Written by Mark Brezinski and Cindy Bailen
Updated September 23, 2022
Whether you wash dishes by hand every day or use dish liquid on the big stuff to cut through grease, your plates, silverware, and glasses should come out of the sink spotless. That’s why we tested a dozen liquid detergents to see which are worth buying. In our testing, we found that even sub-par cleaning products can get dishes clean with some extra scrubbing, but the best dish soaps will save you time standing at the sink, elbow-deep in suds.
Editor's Note
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.


Best Overall
Dawn Ultra
You might think of Dawn as the dish detergent used to clean up wildlife after oil spills—some bottles of Dawn Ultra actually sport pictures of baby ducks as a reminder. And while we can't assess how well it works on oily wildlife, we can tell you that throughout our own use Dawn Ultra excels at cleaning dishes.
It makes quick work of basic meat, spinach, oatmeal, milk, and egg stains; scoffed at the challenge of removing burnt sugar, burnt cheese, and lasagna from dishes; and dissolves bacon grease better than any other dish soap we found, leaving only the slightest haze at the end.
Dawn Ultra is pleasant to use with a mild, fruity fragrance, a thicker texture, and a distinctive blue color. Even better is that this product is able to get through a dishpan full of grimy dishes without too much effort. If you want an effective dish soap that can get your hand-washed dishes very clean, Dawn Ultra is the one for you.
Pros
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Best at cleaning tough stains
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Fruity Fragrance
Cons
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None that we could find


Best Eco-Friendly
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Soap, Free & Clear
The best-performance among our eco-friendly liquid dish soaps, Seventh Generation is effective on most food stains. What keeps it from being our top pick is that it can't quite compete with Dawn on removing bacon grease, instead leaving them with a greasy feel. But if you don’t eat greasy foods regularly, it may not be a problem. This brand does a fine job cleaning basic and tougher stains.
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Free & Clear is plant-based, undyed, unscented, and the bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. If you prefer to wash dishes with an environmentally friendly brand, or have sensitive skin, Seventh Generation Free & Clear could be your go-to.
Pros
-
Eco-friendly
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Cleans most stains
Cons
-
Struggles with removing grease
Palmolive Ultra Strength
Palmolive is a surprise contender, a dark horse among dishwashing liquids. Just soaking in a dishpan of Palmolive suds lifts almost every stain off of dishes, even without scrubbing.
Palmolive won't do as well against burnt sugar stains, and bacon grease leaves dishes with a small amount of haze. Still, I'm convinced that Palmolive can clean your dishes to a high standard. The caveat: Its startling green color and intensely sweet fragrance might not please all users.
Pros
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Good value
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Easily removes light stains after soaking
Cons
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Struggles with tough stains
Joy Ultra Dish Soap
Joy has a bright, lemony scent that permeates the room when used, and might remind some of the smell of their grandmother’s kitchen.
Joy isn’t always easy to find on supermarket shelves these days, but as a heritage brand, it still has a following. We find it to be effective on many stains, though it may behind some food on our glassware after a scrub. Unfortunately light haze of bacon grease is be to expected on dishes after soaking in a solution of Joy.
Pros
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Effective against most stains
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Lemon scented
Cons
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Struggles with removing grease
Puracy Natural Dish Soap
An environmentally friendly brand, Puracy uses plant-based ingredients derived from coconut oil to clean dishes. It also contains natural ingredients that make it gentle for sensitive skin—Himalayan pink sea salt and aloe vera. The company claims that the salt restores balance and purity to your skin, and the aloe vera makes Puracy gentle on skin.
This product is more watery than most other dishwashing liquids, but is still able to clean dishes. In our opinion, it's the second-best eco-friendly brand. It has a hard time on sticky residue and doesn't do well with bacon grease.
Pros
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Eco-friendly
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Gentle on skin
Cons
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Struggles with tough stains
Method Dish Soap - Clementine
One of the most pleasant to use in our opinion, Method comes in an attractive, recycled-plastic pump bottle that looks good on the side of the sink. It is also extremely convenient to use: A couple of pumps will dispense enough soap for a sinkful of dirty dishes. Its fresh citrus fragrance is delightful, and it comes in other scents if you don’t like clementine. Method aces all sensory criteria for us, but it has trouble removing things like milk stains from glasses, so it didn’t make it to the finals.
