Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe For Bubble Baths? The 61 Top Answers

Share on Pinterest Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy United A tub of suds is the perfect pick-me-up at the end of a long day. A bath is a relaxing way to unwind, release tension, and shut out the world. However, store-bought bubble baths often contain ingredients that aren’t ideal for people with sensitive skin or those who want to avoid harsh chemicals. That means you should choose bath products labeled for sensitive skin if you have skin problems. Homemade soap products may not be the best choice if you have sensitive skin. If you don’t have sensitive skin issues, it’s pretty easy to make your own natural version. Read on to find out how.

Benefits of Bubble Baths First and foremost, baths can be a relaxing form of self-care. Warm water helps relax muscles and calm the mind. In fact, one study found that participants who took baths reported better physical and mental health than those who showered. Studies show that warm water baths can improve blood circulation and vascular function and promote sleep.

what makes the bubbles Bubbles consist of two layers of soap molecules surrounding a thin layer of water molecules. For a truly sparkling bath, pour the mixture you have created straight from the tap into the running water jet. The stronger the water pressure, the bigger the bubbles. Bubbles can enhance a bath by keeping it warmer longer by trapping and insulating the warm water.

Safety Concerns to Heed Taking a bath is generally a safe activity. But it’s important to make sure you keep the water temperature at a comfortable level – not too hot or too cold. When it comes to the bubble bath itself, homemade formulas are your best bet if you’re worried about the ingredients. To avoid skin sensitivity or possible allergic reactions, stick to mild soapy products and ingredients. It’s a good idea to test each ingredient on a small patch of skin and wait 48 hours for reactions before filling your tub. Some ingredients can irritate sensitive areas like the genitals. Irritation of the vagina can lead to a UTI in both adults and children, although the evidence is mixed. Research shows that an optimal bathing temperature for healthy adults is between 40 and 43°C. If you are pregnant, an older adult, or have a medical condition, lower temperatures are recommended. Talk to your doctor.

Ingredients for a Simple Bubble Bath All bubble bath recipes are based on the same key ingredient: water

soap

Glycerin or Coconut Oil For a bath, you will need the following approximate measurements: 1/4 cup warm, distilled water

1/2 cup liquid soap

1/4 cup glycerin or coconut oil Simply mix all three together to create your own concoction. Glycerin is a soap additive that is sometimes difficult to obtain, but is an effective moisturizer. Coconut oil is a good substitute to moisturize the skin.

Natural Bubble Bath for Sensitive Skin Store-bought bubble baths often contain sodium laureth sulfate, an ingredient known to irritate sensitive skin. Making your own bubble bath is a great way to avoid this ingredient. Make sure you choose a liquid soap that’s designed for sensitive skin. Ideally, it’s best to choose a liquid soap that you’ve used before with no reactions. Castile soap is a great option. Formulated with hemp, olive and jojoba oils, it is biodegradable, non-toxic and vegan.

Can you use shampoo to make a bubble bath? Technically yes! You can swap out the liquid soap for a shampoo of your choice. Typically, liquid soap or shower gel are formulated with ingredients similar to shampoo. Both reduce the surface tension of the water, which can cause bubbles to form. The choice between liquid soap and shampoo depends only on the availability and preference of ingredients and fragrances.

How to Make a Bubble Bath for Kids Making a bubble bath can be a fun activity to do with kids. Bubble baths for children can be based on the list of ingredients suggested above. Just make sure any additional ingredients you use are safe for sensitive skin. This is especially important if your child has skin problems or allergies. To make bathing even more fun, you can add things like lavender flowers or other petals.

Personalize Your Bubble Bath The best part about creating your own bubble bath? You can customize it however you like. Once you have the original recipe, you can add a whole host of ingredients to spice it up. Essential Oils Adding mild and skin-friendly essential oils like lavender or chamomile is the easiest way to scent your bubble bath. Simply add four to five drops to your carrier oil of choice, then add to your soap mix before pouring into your tub. While research suggests health benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to speak to a doctor before you start using essential oils. Be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil. Other Oils Try adding jojoba, almond, or vitamin E oils for extra nourishment. Remember that oils make your bath slippery, so take extra care when getting in and out. It’s also a good idea to clean the tub afterwards to prevent falls. Honey For a sweet and soothing soak, try adding 1/4 cup of honey to the mixture. Not only does it provide a sweet aroma, but honey also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Egg Whites Many popular home and beauty blogs suggest adding an egg white to a basic bubble bath mix to increase bubbles, although there’s no scientific evidence to support this. Just remember to keep the leftover bubble bath mix in the fridge if you want to save it for later. Otherwise it will spoil. Aloe Vera With its moisturizing and cooling properties, Aloe Vera can be an important skin soother. Adding it to your bath in a foam mix is ​​a great way to reap its benefits. This can be an especially good option for mild sunburn. Coconut Milk Coconut milk is a natural ingredient that can add a decadent and creamy feel to your bath. Although coconut is not technically a nut, some people can be allergic to it. Be sure to test a small area of ​​skin before pouring coconut milk into your bath. Petals For a pretty and fragrant bath, try adding dried flower petals to your mix. Then sit back and enjoy the sensual experience. Many flowers also offer health benefits such as anti-inflammatory and calming properties. You can mix different combinations of flowers and herbs to make your own bath tea. Some good options are: Rose

hibiscus

chamomile

jasmine

lavender

Calendula Magnesium Add a cup of magnesium flakes or Epsom salts to your bubble bath mix or directly to the tub to help relieve sore muscles. Research shows that magnesium can help with hydration and inflammation.

Recipes to try Creamy Honey Bath This recipe combines the scents of almond oil, honey and vanilla into a sweet experience. 1/4 cup sweet almond oil

1/8 cup honey

1/2 cup liquid castile soap

3 tsp. Vanilla Extract You can find the full recipe here. Soothing Bubble Bath for Sleep Time This bath combines vanilla and chamomile to soothe and soothe. 1 cup mild liquid body soap

1/4 cup pure vegetable glycerin or coconut oil

1 teaspoon. pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon. Chamomile essential oil diluted in a carrier oil. You can find the full recipe here. Kid-Friendly Bubble Bath This simple bubble bath is safe and mild for sensitive skin. 1 cup castile soap like Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap, Baby Unscented

1/3 cup vegetable glycerin or coconut oil

1 TBSP. distilled water Mix all ingredients and pour about 1 cup of the bubble bath under running water. Store in a resealable container. Deep Sleep Bubble Bath This bubble bath is designed to help you sleep soundly. 1 cup clear, unscented dish soap

2/3 cup liquid glycerin or coconut oil

1/4 cup water

2-3 drops of lavender essential oil diluted in a carrier oil

sprinkle with dried lavender. You can find the full recipe here. Cooling Bath This bubble bath cools and soothes aching muscles with peppermint, chamomile and Epsom salts. 2 1/2 cups Epsom salt

1/2 cup olive oil

3/4 cup body wash

1 bag of mint tea

1 sachet of chamomile tea

up to 10 drops of your choice of skin-friendly essential oil diluted in a carrier oil. You can find the full recipe here. Unicorn Bubble Bars This is another great option to make with the kids. Use a unicorn shaped cookie cutter to prepare your bath supplies. 1/2 cup bubble bath (see recipes above)

1 cup cornstarch

Soap Dye (pink, blue, and purple)

parchment paper or freezer paper

gloves

Unicorn Cookie Cutters Find the full recipe here. Tropical Bubble Bath This bath exudes the scent of the tropics with coconut and lemongrass. 1/4 cup warm distilled water

1/2 cup liquid soap

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup coconut milk

2-5 drops of Lemongrass essential oil diluted in a carrier oil Mix all ingredients and pour about 1 cup of bubble bath under running water. Store in a resealable container. Romantic Bubble Bath 1/4 cup warm distilled water

1/2 cup liquid soap

1/4 cup glycerin or coconut oil

2-5 drops of rose essential oil diluted in a carrier oil

dried rose petals Mix all ingredients and pour about 1 cup of bubble bath under running water. Store in a resealable container.

