Greener Ways to Wash the Dishes

Miniml Eco Friendly Washing-up Liquids are the ideal swaps, to keep your dishes sparkling clean. Made with biodegradable ingredients (including Yorkshire water) in natural apple orchard or wild rhubarb scents, these are vegan, not tested on animals, in refillable bottles.

Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and near babies/pets. Citrus oils in particular are toxic to pets (even if rinsed and dried, residue could be licked from paws). For these homes, just clean with a mix of water and baking soda and white vinegar. 

These cleaners are concentrated, so a little goes a long way. At end of use, you can get the bottles refilled at stores that sell them, or use the QR code to send off empty bottles for refilling, and return.

The starter bottles are 500ml, and the refill bottles will last you ages!

To use, just add 2 to 3 pumps, for a bowl of washing up. Can also be used for surfaces and food storage areas (not near pets, due to citrus oils). 

Miniml is a fresh new eco cleaning brand, started by two young entrepreneurs, who struggled to find household products that did not irritate the co-founder’s sensitive skin. So they decided to create something better, mixing formulas in the garage, until they came up with products that worked.

Still based in its own factory in Yorkshire (creating local jobs), the range is sold nationwide to shops, hotels and restaurants (there is no minimum orders on business accounts).

There are discounts for regular subscriptions, and students.

For toxic cleaning/laundry products, you can recycle empty bottles with kerbside collections. For bottles with product, dispose of them at your council’s hazardous waste department.

Nonscents is a nice range of eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products, all sold in glass bottles that you can send back for washing and refilling (including bulk orders). It does also offer scented items, but the unscented range is ideal for babies, pets, pregnancy/nursing and allergies.

Don’t handle glass with wet hands.

Zero Waste Washing-Up Sponges & Brushes

So bin your plastic nylon sponges and scouring pads (and plastic washing-up brushes) and treat your kitchen to a few zero waste tools instead!

Seep eco-sponge cloths are ideal for washing-up or cleaning, and sold in plastic-free packaging. Made from cellulose wood pulp, they can be machine-washed without releasing microplastics. At end of use, just bin or cut them up and pop them in your compost bin.

After use, reshape the damp cloth and allow to dry naturally (don’t tumble dry not use fabric conditioner, this will reduce absorbency). Sold in packs of 3.

A Bamboo Washing Up Brush

This bamboo washing-up brush has bristles made from sisal (a type of cactus) to tackle grease and grime, without scratching dishes. At end of use, just pop in the compost bin (or bin) to naturally break down, with no harm to the planet.

Seep Rubber Cleaning Gloves (in cardboard packs)

Seep rubber cleaning gloves are good quality, but different from you-know-who, because not only are they are made with natural rubber, but unlike most brands, these are sold in cardboard packs (no plastic). They also have textured fingers, to help you grip things, while washing-up.

Avoid for latex allergies. Use a separate pair for dishwashing, than cleaning. At end of use, cut them up (to speed up biodegradation) and pop in your bin!

Designed with soft lining for extra comfort, each pack includes 3 packs of gloves which should last you a long time. Made ethically in Sri Lanka, choose from small, medium or large sizes (rinse with water after use, dry out between uses, and store away from sunlight (to prevent mould).

The natural rubber is sourced from trees by tapping (like maple syrup, this does not require trees to be chopped down). So does not contribute to deforestation. And this company also donates to reforestation project, to offset the carbon from shipping the rubber from abroad.

Natural Copper Scourers in Cardboard Packs

Seep eco copper scourers are the zero waste alternative to those cheap silver scourers, sold in plastic packs. These are made from real copper, and sold in cardboard packs (each one contains six scourers).

To use, just rinse before and after use, and dry between uses, to prevent mould. Each one should last around six months, then either recycle in your green bin (or take a metal recycling centre).

Do not use on non-stick or delicate surfaces (like porcelain) and avoid acidic liquids. Don’t use copper in gardens to deter slugs/snails as it can harm (instead, read how to humanely deter slugs and snails).

A Stainless Steel Washing-up Bowl

Instead of plastic bowls that support the oil industry and go mouldy and slimy, invest in a lifetime of use stainless steel washing-up bowl (also in orange).

This has a non-porous surface to wipe off food residue, and is heat-resistant and is easily recycled, at end of life. Stainless steel does not absorb stains or smells. just wash with mild soap, then rinse and wipe dry. Remove water marks with a cleaning vinegar and water mix, then a quick rinse.

Miniml Eco Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Miniml Eco Dishwasher Rinse Aid is the ideal swap to keep on hand, to leave your dishes squeaky-clean and streak-free ((including for restaurants and hotels). Made with biodegradable ingredients (including Yorkshire water – even scents are naturally derived), these are vegan-friendly and not tested on animals, and sold in bottles that you can send back to be refilled!

If buying other items in the range, avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and near babies/pets. Citrus oils in particular are toxic to pets (even if rinsed and dried, residue could be licked from paws). For these homes, just clean with a mix of water and baking soda and white vinegar. 

This Rinse Aid is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. At end of use, you can get the bottles refilled at stores that sell them, or use the QR code to send off empty bottles for refilling, and return.

The starter bottle is 500ml, and the refill bottles will last you ages!

To use, fill the rinse aid reservoir of your dishwasher, and follow the machine manufacturer’s guidelines. Check the level of rinse aid regularly. Also suitable for cabinet washers and combi ovens.

Miniml is a fresh new eco cleaning brand, started by two young entrepreneurs, who struggled to find household products that did not irritate the co-founder’s sensitive skin. So they decided to create something better, mixing formulas in the garage, until they came up with products that worked.

Still based in its own factory in Yorkshire (creating local jobs), the range is sold nationwide to shops, hotels and restaurants (there is no minimum orders on business accounts).

There are discounts for regular subscriptions, and students.

Organic Dishwasher Powder (in paper bags)

Millions of people these days use dishwashers, and yet most dishwasher powders are full of toxic ingredients, and so-called ‘biodegradable pouches’ usually aren’t, due to containing PLA (a plastic).

Greenscents Dishwasher Powder is an organic alternative with no scent, sold in a brown paper bag (you can remove and recycle the plastic seal separately. It uses a blend of natural botanicals and probiotics for powerful cleaning, including eucalyptus oil.

This is the first dishwasher powder to receive Soil Association organic status in the UK. It’s also free from palm oil, vegan and not tested on animals.

To use:

• Remove food waste from dishes, and stack your dishwasher as usual. Then add 1 heaped teaspoon of powder to the soap dispenser, and close the compartment. Run on your preferred cycle. One pouch should last for 30 washes.
• For hard water areas, fill the rinse aid compartment with cleaning vinegar (no need to add dishwasher salt which has environmental impacts) to help prevent limescale build-up.
• Due to the natural formulation, performance may depend on your machine, cycle type or water hardness. Email the company who is happy to help, with any queries on eco settings etc.