# Backfiring Detergent Bans Spokane Residents Reject Eco-Soap Law, Smuggle Fave Brands By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-03-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/criminal-dishwashing-spokane-residents-reject-eco-soap-smuggle-dishwasher-d References: [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29918496/) & [inlander](http://www.inlander.com/content/news_green_grimy) Some normally law-abiding people in Spokane, WA have become dishwater detergent smugglers. Spokane County launched the nation’s strictest ban on [dishwasher detergent](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highspeed-dishwasher) made with phosphates last July. The ban is aimed at a reduction in [water pollution](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waste-no-space-campaign) and will go statewide in July 2010. Many people complain that eco-friendly products leave their dishes dirty and greasy. Hard water is mineral-rich and resistant to soap. Phosphates help to break the minerals down. I use an [eco-friendly detergent](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaf-mineral) in my Asko dishwasher and have no complaints. Maybe these individuals’ complaints are related to water quality that needs to be addressed by an in-home filtration and treatment system, so the water is soft before it enters the dishwasher. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Dishwasher Detergent Alternatives:** Opportunity for companies to develop and market innovative eco-friendly dishwasher detergent alternatives that effectively clean dishes without containing phosphates. - **Home Water Softening Solutions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to develop and market home filtration and treatment systems that soften hard water and improve the effectiveness of eco-friendly dishwasher detergents. - **Resistance to Eco-friendly Regulations:** Trend of resistance to eco-friendly regulations, specifically related to household cleaning products such as dishwasher detergent, with potential implications for future environmental policies. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Home Cleaning Products:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the home cleaning industry to develop and market eco-friendly dishwasher detergent alternatives and home water softening solutions. - **Water Filtration Systems:** Opportunity for companies in the water filtration industry to further develop and market filtration and treatment systems for dealing with hard water, as an alternative to traditional water softening methods. - **Environmental Policy:** Implications for companies involved in environmental policy-making, as they face resistance from consumers and industry stakeholders toward eco-friendly regulations and initiatives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Triple-Chamber Dishwasher Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biobased-dishwasher-detergent.md) - [Eco-Friendly Detergent Sheets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spot-detergent.md) - [Science-Forward Cleaning Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scienceforward-cleaning-startup.md) - [Natural Cleaning Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charlies-soap-1.md) - [Water-Conserving Dishwasher Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waterconserving-dishwasher-pod.md) - [Enzymatic Dish Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bio-enzyme-liquid-dish-soap.md) - [Free-From Laundry Detergents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonbio-laundry-powder.md) - [Sustainability-Focused Laundry Detergents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laundry-soda.md) - [Free-From Laundry Detergents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinobi-detergent.md)