Dawn dish soap can be used for many things.

You’ll probably want to clean up dirty dishes after you’ve had lunch together – morning soap can get your dishes sparkling clean.

Thanks to its fat-dissolving properties.

We all know that there are many inorganic substances, chemicals and dyes in these cleaning products and how they can harm our environment.

But is Dawn dish soap biodegradable? Let’s dwell on this topic in more detail.

What is Dawn dishwashing liquid?

To fully understand this, we need to know the basics of dish soap.

The question that should come to your mind is, “What is dish soap made of?”

It’s simply a surfactant made through a process called saponification, which involves mixing fats and oils with a base.

A good example is lye (a mixture of water and ash).

The surfactants reduce the “surface tension” between a liquid and a solid or between two solids.

That is, if you put surfactants on a leaf covered with droplets, you break the surface tension.

The bonds holding the liquid break, causing the water droplets to disappear.

Simply put, the surfactant loosens the dirt on the dishes.

That’s how it works.

So what is Dawn dishwashing liquid? Soap isn’t the only surfactant you can get out there.

There are other types of chemical surfactants.

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is a detergent made from a combination of ingredients (both natural and synthetic). This includes:

sodium dodecylpolyoxyethylene sulfate

sodium lauryl sulfate

sodium chloride

phenoxyethanol

alcohol denatured

lauramine oxide

PSG 26

methylisothiazolinone

Almost all detergents from environmentally conscious manufacturers have natural ingredients.

Others are made by combining synthetic ingredients.

This leaves the eco-friendly debate questionable, but it all depends on your choices.

Is Dawn dish soap biodegradable?

It is 90% biodegradable. In fact, Dawn dish soap contains zero phosphates.

For this reason, morning soap is used as the wildlife cleaner of choice.

Morning soap removes grease after an oil spill without damaging or deteriorating the pet’s skin.

Accordingly, morning soap contains glycerin, a variety of earths, water and oils.

These natural ingredients are used to create safe laundry detergents.

Microbes break down the ingredients. When you add the cleaning products to your compost pile, bacteria and worms will break down the soap into compost.

Is Dawn dish soap environmentally friendly?

It depends on the ingredients. According to the Environmental Working Group, Dawn soap received a “D” grade because it contains methylisothiazolinone.

This is a major concern for environmentally conscious users as it is toxic.

Some concerns include; Allergies, skin irritation and damage to septic systems.

This also contains 1,4-dioxane, which can contaminate the groundwater.

Be careful not to use it every time you clean your dishes. Remember that most of us drink and eat from dishes cleaned with soap.

If the ingredients in soap aren’t safe, we get sick.

The best: Dawn contains no allergens and especially no phosphates.

Dawn says it contains no phthalates and triclosan in its detergents.

Is Dawn dish soap bad for floors?

Dawn dish soap is fairly safe for soil.

It’s a much better alternative to commercial insecticidal cleaning products that we typically use to kill bugs like mites and aphids.

If these abrasive ingredients are left in the soil, they become so toxic that they will even kill your plants.

It is advisable not to use Dawn’s dishwashing detergents, regardless of their natural version.

Instead, use pure organic castile soap to kill insecticides as it is not only natural but also highly effective.

Is Dawn bad for the environment?

Dawn is good at cleaning animals without damaging their skin.

But it’s primarily designed to remove dirt, stains and grease from dishes.

But to balance the surfactants, chemicals are added to detergents to reduce the grease.

If the chemicals are left in the environment for too long, they can harm aquatic life such as fish and marine life.

They can cause fish eggs to die

Stop breeding

May damage fish gills

Most fish have died because of these cleaning agents. If this continues, we might have fewer fish in our rivers and lakes.

Is Dawn dish soap toxic?

Dawn dish soap is toxic. Some synthetic ingredients in it are harmful.

A good example is methylisothiazolinone, which causes aquatic toxicity.

It is also linked to nerve and liver damage.

In addition, the morning meal contains 1,4-dioxane, fragrances and dyes.

All of these are groundwater contaminants.

Use of Dawn dish soap

Removes oil stains from clothing

Unclog toilets

Shower and bath cleaner

Cleaning your furniture and windows

pool cleaner

Clean car tools

Repel and kill insects

Conclusion

When using dish soap, you need to take a few precautions.

Be sure to check the packaging to see the ingredients included.

If dyes, fragrances, phosphates and perfumes are present, consider another choice.

Dawn dish soap is biodegradable, but it has some disadvantages.

So do not throw it directly into rivers, gardens, streams and lakes.

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Let’s discuss everything you need to know about blue Dawn® dishwashing liquid!

Why? Because we share so many cleansing recipes with you that contain blue Dawn®! Many readers over the years have asked why blue Dawn®? Can I use something else?

I’m quick to let them know that I’ve tested all types but prefer blue Dawn® because it works best.

I would like to go into more detail on that! This way you can learn more about WHY everyone loves blue Dawn® and why I prefer it!

By the way, this is not sponsored! Just share why I love it and what you need to know about it!

Everything you need to know about Blue Dawn® dishwashing liquid

Dishwashing detergent belongs to the category of surfactants. Surfactants are pretty neat substances that enable all kinds of cleaning.

Surfactants basically work to reduce the surface tension between two elements such as a solid and a liquid. Part of a surfactant is attracted to water while the other part is attracted to a solid such as dirt, food, or grease. It works to disassemble the item and thus clean it. So we have dishwashing liquid and cleaning products. This is also why so many of our homemade cleaners contain dish soap, it really is the BEST home surfactant you can find.

There are different types of blue Dawn®:

Dawn® Ultra

Regular Dawn® (non-concentrated)

Dawn® Platinum

Most of my solutions contain blue Dawn® Ultra because it is concentrated. The regular Dawn is a non-concentrated version (also called Simply Clean), i.e. more diluted. Platinum Dawn is almost identical to Ultra but contains more surfactants.

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients.

The chemistry of Blue Dawn®

According to the PG website, here are the most active ingredients in Ultra and Platinum. Keep in mind that the other type, not concentrated or just clean as they call it, is just a more diluted version of the Ultra. Next to each chemical in parentheses is the meaning of the ingredient. Dishwashing detergents contain detergents, solvents, pH adjusters, then things for viscosity. All store bought things contain a preservative to keep them fresh! Organic items also contain a preservative. In fact, all of the organic cleaners I’ve looked at contain the same preservative.

Dawn® Ultra

Water (Solvent), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Detergent), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Detergent), Lauramine Oxide (Detergent), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent), Sodium Chloride (Viscosity Adjuster), PPG 26 (Viscosity Adjuster), Sodium Hydroxide (PH Adjuster), Phenoxyethanol (Solvent), Methylisothiazolinone (Preservative)

Further scientific findings and ingredients can be found here in the safety data sheet.

Dawn® Platinum

Water (Solvent), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Detergent), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Detergent), Lauramine Oxide (Detergent), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent), C9 11 Pareth 8 (Detergent), Sodium Chloride (Viscosity Adjuster), Tetrasodium Dicarboxymethylglutamate (Water Softener), Phenoxyethanol (Solvent), Methylisothiazolinone (Preservative)

For more scientific evidence and a breakdown of ingredients, see the SDS sheet here.

As you can see, the difference between these two is that the Platinum version has an additional detergent and water softener! This makes it more powerful for stuck stains or food.

What does that mean?

At first you might look at these ingredients and think WOW, that’s a lot of chemicals! It really isn’t. In fact, these are all non-toxic, safe ingredients. You can look up every single chemical listed on the ingredients list to see that they are all low-toxic and safe. This is even safe to ingest (which is why it is used as a dishwashing detergent). However, you should always be careful when it comes to children and pets. This also applies to things like natural soaps (castile soap).

Don’t let those ingredient names fool you, they’re all real chemical names. Like sodium chloride is salt.

