You just spent an hour googling safe dishwasher detergents after reading about chemical residue on dishes. Now you’re staring at cloudy glasses again, wondering if that $25 bag of Truly Free powder is worth it or just another eco-product that’ll disappoint you. I get it.
Every natural detergent you’ve tried has either left your dishes filmy or your wallet crying. And honestly? That subscription model is giving you serious anxiety. Let me walk you through what Truly Free actually delivers, what real users experience, and whether it’s worth ditching your Cascade for good.
Keynote: Truly Free Dishwasher Soap Reviews
Truly Free dishwasher detergent powder uses plant-based enzymes and sodium percarbonate to clean dishes without phosphates, chlorine, or synthetic fragrances. Real users report effective cleaning at $0.30-$0.50 per load with subscription pricing, though hard water areas require additional rinse aid for streak-free results.
Why Natural Dishwasher Soaps Keep Breaking Your Heart
The Disappointment Cycle You Know Too Well
You buy the eco-friendly soap with high hopes and clean-living dreams. Three loads later your glasses look cloudy and your faith feels crushed. You’re back to the neon-blue chemical pods you swore you’d quit. The guilt hits harder than the film on your wine glasses.
It’s exhausting, right? You want to do better for your family, but you also need dishes that actually look clean. Not just clean-ish. Not “well, at least there are no chemicals.” Actually sparkling.
What’s Really Happening to Your Dishes Right Now
Here’s what nobody wants to tell you: 13 out of 41 popular dishwasher detergents contain suspected endocrine disruptors, according to recent testing data. That means phthalates disrupt hormones every time you eat off supposedly clean dishes today.
Formaldehyde preservatives? You’re inhaling them when opening the dishwasher after hot cycles. Alcohol ethoxylates linked to gut barrier damage in recent studies are quietly coating your plates. And that fresh scent you love? It’s synthetic fragrance residue clinging to every fork, knife, and spoon your kids use.
The chemical cocktail doesn’t rinse away completely. It can’t. That’s the whole design of conventional detergents: stick to surfaces, provide that squeaky-clean feel, leave a scent marker so you know it “worked.”
The Fear No One Talks About
You want clean dishes without chemicals but performance actually matters to you. You dread opening your dishwasher only to see streaks or residue again. Most non-toxic reviews feel either too hyped or frustratingly vague for decisions.
And when you’re spending $25 on a bag of powder that might last three weeks? You need real answers, not marketing fluff.
What Truly Free Actually Is (And What It’s Honestly Not)
The Brand Promise That Got Your Attention
Truly Free positions itself as the antidote to chemical-laden dishwasher detergents. Plant-based enzymes break down proteins without synthetic fragrance residue lingering anywhere. Sodium percarbonate releases oxygen bubbles instead of harsh chlorine fumes you breathe.
No alcohol ethoxylates, phosphates, dyes, or parabens in the formula at all. The powder format comes in recyclable packaging versus plastic pods entering waterways daily.
It sounds almost too good to be true. Which is exactly why you’re reading this review instead of just buying it.
The EWG Reality Check
Let’s talk about what independent testing actually shows. According to the Environmental Working Group’s assessment of Truly Free products, the brand earned ratings between B and C across product lines. Their Dishwasher Booster & Rinse Aid rated B, while the Dishwasher Cleaner scored an A.
Not perfect A ratings across the board, but significantly better than most conventional options that score D or F. Third-party testing validates ingredient transparency and safety claims made publicly. Real users report 4.5 to 4.7 star averages across multiple platforms.
Here’s how Truly Free stacks up against the conventional brands you’re probably using right now:
| Brand | EWG Rating | Suspected Hazards | Fragrance Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truly Free | B-C | Low concern | None or natural |
| Cascade Complete | D | Moderate concern | Synthetic fragrance |
| Finish Quantum | D | Moderate to high concern | Synthetic fragrance |
| Seventh Generation | B | Low concern | None or plant-derived |
The difference? Real. But not as dramatic as some natural brands want you to believe.
What the Refill System Actually Means for You
Here’s where it gets practical. The Forever Jug arrives first, then refill pouches ship on your schedule. Powder means you control dosage unlike wasteful pre-measured pods always.
Sweet Basil or Lemon scent options are available, or you can go with the completely fragrance-free formula. But there’s a learning curve for measuring versus tossing in a convenient pod. My neighbor Maria complained about this for two solid weeks before she got the hang of it.
You’ll need to decide if the environmental benefit and control outweigh the extra three seconds per load.