Pros
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Easy to use pump bottle
(Video) Top 5 Best Liquid Dish Soaps Review in 2023 | Smelling Dish Soap -
Citrus scented
Cons
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Struggles with tough stains
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap
Available in many supermarkets and a top-seller on Amazon, Mrs. Meyer’s is one of the most popular environmentally friendly brands of dish soap. The company comes out with new scents every season, so if you’re not crazy about one scent, you can try another. Lemon verbena is available throughout the year, and its floral citrus smell is not too aggressive or overpowering. That said, the detergent’s performance isn't effective against crusty stains.
Pros
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Eco-friendly
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Scent isn't overpowering
Cons
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Struggles with tough stains
Ivory Dish Detergent
Ivory dish detergent is a heritage brand that you may know from their bars or hand soap. It cleans adequately and the hinged top makes it easy to squeeze out some of this viscous, heavily-scented product. Even with a hard scrub, though, some food stains may remain on your dishes.
Pros
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Easy to use hinged dispenser
Cons
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Struggles with tough stains
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Scent is overwhelming
How to Choose the Right Dish Soap for You
Choosing the right dish soap is no easy task, because there are simply so many out there. Here are some things to consider.
Ingredients
Simply put, you want a dish soap that can effectively clean oil and grease from your dishes without harsh chemicals when doing your dishes by hand. Some people prefer natural dish liquid, while others just want that conventional dish soap that’ll make the grease slide right off. While making your decision, remember to carefully read all of the ingredients on the label, especially if you’re in the market for eco-friendly or cruelty free dish soap.
Eco-Friendly Dish Soaps
Of course, it’s hard to define what “eco-friendly” means. If you’re committed to using products that you think are easier on the environment, read the label carefully.
Scary-sounding ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (a surfactant, detergent, and sudsing agent) and methylisothiazolinone (a preservative) can be found in some “greener” brands. The main difference between conventional and eco-friendly brands: The eco-friendly brands contain more plant-derived ingredients.
Scent
Many of the products we found were scented. Fragrances can be found in both types of dish soaps and can cause allergic reactions. If you have trouble with them, choose a fragrance-free brand. Fragrance-free products do not contain ingredients that impart a smell.
Unscented products are not the same as fragrance-free—they can contain chemicals to mask a smell.
Ultimately, the type of dishwashing liquid you use is up to you. We find both types very effective, so you can make an informed choice.
Meet the testers
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews
Cindy Bailen loves writing about major appliances and home design and has spent over 15 years immersed in that. In her spare time, Cindy hosts pledge programs for WGBH-TV in Boston and other public television stations.
See all of Cindy Bailen's reviews
Checking our work.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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FAQs
Which dish soap makes the longest lasting suds? ›
Dawn produces lots of long-lasting suds and holds grease in suspension so it doesn't redeposit back on dishes. It's great for soaking off burned-on messes and it takes only a little squirt to clean a big pile of dirty dishes. And it makes a handy grease stain remover on clothing, too.
Which Dawn dish soap works best? ›Final Verdict. For the best performance and value, there's no beating Dawn Ultra Original Dish Soap. It's incredibly effective at cutting grease and removing stains using as little product as possible.
What is the number 1 soap? ›1-selling germ-protection soap. Since 1894, Lifebuoy has reached more than 1 billion people with hand hygiene education, helped redefine how millions of children learn the alphabet, and sold soap all over the world. Find out how this heritage brand continues to grow.
What is the number 1 soap brand? ›Lifebuoy World's Number 1 Hygiene Soap Brand| Lifebuoy.
Which brand of dish soap makes the most bubbles? ›If you live in an area with hard water and are having difficulties making good bubbles, try using distilled water (available at the grocery store). Johnson's® baby shampoo produces better bubbles than any of the dish soaps we tried, Dawn® dishwashing liquid (blue) was our soap of choice.
What can I use to wash dishes instead of dish soap? ›Simply mix baking soda with a little bit of water in a bowl to form a paste. Dip your sponge in the paste and use it as “soap” to clean dishes, pots and pans.
Why is Dawn powerwash so good? ›It's all because the powerful suds are created in the spray chamber, which means it doesn't even require water to lather up suds the way regular dish soap does. Dawn Powerwash instantly clings to the surface, so it can do all of its magical grease- and dirt-busting work — minus the scrubbing effort.
