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This blog post was written by Bend Soap Company co-founder, Marilee Johnson.
Marilee here, sharing with you one of my newest uses for our goat milk soap. For years now, we’ve been using our fabulous soaps at the kitchen sink – not only for washing our hands all day long but for doing our dishes, too!
People spend a TON of time washing dishes, washing their hands, washing more dishes, more hand washing, etc. This excessive amount of time in water and soap can lead to extremely dry hands. Cracked, dry knuckles, followed by nails that break easily, split thumbs... I've had it all.
No fun! Especially if you have eczema or other skin sensitivities on your hands, this normal chore can be an even more painful experience. Did you know the average person spends around 280 hours a year washing dishes? That’s a lot of time with your hands in soapy water!
And if you’re using a toxic dish soap loaded with harsh chemicals, it’s probably taking a toll on your skin. One of the best decisions I made for my kitchen was ditching conventional dish soaps and finding non-toxic dish soap options that work just as well, if not better. Here’s what to know about DIY natural dish soap.
Why Switch to Natural Dish Soaps?
I know it’s easy to grab whatever dish soap is on sale, but have you ever noticed your hands feeling dry, cracked, or even a little itchy after washing dishes? I know I have! A lot of the dish soaps sitting on store shelves are loaded with chemicals that are tough on your skin and not so great for the planet either.
Natural dish soaps (the good ones) are gentle on your hands while still getting your plates clean. And just think about all those harmful chemicals you’re not rinsing down the drain! Clean dishes, happy skin, healthier home? Yes, please.
The Dirty Truth About Conventional Dish Soaps
You’d think dish soap would just be soap, right? Wrong. Conventional dish soaps often come loaded with harsh chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), synthetic fragrances, and preservatives that can mess with more than just your dishes.
If you’ve ever finished washing dishes and felt like your hands were extra-tight or dry, that’s because many dish soaps strip away your skin’s natural oils and throw off your skin barrier. Not only that, but toxic dish soap chemicals like phthalates and triclosan also wash down the drain and can pollute waterways.
I’m not trying to scare you! It’s important to know what’s in your daily products so you can make choices that feel good for you and your family. And personally, I believe that you deserve better than chemicals you can’t pronounce.
Benefits of Non-Toxic Dish Soap
Switching to non-toxic dish soap is like giving your skin a little hug every time you do the dishes. If you’re anything like me—you’re at that sink a lot. Why not use soap that works with you instead of against you?
The best non-toxic dish soaps are free from those harsh ingredients we talked about, but they still get the job done. They clean your dishes (even the greasy pans), while nourishing your skin with natural oils and plant-based ingredients.
Many non-toxic dish soap brands use essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances, so your dishes smell great without that fake “mountain breeze” smell we all know isn’t real. But the best part? You can wash dishes as often as you need without feeling like your hands are paying the price.
Our goat milk soap has worked wonders in our kitchen, so I’d recommend it to anyone looking to switch to non-toxic dish soap. Here’s what makes goat milk soap different from other non-toxic cleaners:
- Deep Hydration – Goat milk’s natural fats keep your hands soft while you scrub.
- Vitamin Boost – Rich in vitamins A and E to nourish and repair dry skin.
- Gentle Cleansing – Cleans dishes without stripping your skin’s natural oils.
- Soothes Sensitivities – Calms irritation for eczema-prone and sensitive skin.
- Multi-Tasker – Cuts grease while moisturizing for clean dishes and happy hands.
DIY Natural Dish Soap Solution
For years, I tried conventional dish soaps that left my skin dry, cracked, and miserable. I wanted something better that actually cleaned my dishes without wrecking my hands. That’s when I gave our goat milk soap a try. It was gentle on my skin, tough on grease, and exactly what I needed.
And It's not because I couldn't buy something else if I wanted to. The fact is, this soap easily takes off grease, lathers amazingly, and is all-natural (of course!). No need for harsh degreasers, detergents, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
My Favorite Natural Kitchen Scents
Our bars of goat milk soap are made using just four main all-natural ingredients (plus essential oils in some for added therapeutic benefits), so you really can't choose a "wrong" scent. However, I do have a few personal favorite scents I like to keep near the kitchen sink at all times. Here are some of my top essential oils to brighten up the kitchen:
- Tea Tree – Crisp and clean, with natural antibacterial properties.
- Tangerine Spice – Warm, citrusy, with a cozy clove kick our whole family loves.
