Seventh Generation · Dish Soap
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap
Lower concern. Plant-based dish soap with EPA Safer Choice recognition.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear is a plant-derived liquid soap without added PFAS chemicals. The brand claims PFAS-free formulations and holds EPA Safer Choice certification, typical of non-foaming surfactant soaps.
Brand says: “Seventh Generation is committed to transparency and does not use PFAS in its formulations”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, plant-derived surfactants, essential oils
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap is made of, ingredients and materials
Seventh Generation Free & Clear uses plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut and palm oil esters) rather than petroleum-based detergents, plus water and essential oils as fragrance. Plant surfactants are biodegradable and less prone to bioaccumulation than traditional alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The absence of synthetic dyes, perfumes, and phosphates in this formulation reduces the risk of skin irritation and aquatic toxicity. Essential oils provide scent without phthalates or synthetic fragrance allergens.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Fragrance allergens (essential oils)
Essential oils used in this formulation (typically lemon, lavender, or similar) are recognized allergens in sensitive individuals. Dermal and respiratory sensitization from essential oil components is well-documented in occupational and consumer settings, though incidence in dilute dish soap is lower than in concentrated products.
Skin irritation from surfactants
All surfactants, including plant-derived ones, can cause skin irritation or drying with prolonged contact. This product is designed for dishwashing and rinsing; cumulative skin exposure occurs primarily in users with frequent or prolonged hand contact without protective gloves.
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.
Aquatic toxicity (residual discharge)
Plant-based surfactants in this formulation are readily biodegradable and pose lower aquatic hazard than conventional alkyl phenol ethoxylates. No reported incidents of ecosystem harm from this specific product have been established in public records.
Residue buildup on dishes or glassware
Plant-based surfactants typically rinse more cleanly than some synthetic alternatives and do not leave visible films under normal use. No documented accumulation of soap residue on food-contact surfaces from this product has been reported.
Heavy metals
Seventh Generation's supply chain for plant-derived surfactants is not publicly detailed, but no recalls or regulatory findings of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in this product have been published. EPA Safer Choice certification includes screening for such contaminants.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation holds EPA Safer Choice certification for this product, indicating third-party vetting for reduced hazards. The brand publishes ingredient disclosure on labels and online, and has publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations across its product line. No major recalls or undisclosed chemical controversies have been established for this specific product. The company is part of a larger parent (Unilever) but maintains separate environmental and safety commitments under the Seventh Generation brand.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional dish soaps contain synthetic fragrance compounds, dyes, and non-biodegradable surfactants. Seventh Generation Free & Clear sits at the lower-hazard end of the dish soap spectrum due to plant-based chemistry and EPA certification. It costs more per ounce than mass-market alternatives but avoids the accumulation of chemical residues on dishes and in waterways. Plant-based surfactants perform similarly to synthetic ones for typical dishwashing but may require slightly more product in hard water.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve essential oil stability; heat or light exposure can degrade fragrance compounds over time. Use standard hand-washing precautions, as with any soap, to avoid eye contact. Dilution with water does not reduce effectiveness and extends product life. Rinse dishes thoroughly after washing to remove all residue, especially on items that contact food; plant-based surfactants rinse more readily than some synthetic alternatives.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Seventh Generation has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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