Which is better Palmolive or Dawn? ›Dawn offers dish foam in addition to its other products, while Palmolive does not. Dawn and Palmolive are both effective and well-regarded with positive reviews from consumers –– but Dawn receives higher praise from independent reviews for its cleaning power and pleasant scents.
Do vets recommend Dawn dish soap? ›Veterinarians also generally don't recommend using Dawn for fleas because of skin-related issues. “For example, if the pet already has irritation from having a number of fleas on the skin, and you're putting Dawn on skin that's already irritated, there is potential for it to worsen,” says Dr. Reeder.
Why is blue Dawn different? ›What makes Blue Dawn so special? Expert cleaners at Classic Cleaners confirm that original blue dawn can be used for many things, not just the dishes, because of it's grease dissolving properties. It's also non-toxic, not harmful to your skin, it's biodegradable and it contains no phosphates.
What is the best dishwasher detergent that doesn't leave residue? ›
Cascade Complete ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent
With Dawn to break down tough grease and a built-in rinsing agent to prevent spots and streaks, these powerful pods can remove stuck-on food from the day before while leaving your dishes sparkling clean with no film or residue in sight.
Tabs do all of the hard work that liquid and gels do, but they're better for your wallet as well as better for your dishwasher. Tabs use fewer products per load (making them more eco-friendly), which is easier on your machine and prolongs the dishwasher's lifespan.
Is it better to use powder or liquid dishwasher detergent? ›If you're looking for the most sustainable and eco-friendly option, powdered dishwasher detergent is the choice for you. Dishwasher powder is seen as the most effective against hard water (or water that leaves spots due to high mineral content) and is relatively inexpensive.
What soap Does Oprah use? ›Lafco Claus Porto Shea Butter soap is one of Oprah's favorite things: They are one of our favorite things, too! You can purchase them through our online shop by clicking here.
Which soap kills most bacteria? ›Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap has been shown to reduce 99.9% of harmful bacteria and germs, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
What is the oldest soap brand? ›Pears transparent soap is a British brand of soap first produced and sold in 1807 by Andrew Pears, at a factory just off Oxford Street in London. It was the world's first mass-market translucent soap.
Which soap has won best soap the most? ›Alongside Best Leading Performer and Best Family, the award is voted for by the public. EastEnders is the most awarded soap in the category, with eleven wins. Doctors is the only current soap not to have won the award; defunct soaps that did not win are Brookside, Crossroads, Family Affairs and Night and Day.
What is the oldest soap company? ›Caswell-Massey, founded in 1752, is the first fragrance and personal care product company in America. Originally, Caswell Massey started as an apothecary shop in Newport, Rhode Island, by a Scottish-born doctor named William Hunter.
Which Dawn is best for bubbles? ›1/2 cup (120 ml) blue Dawn dish soap. (I'd prefer not to specificy a brand, but the type of detergent can literally make or break your giant bubbles.) Dawn Ultra-not concentrated, or Dawn Pro are also highly recommended. You can also use Joy detergent.
Why is Dawn dish soap better for bubbles? ›When a soapy dish detergent is added to water, it lowers the surface tension so that bubbles can form. The detergent molecules increase the distance between water molecules and reduce those molecules' ability to interact with each other.
Which soap makes the biggest bubbles? ›
Dish soap (Original blue Dawn works best.) Glycerin (Pure glycerin is different from soap and can be purchased at many pharmacies in the cosmetics section or where cooking supplies are sold.)
Is it safe to wash dishes with vinegar? ›White vinegar can be used as a rinse aid in the dishwasher, especially to combat hard water staining. Speaking from personal experience, it's extremely frustrating to run the dishwasher only to open it to dishes that are far from sparkling. Hard water stains leave spots on dishes and can make glasses cloudy.
What is the cheapest way to wash dishes? ›The evidence is clear—a dishwasher is far more efficient than hand washing dishes. It's safer, faster, and cheaper than even the most frugal method of hand washing.
Is it OK to wash dishes with laundry detergent? ›“It isn't a good idea to use laundry detergent to wash your dishes,” says Cameron. “Laundry detergents contain chemicals such as brighteners, fragrances, stain removers, and anti-soiling agents that might not be rinsed off completely from your dishes and may be harmful to your health.”
