Greener Ways to Wash the Dishes
Washing the dishes is something that we all do. Whether you wash your dishes by hand or use a dishwasher, there are a few simple swaps, for less harm to the planet.
Swedish dishcloths have been around for 30 years or so. Unlike microfiber cloths that leach plastics, these are made from cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton. After a few months, just cut up and compost, or bin to naturally break down.
Choose unscented biodegradable dishwash liquid for pregnancy/nursing, affected medical conditions and if washing baby or pet bowls (citrus is toxic to pets).
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.
A Plastic-Free Sponge and Dishcloth (combined)
Cloud Cloth is the ultimate alternative to single-use paper towels. Made from cotton and plant cellulose, this combination of a sponge and dishcloth can absorb 10 times its weight in water, so you can easily mop up any spills. One cloth can be laundered again and again, to replace as many as 1500 paper towels.
It’s super-easy to sanitise – just throw it in the dishwasher, or boil.
Switch to Compostable 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.
Wild & Stone organic cotton dishcloths support cleaner farming, and are soft to the touch, yet effective. Sold with matching organic cotton hand towels.
Biodegradable Washing-Up Liquids
Most conventional brands of dishwash-liquid are made with chemicals and fragrance, sold in plastic bottles. The ingredients may give lots of bubbles, but detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate (engine degreasers) are too harsh for hands and the planet.
Instead, choose low-foaming biodegradable dishwash liquids. These don’t create algae bloom when washed down sinks, so don’t harm marine wildlife, when they break down and reach the sea.
Miniml Dishwash Liquids are made with Yorkshire water and scented naturally (choose from Apple Orchard or Rhubarb Lemon). Then just find a shop for refilling or use the prepaid postage label, and the company will rinse, refill and send new full bottles to you. The small bottles give 50 washes, and the large bottles give 500 washes.
Greenscents is available in Unscented or essential oil fragrances. Sold in glass bottles (don’t handle with wet hands). At end of use, just return and the company will wash and refill, then send back to you with discounts.
How to Wash Greasy Pots & Pans
Soda Crystals (wear protective gloves, can cause eye irritation) are good. For greasy pans, mix 200g into 500ml of water, and soak in this solution with hot water. Leave to soak for a few hours, before rinsing thoroughly, and washing up as normal.
Zero Waste Washing-Up Tools
This bamboo washing-up brush is the zero waste alternative to plastic brushes. It has a bamboo handle and sistal bristles (from a type of cactus). So it can tackle tough grease and grime, without scratching your dishes. At end of use, just biodegrade in the compost bin (or bin to naturally break down without harm to the planet).
EcoCoconut Dish Brush is made from coir (coconut fibres) as alternative to plastic scouring pads. It’s non-scratch so okay for stubborn plates and non-stick pans, but not for plastic surfaces. Rinse after each use, and store in a dry place. You may notice some loose fibres at first, this will reduce over time.
The pack of two donut-shaped biodegradable scourers, are the alternative to those green-backed plastic scourers, that release microplastics down drains, once rinsed. These are safe to be used on non-stick pans, and also good to clean your cooker hob or stove top, and even safe for enamel sinks and baths.
The bottle brush has a curled tip, for precision cleaning at the bottom of bottles, and can also be used to clean wine glasses and stainless steel flasks.
Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Powders
There is a lot of greenwash regarding dishwash tablets (and laundry sheets) that claim to be ‘biodegradable’, saying there’s no need to unwrap the film, as it ‘breaks down naturally’.
Plastic Pollution Coalition says otherwise, and wants a ban on plastic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA or PVOH) being listed a ‘biodegradable ingredient’. It dissolves (but so does salt in water – but the salt is still there).
The law says that if 60% of something degrades into carbon dioxide and water within 28 days, it ‘passes the test’, even if the other 40% of plastic is still present, and leaches out to sea, after wastewater system treatment. Plus of course, plastic is made from oil, an industry it’s good not to support for all kinds of reasons.
The reason given for using dishwasher tabs and laundry sheets is convenience. No matter that it’s very easy to put a scoop of powder in the machine, something done for over 100 years.
It’s like the palm oil debate. Companies that make peanut butter with palm oil, say it has to be included as an emulsifier. But companies that don’t (like Meridian) say that no-one minds having to spend 10 seconds stirring the jar. Surely worth it, to save orangutans?
Fill Dishwasher Powder is made (in Northamptonshire by a registered Living Wage employer) with natural ingredients (unscented or scented with essential oils), sold in a glass jar and metal lid.
When empty, either refill in participating stockists, or order refills in cardboard boxes, which include a freepost return box to send back for washing and return.
To use, remove food debris, then add one scoop to your machine dispenser, check salt level and use with their rinse aid. Keep the powder away from moisture, in an airtight container.
Greenscents Dishwasher Powder is a unique formulation of natural botanicals and probiotics, with no enzymes or cheap fillers. Made from active ingredients, just one heaped teaspoon is enough for a full wash.
This powder is also organic, vegan and free from palm oil. One pouch lasts for 30 uses (scrape food off first). Sold in a brown paper bag with a plastic seal (can be separated for recycling). Scented with eucalyptus oil.
For hard water areas (mostly in southern and eastern England), fill the rinse aid dispenser with cleaning vinegar and add extra salt, to prevent limescale build-up. You can also run a short cycle with a cup of vinegar now and then, to help keep your dishwasher clean and fresh.
Blueland Dishwasher Tabs are dry-form tablets that lift grease and food stains, without dissolving plastic film into your dishes. Made with plant-based and planet-friendly ingredients, these are independently tested to work on dishes, glassware, silver and porcelain. Sold in a beautiful Forever Tin with 60 tablets, which also takes up less space.
Just pop a tablet directly into the detergent dispenser, run on a normal cycle, then order refills, when the tin is empty. You can double up and buy a kit containing both dishwash and laundry tabs (choose fragrance-free option, as the ‘spring bloom’ contains synthetic fragrance).
These products include a brown packet inside the packaging, a bit like silica gel, to absorb moisture. However, this is made from natural bentonite clay and FSC-certified kraft paper. Blueland suggests keeping this with products as you transfer refills to the Forever Tin, to increase efficiency and shelf-life of the tabs.
The company also offers wholesale and discounts for students/graduates. Plus community discounts for people on low incomes, first responders, parents and charity workers.
The scents from this range are not natural, so for other items sold, choose fragrance-free (labelled Free 7 Clear) options throughout.
Natural Rinse Aid in Refillable Containers
Miniml Rinse Aid again has local stores to refill or prepaid labels to return for washing and refilling. Sold in a plastic refillable container, this is made (in Yorkshire) with natural unscented ingredients. You can also use it for cabinet glass washers and combi ovens.
