Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! We will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Tru Earth Laundry Strips
Puracy Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser for Kitchens & Bathrooms
Mrs. Meyer's Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap
AIRNEX Biodegradable Kitchen Sponge
ECOS Hypoallergenic Dish Soap
Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent
Dr. Bronner's - Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Give your household a sustainability boost with green cleaning products. We tried and tested over 30 products and made a list of the top 10.
We depend on cleaning products that help us maintain our spaces clean and healthy. Their powerful formulas help us get rid of grease and stubborn stains, allergens, and bacteria.
However, in many cases the very products that are supposed to make our environment safer, can become a source of pollution and health problems.
And yet, people keep using them because they need to get the job done.
But it doesn’t need to be like this.
There are eco-friendly alternatives that are just as effective, and yet pose no threat to health and the environment.
In this guide, I’m going to share my favorite green cleaning products.
My Favorite Green Cleaning Products
1. Tru Earth Laundry Strips (Best Laundry Detergent)
These pre-measured strips of liquidless laundry detergents are made with natural ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, starch, plant-derived water softeners, and natural essential oils.
Each strip degrades fully in water according to OECD 310D standard.
There is zero plastic packaging, and the whole lot comes in a recyclable cardboard box. This gives Tru Earth a much smaller environmental footprint than liquid and powder detergents that regularly come in plastic jugs and bags.
This way of packaging reduces pollution that comes from transportation by 94%.
This innovative detergent is free of chlorine bleach and added dyes.
While I was using conventional detergents and softeners, I found that the smell of fresh laundry made my nose run every time I changed linens.
On the other hand, no paraben nor phosphates were used in making these strips, while the hypoallergenic properties are certified by independent dermatologists.
Tru Earth Laundry Strips are vegan, with no animal-based ingredients or testing on animals by either the company or ingredient suppliers.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
These laundry strips have so many benefits that I don’t know where to start. I found they work great in hot and cold water, even when I wash clothes by hand.
2. Puracy Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover (Best Pet Stain Remover)
Pet owners know how hard it is to remove pet stains from different surfaces. And when you’re done scrubbing, after a couple of days you find out that your cat still prefers that spot.
Now you can get rid of pet accidents by eliminating root and stem. This 99.96% natural stain and odor remover is so powerful that your furbaby will never know where it tried to mark its territory.
It works by breaking down the proteins found in pet accidents, completely removing even stubborn odors like cat urine.
The best thing is that once the floor dries, it’s safe for your pets to play again.
Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover owes its safety to plant-based cleansers, water softeners, and enzymes. There are no parabens, sulfate and other allergens.
The remover comes in a convenient plastic sprayer bottle that is fully recyclable.
Certified as cruelty-free, this cleaning product is both vegetarian and vegan safe.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
This pet stain remover is free of caustic and harsh chemicals, so I can safely use it on a variety of surfaces like carpets, mats, upholstery, bed mattresses, etc.
3. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser for Kitchens & Bathrooms (Best Powdered All-Purpose Cleaner)
This non-toxic household cleaner comes with a hypoallergenic formula that contains no chlorine, synthetic fragrances or dyes.
It contains only natural ingredients like baking soda, limestone, soda ash, tallow soap and feldspar.
Tallow soap is what our grandmas used and their grandmas before them. And you didn’t hear them complaining about allergies!
Feldspar is a natural-occuring rock mineral that helps scrub the stubborn stains and grease.
I use Bon Ami Powder all over my house — it’s effective in removing kitchen grease and bathroom gunk.
And since it’s 100% safe, you can use it to polish your cookware, even granite and ceramic tiles. It’s hard to believe that such a powerful cleaner contains no bleach, but there you have it.
While the packaging is not refillable, 65% of this shaker is made of post-consumer recycled materials.
The EWG certifies this cleanser with an A-rating. Way to go!
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
I use a lot of non-stick cookware. I can tell that Bon Ami is safe to use with Teflon and ceramic without scratching. The only peeve I have is that it’s hard to find in regular grocery stores, so I order mine on Amazon.
4. Mrs. Meyer's Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap (Best Dish Soap)
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap stood out for its effective grease-cutting capabilities and its commitment to environmental and ethical standards.
The biodegradable formula, infused with plant-derived cleaning agents, effortlessly handles the toughest of kitchen messes, making my dishes sparkle without the need for harsh chemicals.
