5 Best Eco-Friendly Dish Soaps That Actually Clean (2026)

If you’re searching for a dish soap that’s genuinely safe for your family and waterways without sacrificing cleaning power, you’re in the right place. We compared five plant-based, biodegradable options on scent, grease-cutting ability, and price to find the best for different budgets and needs. Short on time? The Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap is our top pick for most households.

Top Picks

How We Chose the Best Eco-Friendly Dish Soaps

We focused on four things: how well each soap cuts through grease, what’s actually in the formula, how the scent holds up through a full sink of dishes, and whether the brand genuinely follows through on its sustainability claims. Packaging impact and customer satisfaction data were also considered.

Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap


Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap

If you’ve cycled through several “natural” dish soaps that barely lather or leave a greasy film, Koala Eco is worth your attention. It’s built on plant-based ingredients and scented with Australian lemon myrtle and mandarin essential oils, not synthetic fragrance.

Pick this if you want a non-toxic formula that smells genuinely distinctive and handles greasy pots without a second pass.

Compared to the Mrs. Meyer’s options below, Koala Eco uses Australian essential oils for a more pronounced, spa-forward scent. The tradeoff is a higher price per bottle.

At $21.90 it’s the priciest pick here, but the concentrated plant-based formula means you use less per wash than a typical dish soap. Prices may vary.

What People Say

  • As someone that has tried a dozen different options for non-toxic dish soap, this one wins by a long shot. It smells amazing and still gives you a nice lather to wash with.– MORGAN

Key Benefits

  • Plant-based ingredients
  • Pleasant natural fragrance
  • Effective grease cutting
  • Non-toxic and safe for the environment

Environmental Benefits

Koala Eco is biodegradable and packaged sustainably, with no harsh chemicals introduced into your home or waterways.

Current Price: $21.90

Rating: 5 (Total: 1+)

Check today’s price on Amazon

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap Refill, Lemon Verbena


Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap Refill, Lemon Verbena

If you go through dish soap quickly and want the lowest cost per wash, this large Lemon Verbena refill makes more financial sense than buying individual bottles repeatedly. The biodegradable formula uses plant-derived cleaning agents and cuts grease without a heavy chemical smell.

Pick this if you already own a Mrs. Meyer’s pump bottle and want the most soap per dollar.

Compared to the single-bottle Lemon Verbena below, this refill gives you significantly more ounces at a lower per-unit cost. If you’re buying Meyer’s for the first time, the single bottle is a lower-commitment starting point.

With over 13,500 ratings at 4.8 stars, buyer confidence here is well-established. Prices may vary.

What People Say

  • I recently started using Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap Refill in the Lemon Verbena scent, and I am absolutely thrilled with the product. It has become an essential part of my daily kitchen routine. The biodegradable formula is a game-changer, cutting through grease while being gentle on the environment. Plus, the scent is refreshing and not overpowering, making the washing-up process enjoyable.– Jh

Key Benefits

  • Biodegradable formula
  • Pleasant Lemon Verbena scent
  • Effective at cutting through grease
  • Cruelty-free and free from harmful chemicals

Environmental Benefits

Plant-derived cleaning agents and sustainable packaging make this a practical choice if you’re trying to reduce your household’s ecological footprint without spending more than you need to.

Current Price: $10.88

Rating: 4.8 (Total: 13573+)

See the latest price on Amazon

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Compassion Flower


Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Compassion Flower

If sharp citrus scents aren’t your preference, the Compassion Flower version uses the same plant-derived Meyer’s formula with a softer, floral fragrance. You get identical grease-cutting performance, just with a sweeter aroma that doesn’t linger heavily after rinsing.

Pick this if you want the proven Meyer’s cleaning power but prefer a gentle floral scent over citrus.

Cleaning performance across the Meyer’s lineup is essentially the same. The only meaningful difference between this and the Lemon Verbena versions is the fragrance. If citrus is a turn-off, this is the clear choice.

Over 49,000 ratings at 4.8 stars suggest buyers return to this scent consistently. Prices may vary.

What People Say

  • I love Mrs. Meyer’s products. I used the dish soap today. It worked great. A lot of suds & smell great. Peony scent. Cut grease good too. I am very satisfied and happy with my order.– Tammy Poeschl

Key Benefits

  • Biodegradable formula
  • Delicate Compassion Flower scent
  • Effective at cutting through grease
  • Cruelty-free and free from harmful chemicals

Environmental Benefits

Plant-derived cleaning agents, a biodegradable formula, and sustainable packaging make this a straightforward swap from conventional dish soap with no cleaning performance trade-off.

Current Price: $14.34

Rating: 4.8 (Total: 49255+)

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Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena


Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena

This is the standard single bottle of Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena, the version most buyers try first. It’s biodegradable, made with plant-derived cleaning agents, and has a mild citrus scent that doesn’t linger after dishes are rinsed.

Pick this if you want to try the Lemon Verbena scent before committing to a refill or multi-pack.

Compared to the three-pack below, this single bottle costs more per ounce but lets you test the scent without over-buying. If you already know you like it, the multi-pack is the smarter purchase.

