cleaning the house We tend to end up with a lot of plastic bags, paper, and plastic containers that need to be thrown away. I wondered how I could eliminate waste when cleaning. Scientists are developing new ways to recycle plastic, but cleaning products are still being used. Plastic is not an earth-friendly material. a lot Its.
Common solutions such as disinfectant sprays and soaps are primarily composed of water, making these products heavy and difficult to ship efficiently. Excess packaging is another contributing factor to cleaning product waste, as are harmful chemicals that can enter your water supply (or your body). Add in the risk of microplastic shedding and billions of greenwashed Instagram ads, and it can be difficult to know how to make things cleaner and greener.
Below are some of my favorite eco-friendly cleaning products. The feeling of use is not much different from what I have been using before, and the price is relatively reasonable. For the ultimate cheap minimalist homemade cleaning solution, baking soda and vinegar combined with elbow grease will work for many jobs (although baking soda can be harmful to certain materials, such as aluminum, so Please take a research on it). Be sure to check out our other eco-friendly guides, including the Best Reusable Products, Best Recycled Products, and Best Clothing Made from Recycled Materials.
Updated April 2024: Added JAWS and LastObject (and new look).
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Eco-friendly cleaner that can be used throughout the house
Some cleaning product manufacturers offer generic products that are typically purchased in spray bottles. All of the brands below are going the extra mile, whether it's refills, simpler materials, or plastic-free shipping.
our top picks
Supernatural kits are expensive, but they go on sale several times a year. The frosted glass spray bottle is heavy (in a good way) and has a silicone base to hold it in place. The nozzle won't clog or clog, but the bottle may leak if you don't carefully twist the lid shut. Glass concentrate vials contain essential oil blends for windows and mirrors, counters and granite, baths and tile, or wood and floors.the product has a smell wonderful—Not artificial or chemical like most cleaning solutions, but more like fresh botanicals. This set is the only one I keep buying refills for. And what I especially like is that the refills are made of glass, so there's no single-use plastic involved.
runner-up
Blueland's inexpensive refills come in the form of dissolvable tablets. Get several reusable Tritan Forever bottles when you purchase the $46 Starter Kit. You can subscribe to the refill plan for a slightly cheaper price. Starter kit refills include hand soap, bathroom cleaner, glass and mirror cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. (And actually, I didn't keep using a bottle of glass cleaner every month. Maybe I'm gross, but I think most people don't polish their mirrors every day, but if you're the same) If you're camping, Blueland also offers laundry soaps, dishwashing essentials, and a variety of accessories. You can mix and match products to suit your needs. Everything I've tried smells great and gets the job done. Mix the solution 1 to 2 hours before tackling chores, as the tablets may take a little time to dissolve.
most versatile
The starter kit includes a 34-ounce bottle of sustainable concentrated cleaning solution, a spray bottle with a fill line for easy dilution, and a container of oxygen boost powder. You'll get enough concentrate for 3 bottles each of all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and foam cleaner, as well as 64 laundry bottles. The unscented concentrate is powerful and made with simple ingredients. You can also purchase it separately and have your own bottle. If you like nice-smelling cleaners, you might find this set lacking, but adding a few drops of essential oil will perk up your olfactory department.
Best design award
Grove Co.'s cleaning concentrates are available in 3-packs. You get a multi-purpose cleaner for glass, bathtubs, and tiles. Pour the contents into a 16-ounce bottle (also available on Grove's site) and fill with water. I especially like the glass cleaner. It works better than Windex and smells better.
easiest refill
JAWS stands for “Just Add Water System” and this is true. Refills are pods that twist onto your own bottle. Add water and twist to mix the solution. These cleaners smell like traditional cleaning products and the bottles are a little…curvy. This means it can be a bit of a hassle to store. However, this starter kit from JAWS includes some unique cleaners, including a granite cleaner and a general disinfectant.
For sensitive families
This bio-based product is not sold as a concentrate, but I'm including it here because I haven't tried anything else similar. It has no scent or color. It really feels like cleaning with water. This is perfect for people who are so sensitive to scents that even “light scents” can give them a headache.
for kitchen
From reusable dish towels to eco-friendly dish soap, there are several options for a planet-friendly kitchen cleaning routine.
Best overall dish detergent
I tested it a while back and have bought it multiple times. It is made with plant-based ingredients and has a biodegradable formula that makes it effective. It doesn't dry out my hands as much as the one I used before. You can buy it in multipacks online and choose from a variety of scents (including unscented).
