Great Value Ultra Dish Liquid, Original

A heavy-duty dish detergent engineered with a powerful blend of anionic surfactants designed to provide maximum grease-cutting performance and rich foam.

Performance Rating: 4.6

This formula is highly effective due to a potent blend of anionic surfactants including Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. These ingredients provide superior grease-cutting capabilities and exceptional foam stability. The inclusion of Sodium Xylene Sulfonate acts as a functional hydrotrope, ensuring the formula remains clear and stable, while Cocamidopropyl Betaine enhances the sudsing quality and cleaning efficiency.

Safety Rating: 2.3

The safety profile is primarily compromised by the presence of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone, which are known contact allergens and skin sensitizers. Additionally, the high concentration of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) can be significantly drying and irritating to the skin with frequent use. The inclusion of Tetrasodium EDTA and synthetic Fragrance and Blue 1 further increases the potential for sensitivity reactions for users with reactive skin.

Final Rating: 3.4

This is a high-performance dish soap that will easily tackle heavy grease and baked-on food. However, its reliance on harsh preservatives and strong surfactants makes it less ideal for those concerned with skin health or ingredient ‘cleanliness.’ It is an effective industrial-style cleaner that lacks the gentleness found in more modern, plant-derived alternatives.

Verdict

This dish soap is a classic example of a high-performance industrial formulation tailored for residential use. Its primary strength lies in its aggressive surfactant system. By combining Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), the product ensures that even the most stubborn animal fats and oils are emulsified and rinsed away with ease. The inclusion of Sodium Xylene Sulfonate functions as a hydrotrope, preventing the formula from separating and maintaining a consistent viscosity, while Sodium Chloride is used as a cost-effective thickening agent to provide that familiar gel-like texture consumers expect. For households in regions with high mineral content in their tap water, this soap will perform exceptionally well. The Tetrasodium EDTA acts as a powerful chelating agent, binding to calcium and magnesium ions that would otherwise interfere with the soap’s cleaning efficacy. This means you will still get a rich, stable lather even in hard water conditions. Citric acid is used to balance the pH, ensuring the soap isn’t too alkaline, though the high concentration of anionic surfactants remains inherently drying to human skin. However, the formulation is not without its drawbacks, particularly regarding skin health and environmental impact. The use of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCIT) as preservatives is a double-edged sword. While they are highly effective at preventing bacterial growth in the bottle, they are notorious contact allergens. People with a history of hand dermatitis or reactive skin may find that this soap causes redness, itching, or peeling. Furthermore, the presence of Blue 1 and synthetic fragrance caters to the sensory experience but adds no functional cleaning value, making it less ideal for those seeking a plant-based profile. In summary, this is a workhorse detergent designed for efficiency over mildness. It is perfect for cleaning greasy pots, pans, and everyday dishes quickly. If you do not have sensitive skin and prioritize grease-cutting power and suds longevity, this product is an excellent choice. However, if you suffer from dry hands or prefer environmentally friendly, biodegradable ingredients, you may want to look for a sulfate-free alternative.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Acts as the liquid base for the formula to dissolve other ingredients.

Concerns: None

Notes: Essential for achieving the desired product consistency.

📁 Surfactants and Cleansing Agents / 表面活性剂和清洁剂

🧪 Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzene Sulfonate / C10-16 烷基苯磺酸钠

Purpose: Powerful primary surfactant for removing grease and oil.

Concerns: Can be drying or irritating to skin with prolonged exposure.

Notes: A common industrial-strength cleaning agent.

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Creates rich foam and aids in cleaning.

Concerns: Possible skin irritation; may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane.

Notes: Often considered milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 月桂醇硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Effective foaming agent and detergent.

Concerns: Known skin and eye irritant.

Notes: Excellent at breaking down fats and oils.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Mild co-surfactant that boosts foam and reduces irritation from harsher surfactants.

Concerns: Potential for allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Notes: Derived from coconut oil.

📁 Stabilizers and Viscosity Adjusters / 稳定剂和黏度调节剂

🧪 Sodium Xylene Sulfonate / 二甲苯磺酸钠

Purpose: Hydrotrope used to maintain formula clarity and stability.

Concerns: Minimal; can cause mild irritation in high concentrations.

Notes: Helps keep the surfactant mixture from separating.

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Common salt used to thicken the liquid soap.

Concerns: None for skin, but can be corrosive to some metals.

Notes: Increases the viscosity of surfactant systems.

📁 Functional Additives / 功能性添加剂

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: Adjusts the pH level of the soap to be skin-compatible.

Concerns: Minimal; can be an eye irritant.

Notes: Derived naturally from citrus fruits.

🧪 Tetrasodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸四钠

Purpose: Chelating agent that softens hard water and prevents mineral buildup.

Concerns: Not readily biodegradable; may increase the penetration of other chemicals.

Notes: Helps the soap perform better in hard water areas.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone/Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮/甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Broad-spectrum preservative system to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.

Concerns: High potential for skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis.

Notes: Frequently used in rinse-off products to ensure shelf stability.

📁 Aesthetics / 感官调节剂

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Provides a pleasant scent to the product.

Concerns: Common cause of allergic reactions; specific components are usually undisclosed.

Notes: The term covers a complex mixture of many chemical ingredients.

🧪 Blue 1 / 蓝色1号

Purpose: Synthetic dye used to provide the product’s color.

Concerns: Minimal risk in rinse-off products.

Notes: Also known as Brilliant Blue FCF.