method Smarty Dish 20-Count Dishwasher Detergent

Common questions

Is method Smarty Dish 20-Count Dishwasher Detergent healthy?

method Smarty Dish 20-Count Dishwasher Detergent scores 75/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This dishwasher detergent contains several beneficial ingredients such as sodium percarbonate, sodium citrate, protease, and amylase, which are environmentally friendly and enhance cleaning efficiency.

Which ingredients drive method Smarty Dish 20-Count Dishwasher Detergent's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Sodium Percarbonate, Protease, Amylase count in its favor; Fragrance is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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method Smarty Dish 20-Count Dishwasher Detergent

Method
75 Good

Analysis updated August 2026 · How Scout scores

$16.99 · 30 count · $0.57 / count
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by SC Johnson
Category Dish Soap
Summary

This dishwasher detergent contains several beneficial ingredients such as sodium percarbonate, sodium citrate, protease, and amylase, which are environmentally friendly and enhance cleaning efficiency. However, the presence of synthetic fragrance, which can cause allergic reactions and is not environmentally friendly, detracts from its overall safety and environmental impact. The product is processed, which limits its score potential despite the inclusion of biodegradable and effective cleaning agents.

Key ingredients 16

Sodium Percarbonate
Good

Sodium percarbonate is an oxygen-based bleaching agent that breaks down into water, oxygen, and soda ash. It is considered environmentally friendly and effective in stain removal. It is less harsh than chlorine bleach.

Risks

Can cause irritation to skin and eyes upon contact.

Benefits

Provides effective stain removal and is environmentally friendly.

See more about Sodium Percarbonate →
Protease
Good

Protease is an enzyme that breaks down proteins, enhancing the cleaning power of detergents. It is derived from natural sources and is considered safe and effective. It is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Enhances cleaning power by breaking down protein-based stains.

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Amylase
Good

Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starches, improving the cleaning efficiency of detergents. It is derived from natural sources and is considered safe and biodegradable. It is effective in removing starchy stains.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Improves cleaning efficiency by breaking down starch-based stains.

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Sodium Carbonate
Neutral

Sodium carbonate is a common cleaning agent used to soften water and enhance the effectiveness of detergents. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning products. However, it can be irritating to the skin and eyes in concentrated forms.

Risks

Potential skin and eye irritation if not handled properly.

Benefits

Helps to soften water, improving the cleaning efficiency of detergents.

See more about Sodium Carbonate →
Organic Acid Salts
Neutral

Organic acid salts are used as water softeners and to enhance cleaning performance. They are generally considered safe and effective in cleaning formulations. However, specific details about the type of organic acid salts used are not provided.

Risks

Potential for mild irritation depending on the specific acid salts used.

Benefits

Enhances cleaning performance by softening water.

Sodium Metasilicate
Neutral

Sodium metasilicate is used as a builder in detergents to enhance cleaning efficiency. It is effective in removing grease and stains. However, it can be corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes.

Risks

Corrosive and can cause irritation to skin and eyes.

Benefits

Enhances cleaning efficiency by breaking down grease and stains.

See more about Sodium Metasilicate →
Sodium Disilicate
Neutral

Sodium disilicate is used as a builder in detergents to improve cleaning performance. It helps to prevent mineral deposits on surfaces. It is generally considered safe but can be irritating in concentrated forms.

Risks

Potential skin and eye irritation if not handled properly.

Benefits

Prevents mineral deposits and enhances cleaning performance.

Sodium Citrate
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Biodegradable and enhances detergent effectiveness by softening water.

See more about Sodium Citrate →
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Neutral

Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate is a chelating agent used to bind metal ions and improve cleaning performance. It is considered safe and biodegradable. However, it can cause mild irritation if not handled properly.

Risks

Potential for mild irritation upon contact.

Benefits

Improves cleaning performance by binding metal ions.

See more about Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate →
Sodium Polyaspartate
Neutral

Sodium polyaspartate is used as a biodegradable dispersant in cleaning products. It helps to prevent the redeposition of dirt on surfaces. It is considered safe and environmentally friendly.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Biodegradable and prevents redeposition of dirt.

Poloxamer 181
Neutral

Poloxamer 181 is a non-ionic surfactant used to enhance the cleaning power of detergents. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning products. However, specific details about its environmental impact are limited.

Risks

Limited information on environmental impact.

Benefits

Enhances cleaning power of detergents.

Organic Acids
Neutral

Organic acids are used to adjust pH and enhance cleaning performance. They are generally considered safe and effective in cleaning formulations. However, specific details about the types of organic acids used are not provided.

Risks

Potential for mild irritation depending on the specific acids used.

Benefits

Enhances cleaning performance and adjusts pH.

Alginic Acid
Neutral

Alginic acid is used as a thickening agent in cleaning products. It is derived from seaweed and is considered safe and biodegradable. It helps to stabilize formulations.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Biodegradable and stabilizes formulations.

Tetraacetylethylenediamine
Neutral

Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) is used as a bleach activator in detergents. It enhances the effectiveness of oxygen-based bleaches. It is considered safe for use in cleaning products.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Enhances the effectiveness of oxygen-based bleaches.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Neutral

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in cleaning products. It is derived from cellulose and is considered safe and biodegradable. It helps to improve the texture and stability of formulations.

Risks

Generally considered safe with minimal risks.

Benefits

Biodegradable and improves texture and stability of formulations.

See more about Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose →
Fragrance
Very Bad

Fragrance in cleaning products often contains synthetic compounds that can cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. It is considered a potential irritant and is not environmentally friendly. The specific composition of the fragrance is not disclosed.

Risks

Potential irritant and allergen; environmental concerns.

Benefits

Provides a pleasant scent to the product.

See more about Fragrance →

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