Dawn® is also safe for animals. You’ve probably seen their wildlife campaign. Before making our homemade dog wipes, I asked my vet about using it on dogs. She said yes! Very mild and excellent at cleaning allergens.

Blue Dawn® compared to other dishwashing detergents

When comparing the ingredients in dishwashing detergents, they are all VERY similar. You can scroll through the different types and look at the common ingredients. Some have more preservatives, others more fragrance. Cheap brands usually have more preservatives.

So many years ago I decided to try out a few different brands (before I even had a blog) to see if it made any difference. You can look at the ingredients on each label, but it’s impossible to know the percentage of each one because cleaning detergent ingredient lists don’t mention it. It is not currently required by law. It also doesn’t matter what order they are in, as is the case with skincare ingredients. The only way to know is to TEST it! Which I love to do!

Brands I tested:

Palmolive®

Joy®

Gain®

Ajax®

Results:

The blue Dawn® Ultra, which I use in most of my recipes, cleans better and removes things with less elbow grease. For me, the faster something is cleaned up, the better. Each time, blue Dawn® seemed to get things going faster. Especially in homemade cleaners.

Another result I noticed was more foam but the least residue. It also has a thicker solution. It was also more concentrated, so I liked it better for things like my homemade weed killer.

I’ve been using it ever since!

What about other types of Dawn®?

There are other types with other colors. I haven’t tested all of them, but most of them aren’t concentrated and scented. I prefer not to use them and stick with the original.

What is closest to the dawn?

Many of my readers in other countries have told me they can’t get blue Dawn®, so I always recommend using a concentrated thick dishwashing liquid instead. I can’t say it will be as good in our homemade cleaners, but it will be very similar!

What about castile soap?

Many readers have questions about replacing castile soap with Dawn as a more natural option. I’ve tried castile soap in several homemade recipes and it hasn’t removed stubborn food stains very well. I love castile soap and you’re welcome to try it in one of our recipes, but keep in mind that it won’t be as strong as a surfactant.

Is Blue Dawn® safe for any surface?

Yes! It’s safe for absolutely everything! In fact, I’m about to share a list of how to clean your ENTIRE home with Dawn®! That’s right, all in your home! Check them out for this awesome list.

I also have this awesome SCIENTIFIC DIY cleaning guide with some tips on using dish soap to clean.

What kind of Blue Dawn® should I use?

I’ll share more details on this in my post on cleaning your entire home with Dawn®! I usually use the Ultra for almost everything. The platinum version is nice to have on hand. The Simply Clean also has good uses. Really any of them are good, just look at what I use in homemade cleaners. If you have our eBook, all solutions use ultra 🙂

Now you know why I like blue Dawn®! Remember to come back for the cleaning guide!

And buy our e-book below for the best homemade recipes

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Goals

Make a bubble and understand its structure.

materials

See each recipe for details.

key question

Why does soap form a film?

What does the glycerin do?

What to do

preparation

All-Purpose Bladder Solution

This solution is great for most bubble tricks, activities and experiments.

500ml of water

500ml Johnson’s® baby shampoo

5-15ml glycerin

Mix the ingredients gently and leave the solution for a few hours.

Bouncy bubble solution

You can bounce those bubbles off your clothes!

2 packets of unflavored gelatine (e.g. Knox® brand)

500 ml freshly boiled hot water

500ml Johnson’s® baby shampoo

50-70ml glycerin

1 microwave

Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Add shampoo and glycerine and stir gently. Before using, gently heat in the microwave (about two minutes) as this solution will gel as it cools.

Thick bubble solution

This sticky solution makes bubbles strong enough to withstand a puff of air.

250ml of water

700-750ml Johnson’s® baby shampoo

5-15ml glycerin

Mix the ingredients gently and leave the solution for a few hours.

Another thick bubble solution

This bubble solution works well to create larger and longer lasting bubbles.

450 ml Dawn® dishwashing liquid (blue)

480 ml warm water

1 g (~ about ½ teaspoon) polyethylene oxide. Polyethylene oxide is a cool polymer that helps bubbles to repair themselves and therefore helps bubbles stick around much longer before bursting.

Mix the ingredients gently and leave the solution for a few hours.

extensions

Feeling a little hectic? It sounds like you could use a nice long bubble bath. (Because really, what can’t Oprah’s favorite pastime fix?) But before you grab your fall book and wine case, know that not all bubble bath products are safe…down there. Unfortunately, this means that while this relaxing activity can be a nice part of your self-care routine, it’s not necessarily one doctor-recommended.

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a good soak; you just have to think more carefully about the products. Rather than picking some old-school formula off the shelf, check the label first. (Even luxurious bubble baths can contain harmful additives.) A good bubble bath has a short list of ingredients, including natural, moisturizing oils like jojoba and vitamins like E to help hydrate dry skin. Ideally, bubble baths should also be sulfate-free, paraben-free, or silicone-free — especially if you have sensitive skin, are pregnant, or are bathing a baby or toddler.

Here is a list of the best bubble baths, all of which are gentler and safer for the whole family. (There are even a few salt-based baths for those of you with hard water.)

Has the spacious tub in your master bath collected more dust than bubbles over the past few years? If so, it’s time to reconsider your priorities. Taking a bath offers snazzy health benefits (better circulation! less stress! clean pores!) and it’s also a handy excuse to pop open a bottle of Malbec after a long weekday.

If you’re not a fan of bubble baths, it might be your technique. Read on for the life-changing ways to take a bath properly.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Baby bottles require special care that normal washing-up liquid cannot provide. We’ve made a list of the best baby bottle detergents to help you choose the right one. Although a separate dish soap for the child’s bottles may seem unnecessary, they are necessary to maintain the quality and usefulness of the bottle. These specialty soaps are free from added dyes, harmful chemicals, toxins and more, making them suitable for children’s products. They can keep odors and stains away from the bottle and keep it clean and healthy for the child.

Because breast milk tends to be greasy, it can leave a layer of fat in the bottle that isn’t easy to clean and can result in bottle failure for your child. Therefore, these dish soaps are necessary for thorough cleaning to ensure the health and safety of your child. Check out our list to learn more.

The 15 best washing-up liquids for baby bottles

1. Best Cruelty-Free: Seventh Generation Dishwashing Liquid Soap

This baby bottle soap effortlessly removes stubborn residue and grease and leaves your dishes sparkling like crystal. Although it’s tough on dishes, it’s extremely gentle on your hands as it contains no dyes, fragrances, triclosan or phosphates. It’s formulated with herbal ingredients to keep your baby and hands safe at all times, and it also contains glycerin, which acts as a foam stabilizer. The packaging is made from 86% post-consumer recycled material, of which 97% is recyclable. This video review will help you learn more about the product.

ADVANTAGES:

Hypoallergenic

Vegan

Not tested on animals

Gluten free

Made for sensitive skin

Dermatologically tested

USDA certified bio-based product

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains sulfates

This fragrance-free baby bottle dishwashing liquid comes in an extremely convenient and easy-to-use pump dispenser. It is perfect for washing baby bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups and breast pump components as it completely removes odors and milk residue. Made from plant-based and baby-friendly ingredients, it’s 50% more effective than other brands. You can entrust your precious baby to this dishwashing liquid as it is totally free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, fragrances, synthetic dyes, chlorine, alcohol, formaldehyde, DEA, MEA and TEA. If you’re still unsure, check out this honest review.

ADVANTAGES:

Hypoallergenic

Pediatric tested

Dermatologically tested

Never tested on animals

Winner of the Clean Label Project Purity Award

DISADVANTAGE:

May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin

Quick Tip: No matter what detergent you use to clean your baby’s bottles, it’s important to give the bottle parts a good rinse.

Made with plant-based ingredients, this biodegradable dishwashing liquid effortlessly removes grease, leaving dishes shiny and shiny with no residue. It has a fresh lavender scent and a neutral pH that is gentle on your hands. It contains no animal ingredients, MEA, DEA or artificial colors. Enriched with essential oils, aloe vera extract and glycerin, this baby bottle detergent is also available in other fresh floral scents. Click on this video to learn more about the product.

