The Best Dishwasher Detergent

I’d been using eco-friendly dishwasher detergent for years when I first tried Dirty Labs’ Bio Enzyme Dishwasher Detergent. I was so impressed that after just a couple of uses I signed up for a subscription. This fall, I accidentally let the subscription lapse and purchased Cascade Platinum Pods as a stopgap. I was shocked that the pods didn’t work nearly as well as my beloved enzyme powder. Dirty Labs isn’t just the best “green” detergent; it’s the best detergent, period. ($20)

Solid Dish Soap

If you want to cut plastic in the kitchen, this is a great place to start. No Tox Life’s Dish Block Solid Dish Soap creates a rich, creamy lather and cuts through grease with ease. It lasts far longer than liquid soap, works on countertops, and comes either unscented or in a cheerful, essential oil–derived citrus and lemongrass fragrance. We recommend storing it in this bamboo soap shelf. (Soap $9 and up, soap shelf $10)

Cleaning With Dot

Get to know Bluedot Living’s award-winning eco-advice columnist by using our new Swedish Dish Cloths depicting the one and only Dear Dot. These ultra-absorbent cloths sop up spills with ease, and can be cleaned in either the dishwasher or the washing machine. (How’s that for versatility?!) Each cloth can replace over a dozen rolls of paper towels, and can eventually be composted. (3 for $8.95, 5 for $14.95)

New Year, New Brushes

Dish brushes made from wood and natural fibers do a great job scrubbing and replace lots of unnecessary plastic in the kitchen. Some of my favorites include a long coconut-fiber bottle brush, perfect for vases and tall glasses, and a vegetable brush rarely that gets put away during root season. I’m also partial to a straw cleaner: While I generally try to avoid single-purpose tools, I’ve found this one to be a must-have! ($3.75 and up)

If You Love Sponges

If you just really like using regular old kitchen sponges but don’t like the waste they generate, you’re in luck. These handy Coconut Scourers do essentially the same work, but they biodegrade completely after they’ve finished serving you. Made from waste coconut coir and natural rubber latex, these coconut scrubbies are gentle enough to use on even delicate surfaces. (5 for $9.99)

All-Purpose Kitchen Cloths

When it comes to hand-washing glassware, soap only takes you so far: A linty or streaky glass just doesn’t feel clean. For a streak-free finish, try these organic cotton flannel Reusable Paper Towels. They dry dishes efficiently and take care of all kinds of kitchen jobs, just as a paper towel does. The machine-washable towels naturally cling together, so you can actually roll them together and store them on a wooden dowel, just like regular paper towels. (towels $27.99 and up, dowel $24.99)

Wood’s Best Friend

Keep your wooden utensils and cutting boards looking their best with Earlywood’s Wood Oil. Made by a family-run woodworking shop in Montana, this simple blend nourishes and protects dry pieces. It also helps prevent them from absorbing too much odor or color from foods. I cleaned and oiled everything the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it felt like self-care for my kitchen. It doesn’t take much: A quick wipe brings even the best-loved utensils back to life. ($11)

Want to get in touch? I’d love to hear from you. Tell me about your favorite sustainable products and anything else that’s on your mind — email marketplace@bluedotliving.com. I’ll see you again Monday after next.

– Elizabeth Weinstein

Elizabeth Weinstein, Bluedot’s Marketplace Editor, lives in Manhattan with her husband; papillon Finley; and cats SanDeE* and Modell. When she’s not asking the folks at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to try on their most sustainable sneakers in a size 9½, she can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket or gardening on her rooftop terrace.