Homeowners told to make a ‘simple but important’ washing-up liquid switch

Irish homes warned against purchasing washing-up liquid after recent concerns

Despite many people using it nearly every day, households have recently been asked to look for another option in order to protect the environment.  

As per the Galway Beo, environmental experts warn individuals “to make a simple but important switch in 2025."

Not only would switching help to cut a household’s plastic waste, but it would also help protect “our rivers, seas and aquatic wildlife” from chemicals. 

According to Ecover, it's estimated that 12.7 tonnes of plastic bottles end up in the oceans yearly. 

So, if you want to keep an eco-friendly lifestyle, this could be something to consider. 

But that’s not the only thing we need to think about

Not only should we be thinking about the packaging, but we also need to consider what's inside. 

Most washing-up liquids contain harsh ingredients. These ingredients, called surfactants, include sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which is something you can also find in shampoo. SLS can linger on dishes even after they are clean. 

SLS can damage marine life and ecosystems, as they don’t just go away. 

According to the Ethical Superstore:

“SLS creates foam and boosts cleaning power, but it doesn’t just dissolve away. It can end up lingering in our waterways, where it harms aquatic life and disrupts fragile ecosystems.”

Now, if you are stuck and wondering what you can do, don’t be worried. Nowadays, you can find so many eco-friendly alternatives, even for washing dishes.

You can find refills for many products, from hand soap to washing-up liquid, in most supermarkets. Purchasing refills instead of a new bottle every time can help cut down your plastic usage.

You can also buy eco-friendly washing-up liquid or washing-up soap to cut your plastic waste down even more. 

Furthermore, you can purchase washing-up bar soap and eco-friendly washing-up liquid with biodegradable ingredients. 

And if you’re looking for an alternative to your washing-up liquid to protect our rivers and ecosystem, there are plenty of eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives, so you still keep your dishes clean.