I tested out both Seventh Generation Dish Soap in Free & Clear, I have also used their scented versions in the past.
I look in detail at their ingredients, scents, uses, effectiveness, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more.
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Overview:
- Seventh Generation uses the more controversial SLS surfactant and the more controversial isothiazolinone preservatives.
- It comes in unscented versions and naturally scented versions.
- It is biodegradable and 95% bio-based.
- Seventh Generation can go head to head and even beat out the top conventional brands for effectiveness against grease.
Overview Table:
| Seventh Generation Dish Soap | |
| Cost | $3.79 per 19 fl oz, and $8.19 for 50 fl oz at Target. That’s $0.16/fluid ounce for the refill size at Target. Same or similar price if you buy in bulk at Amazon. |
| Shipping | -At Target you get free shipping on orders over $35 -Free shipping and free international shipping (to select countries) on Amazon Prime |
| Bio-Based | USDA Certified Biobased Product, 95% plant based |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| EWG Ratings | In the unscented: 3 ingredients with a C rating, 1 with a B rating, 1 with a D rating. In the naturally scented options, the fragrances have C ratings. |
| Scent | Free & Clear is the unscented, it has a natural inherhant sweet smell, Scented options fragranced with natural essential oils and botanical ingredients (no synthetic fragrance). |
| Uses | Dishes, countertops, and general cleaning. |
| Packaging | Recyclable plastic bottle #1 plastic, came in a simple box. |
| Certifications | EPA Safer Choice certified Leaping Bunny certified USDA Certified Biobased |
Seventh Generation Dish Soap
In 2016, Unilever acquired Seventh Generation. The dish soap formula has undergone some changes over the years.
Controversial Ingredients:
1. SLS or Sodium lauryl sulfate – a plant-derived cleaning agent that is a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant and toxic to aquatic organisms, according to the David Suzuki Institute and the WHO. Skin irritation is mitigated by regulating the maximum percentage that can be used in the product, which depends on how long the contact time will be, explains the University of Queensland.
2. Isothiazolinones – a class of preservatives that has a D rating on EWG due to toxicity to aquatic life and issues of skin sensitivity/allergies (EWG).
Ingredients in Unscented 7th Gen Dish Soap:
- Water
- Sodium lauryl sulfate SLS (plant-derived cleaning agent) – C rating on EWG
- Lauramine oxide (plant-based surfactant) – C rating on EWG
- Glycerin (plant-derived foam stabilizer) – A rating on EWG
- Decyl glucoside (plant-derived surfactant) – B rating on EWG
- Magnesium chloride (mineral-based viscosity modifier) – A rating on EWG
- Citric acid (plant-derived pH adjuster) – A rating on EWG
- Benzisothiazolinone (synthetic preservative) – C rating on EWG
- Methylisothiazolinone (synthetic preservative) – D rating on EWG
The Clementine Zest and Lemongrass scent is scented with the following:
- Canarium luzonicum (elemi) gum non-volatiles (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
- Citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
- Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
- Citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel oil (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
- Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf oil (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
- Tangelo oil (natural fragrance) – C rating on EWG
Other Scents:
It also comes in Lavender Flower & Mint, Fresh Lime & Ginger, Camomille & Lemon, and Summer Orchid.
Looking for an alternative without SLS or Isothiazolinones? Check my comparison of Seventh Generation to ECOS Dish Soap.
Sniff test:
Seventh Generation Free and Clear dish soap has an inherently sweet smell to my nose. To me it seemed like this is inherent to the ingredients and not cross-scented from other products.
I have used the scented versions as well, they are not overpowering and smell natural.
Chemical Sensitivities:
Chemically sensitive folks have mixed opinions on this dish soap. Some extremely sensitive folks like it and have used it for a long time, others react to it. Some believe they started reacting when they changed the formula a few years ago.
If this doesn’t work for you, sensitive folks may want to check out brands recommended by sensitive folks like ECOS Dish Soap, Branch Basics, or Dr Bronners.
Where you can use it:
While this is a dish soap, I also use it to clean the countertops (use the unscented on natural stone), cabinets, my hands, and sometimes for general house cleaning like cleaning floors.
It is safe to use on baby bottles according to the company.
The scented versions have a pH of 5, but when used to clean floors dish soap should be highly diluted which brings the pH closer to neutral (7).
It is septic-safe, RV-safe, and marine-safe.
Cost:
$0.16/fluid ounce for bulk size.
Effectiveness:
SLS is a very good surfactant so it’s no surprise that this works very well as a dish soap. This was voted best dish soap by the New York Times as it was most effective in cutting grease.
It has no problem cutting through grease and sudds up well, and in my opinion, it can compete with the biggest mainstream brands.
I also have no problem using it to wash my hands a few times a day, though my hands don’t get dry that easily.
Reviews:
In the reviews, folks talk about how it works really well and they like the eco-friendly ingredients, many people find that it is good for sensitive skin (though this of course can vary by person), folks also agree that the scented versions are not overpowering.
See also my comparison of Seventh Generation Dish Soap to Mrs. Myers Dish Soap.
Looking for an Alternative?
The following alternatives are free of SLS and isothiazoliones, and have fragrance-free versions:
1. Branch Basics
Branch Basics is a very pure all-purpose cleaner. It’s truly all-purpose as you can use it everywhere in the house including on dishes. Many extremely chemically sensitive folks like this brand. The camomile extract in this does not have a scent. I fully review it here.
Branch Basic Ingredients: Water, Coco Glucoside, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Phytate.
2. ECOS Dishmate
ECOS Dishmate is a good alternative for those who want to avoid SLS or any potentially problematic preservatives and most sensitive people do well with this one. Phenoxyethanol is the preservative and they do have a scent-free version. I review it fully here.
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Coco-Sulfate (plant-derived surfactant), Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (plant-derived surfactant), Lauramine Oxide (plant-derived surfactant), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Coco Betaine (plant-derived surfactant), Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (plant-derived water softener), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative), Citric Acid (plant-derived pH adjuster).
3. Dr Bronner’s
Dr Bronner’s Castile soap, another long-time favorite of sensitive folks, can be used as an all-purpose cleaner.
Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Palm Kernel Oil, Olive Oil, Hemp Oil, Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.
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