The 11 Best Dishwasher Detergents of 2023

Best Overall

Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods

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Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods earn our top spot with their incredible cleaning power. They effectively remove stuck-on food and grime, plus they’re formulated with Dawn dish soap to tackle greasy residue. These pressured pods are very easy to use and they dissolve quickly early in the cycle. Because these pods clean so thoroughly, there is no need to pre-wash your dishes beforehand. According to the manufacturer, that could save you up to 15 gallons of water per load. 

These pods also leave glassware looking shiny and streak-free. Most users find the fresh scent pleasant and fairly subtle, though it might be a bit strong if you’re sensitive to smells. It’s important to note that these pods could interfere with your septic system. We read a small number of reports saying they caused blockages. 

One tub of Cascade Platinum contains 62 pods, which are priced slightly higher than liquid formulas. The upside is that pods are pre-measured and easy to use, without any risk of spills. While you can expect to pay a little more per load, you’ll be rewarded with convenience and superior cleaning performance. 

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Amount: 62 packs | Type: Pod | Scent: Fresh}

Best Budget

Great Value Automatic Dishwasher Gel

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Despite its low price tag, Great Value Automatic Dishwasher Gel is highly effective on tough messes and greasy residue. Plus, it’s specially formulated to remove food that's been stuck on for 24 hours. Thanks to a convenient dispenser top, you can get just the right amount of detergent without overpouring. This gel has a pleasant lemon scent that leaves your dishes and your kitchen smelling fresh. 

This budget-friendly, 75-ounce jug costs less per load than the rest of the competition. For best results, the manufacturer recommends that you fill both the pre-wash and the main wash compartments in your dishwasher. Because more solution is required, you may find that you go through it faster. 

The enzyme-based formula is safe for septic systems, which is definitely a plus. While Great Value Dishwasher Gel does a great job of getting dishes sparkling clean and spot-free, some reports say it also imparts a slippery feel. Use caution when unloading items from your dishwasher—you don't want to accidentally drop your favorite cereal bowl.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Amount: 75 ounces| Type: Gel | Scent: Lemon}

Best Gel

Cascade Complete Gel Dishwasher Detergent

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Formulated with Dawn soap, Cascade Complete is a powerhouse when it comes to stubborn messes. Effectively removing baked-on foods, Dawn’s grease-fighting power eliminates greasy residue. For added convenience, this gel has an easy to pour spout, so you can add just the right amount for each load. It dissolves quickly and leaves dishes looking spotless. 

Cascade Complete has a fresh, clean scent, though it can be a bit strong for some. According to reports, the smell can really linger on plastic dishes, and in rare cases, even affect the taste of food. To avoid this problem, you could try using the extra rinse cycle on your dishwasher. This 75-ounce jug goes a long way, providing excellent value at a very reasonable price. 

Price at time of publish: $8

Amount: 75 ounces | Type: Gel | Scent: Fresh

Best Liquid

Palmolive Eco Gel Dishwasher Detergent

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Palmolive’s Eco Dishwasher Detergent Gel is powerful enough to dissolve food that’s been stuck on for 24 hours. This phosphate-free formula is also a better choice for the environment because it is friendly to lakes and streams. The 45-ounce jug has a squeeze spout that makes it easier to pour. 

You should be aware that this detergent contains bleach, which means it could leave stains or residue behind on your dishes. According to the product label, it should not come into contact with fabrics or be used to wash your hands. Like most products that contain bleach, Palmolive Eco Dishwasher Detergent Gel has a fairly strong smell–though the lemon scent may mask some of the odor.  

Price at time of publish: $11

_{Amount: 45 ounces| Type: Liquid | Scent: Lemon}

Best Powder

Ecover Dishwasher Powder

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If you’re looking for a clean alternative, Ecover Dishwasher Powder is made with plant-based and mineral ingredients. It comes in recycled cardboard packaging, and a 48-ounce box contains enough detergent to wash up to 50 loads of dishes. Although it’s significantly pricier than other eco-friendly formulas, it’s more effective at removing stuck-on food. Plus, it leaves dishes spot-free and sparkling clean. 

