We can all agree that washing-up is that one household chore we’d preferably not do. Although we can’t magically make the dishes clean themselves, we can change what products we use to help the planet.
Here are our favourite eco washing-up liquids:
Method Washing Up Liquid Green Tea and Citrus
Wilton London Eco Washing-Up Liquid
Waitrose ECOlogical Washing Up Liquid
Bower Grapefruit Washing Up Liquid Refill 1L
Keep reading for our full review of these alternative washing-up liquids.
Read more: How to make beeswax wraps - your DIY guide
Simply put, eco washing-up liquids shouldn’t have any nasty chemicals in them which could cause harm to the environment as well as you. Switching sounds like a no brainer, right? But, with more options available on the market than ever before, it can be overwhelming when deciding what will be best for your home.
There are lots of different factors when it comes to what makes a washing-up liquid environmentally friendly - the considerations are the ingredients, whether the bottle and lid are recyclable or if it’s tested on animals.
Luckily for you, we’ve tried some of the best eco washing-up liquids to tell you precisely what we think of them. So, you can know what to expect before you make the switch.
Whilst we may receive commission for purchases made through our links, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Eco washing up liquid review
1 of 4Method Washing Up Liquid Green Tea and Citrus
The aesthetic of this eco washing-up liquid is what makes it stand out from the rest. It will fit in with your modern or homely kitchen with its sleek design. The pump is an incredible feature, which will make sure you don't use too much in your bowl. One or two squirts is enough to clean dried on milk and grease. Tested on animals: No.Made from: A plant-based formula. Recyclable: Yes, and it's made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. Our rating: 9/10
2 of 4Wilton London Eco Washing-Up Liquid
The scent from this washing-up liquid is very fresh with botanical notes. Although it removed grease effortlessly, it did leave some plates feeling as if there was a dry layer on them. Plus, we used the whole bottle within two weeks.Tested on animals: This is cruelty-free and vegan. Made from: A plant-based formula.Recyclable: Yes - even the lid. Our rating: 8/10
3 of 4Waitrose ECOlogical Washing Up Liquid
A little goes a long way with this washing-up liquid. If you're not careful, you'll overflow with bubbles. We'd recommend wearing gloves with this option as it can cause skin irritation. However, the price is fantastic, and it'll leave your glasses sparkling. Tested on animals: This is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans.Recyclable: No.Other features: It is suitable for septic tanks.Our rating: 7.5/10
4 of 4Bower Grapefruit Washing Up Liquid Refill 1L
This sophisticated looking washing-up liquid is a fantastic find. It was easy to tip into the reusable dispenser, and we were still left with about a quarter of the washing-up solution after filling it to the top.This washing-up liquid has a lovely fresh grapefruit scent, which doesn't overpower the bowl. Two pumps were enough to leave glasses sparkling without there being a mountain of bubbles.We would recommend wearing with gloves if you have sensitive skin as it left hands feeling slightly dry.Tested on animals: Vegan and cruelty-freeRecyclable: We love that these are refillable pouches. Once used, you can send them back to be reused. It's recommended collecting around four pouches first to save on postage. Don't forget to bag a reusable dispenser, which is available on their website. Our rating: 8/10
• Read our guide to the best recycled toilet paper for your home
Don't just take it from us, Nick Torday, co-founder and CEO of Bower Collective had this to say on the importance of using eco washing-up liquids in your home.
"Sustainability and kitchen/home cleanliness may seem like a difficult combination given the sheer amount of wasteful plastic packaging that’s prevalent in our supermarkets, but making the switch to environmentally friendly washing-up liquids is much easier than you might be led to believe.
"For example, our refillable products leave absolutely no imprint on the environment. Washing up liquid is efficiently delivered in a pouch that can be emptied, collected, and then returned in a pre-paid returns envelope for reuse. There’s also a reduction in carbon emissions as less virgin plastic is manufactured in order for your products to be delivered to you."
"Also, swapping to a more transparent and sustainable option is important because disposable plastic packaging often has a very small chance of ever being properly recycled in the first instance."
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