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I’ve caught more flak for my love of Axion dish paste more than any other Costa Rican product. So, I’m going to put it out there for everybody to see.
Laugh if you must, but Axion dish paste is one of the finest products known to mankind.
Oh sure, if you’ve been living without Axion all your life, you’d never know the difference.
I, however, have been enlightened.
What the Heck is Dish Paste?
I met Axion dish paste in 1984. It was sitting at the side of the kitchen sink the first time I offered to help wash dishes in my host family’s home.
I didn’t possess enough Spanish at the time to ask for the bottle of dish soap. Plus, I was embarrassed. So, it was sort of a process of elimination. Hmm…no bottle by the sink. Nope, no soap under the sink either. Wait—hadn’t I seen my host sister use that green sponge to wash dishes? So, what’s this stuff?
I lifted the tub filled with blue-green colored paste and sniffed. It was a pleasant, fresh smell. So, I dug the small sponge in and to my delight, the paste foamed up into a creamy lather. Just a little went a long way. This, despite the fact that we had no hot water at our Costa Rican kitchen sink.
And greasy dishes?
They didn’t stand a chance.
Axion: the Grease Grabber Ingredients
As time went by, and I became familiar with grocery shopping, I found that Costa Rica didn’t sell liquid dishwashing soap. At first, I found this very strange; the stores sold the Axion, and one or two competing brands of dish paste. My family always swore that Axion was the best.
Or, at least they always bought it. I still didn’t speak enough Spanish to know their true feelings on dish paste!
My affection for this strange little product only grew over the next few months. After that, I wondered why they didn’t sell it back home. The use of phosphates in laundry and dishwasher detergent is banned in many states, but you see–Axion does not contain phosphates. It contains (as per the container itself) sodium alkylsulfonate, sodium silicate, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium bicarbonate. Basically, it’s foaming, scented baking powder–almost like toothpaste for dishes– which is why it cleans and deodorizes so well.
First, it does an amazing job at cutting grease. Second, it lasts forever! A large tub of this stuff can last a few months depending on how many dishes you use.
Axion Still Going Strong
Now, over 30 years later, Axion is still a top-seller. It also comes in a variety of different scents, like oatmeal cream, and apple. I think one Christmas I saw cinnamon Axion, and they also sell an odor eliminating version as well. You know, in case you’ve got stinky dishes, I guess.
If you miss it as much as I do, you can buy Axion Dish Paste right here.
These days, you can also find liquid dish detergent in Costa Rica (including the Axion brand), but the pastes have remained the best sellers, and with good reason.
Axion is also producing refill tablets which are super convenient for packing and bringing back. They’re individually wrapped and a lot lighter than the tubs.
I love Axion! It’s just one of those little things I enjoy and wish they sold here in New York!
I have never heard of this product. Sounds amazing. Thanks for enlightening me!
Pam, I’ll bring you back a container on the next trip. It will change your life!
You are so right I went to Costa Rica a few years ago and absolutely loved axion paste it’s a bit hard to find in the states but I just ran out so I have to go look for some again. You should include a link on where to buy it.
Axion is impossible to find where I live, although I think they might sell it in New York City. However, it’s just easier to order it and I added a link as suggested. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi Sue most Latin grocery stores sell it at a reasonable price. I paid $2.99 for the large size in Jacksonville. FL. When I first discovered it I was traveling in Mexico and there the same size was a dollar. I’m sure online is much more expensive.
Yes, it is available in some Mexican and Latino markets in Florida and probably in NYC. However, many people throughout the country (or world) are far away from markets such as these, even here in Upstate New York. So buying online is a convenient way to spoil yourself if you can’t get to Costa Rica!
I just got back from Costa Rica and fell in love with this product. I googled it to find your blog. I was telling my wife *just* how amazing it is.
Hi there, so glad you found my blog! I love Axion and I buy it every time I’m in Costa Rica. I wish they sold it here. Luckily they sell it in small containers and the refill tablets, because the big tub is really heavy! I’ve tried some of the other brands, too and while there are some really cool scents, Axion seems to work the best. I hope you enjoyed Costa Rica and found a lot of great things!
