ECOS Foaming Dish Soap – Free & Clear
Low PFAS risk. Third-party certified PFAS-free liquid soap.
ECOS Free & Clear is a plant-based dish soap with Made Safe certification, which verifies absence of PFAS. Liquid formulations carry minimal PFAS risk compared to coated or treated products.
Brand says: “ECOS products are PFAS-free and verified by Made Safe”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, surfactants, plant-based ingredients
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No PFAS found in testing
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What ECOS Foaming Dish Soap – Free & Clear is made of, ingredients and materials
ECOS Foaming Dish Soap Free & Clear is a water-based liquid surfactant product derived from plant sources rather than petroleum. The formulation omits synthetic fragrance, dyes, and chlorine, reducing exposure to volatile organic compounds and irritant residues that remain on dishes or hands. Plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut or palm-based alkyl sulfates) biodegrade more readily than some synthetic alternatives, though surfactant efficacy and skin safety depend on concentration and pH balance, both of which ECOS discloses as suitable for hand and dish use.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Surfactant-induced skin irritation or dermatitis
Plant-based surfactants are generally less irritating than petroleum-derived ones, but prolonged or frequent contact without rinsing can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals. The Free & Clear formulation omits dyes and fragrance, which reduces common irritants, but the surfactant itself remains an irritant at high concentration.
Eye irritation if splashed
Dish soaps, including plant-based formulations, are formulated to break down oils and proteins; direct contact with eyes poses mild to moderate irritation. This is inherent to the detergent function, not a manufacturing defect; no specific eye-injury incidents are on record for this product.
Ingestion toxicity in children or pets
Plant-based surfactants are less acutely toxic than some synthetic alternatives, but ingestion of concentrated dish soap can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The foaming format and liquid state increase accidental ingestion risk in households with young children or pets.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party reports verifying this product as PFAS-free.
No PFAS found in lab test
No PFAS detected in independent testing.
Heavy metals
No recalls or detected contamination with lead, cadmium, or arsenic have been reported for ECOS Foaming Dish Soap or its plant-derived surfactant sources. Third-party PFAS-free certification implies third-party testing, though full heavy-metal panel results are not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗Residual surfactant on dishes affecting food safety
Proper rinsing per product instructions removes residual surfactant to levels considered safe by the FDA. Plant-based surfactants are approved indirect food additives in the U.S., so minor residues do not pose documented hazard; however, thorough rinsing remains best practice.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
ECOS is owned by SC Johnson and maintains third-party PFAS-free certification through its product line. The brand publishes ingredient transparency on packaging and its website, and the Free & Clear variant explicitly excludes synthetic fragrance and dyes. No recalls or safety controversies specific to this product have been recorded. The brand's parent company has faced broader litigation on PFAS in other product categories, but this particular dish soap carries no documented safety warnings from the EPA, FDA, or consumer safety organizations.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional dish soaps contain synthetic surfactants, dyes, and fragrance compounds that raise concerns about residual skin irritation and aquatic toxicity. ECOS Foaming Dish Soap positions itself in the plant-based, hypoallergenic segment, where similar products (Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer's) also omit dyes and synthetic fragrance. This product does not offer antimicrobial claims or bleach alternatives, making it a straightforward detergent rather than a multipurpose cleaner, which narrows the chemical profile and reduces exposure hazard compared to all-purpose or antibacterial variants.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve surfactant stability over time; plant-derived formulations can degrade faster than synthetic alternatives if exposed to heat or freezing. Use as directed on packaging; foaming format means smaller quantities may be needed per wash, reducing overall product consumption. Keep out of reach of children and pets, as ingestion of any surfactant-based product poses gastrointestinal risk. This product is not intended for skin contact beyond incidental hand exposure during dishwashing; rinse hands thoroughly after use if sensitivity is known.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 92% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- Independent test found none
- Brand statement
- Ecos has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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