The search has been long and spotty. My poor husband has endured many a “rejected” dish pile from homemade dishwasher detergents and frugal attempts. I have come to the firm belief that you cannot have a homemade dishwasher detergent unless you want to seriously pre-rinse all your dishes, which ends up questionably using a lot of extra water and time, thus expending resources from your pocketbook, environment, and personal stamina.
I don’t pre-rinse. Not one little bit. My dishwasher is full of GUNK. (See this post if you don’t believe me!) I need a serious dishwasher detergent that is able to work with my laziness. I also want the dishwasher to be a safe place, because my daughter ADORES it. It’s the lure of the off-limits for her. The more we tell her “uh-UH!” the more she wants to wash her hands in the water droplets on the open dishwasher door. Ugh. I cannot have toxic detergent in there. I just cannot.
Since homemade just isn’t cutting it, I decided it was time to branch out into the world of natural cleaners, spending more than I would in a grocery store, but at least keeping my kids and the good green Earth a little safer. (Did you know dishwasher detergent is one of the more toxic basic cleaners in your house?)
I approached the Mrs. Meyer’s company and asked for a sample, and they were generous enough to let me try out their product.
I received their dishwasher detergent packets, dishwashing liquid, and room freshener spray. I couldn’t wait to run the detergent through its paces (especially since I was literally OUT of Cascade and had run the DW once using the previous “acceptable” method of 3 drops of dishwashing liquid and a ½ cup of vinegar in the bottom. Lots of rejections!). I was glad the mail came quickly!
Mrs. Meyer’s Dishwasher Detergent Review
I loaded the dishwasher as usual: totally full, nothing rinsed, (yes, not even melty cheese or egg!).
I almost cringed as I opened the dishwasher door the next morning. We’ve had so many failures! I nearly cried tears of joy when I saw…clean dishes. My heart sunk to the floor when I realized the next time I ran the dishwasher that, for a rare occasion in this house, I had used “normal” wash instead of “light”. Oh, dear. I knew it was too good to be true.
With great trepidation and trembling fingers, I ran the ol’ DW on “light wash”. Trying to keep any expectations at bay, I slowly opened the dishwasher, holding my breath… What can you say about a dishwasher detergent other than: the dishes were clean. No food left behind. No grease. No streaks. ‘nuf said. I’m sold!
The detergent comes in little plastic packets, and you put the whole thing in your dishwasher cup without puncturing it. Come to think of it, I don’t know where the plastic goes (but right now I don’t care!). That’s probably wise for people like me who would always push the envelope and use less and less powder, right? This way the dishes are always clean, and I’m a happy girl. We’ve been using it for two weeks now without a complaint. The scent I tested is lemon verbena, which is very pleasant.
Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap Review
Mrs. Meyer’s sent lavender dishsoap, which is actually aromatherapeutic (read: strong!). It smells great in my opinion, but if you’re sensitive to fragrances, I’d go with their “fragrance-free” version. I’m also duly impressed with the dish soap.
The suds stayed through washing a whole night’s worth of dishes, even a nasty, oily mayo container. I even had enough suds after washing dinner dishes to put baby’s glass in, and her bib. That’s saying something because usually, the rule is to do drinking glasses first because you expect the water to get worthless at the end. Mrs. Meyer’s dishsoap has powered through some serious piles of dishes at our house (the only drawback to lots of home-cooking-from-scratch = more dishes!).
Mrs. Meyer’s Room Spray Review
I laughed when I saw that Mrs. Meyer’s threw some room spray in my box. I’m really not a spray-the-room kind of person. I grew up with a mom who was really sensitive to fragrances, and the habit rubbed off on me. I didn’t think I’d do much with it, maybe give it as a gift, until that very night a skunk visited our neighborhood. With our windows open for summer breezes, the whole house smelled awful before we could react to close the house down.
I decided to spray some Mrs. Meyer’s lemon verbena in our bedroom, then I closed my husband in there and took off to finish off some blogging. I did notice that I could smell lemon in other rooms, so “point” to MM for being pervasive (what people want in fragrances, right? I don’t do this kind of thing!). When I walked in the bedroom after the door was closed for an hour it smelled like…skunk plus lemon verbena…which is more pleasant than you’d think! Well done on the staying power and the covering power – they never promised to eliminate odors, so the product does exactly what it should.
My Dishwasher Detergent Adventures
- Seeking a Natural Dishwasher Detergent that Isn’t a Miserable Failure
- Learn to use your dishwasher wisely
- Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes
- Biokleen Dishwasher Detergent Review
- Seventh Generation Product Reviews
- Clean with Green from Floor to Ceiling
I’m well known for honest, thorough product reviews…
…and you can always tell a real family has run these products through the gauntlet.
When I review a type of item, I try to review a LOT of different brands! From over a dozen reusable sandwich bags to over 120 natural mineral sunscreens, I’m your girl for straight-up info about natural, real foodie items you’re considering buying.
Click here to see more product reviews and you’ll also love my resources page, with REAL products that have passed my rigorous testing enough to be “regulars” in the Kimball household, plus some other comprehensive reviews. Updated at least once a year to boot the losers and add new gems!
Katie Kimball, CSME is a trusted educator and author of 8 real food cookbooks. She is passionate about researching natural remedies and making healthy cooking easier for busy families. She’s been featured on media outlets like ABC, NBC and First for Women magazine as well as contributing regularly on the FOX Network. 
A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is a Certified Stress Mastery Educator and member of the American Institute of Stress.
Sarah W says
I am already subscribed to your blog!
