Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

37 opinions for Greenwash: Palmolive eco+ Gel Dishwasher Detergent

• Jennifer
  Mar 25, 2008 at 3:36 pm

  Big day for lame cleaning news. The survey by the cleaning industry, now this, what is wrong with people? Plus that stupid screen shot of the waterfall, come on. Not to mention that Colgate tests on animals. Yup, they’re so very “eco-friendly”.

• Peggy
  Mar 25, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  Oh, you reminded me that I need to do a post about the little bunny symbol that’s on real cruelty-free products.

• Steve-O
  Mar 25, 2008 at 10:42 pm

  Just passing through, but just thought you might like to know that regular Palmolive dish washing detergant also contains chlorine bleach. (I am looking at both labels right now) So at least with the “Eco” you are without the phosphates.

  From what I hear, 7th Gen does a horrible job at cleaning. Not sure about other alternatives.

• Peggy
  Mar 25, 2008 at 11:40 pm

  Stevo-O,

  Maybe I’m too defensive of the word “eco,” but I believe it should be earned. The word doesn’t belong on a product that contains chlorine bleach. I’m glad Palmolive is eliminating phosphates in one of their products, but they should just call it phosphate-free. There are lots of products out there like this that don’t paint themselves earth-friendly just because they don’t have phosphates.

  Am I being unreasonable? I hope not.

  I actually picked up a box of Seventh Gen today. I’m going to try it out for myself.

  Thanks for stopping by.

• Jennifer
  Mar 26, 2008 at 4:09 am

  Steve-O it’s not going to help the planet, or health of people much if we constantly do “at least” what we can. Especially when we’re a big company, like Colgate who can really afford advertising, and might be able to persuade folks to go green. “At least” is pretty weak argument when their are companies who do “the most” they can.

  I like 7th gen. I’ve used it (many different products) and never had an issue.

• Peggy
  Mar 26, 2008 at 4:29 am

  Jennifer, I was thinking along those same lines earlier tonight when I discussed this with Michael. He thinks I’m picking on Palmolive, but I agree with you. They can afford to do more. Now, 7th Gen and similar smaller brands have to compete with this greenwash. It’s not really fair.

  Actually, sometimes I think it may be easier to just hand wash dishes! Then, you don’t have to worry about food being left on plates or a film on dishes and a rinse aid and all that. Plus, the dishwasher in my apartment is SO loud. I miss the nice Maytag I bought for my house before I sold it. I want it back. Think they would mind?

  Good night all. I will do a review of 7th Gen dishwasher detergent soon.

• Paul
  Mar 26, 2008 at 11:14 pm

  Just stumbled on this page, but honestly, I have to go with Steve-O on this one. My friends have tried the no chlorine products (7th, Ecover, etc.) and they just don’t work. And Method also claims to be a natural brand, but they have plenty of non-natural stuff in their products (and people seem to love them). I don’t know, I’m going to try this eco+ stuff. It may not save the world, but it’s a lot closer than the rest of the mainstream products (and with any luck it will actually clean dishes).

• Peggy
  Mar 26, 2008 at 11:46 pm

  Paul,
  I have heard the mixed reviews on 7th Gen. auto dishwasher powder and gel. I find it odd that it stays on the shelves if it doesn’t work though. Someone must like it. I’m actually running my first load with this detergent now.

  I suppose if you feel you have only two choices — the stuff with phosphate and bleach or just the stuff with chlorine bleach, then obviously it’s better to go with the stuff without phosphates. I’m hopeful there’s a better solution that will work for many people.

  As for Method, I don’t believe they carry automatic dishwasher tablets anymore. All I could find is the hand wash stuff, which I use now.

  Thanks for stopping by Paul. I hope you return.

• Sarah
  Mar 27, 2008 at 10:22 am

  I’ve been using Seventh Generation dishwashing gel for several months now, and my dishes come out perfectly clean. They have one that’s lemon scented in case you like the smell of the toxic versions. For crying out loud, run a sponge over your crusted dishes before you put them in the dishwasher! A little elbow grease has never harmed the planet or the health of our families!!!