ADVANTAGES:

Not tested on animals

No parabens

No phthalates

Environmentally friendly

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains fragrance

Formulated with plant-based ingredients, this foaming dishwashing liquid leaves baby bottles, teats, sippy cups and breast pump components sparkling clean with no gel or chemical residue. Completely free of phthalates, phosphates and dyes, it is very safe for your baby and non-irritating to your hands. This hypoallergenic baby bottle dishwasher can also be used for everyday dishes. Because this dish soap contains two detergents, it requires less water for washing and rinsing, saving time.

ADVANTAGES:

Fragrance-free

Not tested on animals

Pediatric tested

Dermatologically tested

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains sulfates

Quick tip: When washing, separate the individual parts of the baby bottle and always use hot water.

This baby bottle cleaner is made with 90% plant-based ingredients and is perfect for cleaning baby bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, breast pump components, silicone bibs and utensils. It is non-irritating to the skin and does not contain harsh chemicals such as phthalates, phosphates, parabens, alcohol, formaldehyde, chlorine, MEA, DEA, TEA and methylisothiazolinone. It gently and effectively cleans your baby’s bottles of milk residue and leaves no smell or taste in the bottle.

ADVANTAGES:

Fragrance-free

No dyes

Recommended by the pediatrician

Dermatologically tested

USDA certified bio-based product

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains sodium lauryl sulfate

Available in a pack of 50, these detergent pads contain plant-based enzymes to quickly remove stubborn stains. Even when the water is hard, the formula of this dish soap cleans baby bottles thoroughly and leaves no residue. These pads can be used on any dishwasher safe dish, whether ceramic, glass, plastic, crystal, silicone, porcelain or metal. This baby bottle dishwashing soap contains no harsh ingredients such as perfume, bleach, sulfates or gluten.

ADVANTAGES:

Hypoallergenic

Biodegradable

Not tested on animals

Contains no dyes

No petroleum based ingredients

DISADVANTAGE:

The pods can produce way too much foam

Quick Tip: Remember to clean your baby’s bottle after each use. Disinfect it regularly if your baby is less than two months old, has a weakened immune system or was born prematurely.

This fragrance-free and hypoallergenic baby bottle dish soap is made with potency

Saponin and other highly efficient plant and mineral ingredients that remove milk residue, fat, bacteria and odors. It is free from harmful chemicals, is very gentle on your hands and has minimal impact on the environment. It leaves no odor or taste in the bottle to discourage your baby from milking. It’s just as effective on sippy cups, pacifiers and breast pump components, leaving them sparkling clean.

ADVANTAGES:

sulfate free

Vegan

Not tested on animals

Ecologo certified

Rated A by EWG for healthy cleaning

DISADVANTAGE:

Does not come with a security seal

With 90% organic ingredients and 70% certified fair trade ingredients, this baby bottle dishwashing liquid is fully biodegradable and vegan. It contains organic oils such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil and jojoba oil. This soap is very safe for the environment, your hands and your baby as it contains no thickeners, preservatives or foaming agents. It is three times more concentrated than most other liquid dish soaps and can also be used for mopping, washing, cleaning and washing pets.

ADVANTAGES:

Versatile

Non GMO

Not tested on animals

Bottle made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic

Includes a 2 ounce travel bottle

DISADVANTAGE:

Some might find the consistency a bit runny.

9. Best for milk residue: Dapple baby bottle and dish soap

The award-winning plant-based formula of this baby bottle soap is perfect for leaving baby bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups and breast pump components shiny and clean. You can say goodbye to smelly bottles that are a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and greasy, cloudy-looking bottles. This dishwashing liquid cuts the milk residue on the sides and bottom of the bottles and leaves no smell or taste in the bottle, which very often can make babies refuse to drink from the bottle. Its natural formula binds calcium and other minerals found in breast and formula milk and flushes them out completely. It contains no harmful chemicals and is completely cruelty-free.

ADVANTAGES:

Free from sulfates

No dyes

paraben free

No phosphates

No phthalates

non-alcoholic

Free from chlorine and formaldehyde

Recommended by the pediatrician

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains benzothiazolinone

10. Best vegan: Elysium Eco World natural liquid baby bottle dishwashing liquid

Keep your baby’s bottles, pacifier and dishes sanitized with this reliable and effective antibacterial baby bottle soap. It is enriched with natural herbal extracts and free from alcohol, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Its powerful organic formula is very gentle on the skin, ensuring your baby stays safe and healthy. Its advanced cleaning formula creates a rich lather and leaves no residue. It also features an ergonomically designed anti-slip pump to ensure the soap doesn’t go to waste, and this also helps save time and effort on rinsing.

ADVANTAGES:

Vegan

Not tested on animals

Environmentally friendly

Enriched with spearmint

non-alcoholic

No toxic chemicals

Recyclable packaging

DISADVANTAGE:

Some may find the scent too strong.

11. Best Natural Fragrance: Mamaforest Pink Heaven Natural Dish Bar

This sterilizing dish soap comes in a pack of 3 soaps, 5.29 ounces each, along with a tray and contains organic essential oils. Enriched with Grapefruit Peel Oil, Argon Oil, Coconut Oil, Calamine, Natural Glycerin, Salt and Black Sugar, it is very gentle on your hands and is safe to use on baby food products, fruits and vegetables. This baby bottle cleaning soap takes care of germs like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli to keep your baby safe. It also prevents hands from drying out and does not cause skin irritation. This natural soap is made by hand using the cold-press process and contains no sulfates, parabens, dyes, phosphates or triclosan. With excellent protein solubility, this natural soap is very effective for washing dishes.

ADVANTAGES:

Vegan

100% natural fragrance

Contains no surfactants

Leaves no residue

Doesn’t melt in water

USDA certified

EWG green quality ingredients

Based on natural, biodegradable principles

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains palm oil

This plant-based and biodegradable baby bottle dishwashing liquid is extremely gentle and effective at fighting and removing stubborn milk residue and stains. Because it has a non-lathering formula, it rinses out quickly, saving both water and time washing dirty bottles, teats, sippy cups and pacifiers. It comes in a pack of 3 16oz bottles and has a mild bamboo scent. It contains herbal ingredients and is enriched with essential oils of cypress, bergamot and tangerine.

ADVANTAGES:

Not tested on animals

Quality ingredients

sulfate free

paraben free

Phthalate free

No phosphates

No dyes

DISADVANTAGE:

The scent may not please everyone.

Add a shine to your baby’s bottles, pacifiers, teats, dishes and breast pump components with this baby bottle soap and dishwashing liquid, which comes in a pack of 6 bottles, 17 ounces each. The concentrated formula of this liquid dishwashing detergent wraps a plant-based formula in a gentle and effective fragrance-free liquid. Now you can get rid of stubborn stains, milk fat and grease with just one drop of the liquid, without worrying about your baby’s safety or an aftertaste or odor that might put your baby off the bottle.

ADVANTAGES:

Hypoallergenic

Vegan

Not tested on animals

Gluten free

Gray water and septic safe

Sustainably produced

Powered by 100% renewable energy

USDA certified bio-based product

US EPA Safer Choice certified

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains preservatives

You no longer have to worry about what your baby is eating because this dish soap contains only food-safe and herbal ingredients. The soap rinses off easily with no residue and is perfect for baby bottles, sippy cups, breast pump accessories, pacifiers and even regular tableware. It contains only pure essential oils and the best ingredients from controlled organic cultivation. It is also free from dyes, parabens, sulfates, silicones, artificial fragrances and phthalates. This washing-up liquid for baby bottles effectively removes stubborn stains and milk residues and leaves no odor or aftertaste.

ADVANTAGES:

Hypoallergenic

pH balanced

Not tested on animals

Vegan

Gluten free

Dermatologically tested

Recommended by the pediatrician

Ideal for sensitive skin

DISADVANTAGE:

It has a mild scent.

