Greener Ways to Wash A Sink of Dirty Dishes

Always scrape food into a caddy or bin to avoid wasting water rinsing off food. And rather than support the oil industry with plastic bowls that go mouldy and slimy, invest in a lifetime of use with a 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.

Use unscented products for pregnancy/nursing, baby and pet bowls. Citrus oils in particular are toxic to pets (even if rinsed and dried, residue could be licked from paws). 

Replace chlorine bleach with natural oxygen bleach to remove tea/coffee cup stains. never mix any kind of bleach with acid (lemon or cleaning vinegar) as it causes toxic gas.

Don’t pour plant-based liqueurs down the drain. They should be treated like oil (wrap and bin small amounts or use an oil recycling bin for larger amounts. Or better yet, just drink them up!

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.

Swedish Dishcloths (hold 15 times water weight)

Swedish dishcloths were indeed first used in Sweden (over 30 years ago). They basically are quality dish cloths (which can also be used for cleaning). Unlike microfiber cloths, these are free from microplastics so at end of use, you can cut them up and compost, or just bin to naturally break down.

Battle Green Swedish dishcloths are made from cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton. They are in various pretty designs, all highlighting ocean species (whales, sea turtles and gulls) that are mostly affected by plastic pollution. You can wash these in the top rack of your dishwasher.

These reusable Swedish dishcloths from Dundee are sold in packs of 4 (so you don’t end up doing your washing-up with the cloth used for toilets!) Each cloth can hold up to 15 times its weight in liquid.

Dundee is known as the city of ‘jute, jam and journalism’, as its economy was based on jute production, fruit preserves and publishing. It’s also (would you believe this?) the sunniest city in Scotland!

There are only two seasons in Scotland. June and winter. Billy Connelly

Good Organic Cotton Dish Cloths

These textured cotton dishcloths are super-stylish, sold in a pack of three (cobalt, green, red or citrus). The texture of the stitching, means these are great for all cleaning jobs. Sold with an easy-to-recycle card belly band. Machine-washable (do not tumble dry).

Design in London by a small woman-owned company, 5% of annual profits are donated to a charity that helps refugees and displaced people, during their greatest time of need. Ethically produced in Indian, and shipped to England by sea.

Zero Waste Washing-Up Sponges & Brushes

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.

Rubber 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).

Unscented Dish Wash in Glass Bottles

Nonscents Washing Up Liquid is sold in glass bottles that you can send back for washing and refilling (there are also natural scented versions, but the unscented is ideal for pregnancy/nursing and washing baby/pet bowls). Avoid handling glass with wet hands.

They are sold in 500ml bottles with aluminium lids (and a one-time purchase of a head). Then buy 5 litre and 20 litre refill containers (you can decant into bottles, and send empty containers off for refilling).

Bio-D also sells unscented dishwash (also in bulk 5L and 20L containers that are easily recycled, ideal for large families or professional use.

Miniml Eco Friendly Washing-up Liquids

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.

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). 

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 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. It’s free from palm oil, vegan and not tested on animals.

• Remove food waste from dishes, and stack dishwasher as usual. Then add 1 heaped teaspoon of powder to the soap dispenser, and close the compartment. Run on preferred cycle. One pouch should last 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 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.

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.

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.