If you’re vegan, you might be wondering if the Finish Dishwasher Tablets are vegan. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the composition of this product.
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It is unclear if Finish Dishwasher Tablets are vegan-friendly. They do not seem to contain any animal-derived ingredients, but Finish and its mother company Reckitt Benckiser are reported by PETA for performing animal testing, which does not categorize them as cruelty-free.
In this article, we explore:
- The Finish Brand: Testing on Animals?
- Ingredient Breakdown: Finish Dishwasher Tablets
- Vegan Alternatives to Finish Dishwasher Tablets
- The Bottom Line
1. The Finish Brand: Testing on Animals?
Finish is a brand of dishwasher detergent owned by Reckitt Benckiser. The company offers a complete line of dishwasher detergents, including gels, powders, and tablets. Finish also offers a variety of dishwasher accessories, such as dishwasher salt and dishwasher cleaner.
According to PETA, the Finish brand, along with its mother company Reckitt Benckiser, tests on animals. This means the brand as a whole is not considered cruelty-free, which many consider a must for a vegan product.
However, some of the individual products offered by Finish do not include animal-derived ingredients. It is up to each person to understand if they feel comfortable purchasing their products.
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2. Ingredient Breakdown: Finish Dishwasher Tablets
Let’s take a look at each ingredient in the composition of these dishwasher tablets, their functionality, and if they are vegan-friendly or not.
Ingredients: 5-15% Oxygen-Based Bleaching Agents, Phosphonates, 5% Polycarboxylates, Non-Ionic Surfactants, Enzymes (Subtilisin, Amylase), Perfumes
Oxygen-Based Bleaching Agents
Oxygen-based bleaching agents are common in dishwasher tablets. These agents work by releasing oxygen ions that break down stains and dirt on dishes.
Oxygen bleach is sodium percarbonate, which is made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, which are both vegan substances. When mixed with water, it releases oxygen ions that react with organic matter, like food stains, to break them down.
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Phosphonates
Phosphates used to be a common ingredient in dishwasher detergent. They helped to loosen food remains, making it easier to achieve a thorough cleaning. However, their use has been linked to environmental pollution. As a result, many countries have implemented legislation banning the use of phosphates in dishwasher detergent.
In response, companies began searching for alternative ingredients that could provide the same cleaning power with less phosphate release. One such ingredient is phosphonates. They are just as effective as phosphates at preventing dishes from being covered in dirt and grime, but they require less phosphate to achieve this goal. As a result, they pose a much lower risk of contaminating wastewater. Additionally, because they can be synthetically manufactured, phosphonates may also be vegan-friendly.
Polycarboxylates
Polycarboxylates are synthetic polymers that are used as dispersants in dishwasher detergents. These polymers help to prevent suspended solids from being redeposited on dishes during the washing cycle.
Polycarboxylates are another ingredient that has been used as a replacement for phosphates in dishwasher detergents.
Non-Ionic Surfactants
Surfactants are molecules that have the ability to bind water and oil. This unique property allows them to be used in a variety of cleaning products, such as dishwashing liquid and shampoo. When added to water, surfactants help to reduce surface tension, allowing the water to spread more easily and remove soils from surfaces.
In dishwashing products, surfactants help to loosen and remove greasy soils from dishes. The most common type of surfactant used in dishwashing products is a non-ionic surfactant, which is less likely to foam than other types of surfactants. This helps to prevent the dishwasher from overflowing with foam.
Non-Ionic Surfactants are synthetic chemicals made in a lab, which makes them vegan-friendly.
Enzymes (Subtilisin, Amylase)
Enzymes are added to dishwasher tablets to help break down proteins and starches that can cause stains on dishes.
Subtilisin breaks down proteins and is used to remove protein-based stains. Amylase breaks down starch and is used to remove starch-based stains.
These enzymes are vegan-friendly, as they can be manufactured from certain types of soil bacteria in a lab, through a fermentation process.
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Perfumes
Dishwasher tablets usually rely on artificial fragrances to give them a pleasant smell. While most fragrances are vegan, some may not be, as they may contain animal-derived ingredients.
Without more information on the specific perfume being used, it is difficult to determine whether or not it is vegan-friendly.
3. Vegan Alternatives to Finish Dishwasher Tablets
If you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay in any way. Thank you for supporting our website!
3.1. Planet Automatic Dishwasher Pacs
Planet Automatic Dishwasher Pacs are phosphate and chlorine free and made with no added fragrances, dyes, or synthetic preservatives. They are certified biodegradable, and the ingredients are from plant-based sources. They are also not tested on animals, making them cruelty-free.
3.2. If You Care Dishwasher Tablets
If You Care Dishwasher Tablets are made from a blend of mineral and plant-derived cleaning ingredients and are free of phosphates and chlorine. The film is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water-soluble, biodegradable polymer, so there is no need to unwrap them before use. These tablets are also zero waste and plant-based, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
3.3. Seventh Generation Natural Dishwasher Detergent Packs
Seventh Generation’s Natural Dishwasher Detergent Packs are a great choice for those looking for an eco-friendly and effective dishwashing solution. These packs are made with enzymes that remove grease and food residue and are also free of fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and chlorine bleach. Additionally, they are cruelty-free and USDA-certified bio-based products 78%.
4. The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that it is unclear if Finish Dishwasher Tablets are vegan-friendly. They do not seem to contain any animal-derived ingredients, but Finish and its mother company Reckitt Benckiser are reported by PETA for performing animal testing, which does not categorize them as cruelty-free.
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to Finish Dishwasher Tablets, there are many options available on the market that are effective and environmentally friendly.