 
Some of the dish soaps are eco-friendly and made from natural and plant-based ingredients. Some others are full of chemicals and harmful materials. 
If you are sensitive to this issue, check the ingredients of the dish soap before purchasing. Be careful to choose soap without parabens, phosphates, phthalates, fragrances, or dyes.
The power of soaps in cleaning grease, oil, and spots is different in various liquids. Some are more powerful, while others are weaker. Weaker products may require more hot water, additional liquid on the dish, and increased time and effort to clean effectively.
The fragrance and scent of dish soap are significant factors for some consumers. Certain dish soaps may have a strong scent that can be bothersome, while others feature a more natural and light fragrance.

How Much Dish Soap to Use?

The quantity of dish soap needed cannot be specified. The amount of dish soap to use depends on several factors, including:
  • The quality of the dish soap and its power in cleaning oil and grease.
  • The level of dirt and grease present on the dishes.
  • Whether the dirt is fresh or dried.

Why Is Dish Soap So Powerful?

Dish soap works well because it has special ingredients that can get rid of grease and dirt easily. These ingredients are called surfactants. They help to break down the grease, making it easier to wash away. 
Some dish soaps also have other things in them, like enzymes, that help to make them even better at cleaning.

Is It OK to Not Use Dish Soap? 

We recommend you use dish soap as it is powerful in removing grease, food particles, bacteria, spots, and oil from the dishes. 
However, in some cases there is no need to use dish soap:
  • When you are using an automatic dishwashing machine.
  • When the dishes are not very greasy and oily. 

Can Bacteria Survive Dish Soap?

Dish soap is effective at removing and killing bacteria on dishes. When used properly along with hot water and thorough scrubbing, dish soap can effectively clean bacteria from dishes. 
However, it’s important to note that if dishes are not properly cleaned or if dish soap is not used correctly, some bacteria may survive.

Conclusion

In this article, we have investigated more than 10 different types of dish soap liquids. We outlined their respective advantages, disadvantages, and the best dish soap reviews. 
Through thorough examination, we found the Dapple Baby dish soap to be the best. With a natural and plant-based formula, it is very strong in cleaning grease and spots. It is created to remove fats efficiently. 
It has an easy-to-use bottle and is available in both scented and unscented types. What more could you possibly need from dish soap? It already contains everything!

FAQ

What is dish soap used for?
Dish soaps are used for cleaning dishes, utensils, and other kitchen appliances in the shortest possible time. It is very efficient in removing grease and oil from the dishes. 
What is the difference between bar soap and dish soap?
Bar soap is used for personal hygiene, such as cleansing hands and body. Dish soap, typically in liquid form, is specifically used for washing dishes. 
What are some common benefits of using dish soap?
The main benefit of dish soap is its effectiveness in cleaning the grease and oil from the dishes. 
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