The best automatic dishwasher detergent can make you life a lot easier simply through well-selected ingredients.
In this article, we will review some of the top natural detergents as well as those from more established brands. We will list them in accordance to their cost efficiency and reliability.
Contents
Best Automatic Dishwasher Detergent (Updated List)
8. Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent
- NUMBER ONE: Finish is the #1 Auto Dishwashing Global Brand1
- ADVANCED DISHWASHER PODS: Unleash the Quantum Leap with Finish Quantum dishwasher tabs that deliver 2X GREASE FIGHTING POWER*, making them powerful dishwasher detergent pods.
- POWERFUL DISHWASHER DETERGENT: Tackle 24 HOUR DRIED-ON STAINS and stuck-on-food with these Finish dishwasher pods.
When you think of the Finish brand, the Quantum sub-brand should come to mind as it is one of the most affordable and powerful ways of getting ever-so-clean dishes.
Despite the fact that it is not an eco-friendly or natural dishwasher detergent, it does such a good job that most people will be able to forgive this small oversight. We also like the fact that the Finish Quantum Tablets are easy to use because you don’t need to dose them as you would classic detergent powder.
- Type: Detergent Tablet
- Scent: Ultimate Clean & Shine
- Package Count: 82 tabs
- Environmentally Friendly: No
- Hard Water Recommended: So and so
- Package: Resealable pouch
- Weight: 2.55 pounds
Verdict
Coming from one of the best dishwasher detergent brands ever made on the market, it’s no wonder that the Finish Quantum has made it on our list.
It scrubs, degreases, and makes dishes shine almost to perfection at a price that can rarely be beat given the tablet count. It definitely gets a big recommendation from us.
7. Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods
- FOR SQUEAKY CLEAN DISHES: Discover the unparalleled cleaning power of Dropps Ultra Wash Dishwasher Detergent Pods. This dual-action USDA Certified Biobased formula (81%) uses specialized enzymes and oxygen-powered technology to blast through tough grease, oil, and stuck-on food. Scent: Lemon Citrus. 120 detergent pods.
- NO PRE-WASH OR RINSE-AID NEEDED: Get sparkling dishes every time without the pre-wash. Pods are formulated with mineral-based water softeners that prevent water spots for pristine shine. You’ll get glasses so sparkly and dishes so clean you can eat off them— literally.
- ULTIMATE CONVENIENCE: Experience the convenience of these no-measure, no-mess pods. Just place one in the dishwasher dispenser drawer! Pods are compatible with all machines, wash cycles, and water temperatures.
Here’s a neat surprise when it comes to automatic dishwasher detergent: the Dropps Pods. These little things are highly effective against caked-on food and stains from wine or tea.
Regarding hard water, it’s not necessarily the best choice, but it’s no slouch either. Think of it as the middle-man that can satisfy most consumer’s needs flawlessly without leaving an impact on the environment. Overall, we definitely recommend you give the Dropps Detergent Pods a try.
- Type: Detergent Pod
- Scent: Lemon
- Package Count: 25 or 120
- Environmentally Friendly: Yes, biodegradable, plant and mineral-based
- Hard Water Recommended: So and so
- Package: Cardboard box
- Weight: Unspecified
Verdict
If you want a non-toxic alternative to classic dishwasher pods, then you might want to consider the Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods on your next Amazon purchase.
We have found them to be generally effective despite a few shortcomings. Plus that, when compared to other natural products, the price seems quite decent for what you’re getting.
6. Love Home and Planet Dishwasher Detergent Packets
- 🌱 [plant based cleansers] packed with 78% plant and mineral-based cleansers & Formulated without dyes or phosphates. Dermatologist tested & Gluten Free 🙌🏼
- 🍽 [Care for your tableware] one little packet to give your dishes a clean, dreamy bubble bath. Our dishwasher packets effectively remove tough, stuck-on food residue to leave plates, pots, pans and glasses gleaming and squeaky-clean. For best results, load soiled surfaces facing the center and taller items away from the center. No need to pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher - scrape off food and empty liquids, the dishwasher will do the rest.
