Author: James Dudra, Founder and Formulator of Therapy Clean | 20+ Years of Experience · 200+ Cleaning Product Formulations
“Natural” and “grease-cutting” don’t always sound like they belong in the same sentence. But if you’ve ever stood at your sink scrubbing a pan coated in last night’s stir fry, you know performance matters — natural or not.
So the real question is: Can natural dish soap actually tackle grease? Or do you need to compromise on cleaning power for safer ingredients?
Table of Contents
- What Makes Dish Soap Work on Grease?
- Natural vs. Conventional Dish Soap
- Do Natural Soaps Actually Work?
- How to Choose a Grease-Fighting Natural Soap
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
What Makes Dish Soap Work on Grease?
Grease is made of oils and fats that naturally repel water. To remove it, you need surfactants — ingredients that break down the surface tension between oil and water so the mess can be rinsed away.
Conventional dish soaps often use synthetic surfactants, harsh solvents, and artificial dyes to dissolve grease fast — but at a cost to skin health and environmental safety. At Therapy Clean, we use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) derived from plant-based sources, combined with other gentle, biodegradable ingredients for a formula that’s tough on grease, but safer for your skin.
Natural vs. Conventional Dish Soap
Natural dish soaps aim to provide the same cleaning power — but with safer, more sustainable ingredients. These formulas rely on:
- Plant-based surfactants (like Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside)
- Mild but effective grease cutters (like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate from coconut)
- Builders and chelants that help the cleaning agents work more effectively — especially in hard water
- Essential oils and natural scents instead of synthetic fragrances
👉 Want a full ingredient breakdown? Read our Ultimate Guide to Dish Soap Ingredients.
But natural doesn’t always mean effective — especially if the formula isn’t optimized for cutting grease. Some brands go too gentle, leaving behind residue and dull finishes.
Do Natural Soaps Actually Work?
Yes — but it depends on the formulation. A well-made natural dish soap can easily hold its own against conventional brands, especially when it includes the right balance of:
- Foam and lather: Helps lift grease from surfaces
- Grease-solubilizing surfactants: Break down stubborn food oils
- High rinseability: Leaves dishes clean, not filmy
- pH level: Balanced for cleaning power and skin safety
🧽 Therapy Clean’s Dish Soap uses coconut-derived surfactants to target grease while remaining 90% USDA BioBased. Our formula effortlessly cuts through grime and rinses squeaky clean — without synthetic fragrances or dyes.
🌿 Safe, sustainable, and it works.
How to Choose a Grease-Fighting Natural Soap
Here’s what to look for when evaluating if a “natural” dish soap actually works on grease:
- Ingredient transparency: Are ingredients listed clearly on the label or website?
- Performance claims: Does it specifically say “cuts grease” or “high-lather”?
- Certifications: USDA BioBased, EWG Verified, or Leaping Bunny Certified?
- User experience: Do reviews mention cleaning power?
🧴 Pre-Diluted vs. Powder or Tablet Formats
Some natural dish soaps come in tablet or powder form for dilution at home. While these may offer environmental benefits (less packaging, lower shipping weight), they often sacrifice performance.
Pre-diluted liquid soaps — like Therapy Clean Dish Soap — are professionally blended with deionized (DI) water under optimized conditions. This ensures:
- ✅ Better grease-fighting performance
- ✅ Stable formula and pH levels
- ✅ Consistent texture and scent
Powders and tablets, while eco-minded, can be inconsistent depending on local tap water and may not fully dissolve — reducing efficacy.
Want a natural dish soap that checks every box? 👉 Explore Therapy Clean Dish Soap
Frequently Asked Questions
Does natural dish soap cut through grease as well as Dawn?
Yes — if formulated correctly. High-quality natural surfactants can break up grease just as effectively without synthetic chemicals.
Why does some natural soap leave a film?
Some gentle formulas don’t rinse clean or lack enough surfactant power. Look for natural soaps that include high-rinse ingredients and foaming agents derived from coconut or sugar.
Is foam necessary for grease removal?
Not always — but foam helps lift and trap oils, making them easier to rinse. Natural dish soaps can foam well using coconut-based ingredients.
Is Therapy Clean Dish Soap natural?
Yes. Our dish soap is 90% USDA BioBased, free from dyes, synthetic fragrance, MIT, or BIT — and it’s safe for skin, dishes, and the planet.
Key Takeaways
- 🧼 Natural dish soap can be effective on grease — if properly formulated
- 🌿 Look for plant-based surfactants and USDA BioBased certification
- 🚫 Avoid formulas with synthetic fragrances or harsh preservatives
- 💧 A clean rinse and high lather are key to grease-fighting power
Conclusion
You don’t have to choose between clean dishes and clean ingredients. A high-quality natural dish soap can power through grease — without compromising on safety or sustainability.
Therapy Clean Dish Soap is designed to do just that: remove tough, caked-on messes while keeping your kitchen — and your conscience — clean.
👉 Try Therapy Clean Dish Soap and experience the difference for yourself.