Just about out of my tub I brought home from Costa Rica over a year ago-hey, it’s worth saving for those tough jobs only! I LOVE this stuff and can’t for the life of me figure out why the states don’t carry it in their grocery stores. Thanks to our missionary friends for introducing it to me when we visited and didn’t have hot water to wash dishes with. I’m going to have to splurge and buy it online just because there is nothing better. And the smell-takes me right back to the mountains of CR.
I so wish they sold it here, too! According to my tub of Axion (and the refill tablets) it’s still made by Colgate-Palmolive, of course that’s the Central America division. You’d think if they made it here it would catch on, too. Maybe not being able to get it here makes it all the more special! I am down to my last two refills and they won’t last long!
Axion is sold in New York and New Jersey, 😜! I love Axion too and discovered it when I visited the Caribbean, sure does work wonders in the kitchen, but works great on the tiles in the bathroom or wherever else you have tiles in the home. Axion is my grease, grime and soap scrum destroyer.
You know, I pretty much suspected it would be sold somewhere downstate. I haven’t been to Jersey in a while either since making a pilgrimage a couple of years ago to Nablus Pastry & Sweets in Paterson for their amazing baklava and other treats (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). If I get back down that way, I’ll definitely look for it.
Lol. Axion was used on my trip to DR and I love it also. I was googling to see if they sold in somewhere in NY. Best soap ever….
It really is the best! I love Axion, too and this is my most popular thread. I have a friend that lives in Queens and swears she can find Axion there. I can’t find it Upstate but it appears Amazon sells it in limited quantities and it’s very expensive. I stock up when I’m in Costa Rica!
Glad to see someone else loves this stuff. I used it, or something similar in Colombia and had my sister in law bring back some for me the last time she went. Any luck finding the solid pucks wrapped in plastic in the states. I live in chicago. I am going to try some international grocery stores. Thanks
Yes, I believe it’s also sold in Colombia. I haven’t found any of the pucks (or Axion at all) where I am. I’ve heard they have it in NYC in some of the international stores, and I’ve found similar products in Florida. You can find it online, but it’s a little pricier. For now, I’ll just keep trying to make it last!
I discovered Axion about 12 years ago when I first visited Ecuador, and since I go there every year, I bring back almost a suitcase full of it back to NY! On departing Ecuador the customs usually ask you to open the suitcase, and question why I am taking so much Axion. I tell them it’s a great product and my wife loves it. The officer advised me not to buy the white-colored Axion paste but use the colored ones instead (figure it out). I am in Queens, NY and sometimes I have seen it in a few Key Food stores, for about $5.50. My stash is about finished as I have not visited Ecuador for the past two years, but I totally agree with you that this product is a gem unknown to most Americans, does the best job in cleaning dishes, and lasts so long that you would have spent a a least 4-5 bottles of dishwashing liquid before you finished on tub of Axion. I though I was the only Axion junkie out there 🙂
Thanks for sharing that story with me, that’s absolutely hilarious about the suitcase! As of yet, no one has asked me about the Axion in my suitcase (and the larger tubs are heavy!). I have friends living in Queens that have told me they’ve found Axion there, too. The product is absolutely amazing and smells great. I’ve tried other brands and scents, but Axion really is the best one. Happy New Year to you and I hope you get back to Ecuador soon!
I had a co worker tell me of this product so when I went to CR I tried it. Came back home with four containers, Love it
I love it, too! That’s great, four containers should last awhile. I’ve come back with the ginormous tubs but they’re just too heavy, so now I buy the replacement tablets. This last time I was given a different dish paste brand as a gift and while it seemed to be a smoother texture, nothing comes close to the grease-cutting power of Axion!