• Peggy
  Mar 27, 2008 at 11:32 am

  Sarah,

  I have the Free & Clear version of the Sev. Gen. dishwasher powder. I love it. Look for my review tomorrow.

  Thanks for stopping by. It was refreshing. : )

• Shelli
  Mar 27, 2008 at 4:17 pm

  Just ran across this thread, so thought I’d leave a note. I use the Ecover dishwasher tablets, they work pretty well. I tried the 7th Generation a few years ago, but it didn’t work very well at that time. Whole Foods has Restore which I’m going to try next. I like the concept because you can bring the containers back and just get a refill, less packaging.

• Peggy
  Mar 27, 2008 at 4:50 pm

  Shelli,

  I don’t live very close to a Whole Foods, but I do go there a few times a year. I think a 20-minute drive to the grocery store is a little much if I have options just next door.

  I’ll have to check out Restore. Thanks for telling us about it.

• Noel
  Apr 11, 2008 at 9:42 pm

  “For crying out loud, run a sponge over your crusted dishes before you put them in the dishwasher! A little elbow grease has never harmed the planet or the health of our families!!!”

  While I agree with you in principle, Sarah, you do know that you use more water “prewashing” dishes. That isn’t great either.

• Liz
  Apr 15, 2008 at 3:19 pm

  Ok, so I was frantically running thru the supermarket with 3 young (tired, hungry) children and bought this product. I was a little surprised when I got home and saw it had bleach. Oh well. I wish someone would come out with a cheap alternative to the toxic stuff, I can’t always afford 7th generation or Ecover, and I don’t think Shaklee is all that great–even when I run a sponge over the dishes ; ). So, if anyone knows a CHEAP safe dishwasher detergent for a CHEAP mom, please, post it and I’ll check back. (Toilet bowl cleaners wanted too!!!!)

  Thanks.

• Jennifer
  Apr 16, 2008 at 9:51 pm

  @Noel that’s why I always tell people to rinse their dishes once, right when they finish eating. The issue I think with water waste and prewashing is that people wait. If you wait, your dishes get crusty and need more water than just a quick rinse. Another way to do this without wasting water (or so much) is to fill your sink and let the dishes soak for an hour. Which is a lot less water wasted than rinsing for a long while.

• Jennifer
  Apr 16, 2008 at 9:53 pm

  @Liz we’re going to start trying to feature some money saving green products and issues around cheap vs. expensive green items. I’ll have some posts up starting Friday April 16th about this.

• Dee Dee
  Apr 17, 2008 at 11:57 am

  I HATE the Palmolive Eco gel. My dishes have the worst film on them I have ever seen! I’m going back to cascade!

• Jon
  Apr 21, 2008 at 12:45 pm

  Chlorine gas in excessive amounts is not good to breath. But, as I understand it chlorine bleach does not damage the water supply and is actually in all of the water we drink in trace amounts to kill bacteria. I bought some of this detergent and one would not even know there is chlorine in it based on the smell, and I am sensitive to those things. I like having bleach in the detergent to kill germs, so for me it is not an issue.

• Jennifer
  Apr 21, 2008 at 1:10 pm

  @Jon actually there are many problems with Chlorine use. http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/infores/pubs/fypubs/wl314.pdf

  There’s one article about the research - but many more exist. Some think we should ban it all together. Of course some don’t but even the EPA who ok’s all sort of icky pesticides thinks we should aim for non-use.

• Sarah
  Apr 25, 2008 at 11:46 am

  I understand your outrage at the liberal use of the word “eco” on a product that contains a harmful chemical in it, however I do think that the removal of phosphates from their dishwasher detergent is a sign of change. Sometimes change is slow and just one baby step at a time. We should not be content to stop here, but we also should be happy and continue to encourage the removal of all harmful chemicals from cleaning products.

• michelle
  May 6, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  I disagree with Jon, I also bought this product and I am going to return it today!!! As soon as I poured it I could smell the toxins then the artificial lemon scent to cover the toxins….. well, I’m assuming thats why they add the scent unless of course you or your guest really care about the way your dishes smell. I tried the Ecover lavender gel and it worked great. It costs a little more but you can go online and print up eco friendly coupons for all kinds of items. good job everyone & good luck!