15. Best for Sensitive Skin: Frog Baby Cleansing Liquid

This baby bottle dishwashing liquid has a unique plant-based formula to pamper your skin during use as it is enriched with provitamin B5. Gentle on your skin, it effectively removes milk and food residue from baby bottles, teats, pacifiers, washable toys and other dishes, and rinses off completely without leaving any residue, odor or aftertaste. It is perfect for removing stubborn stains and is free from harsh chemicals, dyes, perfumes, borate, phosphates, EDTA, formaldehyde and halogenated organic compounds. It contains vegetable surfactants that are 100% biodegradable and certified for 100% sustainability. It comes in sustainable packaging made from 100% recycled PET, developed through the Recyclate program.

ADVANTAGES:

Not tested on animals

100% vegan formula

Hypoallergenic

Neutral pH

Suitable for sensitive skin

Dermatologically tested

EU Ecolabel certified

DISADVANTAGE:

Contains some amphoteric surfactants

Now that you’ve reviewed our review of the 15 best baby bottle washing-up liquids, let us tell you how to choose the best one so you can have sparkling clean bottles while always keeping your baby safe and secure.

How to choose the right baby bottle detergent

ingredients

All ingredients should be natural as your baby could swallow them and suffer a reaction or allergy if not washed properly. Many dish soaps are packed with chemicals that not only harm your hands but also get on your dishes, especially if you washed the bottles in a hurry. Harsh ingredients can cause health problems if small amounts are taken over a long period of time. They are also not environmentally friendly as these chemicals eventually end up in the water supply. Try to choose unscented soaps as they can get on bottles too. Glass bottles work best if you want scented soap but don’t want the scent to transfer to the bottle.

Clean milk fat

Milk fats tend to leave a film of milk and sometimes trap milk at the bottom of the bottle. Choose a soap that can get rid of milk residue as this will help the bottle last longer.

Antibacterial

It is extremely important to choose a detergent that also kills the bacteria in the bottle. While you obviously want your baby’s bottle to be bacteria-free, remember that ingredients used for this purpose, such as benzalkonium chloride and triclosan, can be very harmful. High exposure to these chemicals can compromise the immune system.

On a plant basis

Choose an organic plant-based or plant-based liquid soap as it is hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals.

Why trust MomJunction?

We have made a list of the best baby bottle dishwashing liquids that are chemical free and naturally formulated with other necessary factors. We’ve gone through multiple parental reviews and product quality parameters from numerous trusted websites to understand the concerns that come with choosing the right baby bottle soap. The article includes a detailed description of each product, a buying guide, and an FAQ section for your convenience and help.

Frequently Asked Questions 1. How do I properly wash baby bottles with washing-up liquid? It’s important to use the right cleaning dish soap, designed exclusively for baby bottles, and to use a bottle brush on the sides and bottom of the bottle. Such soaps are non-toxic, gentle and leave no residue. Take the bottle apart and wash the bottle, teat and ring separately, rinse thoroughly with hot water and allow to dry completely. If the bottle is dishwasher safe, you can also clean it in the dishwasher. 2. Can I use normal baby bottle dishwashing liquid? The problem with regular cleaning products is that they contain harsh ingredients that have been linked to endocrine disruptors, skin irritation and allergic reactions. They often don’t cut through the grease on the sides of the bottle, making it difficult to rinse off completely and leaving a residue. Chemicals from dishwashing detergent can leach onto it and contaminate the bottle.⁠

Baby bottles can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold if not washed properly. You don’t always think about getting a special baby bottle detergent until you suddenly realize that soap residue is making the bottles look dirty and cloudy. They can leave an odor or taste that could put your baby off milk. Dish soaps specially formulated for washing baby bottles are gentle, non-toxic, effortlessly cut through breast milk or formula milk and leave no residue. A good baby bottle cleaner is a must when making the switch to formula milk, and we hope our review of the 15 best baby bottle dishwashing liquids will help you with that.

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After a long, hard day, there’s nothing like a relaxing soak to boost your mood and prepare you for tomorrow’s hurdles. A blissful bath time can only be enhanced with candles, quality reading material and of course plenty of fizzy water. When it comes to bath bubbles, it seems the bigger the better. With scientific studies confirming that bubble baths can retain heat longer than a bubble-free bath. But how do you make big bubbles in your bath? We’ll see if there are any tips or tricks, including how to make your own DIY bubble bath.

See Also: World’s Bathing Habits [Infographic]

The science behind the bubble bath

Bubble bath contains foaming surfactants. These are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids. This basically means that when the bubble bath hits the water, bubbles will form and be hit by the force of more water filling the tub. Scienceline.org says, “A bubble is formed when two layers of soap molecules sandwich a layer of water molecules, forming a molecular sandwich.”

How to make big bubbles

With this in mind, it seems that the more movement or splashing, the more bubbles are created. To create an optimal amount of foam, it is advisable to wait until there is a few inches of water in the tub before adding your chosen bubble bath. As you fill your bubble bath, add it slowly and directly under the running water. The stronger the water pressure, the more bubbles appear.

To increase the suds, quickly run your fingers through the liquid under the faucet, adding more bubble bath if needed, before turning off the faucet. If you have a spa bath, you increase your chances of getting big bubbles as the bubbles keep getting bigger thanks to the power of the jets.

How to make a DIY bubble bath

Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home, writes for realsimple.com sharing tips on making your own bubble bath. Just use half a cup of liquid soap that best suits your body. ‘Muscle cramp? Add some sea salt or Epsom salt. Dry skin? Add natural oil. stressed? Try a calming scent like vanilla or lavender.”

Add a tablespoon of sugar or honey depending on your preference. Sugar can act as a natural exfoliant, while honey helps keep your skin moisturized and soft. After that, add an egg white to the mixture. As bizarre as it sounds, the egg whites help create stronger, more durable bubbles for a relaxing bubble bath.

Also see: Transform your bathroom into a personal sanctuary

Other tips

If you’re longing for the perfect relaxing bath, you can dim the lights, add a surplus of candles, and try bath salts, among other things. Bath salts help relax your muscles, which is especially useful after a hard workout or a long day on your feet. They also help reduce inflammation, which helps you wind down before bed. Also, close your eyes when you are in the tub. You can even try using cucumber slices over your eyelids for ultimate relaxation.

Now that you know how to make big bubbles, which bath is best to dive into? Freestanding bath, corner bath or Bette steel bath

My life’s work is to perfect the art and science of incredible bathing. So, of course, one of the most common questions I get is how to make a bubble bath more bubbly.

To make a more bubbly bath, your bubble bath should contain a surfactant. This is the ingredient that allows water molecules to stretch and form bubbles. You also need to force air into the soapy water molecules. More air results in a more bubbly bubble bath. Pour bubble bath into the bathtub under the tub spout while the water fills the tub. The pressure of the water sends air into the bubbles.

Let’s take a quick look at the science of bubbles, and then I’ll recommend a DIY bubble bath recipe, along with some of my favorite, fizziest, store-bought bubble baths. After that, I’ll reveal my secret technique on how to make the most bubbly bubble bath ever.

The Science of Bubbles

You need a few basic ingredients to create a soap bubble: soap, water, and air. A bubble is basically a very thin layer of water trapped between two layers of soap. The soapy water and soap sandwich creates the surface of a bubble.

What are surfactants?

But in order for the bubble to form a spherical shape, you need to add one more ingredient to the soap and water. It is called a surfactant. The surfactant is a chemical agent that imparts extensibility to the surface of the water molecules, allowing them to expand into a bubble shape.

There are several ingredients that you can use as surfactants. Two popular choices sound the same but are quite different. An artificial surfactant ingredient is named Sulfo Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), while a natural surfactant ingredient is named Sulfo Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa).

It’s easy to confuse the two just because they sound so similar. But not!

SLS is much cheaper to get, so it’s often added to store-bought bubble baths.

However, the more expensive surfactant SLSa is a natural ingredient derived from coconuts and palm oil. It’s superior, phosphate-free, non-toxic and makes great blisters without irritating your skin.

