Meliora Dish Soap Bar, Plastic-Free Boxed

Important note on dish soap

Dish soap is a daily-use product that touches both your dishes and your hands, so I care about more than just grease-cutting power. I want formulas that rinse clean and don’t rely on unnecessary additives that can linger on dishes or irritate skin. Ingredient transparency matters here — if it’s not clear what’s in the product, I skip it.

I avoid undisclosed or toxic fragrance blends, ethoxylated ingredients (like PEGs or “-eth” ingredients), harsher surfactants such as SLS/SLES, common sensitizers like cocamidopropyl betaine, and preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or formaldehyde-releasing systems. Instead, I look for simple, fully disclosed formulas that rely on true soap or gentler plant-derived surfactants and rinse clean without leaving residue.

Product description

Meliora’s Dish Soap Bar is a solid, plastic-free dish soap made with vegetable soap from coconut and sunflower oils, plus glycerin and water. It’s packaged in a recyclable paperboard box and is available in an unscented version or a lightly scented lemon option made with essential oil.

This is the kind of dish soap I like for everyday use because it keeps things straightforward. It cleans effectively without relying on detergent additives, antibacterial claims, or fragrance systems that don’t belong on dishes.

What I like

I like that it’s a true soap-based bar with a short, transparent ingredient list.

The plastic-free boxed packaging is a meaningful swap if you’re trying to reduce single-use plastic in the kitchen.

The unscented option is especially nice for sensitive households or anyone who doesn’t want their dishes to carry a smell.

Things to keep in mind

Because this is a soap (not a detergent), hard water can sometimes cause buildup. Rinsing well and adjusting your routine as needed can help.

If you choose the lemon version, it’s scented with essential oil, so sensitivities are something to consider.

Bars work best with a dish brush or sponge. A quick rub is usually enough and helps the bar last longer.