• Peggy
  May 6, 2008 at 3:37 pm

  Thanks for your comment Michelle.

  I’m using 7th Gen right now, but I’m going to try Ecover next.

• Jennifer
  May 6, 2008 at 4:52 pm

  I used to use nothing but Ecover, and I really liked it - the dishsoap that is. It’s a good price too.

• hope
  May 10, 2008 at 2:45 pm

  Seventh Gen didn’t do very well. I really like Ecover. Biokleen is kind of weird. It’s been leaving some white residue on my dishes. I really WANT to like Seventh Gen… we use their diapers and wipes and they rock!

• Peggy
  May 10, 2008 at 3:47 pm

  Hope, Ecover is good too.

• Rebecca
  May 29, 2008 at 1:35 pm

  Okay–this is what I find so frustrating when I read all these comments. Any time a large company tries to do something green–people come back and say “well that’s not green enough for me” and then start disparging the product for a range of reasons, some perhaps better than others. Then they start saying–I’m not going to use that product. I think Palmolive is trying to make a step in the right direction for the planet. They may not be making every possible step they can–but it is a national brand that is available all over–and it is being sold at a price point that is similar or less than other leading national brands. So hopefully many more people will chose to start using a phosphate free version for their dishwashers. Calling it Eco is a short-handed way of saying this is a better choice. If they simply said phosphate free most people wouldn’t have a clue what the greater meaning held and wouldn’t necessarilyb e drawn to it on the shelf I used Palmolive for years because the amount of phosphates it contained was about half the amount of Cascade–and it could be obtained easily. Its great that people use Seventh Generation and it decreases their impact on the planet–but not everyone is going to be able to do the same due to availability and price point. With a much bigger brand comes a much bigger total impact on the environment. But if the people who consider themselves green have to smack talk about every new national product that tries to make a lesser impact on the environment–those companies may go back to “screw you green types–you don’t appreciate what we do” and then once again the product will be pulled because no one would try it.

• Peggy
  May 29, 2008 at 2:02 pm

  Rebecca,

  I think most people are smart enough to know that “phosphate-free” is good. Put XXX-free on anything and most people know that you don’t want whatever that thing is.

  The problem I have with this product is that it’s misleading. They should list their ingredients!

  And products like Ecover and 7G are becoming increasingly available and will hopefully make the national brands clean up their acts. If the smaller companies can afford it, Palmolive sure can.

• Jennifer
  May 29, 2008 at 2:39 pm

  @Rebecca, you say, “Any time a large company tries to do something green–people come back and say “well that’s not green enough for me” and then start disparging the product for a range of reasons”

  We don’t attack large companies for the sake of attacking large companies. We’re pointing out that this company is misleading consumers. The product contains bleach, and if you’re going to say you’re an eco product, and then contain a toxic item like bleach, it’s just plain lame.

  We also don’t like small companies that do this though - the only reason (to me) that it seems worse when a large company does it, is because they have a larger consumer pull. Palmolive has the means, and consumer base to create real change, instead of simply greenwashing.

  Yeah, it’s cool and all when large companies attempt to go greener, but it seems like not enough, when smaller companies can do better.

  Also, if Palmolive pulls their product (which I highly doubt will happen) that’s fine with me. Bleach is no good for families. One less bleach product on the market isn’t going to make me depressed or make me feel bad for a company.

• Carrie
  Jun 20, 2008 at 1:44 pm

  I’ve tried using 7th Gen, Meyer’s, and Bio-Kleen and ALL end up leaving film on my glasses and not getting them fully clean. The longer I use the products, the worse it gets. I even use a rinse-aid of vinegar/water, which is supposed to take care of that. This is on a brand-new, Energy Star dishwasher to boot!
  I have NO desire to use toxic cleaners (we don’t use them anywhere else in the house), but I am SO tired of having dirty glasses and dishes. It isn’t saving anything if I have to pre-wash (though, I always do a very quick, pre-rinse), or if I have to wash the same things over and over hoping to get them clean.
  I’m tired of giving company a glass to drink out of that doesn’t look clean - heck, I’m tired of drinking out of them myself!
  As much as I really loathe it, I think I am going to try this Palmolive stuff to see if it works. At least it is phosphate free, even if it does have chlorine in it. (blech)
  I wish someone could make something that truly worked.

