Recently my wife and I started researching different household products and how bad they are for us and the environment. One of the first things we started to research was dish washing detergent. We currently use a name brand commercial detergent and was concerned about the amount of chemicals and ingredients that we couldn’t even pronounce. After some research, we found that most of the brands of detergent we looked into were not the best for the environment and not the healthiest for humans.

When you wash your dishes, some detergents leave a residue on the dishes, that can be consumed next time the dishes are used. Some detergents emit harmful fumes and can irritate the skin. Several of the brands we used in the past emitted such horrible fumes that I would get headaches if I stayed in the kitchen while the dishwasher was running.

Another issue is environmental, what happens when the dishwasher is finished? The detergent goes down the drain into the public water system. At some point, the chemicals are treated and what is left is returned to the waterways. Most of the chemicals are neutralized but not all is, the chemicals that are not neutralized is hazard to the environment.

In our research of dishwasher detergent ingredients, we found that the common ingredients in commercial detergents are phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum-based ingredients. For more information about commercial detergents, ingredients, and more information about why the ingredients are so harmful. Please visit Dishwasher Detergents – Are They Harmful?

Earth Friendly Products Wave Auto Dishwasher Gel

Last night we finally got our chance to purchase an organic all natural dishwasher detergent. Earlier that day, I went to Sprouts Farmers Market. To get  some more fruit and other items I can not get at the local grocery store chains. After getting everything I needed, I stopped by the kitchen Cleaning supplies section and I came across several all natural detergents and they all  had different types ingredients. Since I did not have the list of chemical to avoid and I did not have any detergent, I made sure that my chosen detergent did not have the big three chemicals in them and I purchased a bottle. I chose Earth Friendly Friendly Productions Wav Auto Dishwasher Gel Organic Lavender. They also offer a free and clear gel and a powdered form as well. Once I got home, I ran a load of dishes. I followed the instructions, well sorta, per the instructions I only filled one of the two dishwasher detergent containers in the dishwasher, but I did not thoroughly rinse the caked on food off the plates. While the dishes were being cleaned, I barely smelled the detergent! What I could smell of it was a pleasant lavender smell. The next morning I checked the dishes and found that, not only did the Wave Gel removed the caked on grease and grime, it also cleaned the dishwasher and removed the stains from the inside of the dishwasher!

Description

“New High Performance Wave in both gel and powder gives you the best performing all natural auto dishwashing products. Now with Lavender oil for fragrance. Wave is phosphates free, chlorine free, caustic free. It works beautifully on your dishes, silverware, and glasses. Wave is neutral ph, all plant based and totally biodegradable. We spent considerable effort in our R & D to bring you the best product in the market place, so much so, that we’ve applied for a US Patent on this technology.” via Wave Gel Descriptions

Specifications

Product Size:

• Gel – 40 oz

Ingredients:

• Gel – Purified water, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, biodegradable low foam surfactant, ethanol (derived from corn), enzymes, and N.O.P. certified organic lavender essential oil.
• Powder – Water softener (sodium citrate), cleaning agents (biodegradable surfactant), processing aid (sodium sulfate) and N.O.P. certified organic lavender essential oil.
• Packs – Water softeners (sodium citrate), cleaning agents (biodegradable surfactant* and corn starch), and processing aid (sodium sulfate).

Features:

• pH 4-5, gentler on skin than other automatic dish detergents.
• Non-polluting/100% biodegradable/non-toxic/natural.
• Made of replenishable/sustainable ingredients
• unscented, no harsh fumes or vapors.
• Plant-based surfactants we use do not harm the item being cleaned, your body or the environment
• Pleasantly lemon scented with natural lemon oil, no harsh fumes or vapors.
• Free of phosphates, chlorine, DEA and petroleum ingredients
• contains NO bleach or bleaching agent
• Low sudsing
• cuts through grease and dried on food
• removes tough stains
• Does not etch metal, silver.
• can be used together with rinse additives for automatic dish washing machines.
• Septic tank and gray-water system safe: biocompatible with a wide variety of wastewater and gray water treatment systems; doesn’t eliminate bacteria that make septic systems work efficiently
• Easy to recycle: #2 HDPE plastic containers

Uses

• For use in automatic dish washing machines.
• Great for pre-soaking baked on foods
• Gentle enough for washing china, porcelain, silver
• Use in all temperatures

Benefits:

• Doesn’t irritate skin.
• Doesn’t eliminate bacteria that make septic systems work efficiently
• It really works
• Safe for you and the environment

Non-toxic/non-polluting

via – Wave Gel Specifications

The label also says that the bottle and cap are both recyclable and this product was not tested on animals.