Other surfactants used in bubble baths, foam sticks, and bath bombs include: decyl glucoside, made from fruit and plant sugars; PEG 40 Castor Oil, also known as POE 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil; and sodium cocoyl isethionate, also called SCI.

For more information on bubble bath ingredients and preservatives, see my post Does bubble bath expire? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes!

What about the air in bubbles?

There is an air bubble in the center of each bubble. The more air you add to your soapy solution, the more bubbles—and the bigger bubbles—you can create.

Consider blowing a bubble in a piece of gum. First, you chew the gum to make it soft and stretchy. Then you blow air in. The more air you blow, the bigger the bubble gets.

There are many ways to “blow” more air into your bubble bath solution than simply pouring it into the bathwater. If you add your bubble bath directly under the tub spout as your bath fills, the pressure of the water on the bubble bath solution will force air into your bubbles. You’ll end up with a more bubbly bubble bath if you add your product to the bath this way.

At the end of this post, I show you the best way in the world to get the most bubbly bubble bath ever by forcing even more air into the soapy water solution. But now let’s take a look at a DIY bubble bath that you can easily make with just a few ingredients.

DIY Bubble Bath Recipe – Rosy Bubbles

I love this recipe because it smells great and makes lots of long lasting bubbles. Plus, I can whip it up in less than 5 minutes. Here’s everything you need:

Ingredients/Materials:

It is important to add the ingredients in the order listed. Use a whisk to mix each ingredient into the mixture.

directions:

Heat the water in the microwave or on the stovetop to almost boiling. Dissolve the SLSA in the hot water and mix with the whisk. Melt coconut oil on the stovetop or heat the coconut oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add rose essential oil to coconut oil. whisk. Stir the oil mixture into the SLSA mixture. Add soap color. Whisk again. Pour liquid into mason jars with tight-fitting lids and shake well. Optional: For a creamy consistency, chill bubble bath in containers for 1 hour and then shake vigorously. (Note the clock: do not refrigerate any longer as the mixture will set.)

Store in an airtight jar in a dark, cool place for up to 3 months.

You might want to open windows or put on a face mask while making this recipe as SLSa is a very fine powder. Picking it up can launch clouds of powder that will make you cough.

For a longer-lasting bubble bath, you need to add a preservative. Read more about bubble bath preservatives here.

Once you’ve made Rosy Bubbles and see how pretty it looks, you’ll want to gift some to your favorite bather. But keep something for yourself too!

Warning: If you have young children, this bubble bath may look like a delicious fruit punch to them. Keep it far out of reach!

How to use Rosy Bubbles:

Shake your bubble bath container well. Then pour ¼ to ½ cup of Rosy Bubbles under the tub spout as your bath fills. Enjoy!

My favorite bubble baths from the store

You don’t get a lot of good news these days, so it’s my great pleasure to share some with you: My current all-time favorite bubble baths for making tons of bubbles are both absolutely amazing and really inexpensive (under $15), which is the Soap bubble concerns bath concerns.

Deep steep rosemary mint bubble bath

Can you imagine how incredible this bubble bath smells? I mean if you like the scents of rosemary and mint then you will absolutely love this.

Second, while it doesn’t contain any nasty things like parabens and sulfates, it does contain ingredients that your skin will absorb, like argan oil, shea butter, and aloe. Your skin feels soft and silky after the bath.

Third, and most important for our purposes, this bubble bath gives off a stunning looking bubble. Well, millions actually. They are the kind that gleam in different colors and pile on top of each other in perfectly formed bubbling mounds.

You can get Deep Steep Rosemary Mint Bubble Bath here on Amazon.

Alpen Secrets milk foam bath with lavender

Okay, so this isn’t called “bubble bath,” it’s called “bubble bath.” I think that’s because the bubbles it makes are super tiny. So when you get a bazillion of these, they make a thick, luxurious lather.

But believe me folks, what you have here is a multitude of miniature bubbles in all their glorious beauty.

I once sat down with a medical esthetician named Ann Webb to talk about moisturizing your skin in the tub. (You can read Ann’s expert advice here.) Anyway, I wish I had known about Alpen Secrets lavender milk foam bath at the time because I would have urged her to study it, dissect it, and reveal to me exactly what Alpen’s secrets are !

While I would love the recipe for this bubble bath, all I know is that it’s paraben-free. And it’s made with lavender, goat’s milk, vitamin E, and aloe vera. And it makes the biggest, smoothest, most decadent teen bubbles.

You can get Alpen Secrets milk foam bath with lavender here on Amazon.

The secret to the most bubbly bubble bath ever

Alpen isn’t the only one with a secret. I have one too. I really have solved the secret of the most bubbly bubble bath ever. don’t believe me Watch the video below and be amazed!

The Serene Life Electric Bubble Bath Mat is honestly the funnest product you could ever buy – and it’s super handy too. It literally turns your bathtub into a jacuzzi. It attaches to the bottom of your slightly damp tub with dozens of suction cups.

Then turn on the power and about 50 jets propel tiny bubbles off the mat and onto your back. If your back, hips or thighs are sore, prepare for an amazing full body massage.

Pure awesomeness

Now can you imagine what happens when you put a bubble bath under the spout of your running tub while turning on the electric bubble bath mat? Let’s just say it’s pure awesomeness.

When I first did this, I didn’t know what would happen. I added some bubble bath and turned on the electric bathmat. Then I went to the kitchen to get a snack. A few minutes later my dog ​​Athena started barking wildly.

I ignored them at first and kept piling bananas on top of my bread and Nutella. But as Athena kept barking, I put my sandwich down to see what was happening on the other side of the house.

Secret revealed!

I tracked the barking to the bathroom and lo and behold, Athena was just as amazed as I was. What we found were floor to ceiling bubbles!

My son, who was 15 at the time, thought it was super cool too! So we both put on our bathing suits and stood together in the sky-high bubbles.

Since then I’ve learned to take less bubble bath when using the electric bath mat at the same time. But I often let the bubbles rise a few feet above the surface of the bathwater just because bathing in a bubble cave is way too much fun!

Try a Turkish bath: all bubbles, hardly any water

Have you ever heard of a Turkish bath? It mainly uses bubbles and hardly any water. Plus, it has many incredible benefits like detoxification, reduced muscle pain, and improved sleep.

Once you know how to make a great bubble bath, you’ll be ready to recreate the delights of the Turkish bathhouse or hammam right in your own home. To read all about how to do this, see my post How to Get Huge Benefits of a Turkish Bath at Home. If you love an adventure in bubbles, this is the bathing experience for you!

Best gift for bath lovers

Would you like to send a very special gift to a bath lover? How about a subscription to a swimming box! Your recipient will receive a box of 6-10 awesome (yes, I’m serious!) bath products from indie shops, including bubble bath, bubble bars, and bath bombs. Get a quarterly or monthly subscription and send your love in a box!

Read my full review of Bath Bevy’s subscription boxes. And for more gift ideas, read my post The 10 Best Gifts for Bath Lovers.

So how do you make a bubbly bubble bath?

Use your knowledge of bubbles to create the most fizzy bubble bath ever! Add a surfactant and then air pressure to any DIY project. Once you have your fizziest bubble bath, soak, giggle in it and enjoy!

Do you love taking bubble baths but don’t like all the chemicals in many store-bought bubble baths? You can make your own with just a few ingredients, many of which you already have on hand. If you make your own bubble bath, you can further customize it to suit your needs. In this article, you will learn how to make your own bubble bath. It will also give you some recipe ideas. However, keep in mind that your homemade bubble bath may not produce as much foam as store-bought ones.

Does soap meant to break up bacon grease and wash away sticky peanut butter harm your sensitive hands?

You’re standing at the kitchen sink needing to wash your hands after slicing an onion or wiping another sneeze from your toddler’s face. But the only side of the soap sink is the same dish soap you use to clean your dishes. This begs the question: can you wash your hands with detergent? Or should you only wash your hands with designated body soap; either cash or liquid? Here’s the answer from Kally Papantoniou, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City and Long Island.

