How to Use Solid Dish Soap

Doing the dishes is everyone's least favorite chore. In terms of fun, it's probably up there with ironing, gutter cleaning and scrubbing the toilet. But what if we told you there was a simple way to make this dreaded chore a little easier, a little faster and a lot more Earth-friendly? Enter solid dish soap, a plastic-free alternative to liquid dish detergent that’s better for your health, your bank account and the planet. Solid dish soap is just as effective as the bottled stuff, all while keeping artificial fragrances, dyes, toxins and plastic waste out of the kitchen.

If you’re thinking about making the switch to solid dish soap, but aren’t sure how it works, we’re happy to help! Ahead, learn more about this low-waste alternative to liquid dish soap and how to use solid dish soap to make your daily dishwashing better, faster and more fun.

Why Switch to Solid Dish Soap?

So, what’s all the fuss about solid dish soap bars? Here are a few reasons why we love scrubbing the dishes with solid dish soap, and why we think you will, too.

1. Solid Dish Soap Is Plastic-Free – Each year, humans produce one million plastic bottles, leading to a devastating amount of plastic waste. Solid dish soap helps reduce plastic waste by eliminating the need for a plastic bottle altogether. Unlike traditional liquid soap, our solid dish soap comes plastic-free in a reusable, recyclable tin.
2. Solid Dish Soap Lasts Longer – Do you ever feel like you’re constantly buying bottled dish soap? Switch to solids and start saving money! Solid dish soap outlasts two to three bottles of dish soap, making it easier on your wallet and the planet.
3. Solid Dish Soap Is Non-Toxic – Many liquid dish detergents contain potentially harmful ingredients such as artificial fragrances, phosphates and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). If you’re looking for a healthier option for your family, our natural solid dish soap is the way to go! Our solid dish soap utilizes Earth-friendly ingredients to get your dishes clean without the chemicals.
4. Solid Dish Soap Lathers and Cuts Grease – You don’t need to sacrifice lather when ditching the plastic bottle. Solid dish soap lathers just as well as regular dish soap and does an incredible job at cutting through grease and grime. If you’re skeptical, give our solid dish soap a try and see for yourself! 

Start Scrubbing with Solid Dish Soap

How to Use Solid Dish Soap

Not sure how to use solid dish soap? Don’t worry – it couldn’t be any simpler. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you tackle your next batch of dirty dishes with ease.

• Prep your dishes by scraping excess food off your plates and bowls.
• Wet a dish brush or a sponge by briefly running it under the faucet.
• Rub the dish brush directly on your block of solid dish soap. Use a circular motion to get a good lather going. (If you’re having trouble getting a good lather, simply add more water.)
• Start scrubbing! The tough Mexican Tampico bristles on our wooden dish brush should make short work of removing gunk from your dishes, while our natural dish brushes are ideal for cleaning kitchen utensils.
• Rinse off the soapy residue with clean water and place your dishes in a drying rack.
• Allow your solid dish soap bar to dry completely by keeping it on a soap lift, like our silicone soap dish or our wooden soap dish. This will help extend the lifespan of your solid dish soap and keep soapy residue off your kitchen counter.

Get Your Wooden Soap Dish Today

How Do I Soak My Dishes with Solid Dish Soap?

Allowing your dishes to sit in piping hot water for 30 minutes or more is usually all it takes to loosen the remaining food residue. But if you have stubborn, baked-on messes that won’t come off, you can also grate some of your solid dish soap bar into your dish pan and give it a quick swish before letting your dirty dishes soak. After 30 minutes or so, scrub your dishes with soap once more. You can also try adding some baking soda to your sink or dish pan to help remove tough stains and smells.

Give Your Kitchen an Earthling-Friendly Upgrade

Switching to solid dish soap is an easy, low-waste swap that can go a long way in reducing your plastic waste. Scrubbing with solids can even make doing the dishes — dare we say it? — fun. 

Even if you decide to use your solid dish soap for scrubbing and your liquid dish soap for soaking, you’re still cutting back your plastic waste by making your bottled dish soap last longer. That’s better than nothing!

Looking for more ways to go low-waste in the kitchen? Check out our entire collection of Earthling-friendly products at The Earthing Co.!