This product’s label claims it’s a naturally derived gel that virtually eliminates water spotting, cleans without the use of phosphates and is “five times more concentrated than most brands.” To test the product’s 1 oz.-per-load of dishes claim, I tried this amount of Restore Automatic Dish Detergent for a rather full dishwasher load and discovered there was still a little food residue on several forks and some light coffee stains insides of coffee cups, both of which my phosphate-based, buy-in-bulk powder had usually removed.

 

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On the second load I boosted the Restore gel to 1-1/2 oz. and the food residue and coffee stains were gone. Using this amount raised the price per load slightly, but the cost of using Restore is still competitive. I figured that Restore would reliably do 24 loads of dishes, at a cost-per-load of about 24 cents with the 32-oz. size, and 21 cents with the 64-oz. bottle. This was comparable with the name-brand product purchased in a supermarket (20 cents per load) but more expensive than my bulk powder (about 15 cents per load).  

Of course, the bulk-buy detergent directed me to fill up the soap compartments to the max, which adds up quickly (to about 3 oz. per load). And while I could save a nickel a load with it, a big dose of phosphates is still being flushed into the water supply. The label of the powder detergent claims it contains 6.2% phosphorus in the form of phosphates.

The formula for Restore Automatic Dish Detergent seemed pretty benign: “low-foaming plant-based surfactants (from coconut, corn or palm kernel oil), enzymes, citric acid (from corn) and other non-toxic ingredients, all rapidly biodegradable, grey water, sewer and septic safe, with no phosphates or known carcinogens.” But the big-brand’s label carried a sobering warning: “Caution: may cause burns to skin and eyes. Harmful if swallowed. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and mucous membranes. In case of external contact flush with water for 15 minutes and get immediate medical attention. If swallowed give large quantities of water or milk and call physician immediately.”

Given that, I figure the additional nickel per load you’d pay for Restore‚ seems pretty reasonable.

Restore’s corporate tagline is “Restoring the planet one bottle at a time.” The big story here is that in a time when ingredient labels should be scrutinized more closely by all of us, the formulations of all Restore products consist of natural, non-toxic ingredients rather than the harsh chemicals that go into many cleaning products.

Restore’s ingenious “Refill Stations” are popping up at stores like Whole Foods, Cub and Festival Foods in Minnesota and are expanding into Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa. These machines read the barcode on the original container and automatically fill it with the correct amount of the desired product. It’s a win-win for the consumer, the company and the environment: shoppers get a $1 “instant coupon” to save on their refill by using the original spray bottle or plastic jug, Restore saves on distribution and packaging, used containers don’t go into landfills and toxic substances stay out of the air and water.

Make no mistake: with price and performance being roughly equal (which they are), I’d prefer to clean the house with products that are safer for me, my loved ones and the planet.

 

Pricing:

Restore Automatic Dish Detergent (gel)  32 oz.  $5.75
 
Restore Automatic Dish Detergent (gel)  64 oz. refill  $9.99
 
Brand A (liquid)     32 oz.  $5.49
 
Brand B (bulk-buy powder)    100 oz. $4.59

Editor's Note: Prices may be subject to change.

About Tom McNulty, author of Clean Like a Man

Tom McNulty is the author of Clean Like a Man — Housekeeping for Men (and the Women Who Love Them). It’s filled with dozens of tips, tricks and MANdatory advice to streamline housecleaning. Published by Random House/Three Rivers Press, available in bookstores and on Amazon.com. Visit www.cleanlikeaman.com for even more manly cleaning advice.