That stuff is amazing. It’s available at any grocery store in South America. In some countries such as Peru it’s another brand called Ayudin but it works just as well. It’s an absolute miracle product. I’ve been going to South America every year for 9 years & bring back 10 lbs every time for family & friends. A small tub lasts forever. I’ve been using it for many years & still laugh every time at how well it works. Amazing stuff. You can order it from http://www.ticoshopping.com
It really is amazing. I don’t know why they don’t produce it here in the States, I think if people tried it they’d be hooked. I know they sell it in Asia as well. I tried a different brand that was generic, only says “Jumbo” on the container, but it wasn’t bad. Had a very soft and smooth texture unlike some of the crumbly ones I’ve tried. I always end up going back to Axion, though. A true miracle product!
I love AXION dish paste / cream.
I have always purchased it in Mexico and whenever friends are going there I ask them to bring me a couple back. I’m down to my last tub, and due to COVID-19 no-one is travelling down there at the moment!
Yes, me too! I’ve got one Axion replacement tablet left and then that’s it! I absolutely love this stuff and when I run out it will be back to the liquid stuff! By the way, Mexico is amazing, I loved it when I was there.
Hey, guys….lovers of Axion. Great news. Amazon carries Axion. They actually have four different scents.
Leave it to Amazon! What I’m seeing there is oatmeal Axion and another brand, Sapolio. I’ve tried the Sapolio (bought it in Florida) and it’s a decent soap. Thanks for the tip!
My sister in law brought me 2 tablets back from Costa Rico she didnt know what it is so I’m asking how to use the tablets
Hi Deborah, the tablets are actually refills, but you can still use them! Pop the tablet into a small dish, and rub a wet dish sponge over the top of it until it lathers. Then wet your dishes and use the sponge to apply the lather and wash the dishes like that. Keep reapplying soap as needed. Many people in Costa Rica wash dishes under running water and Axion soap works perfect for this. It really cuts the grease. When you’re done using the soap, the tablet will usually dry if it’s not covered, but it will lather back up as soon as it’s moistened again. Good luck!
My extended family is from CR and this is what I remember growing up using every time we visited. It is the best!! Every time we go back or people come visit, my only request is Axion! Call me crazy, but it’s better than anything we have in the US.
I completely agree, and you’re not crazy! Whenever I’m in Costa Rica, this is the must-have item to bring back. Luckily it lasts a long time!
My family lives in CR, and I live in Canada. I loved Axion dish paste but I read an article once that there is an ingredient that is in it, that is banned in Canada because it is not reef friendly! It is considered a pollutant. Crazy considering How close they are to reefs, and how far away I am in interior Canada…
I have never read that about Axion, that’s so disappointing! And here I was, using my Axion, blissfully ignorant. You make an excellent point about the lack of reefs in Canada. Same here in New York. You must miss your family being so far away. Anyway, thanks for sharing and bringing that to my attention!
See Axion TV ads here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b4VsBJWqyvw
Wow, those are hilarious! I know Axion is big in Asia and as you can see from the first commercial, I know it’s custom (or used to be) to save hand soap chips in a dish to use for dishes. But Axion is just so damned good!
I was first introduced to it when I was in Guatemala. Brought some home with me and I love it as well but it’s much more expensive here. Went to purchase the big container on Amazon and they wanted $15 and I paid much less in Guatemala.
I’m so glad there are so many other people that love Axion as much as I do. I truly wish they produced it here. I’ve purchased the large container many times and it’s so heavy in a suitcase, but you’re right, it’s a lot cheaper than $15 when you buy it there!
Love Axion. I found your blog because I googled it trying to buy in NJ. I have a home in Nicaragua and use it there.
So glad you found the blog! Hope you can get back to your house in Nicaragua soon. I continue to be amazed at how many people love Axion as much as I do. I see there’s another dish paste on Amazon called Sapolio–I bought this once in Florida and it has a very smooth texture and an apple scent. It wasn’t too bad, but it’s priced quite high! I’ll wait ’til I can get back to Costa Rica!