The Performance Test: Does It Actually Clean Your Disaster Loads?
The Crusty Mac and Cheese Reality
Real user tests show dried peanut butter and crusty ranch washing completely clean. Side-by-side testing reveals performance comparable to Cascade on baked-on food, which honestly surprised me the first time I saw the results.
But here’s the catch: you need to use the full detergent cup, not half measures that work with conventional tabs. The enzymes need 15 minutes to activate, so quick wash cycles disappoint. Pre-scraping heavy residue is still necessary for best results without pre-soaking.
Think of it this way: the enzymes are like tiny cleaning crews that need time to break down protein chains and starch molecules. Rush them, and they can’t finish the job.
The Cloudy Glass Problem Everyone Worries About
This is where water hardness becomes your biggest factor. Users with soft to moderate water rave about sparkling glasses without rinse aid. Hard water regions require white vinegar in the rinse compartment or a separate rinse aid product.
Film buildup appears after three weeks if your water softener isn’t installed properly. Stainless steel and ceramic dishes emerge spotless and residue-free every time. But glass? That’s the real test.
One family in Phoenix with very hard water (12 grains per gallon) told me they had to add a citric acid rinse monthly to prevent clouding. That’s not Truly Free’s fault, but it’s an extra step you need to know about.
Where Truly Free Excels and Where It Struggles
Glass bakeware loses baked-on grease effectively without harsh chemical smell afterward. Plastic containers retain slight cloudiness compared to conventional detergent results. Some users require double the powder amount for greasy pots, which increases the actual cost significantly.
Performance satisfies most users but isn’t dramatically different from Seventh Generation or other quality natural brands. As one reviewer put it: “Not magic for every situation, but honest clean you can trust.”
The protease and amylase enzymes work. The sodium percarbonate provides oxygen-based bleaching. The coconut-derived surfactants cut grease. It’s solid chemistry, just not revolutionary chemistry.
The Cost Reality Nobody’s Being Honest About
What Each Load Actually Costs You
Let’s do the math that other reviews skip. Truly Free costs $0.30 to $0.35 per load without subscription pricing. One 12.5 oz bag delivers 25 loads, lasting average families about three weeks.
Subscription pricing drops to $0.20 to $0.25 per load with bulk discounts. Annual cost difference? Roughly $60 to $84 more than the cheapest Walmart options.
Here’s the breakdown that matters:
| Brand | Cost Per Load | Annual Cost (365 loads) | Savings vs Truly Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truly Free (subscription) | $0.20-$0.25 | $73-$91 | Baseline |
| Truly Free (one-time) | $0.30-$0.35 | $110-$128 | -$37 |
| Cascade Platinum | $0.18-$0.22 | $66-$80 | +$7-$11 |
| Seventh Generation | $0.22-$0.28 | $80-$102 | +$9 to -$11 |
| Blueland | $0.32 | $117 | -$26 |
| Store brand pods | $0.12-$0.15 | $44-$55 | +$29-$36 |
That’s one coffee per month for cleaner ingredients. For some families? Totally worth it. For others on tight budgets? Maybe not.
The Subscription Model: Your Biggest Source of Anxiety
Better Business Bureau complaints reveal unwanted auto-renewals and difficult cancellation experiences frequently reported online. Customer service response times average 24 to 48 hours for subscription issues.
Flexibility to postpone shipments exists but requires portal login every single time. Breaking free from subscription means losing member pricing and portal access permanently.
I’ve talked to users who loved the product but canceled because managing the subscription felt like a part-time job. One told me she missed a shipment pause deadline by two days and ended up with six bags of detergent she didn’t need for six months.
Hidden Costs That Sneak Up on You
Separate rinse aid purchase is necessary for hard water areas, adding about $15 every few months. Shipping costs apply to non-subscription one-time orders over $35 minimum purchase. Returns require customer service coordination, not the automatic label generation you expect from Amazon.
Hard water users consistently need additional products for acceptable glass results. Add it all up, and your $0.25 per load can creep toward $0.40 or $0.50 once you factor in the extras.
Nobody talks about this in the glowing Instagram reviews.
