How to Choose the Right Natural Dish Soap for Your Kitchen

Quick Answer

To choose the right natural dish soap, consider your cleaning needs, scent preferences, and skin sensitivity. For a versatile, garden-inspired option, Mrs. Meyer's Basil Dish Soap offers effective grease cutting with a crisp scent, while their Honeysuckle Liquid Hand Soap & Refill Set is a great choice if you want a matching hand soap for your kitchen.

When you're standing in the cleaning aisle, the sheer number of dish soaps can be overwhelming. You want something that cuts grease, smells pleasant, and aligns with your values, but how do you know which one is right for your kitchen? This guide breaks down the key factors to consider, from ingredients and scent to packaging and skin sensitivity.

We'll focus on natural dish soaps, like those from Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, which are made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils. We'll help you understand what to look for, what to avoid, and how to match a product to your specific needs.

What Makes a Dish Soap Natural?

Natural dish soaps typically use plant-derived surfactants instead of petroleum-based ones. They often exclude synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals. Look for certifications like Leaping Bunny, which indicates cruelty-free testing, and check for recognizable ingredients like essential oils and aloe vera.

Mrs. Meyer's dish soaps are made with essential oils, aloe vera, and glycerin, and are Leaping Bunny Certified. This means they are free from animal testing and rely on plant-based cleaning power. When you choose a natural dish soap, you're not just cleaning your dishes; you're also making a choice that's better for your family and the environment.

• Check for plant-derived ingredients like coconut or palm oil-based cleansers.
• Look for transparent labeling about what's inside and what's left out.
• Consider the scent source—natural soaps use essential oils, not synthetic perfumes.

Scent: The Heart of the Kitchen Experience

The scent of your dish soap can transform a mundane chore into a more pleasant experience. Natural dish soaps often use essential oils to create garden-inspired fragrances. For a fresh, herbaceous aroma, Basil is a popular choice—it's crisp and grounding. If you prefer something sweeter and floral, Honeysuckle offers a charming mix of flowers and fruits.

When choosing a scent, think about your kitchen's overall vibe. Do you want something that invigorates you in the morning? Basil might be perfect. Or do you prefer a subtle, comforting scent? Consider seasonal options like Iowa Pine or Gingerbread for the holidays, though these are more common in hand soaps. For a dish soap, you might want a scent that doesn't clash with your food's aromas—Basil is a safe bet.

• Test a scent in-store if possible, or start with a small bottle.
• Consider whether you want the scent to linger on dishes or disappear after rinsing.
• Match the scent to your kitchen decor or the season for a cohesive feel.

Formulation: Liquid vs. Foam

Dish soaps come in liquid and foam forms. Liquid dish soap is more concentrated and typically better for heavy-duty cleaning, like cutting through grease on pots and pans. Foaming soaps are pre-diluted and easier to rinse, but you may need to use more product for tough jobs.

Mrs. Meyer's offers liquid dish soap, which is ideal for most kitchen tasks. If you're looking for an eco-friendly option, consider their refill sizes to reduce plastic waste. While foam dish soaps are less common, they can be convenient for quick washes. For most kitchens, a liquid formula provides the best balance of cleaning power and value.

• Choose liquid for heavy-duty grease cutting.
• Opt for foam if you prefer a lighter, pre-diluted option for everyday dishes.
• Look for refills to minimize packaging waste.

Skin Sensitivity and Safety

If you have sensitive skin or wash dishes frequently without gloves, you'll want a dish soap that's gentle on hands. Natural dish soaps often include moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin. Mrs. Meyer's dish soap includes aloe vera and glycerin to help keep skin from drying out.

Additionally, cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified products ensure that no animals were harmed in testing. If you have allergies, check the ingredient list for potential irritants, even if they are natural. Essential oils can be strong, so a fragrance-free option might be better for very sensitive skin.

• Look for moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin.
• If you have eczema or allergies, consider fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options.
• Always patch-test a new product if you have known sensitivities.

Decision Rules for Choosing Your Dish Soap

• Cleaning Power: If you often cook with oils, bake, or let dishes sit, choose a liquid dish soap with strong grease-cutting ability. Look for enzymes or plant-based surfactants that can break down stuck-on food. Check the label for 'removes stuck-on food' or similar claims.
• Scent Preference: Select a scent that you enjoy and that complements your kitchen. Basil is fresh and herbaceous; Honeysuckle is sweet and floral. Consider seasonal scents for a festive touch. If you're unsure, start with a classic like Basil.
• Skin Sensitivity: For sensitive skin, choose a dish soap with moisturizing ingredients like aloe and glycerin. Avoid overly fragranced options if you react to essential oils. Look for 'non-drying' or 'moisturizing' on the label.

Product Facts and Comparisons

• Basil Dish Soap: REMOVES 48-HOUR STUCK-ON FOOD: Liquid Dish Soap powers through grease leaving your dishes and pans clean and bright. TESTED & TRUSTED: Mrs. Meyer's products are made with essential oils, aloe vera, glycerin, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients that are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. GARDEN-INSPIRED SCENTS: Basil has a cool, crisp scent that is uplifting and grounding, familiar and exotic—all at... This is a great all-purpose dish soap that handles tough messes, and its crisp basil scent is a favorite for everyday use. If you often deal with stuck-on food, this formula is designed to tackle it.
• Honeysuckle Liquid Hand Soap & Refill Set: SOFTENS & CLEANS: Non-drying liquid Hand Soap that leaves skin feeling clean and moisturized. TESTED & TRUSTED: Mrs. Meyer's products are made with essential oils, aloe vera extract, olive oil, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients that are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. GARDEN-INSPIRED SCENTS: Honeysuckle blossoms fill the air with tempting sweet scent—a charming mix of flowers and fruits. While this is a hand soap, it pairs beautifully with your dish soap for a coordinated kitchen scent. It's gentle on hands, which is a plus if you're washing up frequently, and the refill set offers value and reduces waste.

Which Dish Soap Fits You?

Best for

• Everyday dishwashing with a fresh, herbaceous scent: Basil Dish Soap
• Those who want a matching hand soap for a coordinated kitchen: Honeysuckle Liquid Hand Soap & Refill Set

Not for

• If you prefer unscented or fragrance-free products, look for a specific unscented formula.
• If you need a heavy-duty degreaser for commercial or industrial use, a standard liquid dish soap might not suffice.

Choosing the right natural dish soap comes down to your cleaning needs, scent preferences, and skin sensitivity. By focusing on plant-based ingredients, considering the scent, and checking for certifications, you can find a product that makes dishwashing a little more enjoyable. Mrs. Meyer's offers a range of garden-inspired scents that are both effective and gentle, so you can feel good about what you're using in your kitchen.