Hi Sue,
My bf and I visited Costa Rica in February. We also fell in love with Axion! As soon as we returned to BC Canada, we tried searching for a similar product. No luck. So I experimented with making my own all-natural dishwashing paste. This idea of a hard dishwashing paste is so great! My friends & family have caught on quickly and cant get enough! I’m currently working towards a patent here in Canada.
Pearlsplace.ca
That sounds like an amazing project, I wish you the best! Let me know when it’s ready so I can buy some. By the way, I love Canada and miss coming over, I’m about four hours from the border and it’s been too long! Take care!
My love for Axion began over 20 yrs ago, when I took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I’ve been hooked ever since. My souvenirs were the tubs of Axion 😊. Thank you for sharing your love for Axion; I knew I wasn’t alone out there 😊
Of course you’re not alone, and you’re very welcome. It’s incredible the response I’ve had to this little article about Axion and how many people love it. I’m halfway through a tub right now. Just love the stuff!
You’ve brought back some memories with this post! I just googled “dish soap Costa Rica” as I couldn’t remember the name of the stuff (it was 20yrs ago we lived there). Who knew we could get so sentimental about dish soap! 😀
I think it’s really easy to get sentimental about this dish soap! I love it and it smells exactly the same as it did all those years ago! Thanks so much for reading my post and commenting!
I just got back from Jamaica and I brought back 5 tubs because it’s not here in Toronto (that I know of). I swore I was the only Axion junkie! I’ve introduced so many of my friends to it and they really like it.
Wow, I wasn’t aware that Jamaica sold Axion, too! That’s so cool! It seems like everyone that tries it loves it. You can buy it online, but it would be so much easier if they sold it in stores!
That’s crazy! This is one of the things that we Costa Ricans just take for granted. I didn’t know that there isn’t any dish paste like Axion being sold in New York. Thanks for the article.
Hi Marco! Unfortunately, there is no Axion in major supermarkets in the USA, or any other dish paste that I’ve ever found. That said, there may very well be a small grocer or bodega somewhere that carries it. On a trip to Florida, I found a container of dish paste called Sapolio which I purchased. It was okay, but not as good as Axion. Axion can be found on Amazon these days, but I’ve never seen anything like it in any supermarket here. Sad, because it’s an amazing product!
Wow this blog post certainly has gotten some traction! I first discovered axion on my first trip to Nicaragua in 2015 and my story is much like yours where it was the only thing in my airbnb kitchen and I had no idea what it was or how to use it (or how much was needed) lol. But I instantly discovered this was a wonder unknown to most in the North.
I, too, always bring some back when visiting southern countries. I live in Canada and it is impossible to find. And if you do, it is vastly more expensive.
Currently I am in Colombia and yes it was the only thing beside the sink when I got here! I am beginning to think the only reason it’s not a staple of every grocery store shelf (in Canada and the US) is because it lasts so long and does such a wonderful job! The fact that it works so well even in cold water blew my mind the first time I tried it… seriously find me a better product in our northern markets. That alone, not to mention the cost would quickly retire many of the dish cleaners we use.
It’s a shame more people haven’t discovered it and forced the manufacturer to sell it in the great north, but I am always a hero when I bring it back home as part of my souvenir package. What would you rather have, a cheap shirt or bracelet that gets lost or quickly falls apart or this little wonder that sits beside your sink for months and cuts through grease like no other. I will always choose the latter.
Thank you; I did a search on why axion isn’t sold in Canada and your blog came up high on the results page and it made me smile from ear to ear.
Thanks, Tim, I loved your comment! Sorry it took me so long to see it! Axion is amazing and it’s one of my favorite purchases in Costa Rica. I wish they still had the cinnamon scented Axion at Christmas, that was a nice treat. Yep, I’ve found it on Amazon, but it’s much more expensive that picking it up in Costa Rica. It’s funny how Axion also sells a liquid dish soap, but nothing can replace the effectiveness of the dish paste. Hands down, one of my favorite products ever in Costa Rica! Thanks for writing.