- All Shield – Packed with essential oils like cinnamon and clove, great when you want an extra germ-fighting boost.
- Lemongrass – Bright and zesty, like sunshine in a soap bar.
- Citrus Mint – Refreshing and uplifting—perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
- Mount Bachelor Pine – Earthy and fresh, like bringing a bit of the forest into your kitchen.
How to Use Goat Milk Soap for Dishes
Using a bar of soap instead of a bottle of liquid dish soap might sound a little old-school, but trust me—it’s easy, and your hands will thank you. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you ever messed with plastic bottles and toxic dish soap in the first place.
Here’s the simple step-by-step:
- Wet your sponge or dish brush.
- Rub it over the soap bar until you get a nice, bubbly lather.
- Scrub your dishes like normal, rinse, and admire the sparkle.
Bonus Hack: That same goat milk soap works wonders on cutting boards, stainless steel dishes, and even those stubborn glass baking dishes. It’s the multi-tasker your kitchen didn’t know it needed!
Odor-Free Dish Soap is the Best Dish Soap
One of the craziest parts of this transition? I used to change out our dish sponges weekly because they got so smelly after a few washes. One day after switching to goat milk soap, I threw a couple-week-old sponge in front of my husband's nose and said, “Smell this!”
He seriously couldn’t smell a thing! It was not a bit stinky after all that time and use! I've even noticed that Vienna's bibs (which I hand wash) don't stink, either. This odor-free life is really awesome and saves me time and money, too. YEAH for our soap! Who would've ever thought?
Impromptu Testimonial: While we were shooting this video, a friend of ours dropped by and I HAD to have him smell the sponge (beware of entering my kitchen unannounced!) He was so impressed!! Here's what he had to say:
“This is the best smelling sponge I’ve ever smelled!”
And there you have it, folks.
Our Go-To Natural Dish Soap Picks
Finding the best non-toxic dish soap can feel challenging, because not all dish soaps are created equal. You want something that cuts through grease but doesn’t damage your skin, and bonus points if it’s better for the planet, too.
That’s why we love zero-waste dish soap bars. They skip the plastic, last forever, and do the job without harsh chemicals that leave your hands cracked and dry. Call me biased, but when it comes to natural dish soap, I’ll never use anything but our goat milk soap bars.
I love that they’re tough on dirty dishes while being gentle on my skin! Unlike liquid dish soaps that come in plastic bottles and run out way too fast, our goat milk soap bars last longer and eliminate plastic waste from your kitchen sink.
Sure, you could find other natural dish soap brands that work. But the one thing those other soaps don’t have? Skin-loving ingredients that hydrate your skin while you scrub. You shouldn’t have to choose between clean dishes and soft hands. With goat milk soap, you don’t have to.
Questions About Goat Milk Soap as Natural Dish Soap
What Are the Benefits of Using Goat Milk Soap for Dishwashing?
Goat milk’s natural fats and vitamins act like a built-in moisturizer, so you can wash dishes without drying out your skin. Plus, its non-toxic dish soap formula cuts grease without harsh chemicals.
Can Goat Milk Soap Disinfect Dishes?
Certain essential oils like tea tree and clove have antibacterial properties, giving you peace of mind while keeping toxic dish soap far from your kitchen.
Are Goat Milk Soap Bars Waste-Free?
Absolutely. As a zero-waste dish soap, goat milk bars eliminate plastic bottles, so you’re reducing waste every time you lather up.
Goodbye Harsh Soaps, Hello Happy Hands
Washing dishes doesn’t have to mean irritating your sensitive skin or exposing your family to toxic dish soap. Switching to natural dish soap is a simple way to make your home safer and your hands happier. Give it a try—your skin (and the planet) will thank you.
Want more non-toxic cleaning swaps? Check out our other blog posts on the Sudsy Scoop!
6 comments
Thank you for the post on using your soaps for dish washing. I made the switch after reading this post and was blown away by how well it cleans. It cuts grease better than any dish soap I’ve ever tried, with the added peace of mind that it’s clean ingredients for my family. Highly recommend making the switch!!!
Have you tried using your soap in a recipe for Dishwasher detergent?
Absolutely the best ever products for skin care, wished I’ve learned about it sooner, can’t do without them!!!
I’m really interested to try this. I’ve been using Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap for the same reason – it doesn’t make the dish rag stink. But I’m not sure it keeps my hands soft like your soap probably does. Bravo Bend Soap!!!
Wow! I never thought of using the soap to do dishes. I’m gonna have to give it a try. Thanks!