Product Name

Finish Dishwasher Cleaner (machine cleaner)

Retailer

Costco (US)

Product Category

Dish & Kitchen Cleaners — Dishwasher Machine Cleaner

Intended Use

This product is designed to clean the interior of automatic dishwashers — removing grease, limescale, and residue buildup from the drum, spray arms, and filter area. It is intended for use in the machine itself, not on dishes directly.

Ingredient List

Finish does not publish a full ingredient list on the product label reviewed for this post. The active ingredients are listed on the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which consumers can request from the manufacturer or find on the Finish website. At the time of writing, Finish Dishwasher Cleaner is not certified as an EPA Safer Choice product.

  • Active ingredients: See product label and SDS for full disclosure.
  • Fragrance: Status unknown — check label. Fragrance compounds can be irritating to individuals with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities.
  • Surfactants: Type not publicly disclosed. Some surfactant classes (e.g., quats) carry higher irritancy profiles than others.
  • Other additives: See SDS for preservatives, pH adjusters, and processing aids.

Non-Toxic Evaluation

Finish Dishwasher Cleaner serves a legitimate and often overlooked purpose: a dirty dishwasher can harbor grease, mold, and mineral deposits that reduce cleaning performance and can affect indoor air quality during a hot cycle. Regular machine cleaning is a sound household hygiene habit.

However, from a low-irritant, family-safe perspective, this product has notable limitations:

  • It is not fragrance-free — fragrance compounds are a common trigger for asthma and contact allergies.
  • It is not plant-based or certified hypoallergenic.
  • It does not carry EPA Safer Choice certification at the time of this review.
  • Full ingredient disclosure is not available on the primary retail label — consumers must consult the SDS.

For households with young children, pregnant individuals, or members with respiratory conditions or chemical sensitivities, these gaps matter. The KinLife standard prioritizes products with full ingredient transparency and third-party safety certification (e.g., EPA Safer Choice, EWG Verified).

Ingredients of Concern

  • Undisclosed fragrance compounds — potential asthma and allergy trigger; not disclosed on label.
  • Surfactant type unknown — some classes (quats/NPEs) carry environmental and irritancy concerns.
  • No EPA Safer Choice or EWG verification — ingredient safety has not been independently reviewed under a consumer-protective framework.

Final Verdict

Use with informed caution if sensitivities are present in your household.

Finish Dishwasher Cleaner addresses a real need — keeping the appliance itself clean so it can do its job properly. For most households, an occasional machine-cleaning cycle is a practical maintenance habit worth adopting.

That said, the lack of full ingredient transparency and the absence of fragrance-free or EPA Safer Choice status means this product does not fully meet the KinLife non-toxic standard. If you or a family member has asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities, we recommend:

  • Checking the full SDS before purchasing.
  • Running the machine empty after the cleaner cycle and ventilating the kitchen thoroughly.
  • Keeping children and pets away from the kitchen during and immediately after the cleaning cycle.
  • Exploring EPA Safer Choice-certified alternatives if available in your area.

Available at Costco. Always read and follow label directions. Store out of reach of children and pets.

*Not medical advice. KinLife reviews products to help families make more informed choices — not to diagnose, treat, or prevent any health condition.