Just because a soap is advertised primarily for washing dishes doesn’t mean it can’t clean your hands, says Dr. Papantoniou. The good news: regular washing with dish soap should adequately remove most bacteria.

But there are a few buts:

When reading labels on dishwashing liquid, remember this: It’s difficult to remove grease from plates without removing the natural oils directly from your hands, explains Dr. Papantoniou. If you regularly wash your hands with dish soap, opt for a “milder” dish soap like Dawn Ultra, which is less drying on hands, she says.

Do you have dry skin or eczema? You need to be even more careful when removing natural oils for your skin. If you have a flare-up, you may want to seek out a gentler hand soap.

While it’s okay to wash your hands with dish soap, that doesn’t mean you can go wild and use it in place of your shower gel. “Using dish soap on the rest of your body will likely be too harsh and dry out on more sensitive skin,” says Dr. Papantoniou.

If you buy this hand soap, Dr. Papantoniou to stay away from antibacterial hand soap. “There can be toxic chemicals in these soaps that could pose potential health risks, and second, a balance of bacteria on our skin is actually beneficial and should be encouraged.” Your choices for those with eczema or dry skin are Vanicream Cleansing Bar or the Cetaphil -Skin cleanser. “For patients with sensitive skin, I recommend using these milder detergents to avoid drying out the skin.” Here are actual handwashing mistakes you may be making.

The not-so-secret secret of Dawn dishwashing liquid’s superior quality.

dcwcreations/Shutterstock

Dawn dish soap

Say the brand name and you know the product: Kleenex, band-aids, cotton swabs, Pampers and – of course – Dawn. For many, Dawn dishwashing liquid is the best soap for removing grease and grime from even your dirtiest dishes. Enthusiast testimonials can point to its unbeatable foam quality or its heartwarming story of saving animal lives. But… why is the foam so great? After some research by a non-scientist, there are a few theories as to why Dawn dish soap is the soap of all soaps for not only washing dishes but protecting your plants, treating laundry and cleaning your toilet.

Get Dawn dish soap on Amazon.

Dawn isn’t the only tool for a surprisingly amazing clean – try one of these 25 other magical cleansing hacks.

The scientific difference

When you don’t spend your days as a chemist (cool!), the actual science behind Dawn dishwashing liquid gets a little complex for the layman at home. But, simply put, there is a secret ingredient. While the full “recipe” is inaccessible to the masses, a spokeswoman for Dawn has pointed the magic to uniquely powerful surfactants — or the chemical compounds that lower a liquid’s surface tension as it dissolves, aka the stuff that fat cuts. One of those very special surfactants? A small amount of petroleum. Unfortunately, aside from this truth, there is little research to satiate our curiosity about the heroic nature of Dawn dish soap.

The secret to shiny windows according to the pros? Dusk.

The marketing genius

Crowned as the strongest, gentlest soap for wildlife in the 1970’s, Dawn has remained unrivaled ever since. When Proctor & Gamble donated massive amounts of foam after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1988, they launched a campaign that has carried them to the present day. And let’s face it, this campaign works. When you walk past Dawn’s dishwasher detergent bottles in stores, you might see the fluffy duck on the bottle and remember the commercials where Dawn heroically transformed a sad and oil-covered chick into an adorable, happy and fluffy chick. P&G masterfully appeals to logic (I need the strongest soap that can do the job) and emotion (if it’s gentle enough for animals, it has to be gentle enough for my family). By connecting to everyone’s emotional decision-making centers, they stand out from the dishwashing crowd.

Never forget to use dish soap instead of your dishwasher for these ten things.

When you empty your next bottle of Dawn dish soap, use it as this helpful tool!

Each product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may receive an affiliate commission.

Wash the dishes. You probably haven’t given it much thought, but it’s a chore that is performed on a daily basis in almost every household. It starts with a squirt of dish soap, a few sponge strokes, followed by a water rinse. But the conventional dish soap you used? It doesn’t all wash off. In fact, it leaves toxic chemical residues on your dishes and glasses that pose significant long-term health risks.

Bad grades for conventional detergents

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) evaluated 326 dishwashing detergents and assigned each a hazard class from A to F, with A being the safest and F the most toxic. About 65% received a D or F, including many of the big conventional detergent brands you may be familiar with. Unfortunately, there are no national requirements for listing ingredients on detergent labels. Cleaning product manufacturers can use almost any ingredient in their formulations, including those that are known to be harmful. When ingredients are listed, they can often be vague and misleading. So how do you identify harmful, toxic chemicals when you don’t have a team of scientists to help you? Read on for a primer.

Know your cleanliness

Smarter dishwashing starts with recognizing the harmful toxic ingredients that may be left on your dishes and/or absorbed or absorbed by your skin. You should avoid the following:

DEAs, MEAs, TEAs – (aka ethanolamines) – These known carcinogens are still commonly found in household products like dish soap, laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners. Some, like Cocamide DEA, are used as leavening agents; others are used as surfactants and emulsifiers to make it easier to mix soap with water. 1,4-Dioxane – A known carcinogen and neurotoxin that, even in small amounts, can cause skin, eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, drowsiness, headache, and dizziness. Look for ingredients with “eth” like “laureth” and “ethoxy” as well as “polyethylene glycol” or “PEG” ingredients.

Dyes – Dyes in dish soap, often added to your counter for their aesthetic appeal, can contain irritating compounds like benzidine, a known carcinogen. They have also been linked to many mood disorders such as hyperactivity. Many dyes commonly found in goods sold in America are banned in other countries for health reasons. Most dyes are listed by their color name, such as B. “FD&C Blue” or “Yellow-5”.

Formaldehyde (and formaldehyde donors such as DMDM ​​hydantoin (DMDMH)) – Used as a preservative, it is a very toxic respiratory tract irritant and a known carcinogen that can be absorbed through the skin. Difficult to spot, but some of the most common chemical names to look out for are bronopol, diazolidinyl urea, disteardimonium hectoride, imidazolidinyl urea, methylene glycol, nitromethylidynetrimethanol, and quaternium-15.

Phthalates – These well-known endocrine disruptors are linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. ( https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm Typically found in synthetic fragrances, they disrupt hormones that are essential to nearly all biological processes and enable the body to function.

washing dishes 101

Here are some smart, simple ways to safely clean your dirty dishes that are also kinder to people and the planet.

Look for products licensed by the U.S. EPA certified as a Safer Choice. It’s a great way to find dish soap and other cleaning products that use the safest ingredients in their class, meet high standards of performance, and avoid potentially toxic ingredients.

Look for dye-free dish soaps. Dyes are not necessary for a product to work well.

Clean your sink or dishwashing tub daily! Several studies have found that kitchen sinks are among the dirtiest places in your home, harboring more germs – like E.coli – than your toilet!

Spend less time at the sink and save water by soaking your dishes. Scrape off any leftover food first, then soak the dishes in a kitchen sink or dishwashing tub with just enough warm, soapy water to cover them. Then quickly scrub and rinse to speed up washing up while avoiding excessive water consumption.

Clean your sponge and scrub brushes. A five-minute soak in white vinegar for brushes and a minute or two in the microwave for sponges will do (make sure they’re very wet at first!). Replace regularly. Or even better, use dishcloths made from natural fibers that can be washed. Rotate daily with a clean rag to avoid bacteria build-up.

The safer way of doing dishes

Are you looking for a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional dish soap? ECOS® Dishmate® detergent and the powerful ECOS® Wave® dishwashing gel are Safer Choice certified. Made without DEAs, MEAs, TEAs, 1,4-dioxane, dyes, formaldehyde or phthalates, they safely fight grease and dirt, are gentle on the skin and are gray water resistant.

ECOS is so committed to using safe ingredients that we’ve compiled a list of 500 known toxins – also known as “the Nasties” – that we promise never to use in our products. Check out the list here: https://www.ecos.com/all/our-never-list-the-nasties. We hope it helps you find products that are better for you, your home and our planet.