Can I clean my bathroom with Dawn Powerwash? ›Clean the Bathtub and Shower
Fortunately, Powerwash revolutionizes this labor-intensive chore. Simply spray the cleanser all over the surfaces (both glass and ceramic), let it sit for five minutes then wipe it off—no hard scrubbing required!
Dawn Powerwash is almost the same as regular Dawn, but it also has rubbing alcohol. This helps it remove more stains. It also spray in a foam, so it's easy to dispense and small amount.
Can I make my own Dawn Powerwash? ›To make 16 ounces, you will need 13 ounces water, 2 ounces blue Dawn, and 1 ounce rubbing alcohol. To make 32 ounces, you will need 26 ounces water, 4 ounces blue Dawn, and 2 ounces rubbing alcohol. To make a gallon, you will need 104 ounces water, 16 ounces blue Dawn, and 8 ounces rubbing alcohol.
Is Dawn really different from other dish soaps? ›The Scientific Difference
While the complete “recipe” is inaccessible for the masses, a Dawn spokeswoman has pointed the magic to uniquely powerful surfuctants—or, the chemical compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid when it's dissolved, aka the stuff that cuts the grease.
Dish Detergent
Dish washing soap is usually good for up to 12-18 months and automatic dishwashing detergent is only good for about three. Once it expires, all of the bacteria eliminating properties are diminished and there is no use for it anymore.
Ajax is a brand of household cleaning products and detergents made by Colgate-Palmolive. The brand is also licensed by Colgate-Palmolive in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
What soap kills fleas? ›
Yes, as with many other soaps and shampoos, Dawn dish soap will kill fleas on your pet. It works by reducing the surface tension of water, causing fleas to sink and drown. Dish soap also affects fleas by damaging their waxy exoskeletons.
Does Dawn get rid of flea dirt? ›No, Dawn dish soap should not be used as a regular flea treatment for pets. Although Dawn dish soap can kill fleas, it should not be used as a flea treatment for pets because it could irritate their skin and coat, or be harmful if ingested.
Can I shower my dog with Dawn? ›"Dawn dish soap can be a safe choice to bathe your dog in rare circumstances, but it is not recommended as a regular shampoo." Your dog's skin can be sensitive to allergies, have different coat conditions, and even different pH levels than human skin, so this strong soap can be very irritating to their skin.
Why put Dawn in bathtub at night? ›Because dish soap is meant to break up oils and lift grease and grime from your flatware and utensils, there's no reason why it shouldn't work on the oily soap and human grease build-up accumulating in your tub or shower!
Did Dawn dish soap change their formula? ›Not only has the bottle received an upgrade, but so has the formula. Dawn said that its soap has been updated to help cut grease and other messes more “quickly and easily,” Guerin McClure, vice president of North America dish care at P&G, said in a statement.
Can you wash your body with Dawn dish soap? ›After consulting medical professionals, we have good news: Yes, dish soap is an effective way to clean your hands. But it's not the best alternative. “If you have nothing else available, dish soap is fine.
How do you stop glasses going cloudy in the dishwasher? ›- Add a rinse agent to each cycle.
- Wash with a water temperature below 140°F.
- Avoid excessive pre-rinsing.
- Use less detergent with soft water and follow packaging instructions.
- Regularly clean your dishwasher to help prevent mineral buildup.
Rather than using vegetable or cooking oil, you could instead use a ¼ cup of vinegar. Pour the vinegar in the bottom in the dishwasher to suppress the suds. Then pour water over the area to rinse the suds away.
Can you use Dawn instead of dishwasher pods? ›No, you should only use dishwasher detergent in your dishwasher as it is designed specifically for your dishwasher to clean dishes without the use of suds or bubbles.
What is best to clean dishes in dishwasher? ›Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar and place it on the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Set the dishwasher to run on a hot water cycle. The vinegar will break down any remaining bits of food, grease, soap scum, residue, and any other leftover grime.
Should you throw your dishwasher pod in the bottom? ›
Dishwasher detergent pods should always be placed in the detergent dispenser compartment. If you leave place the pod at the bottom of the dishwasher it may dissolve too quickly during the pre-wash. This would result in no detergent for the main wash cycle - reducing the efficiency of the wash cycle.
Which side of sink should dishwasher be on? ›Another thing I'd like to mention is that your dishwasher should be placed on the opposite side of your dominant hand. For example, if you're right-handed, place your dishwasher on the left of the sink or vice versa. This will make scraping, rinsing and loading much easier.
