Seventh Generation Dishwashing Gel Doesn't Sparkle

Every time our household runs out of a cleaning solution, we try to replace it with a more environmentally-friendly product. The Seventh Generation dishwashing gel was one of the new cleaning products about which we were most excited because of the number of dishes we wash.

The Seventh Generation dishwashing gel claims to "get dishes sparkling clean" while being gentle to the Earth. It might be good for the planet, but unfortunately it is not great at getting dishes clean. And if post- dishwashing you have to re-wash the dishes, it somewhat defeats the purpose.

Seventh Generation Advertising

The bottle statement says, "you are making a difference when purchasing a phosphate and chlorine free product that helps reduce the risk of harm to our lakes and ponds and keep chlorine's dangers out of the environment." The dishwashing gel is non-toxic, biodegradable, has no chlorine or phosphates, and safe for septic systems.

Unlike many of the mainstream dishwashing detergents, Seventh Generation lists all ingredients in the detergent so consumers will know what is in the product. All of the Seventh Generation detergents pose no chronic health risks and are safe for the environment. Though some studies show that phosphates are not toxic to people or animals unless they are present in very high levels, polluted soil and digestive problems can occur from extremely high levels of phosphate.

The Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent is vegetable-based product, and according to Seventh Generation literature, if every household in the U.S. replaced just one 25 oz. bottle of petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with a vegetable-based product, it could save 81,000 barrels of oil annually. This is enough to heat and cool 6,800 U.S. homes for a year.

Cleaning Powers