- 💜 [calming fragrant scent] Infused with ethically sourced calming French Lavender, and blended with Moroccan Argan Oil, These dishwasher packets give your dishes the gentle bubble bath they deserve after that delicious meal.
Love Home and Planet have dedicated their time and effort to produce a completely natural and top of the line automatic dishwasher detergent.
With a refreshing fragrance and astounding stain-removal capabilities, the Love Home and Planet Detergent Packets effectively remove tough, stuck-on food residue to leave plates, pots, pans, and glasses gleaming and squeaky-clean.
- Type: Liquid tablet
- Scent: Citrus Yuzu & Vanilla; Lavender & Argan Oil
- Package Count: 38
- Environmentally Friendly: Yes, biodegradable, plant and mineral-based
- Hard Water Recommended: No
- Package: Resealable pouch
- Weight: 38 packets, 24 ounces
Verdict
The Love Home and Planet Dishwasher Detergent Packets are effective at cleaning dishes.
One major downside is their fairly high price, however people who have used them stand by how good they are.
5. Method Smarty Dish Plus Dishwasher Detergent Packs
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The Method Smarty Dish Plus brings another environmentally conscious product to the best automatic dishwasher detergent list.
It has a triple cleaning power to solve all of your dishwashing needs. Fitting for the Method name, these dishwasher tablets fit right into their line of powerful plant-based home products.
Also, the Smarty Dish Plus comes in two variants: a 20-pack count, and a 45-pack count. The only reason why we didn’t rank this detergent higher is because of the price tag. Otherwise, they are great and they’re worth it if you don’t mind paying extra for a completely natural dishwashing solution.
- Type: Solid powder tablet in dissolving wrap layer
- Scent: Fragrance-Free, Lemon mint, Pink Grapefruit
- Package Count: 20; 45
- Environmentally Friendly: Yes, biodegradable, plant and mineral-based
- Rinse Agent Included: Spotlessly clean dishes without an added rinse agent
- Hard Water Recommended: Yes
- Package: Resealable plastic pouch
- Weight: 720 g (1.59 lb)
Verdict
The Method Smarty Dish Plus Dishwasher Detergent Packs offer a reliable cleaning method with no chemicals whatsoever.
If you care about the environment and about chemical residue on your dishes, you can’t go wrong by choosing either the 20-pack or 45-pack variant of this detergent.
4. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
- LEAVES DISHES SPARKLING CLEAN: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs have a formula that cuts through tough grease and food residue
- FREE FROM: Our powerful dishwasher soap is free of fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and chlorine bleach
- EASY TO USE: Convenient single dose dishwasher packs - just toss right into the dishwasher
Seventh Generation has made a reputation for their powerful products that are friendly to the environment.
After 25 years in the business, they continue to bring products to you that you can feel safe using. They forgo the harsh chemicals and instead use some powerful plant-based material.
The formula for the Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Pack is enzyme rich which will efficiently break down starches and proteins, suspend them, and allows them to rinse cleanly away.
- Type: Solid powder tablet in dissolving wrap layer
- Scent: Fragrance-Free
- Package Count: 90
- Environmentally Friendly: Yes, plant-based, phosphate free, 78% biobased product (USDA Certified)
- Rinse Agent Included: Spot free shine without an added rinse agent
- Hard Water Recommended: No, but works well for reviewers
- Package: Resealable plastic pouch
- Weight: 810 g (1.7 lb)
Verdict
The Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent is natural and does a very good job of cleaning all types of dishes.
As long as you have a reliable dishwasher, you won’t have any problems with these. One added benefit is that they don’t affect septic systems in any way, and the fact that these tabs are cruelty-free is yet another great bonus.
3. Ecover Zero Automatic Dishwasher Tablets
- Contains (1) box, with 25 individual tabs of dishwasher soap inside
- Biodegradable formulas.
- Powers away stuck on food.
Ecover has been in the business of creating cleaning aids for your home that are safer for the environment and your family.
This automatic dishwasher detergent proves they have learned a thing or two on how to produce their cleaning products. It’s better than other choices out there and it makes dishes sparkle just as well as dishwashing detergents that use chemicals.