What is a good substitute for dishwasher detergent? ›Open your dishwasher's detergent compartment. Squeeze in two to three drops of regular dish soap, the kind you'd use to hand-wash your dishes normally. Next, pour in baking soda until the compartment is full. Then run your dishwasher on the normal cycle.
Is Cascade liquid or pods better? ›It really depends on your needs and preferences! If you are looking for something that is easy to use and doesn't leave streaks or spots, then pods might be the best option. If you are looking for something more affordable, then powder might be the best option.
What is the difference between Dawn soap and dish soap? ›The main difference between hand soap and dish soap, Ford explained, is that hand soap is formulated at the optimal pH for skin and often has added conditioning agents. So if soft skin is your goal, hand soap is better for prolonged use.
What soap should I use to wash dishes? ›“Liquid hand soap is milder than dish soap, and it will dissolve easier and foam better in a hot dishwater. In addition, it contains more glycerin than dish soap and will be gentler to your skin when you wash your dishes by hand.”
Why do doctors recommend Dial soap? ›This active ingredient, Benzalkonium Chloride helps Dial Anti-Bacterial hand soaps kill 99.9% of bacteria found in household settings within 30 seconds. Antibacterial soap can better protect you from commonly transmitted bacteria better than washing your hands with non-antibacterial soap and water.
What happens if you wash your hands with water but no soap? ›What if I have water but no soap to wash my hands? If you don't have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If you don't have hand sanitizer or soap, but do have water, rub your hands together under the water and dry them with a clean towel or air dry.
Is Dial soap good for you? ›Dial Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap is a good choice, as it contains antibacterial properties that help remove germs from the surface of your skin. It also rinses clean without leaving any residue behind.
What is the healthiest liquid soap? ›- A La Maison de Provence Liquid Soap Unscented.
- Alaffia Everyday Shea Foaming Hand Soap Unscented.
- Alaffia Everyday Shea Liquid Hand Soap Lemon Verbena.
- Aleavia Citrus & Sea Kelp Microbiome Friendly Hand Wash.
- Aunt Fannie's Hand Soap.
- Attitude Natural Unscented Liquid Hand Soap.
What soap do most dermatologists recommend? ›
Avoid using harsh soaps that dry the skin. Recommended soaps are Dove, Olay and Basis. Even better than soap are skin cleansers such as Cetaphil Skin Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Aquanil Cleanser. Deodorant soaps are often very harsh and drying.
What soap kills bacteria on skin? ›Hibiclens is the #1 pharmacist-recommended antibacterial soap. Unlike regular soaps, Hibiclens not only begins killing germs immediately, it bonds with the skin and keeps on killing germs that live on the skin, even after washing.
Is Dawn safer than Palmolive? ›The EWG gives Dawn products a C or D health and environmental safety rating, while Palmolive's soaps earned a D or F. Although exact formulas vary by brand and specific product, Dawn and Palmolive soaps use similar ingredients.
Is Dawn dishwashing liquid or hand soap better? ›If you're a very frequent hand washer, you might find it's better to opt for washing with gentle dish soap instead — Gregory says Dawn is usually a winner — since hand soaps can sometimes have additives and other ingredients that aren't ideal for many skin types.
What can I use instead of Dawn soap? ›Baking Soda + Hot Water
Baking soda is the product of a thousand uses and works well on dishes in a pinch. To use, make a thick scouring powder by adding a bit of water to about half a cup of baking soda. Then, use that mixture on a sponge or dishwashing brush to scrub off dishes.
Mix up a disinfecting solution of ¼ cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of cool water. Use a spray bottle to spray surfaces with the solution (use the heavy spray setting) and wipe the surfaces thoroughly with a clean cloth. recommend these wipes as your best option.
What is the best cloth to wash dishes? ›The simple answer is cotton. Cotton is extremely absorbent and no other material–including polyester–can provide the same level of absorbency. Some brands use a blend of cotton with other materials, but we would recommend that you purchase a pack of dishrags made from 100% cotton.
What is the cleanest way to clean dishes? ›The ideal way to sanitize dishes and cups is to run them through the dishwasher. Since a dishwasher cycles both hot water and hot heat during the drying phase, it's an effective way to get your eating utensils clean. But it's important to use the full energy cycle to get the best results.