Ecover Dishwasher Powder comes in a citrus scent or fragrance-free option; the latter is a major plus if you’re sensitive to smells. According to reports, the citrus scent is fairly subtle and the smell doesn’t linger on your items after washing.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Amount: 48 ounces | Type: Powder | Scent: Citrus and unscented}

Best for Hard Water

Amaze! Premium Dishwasher Tabs with Built-In Rinse Aid

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If you have hard water in your home, Amaze! Premium All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets will combat water spots, chalky film, and mineral residue. This liquid-powder formula also boasts a built-in rinse aid that leaves your dishes crystal clear. The pre-portioned tablets are encased in a dissolvable film, so all you need to do is pop one in the dishwasher. Amaze! will do the rest of the dirty work for you.  

Each pack contains 35 tablets. You’re getting two products in one–a powerful dishwashing detergent along with an effective rinse aid. A rinse aid makes the water “wetter,” and more likely to spread out or “sheet,” and less likely to form pesky water spots. Another perk to these tablets is that they have little to no scent, which is great if you’re sensitive to smell or find other detergents overpowering.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Amount: 32 tabs | Type: Liquid and powder tabs | Scent: Fresh}

Best Rinse Aid

Lemi Shine Shine + Dry Rinse

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Lemi Shine’s Shine + Dry Rinse Aid removes traces of iron, limescale, calcium, rust, and other mineral deposits, making it an ideal choice for homes with hard water. “A rinse agent helps make the water in the dishwasher sheet off of your dishes more easily, which can help with rinsing away residue and lead to fewer water spots on your dishes,” says Brian Sansoni, Senior Vice President of the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).

Eco-conscious consumers will be happy to know that this formula is EPA Safer Choice Certified. Shine + Dry relies on the natural power of citric acid to reduce water tension and dissolve grime and residue. Plus, it has a lemony scent that freshens up your kitchen. 

This rinse aid leaves behind a streak-free finish, and your silverware and glasses come out nice and shiny. Some users notice that their dishes dry faster when they use this product. The only major complaint that we found is that the bottle is a little tricky to dispense. Sometimes too much liquid comes out when you squeeze the bottle, making it easy to spill. Still, we give this detergent high marks for the results!

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Amount: 8.45 ounces | Type: Liquid | Scent: Lemon}

Best Eco-Friendly

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel

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Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel is made with plant-based ingredients, making it a safer choice for your home and the environment. It contains surfactants and enzymes that break down grease and food residue, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. This gel formula is naturally infused with essential oils and botanical extracts to deliver a lemon scent. It comes in both 42- and 70-ounce sizes and is reasonably priced.   

You might find that Seventh Generation’s eco-friendly formula isn’t as powerful as other options. For that reason, you may need to rinse your dishes well before putting them in the dishwasher. We read some reports that it can cloud glassware, requiring you to hand wash your wine glasses. If you’re willing to put in some extra work, however, the tradeoff is a more sustainable alternative to harsher dishwasher detergents. 

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Amount: 42 and 70 ounces | Type: Gel | Scent: Fresh}

Best Plastic-Free

Blueland Dishwasher Starter Set

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If you want to cut plastic out of your cleaning routine, Blueland's Dishwasher Starter Set is a great option. These dishwasher tablets are shipped in a biodegradable paper pouch along with a reusable steel tin. The solution itself is made with plant-based ingredients, making it an all-around eco-friendly alternative. While this set costs a bit more than other detergents, it may be worth the higher price tag to steer clear of ingredients that could harm the environment. 

In third-party lab tests, Blueland was highly effective at cleaning glasses and flatware, leaving behind a shiny finish. But it's not that effective on stuck-on food and leaves behind a powdery residue. This set includes 60 tablets, which is a generous amount, though some users recommend using two tablets to achieve a thorough clean.  

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Amount: 60 | Type: Tablets | Scent: Unscented?}

Best Natural or Best No Residue

Grab Green Automatic Dishwasher Powder Detergent Pods

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Made from more than 94% naturally-derived ingredients, Grab Green is a solid choice for an effective, plant-based formula. These pre-measured pods are hypoallergenic and they don’t contain any scents, dyes, or harsh chemicals–perfect for people who are sensitive to fragrances. If you prefer a scent, however, three natural fragrances are available: thyme fig leaf, tangerine lemongrass, and red pear magnolia.

These pods are specially formulated to cut through grease and remove stuck-on food, resulting in a shiny, spot-free finish. Unlike conventional dishwashing detergents that contain chemicals, Grab Green won’t leave any residue behind on your dishes. Note that these pods have a dissolvable wrapping, and we read some complaints that they don’t fully disintegrate, requiring a second run through the dishwasher.  

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Amount: 60 | Type: Pods | Scent: Thyme fig leaf, tangerine lemongrass, red pear magnolia, and unscented}