Moreover, Ecover Zero Automatic Tablets have never been tested on animals. They’re great for environmentally-conscious people as well as individuals who don’t want any sort of chemical residue on their plates. And yes, it’s also one of the best non-toxic dishwasher detergents that you can get.
- Type: Individually Wrapped Tablets
- Scent: Scent Free, Citrus
- Package Count: 25
- Environmentally Friendly: Yes, biodegradable, plant and mineral based, phosphate free
- Rinse Agent Included: No
- Hard Water Recommended: No
- Package: Recycled cardboard box
- Weight: .5 kg (1.1 lb)
Verdict
The Ecover Zero Automatic Dishwasher Tablets are completely natural and non-toxic, so you won’t have to worry as much about your kids finding them.
Overall, while it might be higher priced than most detergents, it’s worth it for those who care about the above-mentioned aspects. Consider this when purchasing it.
2. Finish All in 1 Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
- Help soften the toughest food residues like baked-on lasagna and dried-on oatmeal for easy removal
- Powerful cleaners remove even the toughest stains. No need to pre-soak or pre-rinse with Powerball cuts through grease & scrubs away burnt & dried-on food
- Each individually wrapped Finish Powerball tab provides a premeasured dose of detergent, eliminating guesswork and dissolves completely
With a powerful stain-removing ability and many other automatic dishwasher detergent properties, the Finish All in 1 is a great contender on any list.
It helps soften the toughest food residues like baked-on lasagna and dried-on oatmeal for easy removal. And it also includes a rinse agent, so it saves you some money in the long run.
Not only that, but the Finish All in 1 Powerball dissolves easily. And since each tab is individually wrapped in a soluble shell, the entire process becomes practically effortless.
- Type: Individually wrapped tablets
- Scent: Fresh Scent
- Package Count: 94
- Environmentally Friendly: No
- Rinse Agent Included: No
- Hard Water Recommended: No
- Package: Box
- Weight: 1.91 kg (4.2 lb)
Verdict
The Finish All in 1 is the ideal solution for people who don’t want to put a lot of effort into washing dishes.
Although it has its hits and misses when dishwashing in hard water, it does a solid job on everything else.
1. Cascade Complete ActionPacs
- 1. GREASE FIGHTING POWER: Cascade dishwasher pods dissolve fast to release the grease fighting power of Dawn
- 2. SPOTFREE CLEAN DISHES: Get virtually spotfree sparkling clean dishes from even the toughest messes with these dishwasher detergent pods, a must-have among your cleaning supplies
- 3. WATER SAVING: Running the dishwasher daily saves water*. *ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use less than 4 gallons per cycle. Running the tap for 11 minutes while handwashing uses up to 24 gallons of water
This detergent blasts away grease so you do not have to pre-rinse anything to get clean dishes. You can also say goodbye to pre-scrubbing if you’re using the Cascade Complete ActionPacs.
Furthermore, there’s no need for measuring since each pac has enough cleaning agents to rigorously eliminate hardened food stains, grease, oils, and other food and drink-related dirt.
Also, the Cascade Complete ActionPacs contain Dawn dish liquid that was specifically designed to break down and eliminate grease completely. Add to that the rinse-aid agent that’s included, and you’re getting a fabulous 3-in-1 deal, which makes this package the best automatic dishwasher detergent by a long shot.
- Type: Premeasured liquid Packs
- Scent: Fresh Scent
- Package Count: 78
- Environmentally Friendly: No
- Rinse Agent Included: Yes
- Hard Water Recommended: Yes (contains water softeners)
- Package: Resealable Plastic Tub
- Weight: 1.16 kg (2.56 lb)
Verdict
The Cascade Complete ActionPacs is one of the most appreciated out of all dishwasher detergents out there.
With such a great cleaning power and affordable pricing, you can’t go wrong. When you take into account all its strengths compared to the few weaknesses, you’ll realize that it’s by far the best automatic dishwasher detergent.
Final thoughts on the best automatic dishwasher detergent
As you can probably figure out from our reviews, the best automatic dishwasher detergent is the one that fits your needs.
There’s no detergent that’s 100% perfect, so you’ll have to sift through their strengths and weaknesses when making a decision. With that said, we hope our list was helpful.
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