The garden-inspired Honeysuckle scent is genuinely delightful, offering a serene and sunny aroma that transforms the mundane task of dishwashing into a more enjoyable experience.
It's not just about the scent; the soap's efficacy in dealing with grease while being gentle on the hands is remarkable.
Being free from parabens, phthalates, and animal-derived ingredients, and carrying the Leaping Bunny certification, reassures me that I'm using a product that aligns with my values.
For those who prioritize both performance and environmental stewardship in their cleaning products, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap is an excellent choice. Its combination of effectiveness, delightful scent, and ethical manufacturing makes it a standout in the crowded field of green cleaning products.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
Apart from washing dishes, I use Mrs. Meyers to clean my countertops. Just fill a small spray bottle of ⅔ Soap and ⅓ water and you’re ready to spray and wipe. Its formula works even with a sprayer, without clogging.
5. AIRNEX Biodegradable Kitchen Sponge (Best Biodegradable Kitchen Soap)
Regular sponges are made of polyester and nylon. These materials are neither recyclable or biodegradable.
Even worse, they don’t last long, and when thrown away, they shed microplastics that pollute the soil and water resources.
While you can use natural sponge, these are still living beings that have a lot on their plate these days — hurricanes, reef pollution, exploitation, you name it.
Here comes a fully biodegradable natural kitchen sponge made of compostable cellulose and coconut husk fibers. Airnex is a 100% plant based and sustainable replacement for synthetic sponges with a ton of advantages.
Unlike plastic sponges, this one is much more porous, which means it gets dry much faster. Thanks to this, I never have to deal with stinky sponge anymore — a reliable sign that it also prevents bacterial growth.
When it starts falling apart I just throw it into my compost bin — problem solved.
A set of 12 Airnex Biodegradable Sponges comes in a brown cardboard box which is also 100% recyclable. A true zero waste philosophy!
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
I use this eco-friendly sponge for my dishes, sink, windows, stove, and countertops. Even the scouring side is gentle to glazed and high-sheen surfaces.
6. ECOS Hypoallergenic Dish Soap (Best Dish Soap For Sensitive Skin)
Here’s another sustainable dish soap that comes as a great alternative to conventional products that use chemical solvents.
Using only water, sodium coco-sulfate, plant-derived surfactants and natural fragrances, ECOS is free from harmful chemicals like parabens, phosphates, and 1,4-dioxane.
This company’s commitment doesn’t stop there. They promise never to use more than 500 harmful chemicals that are found in abundance in conventional cleaning products.
ECOS Dish Soap is made in carbon neutral, water neutral, zero waste factories, using 100% renewable energy.
Thanks to this, the product passed the EPA Safer Choice certification with flying colors.
This makes it one of the greenest products on my list.
The standard ECOS Dish Soap bottle is refillable and fully recyclable at the end of life. You can leave the cap on, as it will be recycled along with the bottle.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
Just like Mrs. Meyer’s, I can use this dish soap in a variety of dispensers without clogging. The only problem is that ECOS smells so good that I tend to spend more time washing dishes than really needed. LOL
7. Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent (Best Natural Laundry Pods)
There’s a lot to like about these Dropps Detergent Pods. Just one 9g ultra concentrated pod holds enough cleaning power to remove stubborn stains and odors, while keeping colors bold and bright.
This eco-friendly cleaning product uses natural enzymes to dissolve everything from sweat marks to coffee stains and spaghetti sauce.
The best thing is that once you pop one of these in the washing machine, nothing remains of it. The pod membrane is made from a harmless water soluble material. Still they added a bittering agent just in case your pet tries to eat one.
The pods come in a recycled cardboard box that is 100% recyclable, which is a perfect replacement for single-use plastic.
But the sustainability with Dropps doesn’t end here. The company is offsetting its carbon footprint by partnering with Clearloop to fund the construction of new solar projects in Jackson, TN.
On top of that, these detergent pods are totally vegan and cruelty-free, which is reason enough for me to add them to my shopping basket.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
All the green benefits aside, it’s much easier to pack a box of Dropps than haul a big plastic bottle from the store.
Read More:
8. Dr. Bronner's - Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner (Best All-Surface Cleaner)
If I could take just one eco-friendly cleaner to a desert island, it would be Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner. This unique all-purpose cleaner is my go-to product for floors, laundry, dishes, furniture, and even my car.