Runner-up dish detergent
This bar is technically meant to remove stubborn stains from clothes before they go into the laundry. Dampen the ends of the bar and scrub away the dirt, then toss the clothes in the laundry. However, this bar essentially doubles as dishwashing detergent. I also love the No Tox Life ($14) dishwashing block.
biodegradable dish towels
These quick-drying biodegradable fabrics are made of cellulose and cotton. Unlike regular towels, they don't smell or get moldy. Can be washed up to 200 times in the washing machine or top rack of the dishwasher. The eye-catching design is also a key point. Mine started to deteriorate after a few months of use, but it lasted longer than similar products I've tried.
great scrub
I couldn't help but love this extremely popular and hilarious Spongebob, but it lived up to the hype. This shape and texture makes it magically effective for scrubbing, wiping, and lathering. I use it for everything from washing dishes to cleaning floors. It's also more durable than other similarly priced sponges. While sponges themselves aren't particularly sustainable, Scrub Daddy products are recyclable, making them a better option than throwing away sponges.
Best overall reusable paper towels
These bright cotton flannel towels are durable and absorbent. It becomes even more absorbent after several washes. It also sticks, so you can roll it up in a cardboard tube, just like the paper alternative. Being sticky means it picks up lint and dust very easily, so be prepared to wash it often. nevertheless! If you're trying to go zero waste, these are one good way to go about it.
Runner-up Paper Towel
If you prefer a more traditional paper towel option, choose one that strikes a balance between familiarity and sustainability. It is made of bamboo instead of wood. The towels aren't super soft, but they're absorbent and don't fall apart or fall off easily. For big or simple tasks like cleaning up cat hairballs or cooking scraps, you'll feel less guilty throwing these out than wooden paper towels.
great trash bags
Although not as durable as traditional trash bags, they are made from 90% post-consumer plastic. (The remaining 10% is renewable sugarcane.) I think the eco-friendly composition makes these a worthwhile trade-off. The brand also makes clear recycled bags.
reusable mop pad
These sweeper pads are a more durable, less wasteful alternative to disposable mop pads. These work with Swiffer mops and similar systems and can be used wet or dry. The thick, absorbent texture makes it easy to clean your floors. Put the pad in the washing machine and reuse it.
for laundry room
Washing machines are a major source of microplastic pollution, but every little bit helps, right? Here are some eco-friendly cleaning products for your laundry room.
detergent pod
These pods smell great, work with high-efficiency machinery, leave clothes squeaky clean, and are made with plant-based ingredients. No dyes, free shipping and carbon neutral. We also like the company's wool dryer balls ($29) as an alternative to fabric softener sheets. If pods aren't your thing, try MyKieri's Easy Spray Laundry Detergent ($28).
laundry sheet
We've recommended several products from LastObject over the years. These laundry detergent sheets look like fabric softener sheets, except they're soap. Dissolves instantly in hot or cold water in the washing machine. Very affordable and no need for plastic jugs. Contains no colorants or fragrances.
stain remover
I tested this plant-based spray with blood, coffee, red sauce, and makeup. I deleted them all. Contains no chlorine, dyes, or other common irritants commonly found in stain removers.
Enhanced laundry cleaning
This baking soda booster contains no bleach, ammonia, dyes, or fragrances. It is also safe for sepsis. I especially like it for linens and towels. Keeps linens and towels super fresh and eliminates residual odors.
What makes detergent sustainable?
“Eco-friendly” is a very vague term and can be misleading, especially in marketing. While no product is perfect, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends several things to keep in mind when looking for greener cleaning supplies.
When it comes to product composition, the smaller the list, the better. Concentrated products have a lower carbon footprint and produce less shipping waste than heavier, diluted versions, and powders and tablets are even smaller. The EPA Safer Choice program reviews products and certifies them when they meet the agency's standards for safer, more environmentally friendly products. Certified products have a Safer Choice certified label on their packaging. Other certifications to look for include Rainforest Alliance, Leaping Bunny, and One Percent for the Planet. All of these certifications can help you make more sustainable choices when shopping.
You can also see the ingredients. For example, look for products that are biodegradable and low in fragrances and other unnecessary additives. You can also check out the sustainability efforts of various brands. Is shipping carbon neutral? Is packaging minimal and recyclable?
