Lower-Tox Living: Switch Dishpods to Dishwasher Soap

Did you know that dishpods actually leave behind microplastics, which can disrupt your hormones, digestive system, and affect your respiratory health?

I didn’t know that, until I learned that. I know that sounds silly to say, but you don’t know, what you don’t know! Not only can they leave behind nasty chemicals because they don’t dissolve all the way, but they also are more expensive than powders. Not to mention, it is coming out that dishpods are clogging the plumbing systems of dishwashers, making them not function correctly, or even at all because again, the pods don’t fully dissolve, causing the liquids, soaps, or plastics to stick to pipes.

Also, if you know anything about microplastics, it eventually effects our drinking water by releasing polyvinyl alcohol (the casing around it), into our wastewater treatment facilities, where about 75% may not fully biodegrade, which means we will eventually drink it. I know that sound a bit alarming, but convenience is not always the right answer.

So what’s the alternative? Liquids or powders. Going back to what we originally used.

I’ll fully admit I used pods for a short period of time because they were so convenient! Throw a tab in and you’re done! And all the pretty colors, the concentrated soap, made sense to me! But essentially, now knowing what I do know, it doesn’t make sense. When it’s stuck in a plastic casing, concentrated, who is to say that soap gets everywhere? And that everything does fully dissolve?

That’s when I switched to Truly Free Home’s dishwasher detergent. Their soap is non-toxic, free from harsh chemicals like phosphates, chlorine, dyes, ammonia, parabens (and more), eco-friendly and biodegradable, and is plant-based. It also uses coconut ingredients to help cut through grease and let me tell you, IT WORKS. Our dishes never have streaks on them and what I eat off of, I know won’t have any harmful chemicals because TFH’s detergent is clean.

I will say too, there are MANY different options out there when it comes to “cleaner” options! I just wanted to share about the one that we have found that actually WORKS. It works so well that I don’t even have to use a full scoop of detergent – I can get away with a 1/2 scoop, making it last even longer!

When I spend a lot of time cooking meals that are healthier and made from scratch, so that my family is internally healthier. The last thing I want to do is serve healthy food on unhealthy plates. So knowing I am using dishes that are safe (which I know sounds so strange), is relieving, knowing that I used to serve food on dishes that maybe weren’t so “clean”. Looks can be deceiving!

So if you’re looking to make a simple switch, scrap the dishpods and go with a powder or liquid!