How Truly Free Stacks Up Against Real Alternatives
The Comparison You’re Actually Googling Right Now
Let’s put the top contenders side by side with details that actually matter:
| Feature | Truly Free | Branch Basics | Blueland | Seventh Generation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per load | $0.20-$0.35 | $0.35 | $0.32 | $0.22-$0.28 |
| Format | Powder | Tablet | Tablet | Powder/Pod |
| EWG Rating | B-C | Not rated | EWG Verified | B |
| Subscription required | Optional | Optional | Optional | No |
| Hard water performance | Needs rinse aid | Excellent standalone | Good | Needs rinse aid |
| Fragrance options | 3 options | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free | Limited |
| Packaging | Recyclable pouch | Glass bottle | Reusable tin | 90% plastic-free |
Branch Basics: The Premium Alternative
Branch Basics costs $0.35 per load but offers completely PVA-free tablets. Users report superior hard water performance without additional rinse aid needs, which matters if you’re in a hard water area. Glass bottle options available eliminate all plastic but increase shipping costs noticeably.
The trade-off? You’re paying about 40% more per load for what might be marginal cleaning improvements.
Blueland: The Budget-Conscious Choice
Blueland delivers $0.32 per load with bulk refill purchases and a reusable tin. EWG Verified certification provides third-party ingredient validation Truly Free currently lacks. Compact tablets require less storage space than Truly Free’s bulky bags.
The brand focuses heavily on plastic reduction, which resonates with zero-waste households. Performance is solid but not exceptional.
Seventh Generation: The Mainstream Option
Seventh Generation costs similar to Truly Free but is widely available at Target and Walmart locations. You can grab it during your regular shopping trip instead of waiting for a subscription box. The 90% plastic-free packaging rivals Truly Free’s environmental commitment.
Cleaning power is comparable but water spot resistance tests slightly lower overall. Still, the convenience factor wins for a lot of families.
What Reviews Aren’t Telling You About These Brands
Most comparison sites earn affiliate commissions, skewing recommendations toward expensive subscriptions. Non-toxic remains an unregulated term, so ingredient transparency matters more than marketing labels. Real cleaning differences are minimal between top brands. Your choice comes down to price, availability, and subscription tolerance.
I’ve tested all four brands. Honestly? They all clean dishes. The differences come down to convenience, cost, and how much you care about specific ingredients.
Real Users Speak: The Reviews That Matter Most
The Enthusiasts Who Swear By It
Families with young children appreciate the fragrance-free formula that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. Long-term subscribers love the convenience despite occasional customer service frustrations with portal navigation.
Redditors say it leaves no film and cuts grease better than competitors they’ve tried. Users with soft water rave about sparkling dishes without any rinse aid. One mom told me: “No funky smell, dishes look cleaner than any natural detergent I’ve tried. I actually look forward to opening my dishwasher now.”
The emotional relief matters. When you’re worried about what chemicals your toddler is ingesting off their plate, seeing truly clean dishes without that synthetic scent provides genuine peace of mind.
The Frustration Voices You Need to Hear
Powder format creates spills compared to convenient pod placement in the dispenser cup. Some users say it feels too gentle and leaves buildup or odor over time. Hard water users consistently report needing additional products for acceptable streak-free results.
Negative reviews on Better Business Bureau show frustration with customer service and subscription management practices. One user complained: “Great product, terrible subscription experience. I tried to cancel twice and kept getting charged.”
The powder measuring can be messy, especially if you’re running the dishwasher at night and you’re tired. More than one person has told me about accidentally dumping powder on their kitchen floor.
The Middle Ground Most Reviews Miss Completely
The product works well but subscription management causes ongoing headaches for many users. Cleaning power satisfies but isn’t dramatically better than Seventh Generation alternatives. Peace of mind about ingredients matters more than performance differences to most buyers.
The emotional relief of knowing dishes are truly clean outweighs minor inconveniences for families with young kids. But if you’re just switching from Cascade because it’s trendy? You might not notice enough difference to justify the hassle.
Who Should Actually Buy This (And Who Should Skip)
This Is Your Perfect Match If
You have soft to moderate water and hate chemical scents lingering on your dishes. You’re willing to pay roughly one coffee per month for ingredient peace of mind. You have young children and prioritize minimizing chemical exposure at home daily.
You’re comfortable with powder format and minor subscription management friction occasionally. You’ve read the ingredient breakdown on Truly Free’s website and those specific components matter to you.
You’re the person who already buys organic produce and filters your drinking water. This fits your lifestyle.
Skip This If You Value
Absolute toughest grease removal every single time without any pre-scraping required. Pod convenience with no measuring or potential powder spills on the counter. Living in a very hard water area without wanting to add rinse aid steps to your routine.
Rock-bottom pricing and you aren’t willing to pay the health ingredient premium. You run your dishwasher on quick cycles exclusively. You’ve tried natural detergents before and they all disappointed you.