• debbie
  Jul 3, 2008 at 11:11 pm

  I’ve started using this eco-friendly palmolive gel and my glasses and silverware are looking horrible. The eating utensils especially. It looks foggy and it’s hard to scrub off. i’ve been using for 2 weeks and the know I have to scrub to the silverware daily.

• Peggy
  Jul 4, 2008 at 1:22 am

  Carrie and Debbie, check out my review of Ecover dishwasher tablets. I didn’t see a film at all with it.
  http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/green-review-ecover-automatic-dishwasher-tablets/

• james
  Aug 9, 2008 at 9:50 am

  We bought palmolive gel dishwashing ECO + and our dishes are all left with a chaulky-whitish looking film. this is most evident in our glass tumblers and eating utensils. black rubber spatulas also look very chalkish-wihte and looks terrible.

  we are going back to the other brands.

• Paul
  Aug 23, 2008 at 12:50 pm

  OK — now I’m worried. I just bought the Eco+ gel yesterday at Target. The Eco+ price was excellent and the 7th Generation powder was 1.) too expensive, and 2.) I don’t recall consumer reports ever giving it good ratings. So I figured I can at least try it. Now reading the postings online, and on epinions (terrible reports!) however, I’m concerned about all these reports of “damaged” dishes and glasses. Something about white spots and film that is very tough/impossible to get off. Does anyone have an idea if this is true? Was there ever a plain Palmolive “Eco” gel and this product is “Eco+” which may have been improved?

  Or do the problems affect the “+” formula also?

  For anyone who has had the problems, do you have very hard water? What kind of dishwasher?

  I certainly don’t want to damage my (Ikea, HA!) dishes or my dishwasher (Bosch, not so funny), but I want to give the product a chance before tossing it.

• Paul
  Aug 23, 2008 at 12:52 pm

  One thing for anyone interested, Consumer Reports a year or so ago rated Trader Joes dishwasher detergent as very good (its rating has gone down since, but still good), and it has no phosphate and is inexpensive. Just a tip.

• Peggy
  Aug 23, 2008 at 5:04 pm

  Paul, that plus sign after the Eco was just a marketing thing. This is Palmolive’s first “eco” detergent. That white film is most likely due to not using a rinse aid. Phosphates are popular because they help rinse dishes, and water hardness has a lot to do with whether you’ll experience the film.

  Adding some vinegar to the rinse cycle should help you avoid any white residue. If you’re concerned, why not just return the product? I would…

  I’ve used Ecover, which is bleach and phosphate free without any white film. I’ve used other phosphate-free detergents that did create a white film, but it wasn’t permanent.

• Barbara
  Aug 27, 2008 at 4:23 pm

  I was just about to try the new Palmolive, because I have been using the old version with phosphate until now. Years ago, I used Ecover powder, and wasn’t sure about using the tablets when they originally switched. I think it’s because we ran an “Energy Saving” single-wash cycle, filling only 1 dispenser, and the instructions said you had to fill both dispensers. It was a long time ago so I’m not sure. I started trying different phosphate-free brands (7th Gen, Trader Joe’s). I think the 7th Gen permanently etched some crystal glasses that were fine with the old Ecover powder, and the Trader Joe’s left a milky film on the rest of the glasses. I gave up and went to the lowest-phosphate conventional detergent I could find.

  More recently, my sister has been experimenting, and found that one detergent (I don’t remember which) was etching some of the design off the coffee mugs. Her husband wasn’t too happy because some of them are irreplaceable souvenir mugs. I was wondering whether anybody has noticed this problem with Ecover?

• Peggy
  Aug 27, 2008 at 5:08 pm

  Hi Barbara. I have review on Ecover tabs here
  http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/green-review-ecover-automatic-dishwasher-tablets/

  I didn’t experience etching or loss of designs on mugs. Ecover also makes a rinse aid, or you could try adding vinegar. I only use one tab per load.

  You may be better off washing crystal and china by hand. Most detergents (even green ones) warn that these items could be damaged in the dishwasher.

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