Sarah W says
I posted about the giveaway on my blog!
http://woodyoubelieve.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-trying-to-win-giveaway.html
Michelle says
Umm–scent free? I’m not a big scent person, but I’d like to try this stuff!
Kara says
I subscribe to your blog. 🙂 This looks like a great giveaway and a great product.
Jen says
Mmmm… lemon verbena all the way!!! 🙂 Great giveaway.
Jendeis says
Per your instructions 🙂
I posted about the giveaway on Facebook.
Jendeis says
Per your instructions 🙂
I tweeted about the giveaway when you first announced it.
Jendeis says
Per your instructions 🙂
I already subscribe via Google Reader.
Cynthia Pitman says
I love Lavendar
Beth says
I would love the baby blossom!
Frances says
Second entry (for lavender scent): I subscribe to KS via Bloglines.
Frances says
First entry: lavender would be my preferred scent.
Jennifer says
I love Lemon Verbena! I got some samples (at the grocery store!) and also bought some hand soap for the bathroom. I am definitely going to try out the dishwasher soap once my Cascade is gone!
Melanie says
I subscribe to your blog and love reading it. Thanks for persevering and testing out these safe remedies for dish washing liquid!!!
Melanie says
I bet the Basil fragrance smells great – minty and fresh!
Heather says
Hopefully, Mrs. Meyer’s has changed their formula for their hand dish liquid, or something. I tried it about 18 months ago, and ended up tossing the rest of the bottle. The stuff had absolutely NO interest in cutting grease or “surrounding it”. I’d like a non-toxic dish liquid, but it’s gotta perform as well as Dawn–and not be outrageously priced. I haven’t tried their hand dish liquid yet, but have had good results with Bio-Kleen products–toilet cleaner, dishwasher soap, oxygen bleach, etc.
Amy @ Finer Things says
you’re in my google reader
Amy @ Finer Things says
Would love to try the lemon verbena or baby blossom.
Mary Przybyla says
I had better choose scent-free due to the strength of the scent. I like the idea of environmentally friendly soaps.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Amanda says
Also, I’m already an email feed subscriber–though just recently. I’ve enjoyed and appreciated your content very much!
Amanda says
All of the scents are intriguing, but I think I’m most curious about the basil!
serina says
oh, and i subcribe via google reader.
serina says
lemon verbena!
Meredith says
oh and I subscribe through Bloglines
Meredith says
The lemon verbena please! I am so excited to try the hand dish washer wash. I use Mrs. Meyer’s all purpose spray (though I bought the HUGE refill bottle in Basil, and it turns out that I find it odd when my whole house smells of basil). Though I love the smell of the geranium, I think that might start to wear on me as well.
Melissa says
I think I’d like Lemon Verbena. Thanks for the chance to win.
Julie says
I am subscribed via email (and am really enjoying your posts – thank you for this ministry!)
Julie says
The basil scent sounds fabulous!
Cheryl says
I would like Lavender best. Thanks!
Brittany says
Oh and I subscribe with Google Reader!
Brittany says
I’m guessing I would like the Lemon Verbena scent for dishes. I’ve been trying to find a non-toxic detergent that actually works.
steph says
Just found your site today & subscribed. I, too, have tried many homemade dishwasher detergents. I’d love to try lemon verbena!
Jessy says
I stumbled this post =)
Jessy says
I follow in a reader.
Jessy says
I love lavender!
Beth @ Smart Family Tips says
I have Stumbled this post.
Beth @ Smart Family Tips says
I have Tweeted this post.
Stephanie says
My favorite scent is citrus. I am a loyal reader through my google reader and I have emailed 5 members of my “green group” about this awesome product and giveaway.
Beth @ Smart Family Tips says
I’ve just subscribed via email.
Beth @ Smart Family Tips says
I can’t tell you how I’ve been looking for an eco-friendly dishwasher detergent that WORKS. Hooray! I just went over to the Mrs. Meyer’s site — lemon verbena is the scent for me.
Deanna says
I subscribe!
Deanna says
I guess Lavender would be my favorite. Hard to say without smelling them – I must need to win, ha.
Joyce says
I definitely love the geranium scent.
Julie says
I facebooked the giveaway for Lavender scent.
Jendeis says
Thanks so much for the giveaway. I’ve been wanting to find an effective natural dishwashing detergent for a long time.
I think that I’d go for the lemon verbena as I’ve always thought that lemons smell “clean.” I usually only use lavender in the bedroom or bathroom.
I already subscribe via Google Reader, and I’m going to tweet about this giveaway right now (my tweets link with my Facebook status, so there’s another entry.) 🙂
Kristie says
Oh! And I forgot to mention that the lemon verbena is my fave scent. (I guess this is my second entry anyway.)
I have tried the lemon verbena daily shower spray, but it wasn’t what I’d hoped. Smelled great, though.
Julie says
Oh, I guess my favorite scent would be lavender. How nice would that be 🙂
Kristie says
Here’s my entry, plus I subscribe via google reader.
I was dying all week to hear the results of your DW detergent test. I’m a litle bummed that homemade stuff wasn’t able to do the job (didn’t work for me, either, though I am keeping vinegar in the rinse). But it’s good to hear the results. Thanks for taking the time to test the options.
Emily Lorenz says
I love lemon verbena – and I’m sure my dishes would too. ( I can sympathize with the allure of the dishwasher – what is it that draws one and two year olds like honey?)
thanks for the great contest!
Julie says
I already subscribe on google reader. I was looking for some natural detergent at the store yesterday. I would love to try this.