Grab Green Dishwasher Detergent Pods 2023 Review | Eco-friendly Dishwasher Soap Pods
The Top Line:
Not a buy. We found the experience of using Grab Green’s Automatic Dishwasher Pods to be pretty good (no complaints on the pods themselves). Our two biggest complaints - the plastic pouch isn’t really recyclable and the price is pretty darn high 😔
Note: This product does include a polymer called Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) — which, while it can biodegradable, it requires very specific conditions in order to do so that most US wastewater treatment facilities in the US are not set up for (study on degradation of PVA in US Wastewater Treatment Plants), which can lead to partially degraded plastic in the environment. TLDR: Biodegradable products that include PVA (which is found in many dishwasher and detergent pods) isn’t quite as clean as it is advertised to be, but still a step up from traditional bottled cleaners.
*Review Updated July 2023* to include the latest research on polymer Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) that is in this product.
The Breakdown:
Cost & Products: $11.99 for 24 ct, or $38.50 for 132 ct.
How ‘Clean’ Is This? We didn’t see much issue with any of their ingredients other than subtilisin enzyme, which showed up as a “4” according to EWG.
Packaging: The option for a large jumbo pouch (the 132 ct) means less shipments, but unfortunately it is made of a plastic that is stamped with a “7”, which isn’t very recyclable.
Purchasing & Shipping: We purchased on the Grab Green website. Free shipping!
What’s Your Impact? Reduction in plastic and lower transport-related carbon footprint as these are pods rather than in a liquid format.
The Experience
Context: We have tried a TON of dishwasher pods and tablets. Read some of our reviews here: Cleancult, Public Goods, Grove Collaborative, and our go-to continues to be Dropps.
We ran a few loads of dishes with Grab Green’s Automatic Dishwasher Pods, and it all worked quite well. No residue on dishes, no undissolved pods in the dishwasher!
We like the scent, but it doesn’t really impact what the smell of dishes are when they come out of the dishwasher
We are sad that the pods come in a plastic pouch. While it is labeled number 7 recyclable, 7 usually means it is made of too many types of plastics to be truly recyclable.
The Cost
We compared Grab Green’s Automatic Dishwasher Pods with other dishwasher pods and tablet options, ranging from other natural/eco-friendly options like to Dropps and Seventh Generation, as well as ‘standard’ brands like Cascade.
Money Report: Grab Green’s Automatic Dishwasher Pods are pretty pricey when compared to other options!
The Good:
✔ No undissolved pods in the dishwasher — and issue we have come across before with other pods we have tested
✔ No residue, rinses clean and cuts grease
The Bad:
✗ Definitely a more expensive option
✗ In reviewing the ingredients, we are concerned about subtilisin enzyme, which was rated a “4” according to EWG
✗ Came in a number 7 recyclable pouch; a 7 means it is often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can't easily be recycled.
Our Recommendation:
Not a buy. We found the experience of using Grab Green’s Automatic Dishwasher Pods to be pretty good (no complaints on the pods themselves). Our two biggest complaints - the plastic pouch isn’t really recyclable and the price is pretty darn high 😔
Note: This product does include a polymer called Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) — which, while it can biodegradable, it requires very specific conditions in order to do so that most US wastewater treatment facilities in the US are not set up for (study on degradation of PVA in US Wastewater Treatment Plants), which can lead to partially degraded plastic in the environment. TLDR: Biodegradable products that include PVA (which is found in many dishwasher and detergent pods) isn’t quite as clean as it is advertised to be, but still a step up from traditional bottled cleaners.
We're on a mission to reduce our personal carbon footprint with small, hopefully easy, changes in our home to fight against climate change. This means we're looking for products that may be all natural, ideally zero waste, reusable or compostable -- while still being affordable!
