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The humble dishwasher deserves the best cruelty-free (and vegan) dishwasher cleaners.
Quality all-in-one dishwasher tablets typically contain rinse aid and salt, so are a fantastic all-purpose cleaning solution. And our absolute go-to for sparkling plates.
But every so often you may need to go the extra mile. A few water spots here. Caked on grime there. And a little extra elbow grease, rinse aid and salt wouldn’t go amiss.
What’s on this page?
The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Dishwasher Tablets & Pods
Smol Dishwasher Tablets
Smol Dishwasher Tablets are a super effective, cruelty-free dishwasher cleaning solution.
Voted the best dishwasher tablets by BBCGoodFood, Smol have created an excellent value, high performance dishwasher tablet.
- £2
- 9 washes
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- FSC-certified
- Plastic-free
- Safe for septic tanks
Ecozone Classic Dishwasher Tablets
Ecozone’s Classic Dishwasher Tablets is a plant-based dishwashing solution that is one of the toughest cruelty-free dishwashing tablets on the market.
With a gentle rinse beforehand, these tablets have cut through really tough stains on pans and plates.
- £11.99
- 72 tablets
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Allergy-friendly
- Non-toxic – harmful chemical and residue-free
- Safe for septic tanks
Ecover Zero Dishwasher Tablets
A firm cruelty-free favourite of ours, Ecover is a thoroughly principled company who create exceptional quality cleaning products and household goods.
And the Zero Dishwasher Tablets are a completely biodegradable, plant-based formula that’s tough on stains and free-from irritants. You need to rinse relatively well before using these tablets, but it’s an excellent product.
- £4.95
- 25 tablets
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Allergy-friendly
- Free-from fragrance and phosphates
- Completely recycled – and widely recyclable – packaging
Ecover All-In-One Dishwasher Tablets
Not quite as eco-friendly as the aforementioned product, Ecover’s All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets is a plant and mineral-based cleaner with excellent degreasing properties.
We tend to have a box of the Zero and All-in-One in the house at all times. One for everyday use and one for really tough, caked on grease. Primarily because this product is less eco-friendly.
- £14.75
- 68 tablets
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Recyclable packaging
Homethings Dishwasher Tablets
Homethings Dishwasher Tablets are an eco-friendly, cruelty-free dishwashing solution made by a carbon neutral company.
The non-toxic tablets are pretty tough on grease and contain both rinse aid and dishwasher salt. So a really excellent all-in-one solution.
- £9.50
- 40 tablets
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Non-toxic
- Biodegradable
- 96% plant and mineral-based ingredients
- Plastic-free
The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Dishwasher Cleaners
Ecozone Dishwasher and Washing Machine Cleaner
Whilst you’re unlikely to keep your washing machine in your kitchen – although stranger things have happened – dishwasher cleaners are an absolute essential in 21st century, work-from-home-all-the-time-please living.
And Ecozone’s Dishwasher and Washing Machine Cleaner is perfect. Particularly if you’re someone who likes convenience, 2-for-1’s and fragrance, fuss-free cleaning.
Adding a tablet once a month to your appliances will prevent limescale and detergent build-up, whilst ensuring your white goods will last longer.
Don’t put one in the fridge though.
- 6 tablets
- £6.70
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Fragrance-free
- Non-toxic – parabens, triclosan, phthalates, microbeads, SLS/SLES, synthetic fragrance, GMOs, chlorine, bleach and ammonia free
- Palm-oil free
- Manufactured in the UK
- Packaged in recycled cardboard – 90% cardboard + corn starch
- Septic tank safe
The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Dishwasher Liquid
Care + Protect Detergent Gel
Care + Protect Detergent Gel is a dye and phosphate-free dishwasher gel that is made with completely biodegradable and plant-based ingredients.
It’s also the only formula on the list created using primarily raw vegetables.
- £7.99
- 40 washes
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Biodegradable
- Hypoallergenic
- Made from 100% recycled plastic with Second Life Plastic Certification – an ocean cleaning project
The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Ecover Rinse Aid
I mean, rinse aid is rinse aid. As long as it works.
And Ecover’s plant-based, streak-free rinse aid – well, largely streak-free – is a very solid chemical and cruelty-free rinse aid.
- £4.29
- 500ml
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Streak-free shine that prevents calcium deposits
- Completely biodegradable
- Suitable for septic tanks
Bio D Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Bio D Dishwasher Rinse Aid is another very solid cruelty-free rinse aid.
As always Bio D’s formulae are certified cruelty-free, vegan and toxic-chemical-free.
- £6.90
- 750ml
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan – Vegan Society approved
- Phosphate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Non-toxic
- 100% recyclable
Ecozone Rinse Aid
Ecozone’s Rinse Aid is just a very solid rinse aid that comes with an list of ingredients you can (almost) count on one hand.
- £9.18 (pack of two)
- 500ml x 2
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan Society approved
- Fragrance-free
- Septic-tank friendly
The Best Cruelty-Free & Vegan Dishwasher Salt
Sodasan Dishwasher Salt
Sodasan Dishwasher Salt is a cruelty-free, vegan dishwasher salt made from pure evaporated salt suitable for any standard dishwasher.
- £3.10
- 2kg
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Made from pure evaporated salt
- Recycled and recyclable packaging
- Palm oil, SLS and triclosan free
FAQs
Some dishwasher tablets are still wrapped in plastic because, interesting, it can actually be less damaging to the environment.
The widely used alternative to separate plastic wrappers is dissolvable plastic film. As the film dissolves, the plastic coating can seep into the water supply and damage delicate ecosystems.
If you use all-in-one tablets you shouldn’t need to use either rinse aid or dishwasher salt.
However from personal experience if you feel like your cutlery and crockery are missing a slightly sparkle, then it can be worth trying.
You don’t need salt with dishwasher tablets, but there are times where salt can be an effective cleaning solution.
Salt is required in every dishwasher, regardless of the hardness (or softness) of the water in your areas. If you use all-in-one tablets, you shouldn’t need to add additional salt.
Dishwasher salt is sodium chloride – the same chemical that makes up table salt – but it is not exactly the same.
The most important takeaway is that table salt is much finer than dishwasher salt. This is designed to prevent the salt blocking your dishwasher.
Rinse aid is essential in dishwasher maintenance and performance.
If you use quality all-in-one tablets that contain rinse aid, you shouldn’t need to add additional rinse aid frequently. If you find water spots on your dishes it is usually an indicator that the water isn’t being rinsed off effectively.
