You’re standing at your sink after dinner, staring at a pile of dishes that could qualify as modern art. You reach for the bottle of liquid dish soap (again), and it’s either almost empty, dripping everywhere, or smells like a chemical lemon exploded.
That was me, until I switched to solid dish soap.
And honestly? I was skeptical. It looked like a fancy bar of soap trying to do a tough job. But fast forward a few months, and it’s one of those tiny swaps that completely changed how I think about “clean.”
Here’s the thing about liquid dish soap…
Most liquid dish soaps are up to 90% water. You’re basically paying for packaging, shipping, and water you already have in your sink. Plus, those plastic bottles add up — one per month, per household, for years.
Solid dish soap? It’s concentrated, plastic-free, and lasts forever. You rub your brush or sponge directly on the block, and it cuts through grease just as well — no harsh ingredients, no synthetic dyes, and no fake “mountain breeze” scent.
The first week, I kept forgetting to reach for the bar.
It just felt weird not to squeeze something out of a bottle. But once I noticed how little residue it left on my dishes (and how nice it was not to have that sticky ring around the sink), I was sold.
Small swaps like this aren’t just about the planet, they’re about simplifying your home. Fewer bottles, fewer decisions, fewer things that smell like they belong in a lab. It’s the little kind of calm that builds up in your day.
Here’s what to look for in a solid dish soap
If you’ve never tried one before, look for:
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A citrus or mint essential oil scent (natural degreasers)
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Coconut-based cleansers for strong performance
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Palm-free formulas if sustainability matters to you
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And a sturdy soap dish — trust me, it makes a difference
(That’s why I include one with our Citrus Solid Dish Block Set—it’s simple, effective, and looks beautiful by your sink.)
Try this simple swap this week
Here’s my challenge: replace just one bottled cleaner with a solid version. It might be dish soap, hand soap, or a cleaning paste. Notice how it feels to make something so small yet so satisfying.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire home to start living more intentionally. Sometimes, it’s just one dish at a time.
