365 by Whole Foods Market Unscented Dish Soap

A powerful, enzyme-powered dish soap that combines robust grease-cutting surfactants with targeted enzymes to effortlessly break down tough food residues without unnecessary fragrances or dyes.

Performance Rating: 9.3

The high 9.3/10 performance rating is driven by a highly effective, multi-surfactant cleaning system. The combination of strong anionic surfactants, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES), provides exceptional grease-cutting power and heavy-duty cleaning. This is further enhanced by Lauramine Oxide and Myristamine Oxide, which act as excellent foam stabilizers and grease cutters. Crucially, the addition of an Enzyme Blend (Protease and Amylase) actively breaks down tough, dried-on food soils like starches and proteins, making this formula extremely efficient.

Safety Rating: 6.0

The moderate 6.0/10 safety rating is primarily due to several ingredients known for irritation and sensitization. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a well-documented skin irritant, and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) can also cause mild irritation. Furthermore, the formulation contains Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), a synthetic preservative and known skin sensitizer that can trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, the Enzyme Blend (Protease and Amylase) carries a risk of inducing respiratory or skin sensitivities during handling or prolonged exposure.

Final Rating: 7.6

With a 7.6/10 final rating, this dish soap represents a compromise between superior cleaning performance and moderate safety concerns. The formulation is undeniably powerful, leveraging a combination of heavy-duty surfactants and advanced enzymes to easily tackle tough grease and food residue. However, the reliance on irritating surfactants like SLS and a sensitizing preservative like Benzisothiazolinone lowers its safety profile, making it less ideal for users with highly sensitive skin unless protective gloves are worn.

Verdict

This dish soap formulation is an exceptionally powerful cleaner that stands out due to its high-performing, targeted ingredient list. By combining traditional heavy-duty surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) with secondary surfactants like Lauramine Oxide and Myristamine Oxide, this soap ensures rich, long-lasting suds that actively lift away stubborn grease and oils. What truly elevates this formula is the addition of an enzyme blend containing protease and amylase. Protease specifically targets and breaks down protein-bound messes like baked-on egg, dairy, cheese, and meat residues, while amylase effortlessly dissolves sticky, starch-rich foods such as pasta, oatmeal, rice, and potatoes. This active biological action significantly reduces the amount of manual scrubbing required, making dishwashing much quicker and more efficient. However, the sheer strength of these deep-cleaning agents comes with a few trade-offs that consumers should keep in mind. The heavy concentration of SLS and SLES, while highly effective at stripping oil from pots and pans, can be harsh and drying to human skin. Frequent dishwashers or those prone to eczema may find that it quickly strips natural skin lipids, leading to dryness, tightness, or potential irritation during prolonged hand-washing sessions. Additionally, the preservative used in this product, Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), is highly effective at preventing bacterial contamination in water-heavy formulas, but it is also a known skin sensitizer that can occasionally trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. On the positive side, this formulation is commendable for being completely free of artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances, which successfully eliminates two of the most common household allergens. If your primary goal is finding an ultra-efficient, heavy-duty dish soap that tackles dried, baked-on food messes with minimal effort, this enzyme-powered formulation is an outstanding option. For household members with extremely dry hands, wearing dishwashing gloves is highly recommended, or you may want to seek a milder, plant-based alternative that utilizes gentler glucose-derived surfactants instead of sulfates.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Primary surfactant that provides excellent foaming, wetting, and grease-cutting capabilities.

Concerns: Can cause skin and eye irritation in sensitive individuals. Potential concern regarding 1,4-dioxane contamination during synthesis, though reputable manufacturers keep this to trace, safe levels.

Notes: Commonly abbreviated as SLES. It is generally milder on the skin than SLS.

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 月桂醇硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Primary surfactant used for deep cleaning, grease emulsification, and rich lather production.

Concerns: Known to be a skin and eye irritant, particularly with prolonged or concentrated exposure.

Notes: Commonly abbreviated as SLS. It is highly effective but can be harsh or drying on sensitive hands.

🧪 Lauramine Oxide / 月桂基胺氧化物

Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant, foam booster, and viscosity modifier that helps stabilize lather and lift grease.

Concerns: Generally low toxicity and low skin irritation potential.

Notes: Often used in combination with anionic surfactants (like SLES/SLS) to reduce their irritation potential and improve mildness.

🧪 Myristamine Oxide / 肉豆蔻基胺氧化物

Purpose: Co-surfactant and foam booster that works alongside Lauramine Oxide to enhance bubble quality and cleaning power.

Concerns: Low risk of irritation, considered safe in household cleaning products.

Notes: Provides excellent stability to the overall cleaning formulation.

📁 Solvents & Viscosity Modifiers / 溶剂与黏度调节剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Acts as the primary solvent to dissolve other ingredients and control the thickness of the liquid.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Typically, deionized or purified water is used in product formulations to ensure shelf life stability.

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Viscosity regulator used to thicken surfactant-based formulas.

Concerns: Safe to use; can be drying to the skin in high concentrations, but is harmless in dish soaps.

Notes: Commonly known as table salt. It interacts with surfactants to build thickness without the need for synthetic polymers.

📁 Enzymes / 酶制剂

🧪 Protease / 蛋白酶

Purpose: An enzyme that targets and breaks down protein-based food soils such as meats, eggs, cheese, and milk.

Concerns: Can act as a potential respiratory allergen in raw powder form (primarily a manufacturing safety concern), but presents very low risk in diluted liquid form on hands.

Notes: Enzymes allow for highly efficient cleaning at lower water temperatures and are biodegradable.

🧪 Amylase / 淀粉酶

Purpose: An enzyme that breaks down starch-based food deposits such as pasta, potatoes, gravy, and rice.

Concerns: Presents minimal concern; generally non-irritating to skin.

Notes: Works synergistically with protease to lift baked-on and dried-on foods from dishes.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: Adjusts the pH of the dish soap to make it safe for skin contact, and acts as a chelating agent to soften water.

Concerns: Can cause mild eye irritation in concentrated forms.

Notes: A naturally occurring organic acid derived from citrus fruits.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Benzisothiazolinone / 苯并异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Broad-spectrum preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold in the product.

Concerns: Can be a skin sensitizer and cause contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to isothiazolinones.

Notes: Commonly abbreviated as BIT. It is highly effective at very low concentrations, ensuring product safety during long-term storage.