The natural formula behind this cleaner is amazing. It eliminates dirt and grease, builds a rich foam, and degrades quickly and completely.
I found that Dr. Bronner’s works equally effective with hot or cold water.
Instead of phthalates and ammonium compounds, this versatile cleaner relies on fir and spruce essential oils, and plant-based surfactants that are safe for living organisms even if the cleaner ends up in the water stream.
For all this, the EWG gives it an A-rating. There is also a vegan certificate and a leaping bunny logo that stands for “not animal tested."
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
Dr. Bronner’s is an example of a truly ethical company that works with farmers to help them adopt regenerative organic practices. This includes enriching the soil, increasing biodiversity, and empowering rural communities with fair prices and fair wages.
9. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray (Best Floor Cleaner)
This cedar-scented hardwood cleaner is a non-toxic cleaning product that uses a streak-free and fast drying formula that helps you reveal the natural beauty of hardwood floors by removing dust, dirt, and gunk.
It’s safe to use in high-traffic areas. The solution dries quickly so no wet floor warning is needed.
The cleaner comes in a convenient sprayer bottle. No mixing with water required. Just set the nozzle to spray or stream and you’re ready to go.
Although the bottle is totally recyclable, there’s no need to do it as long as the sprayer works. The company sells large refill sizes so you can use the first spray bottle many times.
Essential oils of rosemary and cedarwood give this plant-based cleaner a long-lasting aroma that won’t give you any allergies. No phthalates and parabens inside.
With a combination of all-natural ingredients, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner easily passed the EPA Safer Choice certification.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
This cleaner uses a pH 7.0 neutral formula that protects your floor’s finish and prevents discoloration and damage.
10. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner)
The last but not the least, Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a natural pine-scented product that eliminates hard stains, odors, and calcification from your toilet.
And it achieves all this without any aggressive chemicals. Just plant-based ingredients like citric acid, sodium citrate, lauryl glucoside, and xanthan gum thickener.
This is important because toilet cleaners are poured in larger quantities directly into the toilet bowl. Toxic chemicals can directly end up in sewage, and although treatment facilities regularly remove most of these harmful compounds, not all conventional toilet cleaners are safe for septic tanks.
You’ll have no such problems with Ecover. Still, this is a much more powerful cleaner than others on the list, so avoid eye contact. This is mainly due to the citric acid used to remove limescale.
Certified with a B-rating by EWG, this biodegradable cleaner comes in a recyclable bottle made of plant-based plastic called Plantplastic®.
This innovative material is made with sustainably harvested sugar cane that ensures the sugar is grown on existing croplands with fair labor practices.
Pros
Cons
WHY DO I LIKE IT?
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand the odor and eye irritation that comes with traditional bowl cleaners. Since I’ve switched to Ecover cleaner, my toilet is ready for use immediately.
What Makes a Cleaning Product Green?
Many brands claim to be green or natural.
Still, you need to know the difference between products that are truly non-toxic and organic and those that just claim to be sustainable for the sake of advertising.
The problem is that terms like “natural,” “green,” and “non-toxic” are not regulated. They are not legal definitions, and basically mean nothing.
There is still no federal regulation that would make manufacturers list all ingredients on the packaging.
So how can you tell if a product is eco friendly?
Look at the Safety Ratings
Instead of falling for generic advertising terms, pay attention to ecolabels.
To make it easier for shoppers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced the Safer Choice Program, which certifies products that contain safer ingredients for health and the environment.
Apart from the Safer Choice label, EPA also has the Design for Environment (DfE) label on antimicrobial products such as disinfectants and sanitizers.
If a product displays the Safer Choice or DfE label, you can be sure it passed the requirements and high environmental standards of the EPA.
EPA even has an online search tool to help you find these products.
Here’s the one for Safer Choice-Certified Products.
And the one for DfE-Certified Products.
Besides EPA, there are independent entities like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that gives product letter grades based on how toxic they are.
When shopping for green cleaning products, make sure to choose those with A-rating (lowest concern) and B-rating (low concern).
Although there is no single database that lists all safe products, a combination of these two EPA certificates and EWG ratings should help you choose sustainable cleaners.
Check the Ingredients
While I’m not a chemist and even less certified toxicologist, I have a rule of thumb to always look for shorter lists of ingredients.