When I tell you I shocked my colleagues, I mean I shocked my colleagues.

I’m almost too ashamed to say why. Nearly.

But fuck it: Occasionally I washed my face with dish soap. This wasn’t a daily routine, mind you, but something I would do whenever my face was feeling particularly oily or dirty.

So yeah, friends, co-workers, my own fiancee — “Tim, you don’t tell people that” — were all concerned that I was scrubbing my face with Dawn and Palmolive. But I didn’t mind. I was part of the Skincare Darkweb(™) and didn’t need the internet’s over-the-top, fancy routines of serums, creams, masks and other things I didn’t understand.

An example of my co-workers’ utter disbelief in my skin care routine. Image credit: Tim Marcin / Slack screenshot / Mashable

To be fair, aside from the perpetually flushed cheeks, I’ve been fortunate to have had relatively clear skin my entire life. Even in my teenage years, I didn’t have much acne. I’ve never been to a dermatologist. So my entire adult life, my skincare routine has basically consisted of washing my face and body (and my hair in college) with whatever body wash was in the shower at the time.

I picked up the dish soap maneuver from an article by Amanda Mull in Mel Magazine, which portrayed the idea as one man’s utterly lopsided affair. Mull wrote that it was “damn wild for want of a better description”.

“I just want to point out that they use over-the-counter dish soap to clean animals that get caught in oil spills!” said the man, identified only as a 33-year-old named Barry. “If it’s good enough for her, it’s more than good enough for me.”

That made sense to me. So I did. I’m not sorry.

To be clear, I didn’t necessarily think my dish soap routine was good or right, I just didn’t want to do anything else. Over time – and after assimilating the terror of people smarter than me – I decided that maybe I was short-sighted. Or at least I should try something else. Having absolutely no skincare routine is probably not ideal. I didn’t think I’d ever be the type of person to go through an elaborate, 20-minute skincare ordeal, but it might be worth seeing if basic products and a simple routine beat Dawn.

So I turned to an expert. Well, I met an expert who knows experts, Mashable’s own Chloe Bryan, who was aware of and upset about my crappy skincare habits. She was happy – no relieved – to help, which led to me contacting Dr. Jeremy Fenton of the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York.

Photo credit: Slack Screenshot / Mashable

First: Dr. Fenton wasn’t exactly appalled by my dish soap practice. He sounded more incredulous, like the hell why even think about it.

“Dish soap is designed to be extremely efficient at removing grease, which is oil,” he explained. “It’s not designed to be gentle on your skin. It’s designed to harm your pots and pans.”

In short, removing that much oil from your face risks making your face more sensitive to irritation. It could also change the pH of your face, making your skin less acidic and less protective.

Luckily, dr. Fenton explains the basics of what I should be doing instead. I would need a toner, moisturizer, zinc sunscreen and retinol. I would wash my face twice a day, moisturize at least twice a day, use sunscreen every day, and use retinol every other day.

For the toner and moisturizer, Dr. Fenton, I don’t need to go wild and spend a lot of money. He recommended three major brands: Neutrogena, Cetaphil, and CeraVe. None of the products were super expensive and the face washes came in different styles for dry or oily skin.

“I usually tell people, ‘You don’t need a fancy toner. You just need something gentle to cleanse your skin twice a day,'” said Dr. fenton “And moisturizer is obviously important. Again, I usually tell people that if your goal is simply to keep your skin hydrated, you don’t need to spend a lot of money.”

After a little reading, I ordered Neutrogena Face Wash ($5.97) (opens in a new tab) and Cetaphil Moisturizer ($12.88) (opens in a new tab) from Amazon. I wish I was joking, but I was shocked—really shocked—to learn that face specific moisturizers existed. I used to just apply petroleum jelly aloe lotion (opens in a new tab) when my face felt particularly dry. (By the way, I still maintain that this is a very good lotion.)

My toner. Photo credit: Amazon / Screenshot

My moisturizer. Photo credit: Amazon / Screenshot

The place where you might need to spend a little more money, said Dr. Fenton, was buying retinol — a serum meant to smooth and refine your skin’s texture — and sunscreen, both of which are helpful for anti-aging. And yes, Rihanna is right. dr Fenton insisted that I wear sunscreen every day.

“You just make it part of your normal routine, whether it’s raining, cloudy, or winter, if you get outside for just a minute,” said Dr. Fenton, adding that even if you’re just by a window you need sunscreen. He suggested a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF that contains zinc oxide as the only active ingredient.

“Zinc oxide gives you broad spectrum coverage, it doesn’t degrade in sunlight and it’s the least irritating,” explained Dr. fenton

This too was a complete lifestyle change. I’m white, but relatively olive-colored due to my Italian heritage, and I didn’t really wear sunscreen unless I planned to be on the beach all day. Even then, I would usually go with SPF 15 because I still wanted to get a tan. I was overwhelmed that I was apparently being reckless. Oops.

After buying sunscreen I got a retinol which I used every other night because it kind of dried out my skin. dr Fenton said it was a powerful anti-aging tool.

“Retinols have been shown to not only improve skin’s appearance in the short-term by exfoliating, removing some pigment irregularities, and making fine lines and wrinkles look better — but also in the long-term to help promote collagen production and improve skin’s recovery from damage,” he said.

I decided to purchase a Neutrogena Sunscreen with SPF 50 ($10.97) (opens in a new tab) and a CeraVe Retinol Serum ($16.97) (opens in a new tab). In total I spent $46.79. dr Fenton also suggested maybe trying an antioxidant serum, but that shit was way too expensive for my liking.

I’m not sure how long my four items will last, but I’ve been doing the routine for a month now and I’m nowhere near finished with any of the products. I have a feeling that’s not a bad deal.

My sunscreen. Photo credit: Amazon / screenshot

My retinol. Photo Credit: Amazon / Screenshot

I followed dr. Fenton’s advice was fairly conscientious for about a month, although I got confused a few times and forgot which day to apply the retinol.

Going into this, I felt that having a routine would require more work. Maybe that’s because I had read so much about skincare online and knew there was this whole complicated subculture. But washing my face twice a day, applying some creams didn’t seem like too much. I would say it was a total of five minutes of effort per day.

Still, I would get angry sometimes. I slipped into bed and thought, “Shit, I forgot to wash my face.” I would have to sneak into the bathroom and wash my face, then put lotion on.

ok, did it work? Perhaps I do not know?

I haven’t noticed any shocking changes in my face. But then again, acne has never been a big problem for me. I occasionally get pimples that appeared about a week into my new routine. This drove me crazy – of course I quit dish soap and then BAM – but I think that was mostly coincidence.

Otherwise everything looked normal, maybe a little better. I may have blushed a little from the retinol, but my face has always had reddish bumps and rosy cheeks. Here are photos from the beginning and end of my experience. I’d say there haven’t been any drastic changes other than my at-home buzzcut and a shave. If anything, I notice a little less mottle, but that could also be a product of the lighting.

Left: A detergent user. Right: A person using products intended for the face. Credit: Tim Marcin / Mashable

Now, I’m not saying that using the right products won’t help. Body wash, dish soap, and aloe lotion is an idiotic skincare routine. I am aware. I’m just saying that a month in it makes no difference.

And not for nothing, when I asked my fiancee if she’d noticed a difference, she said, “Yeah, maybe.” I suspect that was a white lie to reinforce non-disordered behavior in the future.

While the aesthetic differences weren’t massive, my skin felt slightly different. I noticed that it felt smoother, a bit cleaner, the right amount of oil. I was also more aware when it dried up.

I probably won’t be so regimented with my skincare routine in the future. I will definitely continue to use the toner. Honestly, it just feels good to use a gentle scrub. I suspect I’ll be using the moisturizer fairly regularly, sometimes putting on sunscreen and using retinol if I remember. But if I forget to wash my face and I’m already in bed, you can bet I’ll be covered up from now on.

And as for dish soap. I guess I’ll have to listen to the doctor.

“Save the dish soap for the dishes,” said Dr. fenton