Did you know that standard dishwasher detergents are one of the leading causes of child poisonings, and can leave caustic chemical residues on your dishes and silverware? These products are full of harmful ingredients that can leave residue behind.

Why would we ever want them lathered onto our dishes?

When it comes to hand washing, prepping your dishes for the dishwasher, and actual dishwashing, Branch Basics has you covered. Our products are human-safe, effective and biodegradable, so they're good for the planet.

How to Hand Wash Dishes Without Harsh Chemicals

Spray dirty, greasy dishes with a standard All-Purpose solution, scrub as needed, and rinse under warm water.

For tougher grease or cooked-on messes, try using the Bathroom spray instead, which is a stronger dilution.

You can also use the Foaming Wash bottle and squirt the soap onto a sponge or brush if you prefer to see more foaming action (from the mechanical foaming pump - not synthetic foaming agents).

Either of these methods works well for cleaning your dishes.

Tip: We don't recommend using Teflon or other nonstick cookware for cooking. Read Our Take On The Safest, Non-Toxic Cookware to really dig in.

Related Reading: 5 Best Natural (& Effective) Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Sink Soaking Simplified 

If you're used to spraying or pouring a conventional dishwashing gel soap into a sink full of water and dirty dishes, you can just replace with Branch Basics Concentrate! Just a capful (yes - not much is needed, as the formula is very powerful) of Concentrate in a sink full of water will do the trick.

Our Concentrate doesn't contain the harsh ingredients that cause significant sudsing action, so don't worry when you don't see the bubbles.

Leave the dishes to soak. Then, rinse clean.

Because our products are biodegradable, this also works if you're in nature or camping - and the dishpan of dishes and water can be safely dumped nearby.

Related Reading: How to Clean Your Kitchen With Human-Safe Products

The Safe Way to Use Your Dishwasher

For your dishwasher, Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets are the best way to get sparkling clean dishes, without compromising safety. They're bare tablets (no plastic wrap or coating), so it's as simple as removing from their pouch, placing in your dishwasher and running your normal cycle.

If you do want to try to use our Concentrate and Oxygen Boost in the dishwasher, it's a bit more complicated - but it can work! We suggest filling your dishwasher dispenser with 1-2 teaspoons of Concentrate and Oxygen Boost, and running your normal cycle.

If you prefer, you can experiment with mixing the soap with a little water first and tossing the soapy water over the top rack (similar to the way you mix with water when washing clothes in an HE washing machine).

Related Reading: Best Natural Cleaning Products Without Bleach

NOTE: We've found that your homes' water type, specifically the hardness/softness of your water also plays a key factor in dishwashing. If you think you have hard water, we recommend reading more about how to best use Branch Basics cleaning soap with hard water in our User Guide. If you have really hard water, you can also add a ½ - 1 cup vinegar to a glass in the upper level of the dishwasher or in the rinse aid compartment as a natural softener. If you still see food stuff after you run a cycle, add more Concentrate. If you see streaks, try using less Concentrate next time.

Safer Dishwashing with Branch Basics

Now you have all the knowledge you need to hand wash, sink wash, or wash your dishes in the dishwasher with human-safe, ultra-gentle, natural products.

If you're interested in trying Branch Basics for human-safe dishwashing, give our Premium Starter Kits a look. Each Starter Kit comes with our all-in-one Concentrate, Oxygen Boost, and five bottles to make enough natural and safe cleaning products to clean your entire house and do your laundry. Make our All-Purpose, Bathroom, Foaming Wash, Streak-Free, and Laundry.

Also be sure to grab a bag of Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets. These powerful, plant-based detergent tablets are human-safe, plastic-free, biodegradable, pure and natural.