Buyers note it cuts grease easily, leaves no filmy residue, and a little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts longer than you’d expect. Prices may vary.

What People Say

  • I love Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap! The scent is fresh and not overpowering, making washing dishes a little more enjoyable. It cuts through grease easily and leaves dishes sparkling clean without a filmy residue. Plus, I appreciate the plant-based ingredients and the fact that it’s gentle on my hands. A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts a while. Definitely my go-to dish soap—highly recommend!– Esther

Key Benefits

  • Biodegradable formula
  • Light Lemon Verbena scent
  • Effective at cutting through grease
  • Cruelty-free and free from harmful chemicals

Environmental Benefits

Plant-derived cleaning agents and sustainable packaging make this an easy upgrade from conventional dish soap for anyone reducing harsh household chemicals.

Current Price: $14.02

Rating: 4.8 (Total: 41690+)

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Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena


Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena

If Lemon Verbena is already your household’s go-to and you want to avoid reordering every few weeks, buying three bottles at once is the practical move. You get the same proven biodegradable formula with plant-derived cleaning agents, just in a quantity that actually lasts.

Pick this if you’ve already tried the single bottle and know this scent works for your household.

Purchasing three together brings the per-bottle cost down compared to buying them separately. If you’re still deciding between scents, start with a single bottle first.

It’s the same 4.8-star formula backed by 41,690+ ratings. Prices may vary.

What People Say

  • I love Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap! The scent is fresh and not overpowering, making washing dishes a little more enjoyable. It cuts through grease easily and leaves dishes sparkling clean without a filmy residue. Plus, I appreciate the plant-based ingredients and the fact that it’s gentle on my hands. A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts a while. Definitely my go-to dish soap—highly recommend!– Esther

Key Benefits

  • Biodegradable formula
  • Light Lemon Verbena scent
  • Effective at cutting through grease
  • Cruelty-free and free from harmful chemicals

Environmental Benefits

Buying in a multi-pack reduces per-trip packaging waste and keeps a trusted plant-based, biodegradable formula in your kitchen on a consistent basis.

Current Price: $14.02

Rating: 4.8 (Total: 41690+)

See if it’s still in stock on Amazon

FAQ

What Should I Look For When Choosing Eco-Friendly Dish Soap?

Look for biodegradable, plant-derived ingredients and formulas free from parabens and phthalates. Choose cruelty-free brands where possible. Natural essential oils are preferable to synthetic fragrance for both your health and the environment.

How Do I Use Eco-Friendly Dish Soap Effectively?

Use warm water to dissolve grease faster. Apply a small amount to your sponge since most eco-friendly formulas are concentrated. For baked-on food, let dishes soak for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Is Eco-Friendly Dish Soap More Expensive Than Regular Dish Soap?

Often slightly, yes. Concentrated formulas mean you use less per wash, which helps balance the cost over time. The products on this list range from $4.49 to $21.90 at time of writing, depending on size and scent.

Wrapping Up

The Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap earns the top spot for its plant-based formula, reliable grease-cutting, and Australian essential oil scent that stands apart from every other option here. If you want a proven everyday soap with thousands of verified reviews at a lower price, the Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena Refill is the more practical pick. Check today’s price on Koala Eco on Amazon.

Product Image Rating Highlights Pros Cons Price
Koala Eco Natural Dish Soap
Product Image
5/5 Plant-based, eco-friendly, with Australian lemon myrtle & mandarin essential oil. Natural ingredients, great scent, effective cleaning. Higher price point. $21.90
MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Liquid Dish Soap Refill, Lemon Verbena
Product Image
4.8/5 Biodegradable formula, cuts through grease, plant-derived cleaning agents. Pleasant scent, effective, eco-friendly. Can be pricey for the quantity. $10.88
MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Liquid Dish Soap, Compassion Flower
Product Image
4.8/5 Lightly sweet scent, biodegradable, cruelty-free. Great cleaning power, pleasant fragrance. Smaller size may run out quickly. $14.34
MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena
Product Image
4.8/5 Biodegradable formula, mild citrus scent. Effective grease cutting, eco-friendly. Pricey for the amount. $14.02
MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena (Pack of 1)
Product Image
4.7/5 Light citrus scent, biodegradable, effective cleaning. Gentle on hands, good cleaning power. Smaller bottle size. $4.49

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About the Author

Tony B. Hensel is the founder and lead author of GoMyReview.com, a trusted source for honest, hands-on product reviews and buyer’s guides. With over 10 years of experience in consumer research and a background in journalism, Tony combines clarity, accuracy, and real-world testing to help readers make smarter buying decisions.

Before starting GoMyReview.com, Tony worked as a freelance tech writer, contributing to online publications and staying current with trends in home gadgets and electronics. Today, he leads a small team of reviewers, ensuring every article is practical, unbiased, and easy to follow.

When he’s not writing, Tony enjoys home cooking, photography, and DIY projects. Based in the Midwest, he brings personal passion and professional integrity to every review—so readers can shop with confidence.

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