If you’re barely managing dinner dishes right now, adding subscription management and powder measuring might push you over the edge. And that’s okay.
The Honest B-Plus Rating
Think of it like choosing organic produce: slightly more effort, significantly cleaner result. Truly Free is a B-plus cleaner with an A-plus safety rating. Not magic for every situation, but honest clean you can trust.
The performance gap exists but the emotional confidence gap disappears completely for users who make the switch. Worth it for families prioritizing health over absolute cleaning power.
Your Test-Drive Strategy: Making the Switch Without Regret
Before You Buy Your First Bag
Test your water hardness using free strips from your local hardware store first. Calculate your actual cost per load based on family dishwasher usage weekly. Research current promo codes like GURLGONEGREEN, which saves 30% on first orders.
Decide subscription versus one-time purchase based on your cancellation anxiety tolerance honestly. If subscription management stresses you out, pay the extra few dollars per bag and skip it.
Check Consumer Reports’ dishwasher detergent testing methodology to understand what performance benchmarks actually matter for your needs.
Your First Month With Truly Free
Start with half the recommended amount to test cleaning power on normal loads. If it works, great. If not, increase gradually. Add white vinegar, about one-quarter cup, to the rinse compartment for hard water areas.
Keep your Cascade backup bottle for heavily soiled pots during the adjustment transition period. No shame in that. Document results for two weeks before committing to the subscription service fully.
Pay attention to how your glasses look after five washes, ten washes, twenty washes. That’s where film buildup shows up if it’s going to happen.
Troubleshooting Common Problems People Hit
Cloudy glasses mean either too much detergent or inadequate rinse cycle temperature. Film buildup signals the need for monthly dishwasher cleaner with citric acid treatment. Lingering food particles indicate pre-scraping habits need improvement or you need to increase detergent amount.
Powder clumping in humid climates means storing it in an airtight container immediately after opening. Some users transfer the whole bag into a plastic cereal container with a tight lid.
If you see white residue on dark dishes, you’re using too much powder or your water is harder than you thought.
Conclusion
Here’s what it comes down to after all the research, reviews, and real-world testing: Truly Free delivers on the clean-ingredients promise without leaving obvious chemical residue on your dishes. It performs comparably to conventional detergents when used correctly, though hard water requires extra steps and patience. The subscription model causes legitimate frustration for many users, but the product itself works well for most families. You’ll pay about $5 to $7 more monthly than Cascade, which translates to roughly one coffee per month for peace of mind about what’s touching your food daily.
Your first step? Test your water hardness right now using free strips from any hardware store. If it’s moderate or soft, grab a single bag with the GURLGONEGREEN discount code and try it for two full weeks. If it’s hard, consider Branch Basics as an alternative or add rinse aid to your shopping list today. The real question isn’t whether Truly Free cleans your dishes adequately. It does. It’s whether cleaner ingredients are worth navigating subscription headaches and paying a bit more per load. For most families with young kids who value ingredient transparency? That answer is yes.
Truly Free Dishwasher Soap (FAQs)
Does Truly Free dishwasher soap work in hard water conditions?
Yes, but you’ll need supplemental rinse aid or white vinegar. Users with water hardness above 10 grains per gallon consistently report cloudy glasses without adding a separate rinse agent. Soft to moderate water performs excellently.
How much does Truly Free dishwasher detergent cost per load with subscription?
Subscription pricing ranges from $0.20 to $0.25 per load depending on how many products you bundle. The 5-item subscription drops the cost to $14.97 per 50-load bag versus $24.99 for single purchases.
What ingredients are in Truly Free dishwasher powder?
The formula contains sodium percarbonate for oxygen bleaching, protease and amylase enzymes for breaking down proteins and starches, TAED as a bleaching activator, sodium citrate for chelating hard water minerals, and coconut-derived surfactants. No phosphates, chlorine, synthetic fragrances, or dyes.
Is Truly Free dishwasher soap better than Cascade or Finish?
Performance is comparable on most loads, though Cascade handles heavy grease slightly better. Truly Free eliminates chemical residue and synthetic fragrances but costs about 40% more per load and requires measuring instead of pod convenience.
Does Truly Free leave residue or film on dishes?
No chemical residue remains, but mineral film can develop in hard water areas without rinse aid. The powder itself rinses completely clean, leaving no synthetic fragrance or preservative coating that conventional detergents leave behind.
Katie Lee has over 20 years of experience in the kitchen. She helps homeowners find the right appliances for their needs to sets up a perfect kitchen system. She also shares helpful tips and tricks for optimizing appliance performance.