First, this decreases your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. Second, natural products typically have fewer ingredients as they use natural disinfecting or cleaning power of plants or simpler non-toxic compounds.
Another trick is to look for ingredients you actually recognize, such as
All of these are effective all-purpose abrasives that remove grease and stains without toxic VOC residues that evaporate for days.
Finally, there’s a question of fragrances and dyes. While I love the smell of patchouli-mopped floor, many of those beautiful cleaner fragrances and dyes come from synthetic formulas.
Another rule of thumb is to look for products that don’t contain dyes and artificial fragrances.
Why Bother Using Green Cleaning Products
Protect Your Health
To make cleaning products more effective, manufacturers rely on powerful chemicals that are associated with different health conditions.
Cleaning products sometimes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate from cleaned surfaces, sponges, etc. These compounds cause eye or throat irritation, headaches, even damage to the central nervous system and cancer.
VOCs, together with ammonia and bleach are linked to chronic respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
TIP: Never mix bleach or bleach-containing product with any cleaner that contains ammonia. The resulting gas can lead to chronic respiratory problems and even death.
With ingredients that are proven allergens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors, it doesn’t surprise that more and more people are ditching conventional products for eco-friendly alternatives.
Help the Environment
Even worse, some of these chemicals are even toxic and classify as hazardous. Their labels have orange and black symbols for irritant, corrosive, flammable, or highly-toxic for water organisms.
Released into the environment, these chemicals can pollute the soil and even reach the groundwater.
Studies show that ingredients like alkylphenol ethoxylates commonly found in cleaners cause adverse reproductive effects to the wildlife exposed to polluted waters.
Compounds that contain phosphorus on nitrogen can cause nutrient-loading in water. The result is rapid algae growth and reduced water quality.
When you choose green cleaning products, you’re choosing the environment.
Make Your Home Safer
Remember those flammable and toxic labels? Conventional cleaning products are not something you’d want around your kids.
Small children and pets are especially vulnerable because their size makes for higher exposure levels. It’s a sad fact that household cleaning supplies are among the top 10 substances responsible for poisoning exposure in the US.
But why have any risk when you can eliminate dangerous liquids completely by switching to green cleaning products that are neither toxic or flammable.
FAQ
A cleaning product is green when it’s designed to reduce carbon emissions and minimize the use of toxic chemicals, which keeps people safe and helps the environment. Moreover, a cleaning product is green and sustainable when it’s biodegradable, reusable, organic, or made in an eco-friendly factory.
Yes, green cleaning products are as effective as regular cleaning products that use harsh chemical formulas. Individual products will always differ in quality, but most of these environmentally friendly products are great for washing your flooring, counters, stovetops, clothes, and many other household items.
Green cleaning is important because these sustainable and organic cleaning products help to protect the environment and keep our bodies safe from toxic ingredients.
Eco green cleaning is about using environmentally friendly products that help to protect the Earth by being reusable, biodegradable, organic, or sustainable. Eco cleaners also help to keep your family safe as they are not made with harsh or toxic chemicals.
Conclusion
Green products are made with natural or plant-based ingredients that leave no toxic residues or vapors that are associated with allergies, headache, and respiratory conditions.
In addition, many sustainable cleaning products are fully biodegradable and come in zero waste packaging that are recyclable or compostable.
Finally, companies that manufacture natural eco-friendly cleaners are often champions of ethical business practices. They don’t test on animals, source sustainable ingredients, clean power, and fair employment practices.
You can support these companies by choosing green cleaning products for your home and office. Not only will you help the planet, but make your living space safer and healthier.
Pingback: Everything You Need to Know About Greenwashing - GreenCitizen
Pingback: FAAY 6 packs Eco Friendly Sponges for Dishes, Multi-Purpose Non-Scra – Microwave Recipes
Amazing Post !! Well written and all key information shared regarding eco-friendly products. The EPA explains that cleaning products ending up in groundwater can have a negative impact on aquatic life. What’re more, wildlife populations can be impacted too when they drink water that’s polluted by the chemicals in cleaning products.
Thanks for sharing! Green cleaning is the process of choosing cleaning products that are better for both people and the planet. Switching to green cleaning products is good for the health and wellbeing of your people, and it also prevents unnecessary chemicals from being released into the environment.