Sometimes I think I am making a plastic switch and it turns out that I am not. Packaging manufacturers can be tricky, and you may not realize that you are buying something made from plastic. That was my experience with Dishwasher detergent.
Years ago, I used a mainstream brand of dishwasher detergent that came in plastic jugs. I had several frustrations with this product. The detergent was a goopy formula that was difficult to get out of the package, and I could never get the last bit out even after much shaking and splattering of the dregs. I also felt badly about all those plastic bottles. With five of us in the house we were often running the dishwasher twice a day, and going through bottles of detergent at a good clip.
So I switched to powdered detergent in a box. The powder was much easier to handle, and I felt better about the package. But it wasn’t until I became more committed to going plastic-free that I realized that box….it was coated with plastic.
Now, I am sure that makers of powdered detergent want to keep it dry, and that may be why they turn a paper box into a plastic package. But plastic packaging just does not seem to be a concern of theirs. Why do so many companies, including “eco-friendly” companies, put dishwasher pods and tablets in plastic bags? And why do others put their eco-friendly tablets in a plastic wrapper (which they may claim is “recyclable”)?
Tablets Win Over Pods or Powder
If You Care dishwasher tablets are my current favorite dishwasher detergent. These tablets are easy to use–just pop one tablet into the dispenser cup of your dishwasher and go. While it may look like these tablets are wrapped in plastic, it is a water-soluble film that dissolves in they cycle. This makes them easier to use than other plastic-wrapped tablets.
These small tablets get our dishes just as clean as the dishwasher powder I used in the past, and the box is smaller and lighter than powdered detergent. This means they emit less CO2 from transportation. The box that the tablets come in is cardboard that can be recycled.
These tablets are a great plastic-free alternative to dishwashing gels and powders that come in plastic packaging. If anything, they are easier to use because you do not have to measure out the product. There are no trade-offs to making this easy switch!
Things I Love:
- Plastic-free!
- One tablet per load–makes it so easy to use
- No plastic wrap on tablet
- Cleans well
Things I Don’t Love:
- Nothing!
Product Info:
- I have seen these at Whole Foods, Target and some national grocery retailers
- https://buyifyoucare.com/
If You Care Dishwasher Tablet Rating
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