Cleaning is not everyone's cup of tea, however, I bet you did a lot more cleaning during all those COVID lockdowns than you usually did. I know I am one of the many guilty!
You probably don't realise how wasteful your cleaning routine is… All those plastic bottled cleaning products, not to mention the number of sponges you go through every year.
Surprisingly enough, many eco-friendly cleaning products can be found at your local stores, if not, they are available online. Switching your usual cleaning products to more eco-friendly options is one way you can move to a more sustainable life, plus you will be helping the environment!
Eco-friendly or green products are seeing a huge rise in sales, as more of us are becoming aware of the impact single-use plastics and man-made chemicals have on the environment.
What Makes A Cleaning Product Eco-Friendly?
Sustainable, or ‘eco-friendly’ cleaning products tackle a lot of issues we face today.
They don’t use single-use plastics for packaging - some even contain biodegradable packaging.
They do not contain nasty, toxic chemicals.
They are usually made from plants.
They contain biodegradable ingredients.
They are usually refillable.
Some cleaning products are entirely plastic-free - yes, you heard me right!
They are cruelty-free and/or vegan.
Note, that not all brands will cover all the above, so select the products that cover the issues you care about the most.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products That Are A Must!
You can find the following cleaning products at large retailers, natural grocery shops, zero waste shops, or online.
Dropps
In 2005, Dropps became one of the first eco-conscious brands to cover your laundry needs, and in 2017 Dropps was awarded the EPA Safer Choice Partner award by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Product Type: Laundry & dishwasher detergent pods
Type of Packaging: Plastic-free & compostable - the pods have a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) membrane which can naturally be broken down by microorganisms that live in water treatment facilities
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
EarthHero
EarthHero has over 100 eco-friendly cleaning products available, but, it doesn’t stop there. This company covers everything when it comes to cleaning your home or office - from compostable bin liners to countertop cleaners, your home will be sparkling clean in no time!
I like to call EarthHero a "one-stop-shop" because they also cover beauty products, pet supplies, and even sustainable clothing.
Product Type: Biodegradable cleaning products & cleaning tools (sponges, brushes, etc)
Type of Packaging: Most of their packaging is shipped in plastic-free materials with recycled/reused cardboard boxes
Natural & Organic: Yes - most of their products are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and sulphate-free, and all their cleaning products are not tested on animals - YAY!
Eco-Friendly: Yes - they are a certified B corporation (awarded to companies for good social and environmental performance), they are members of 1% for the planet, and they are 100% carbon-neutral
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Ecover
Ecover was the first company to create a phosphate-free laundry detergent. Now, 40 years later, Ecover has gone above and beyond, launching a wide range of eco-friendly cleaning products to cover your laundry, dishwashing, and household needs.
Their factory was impressively the first to be awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified plant rating. Ecover are also a certified B corporation, taking sustainability and the environment seriously, which I love!
Their transparency is also what attracts me to Ecover - you can find a full glossary of what their products contain, online.
Product Type: Best known for their biodegradable laundry detergent, but now they have a wide range of products
Type of Packaging: All their packaging is made using Plantplastic, which is made from agricultural scraps, often from corn, sugarcane, wheat, or food waste
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
PUR Home
Voted by @parents Magazine for the Best Laundry Detergent in 2021, PUR Home is a non-toxic, eco-friendly laundry detergent and household cleaner company that uses organic and plant-based ingredients. PUR Home is also a woman-owned business, founded by Angela and Michelle Richardson.
Product Type: Best known for their laundry soap & bathroom cleaner
Type of Packaging: Recyclable paper, glass, and plastic - but, they will soon offer a refill system
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes - their products are naturally fragranced with essential oils, following a biodegradable formula to keep everyone safe (and our Planet) at home from nasty parabens, sulfates, dyes, and dioxanes.
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Cleancult
Cleancult has a wide range of products that also offer bundles, so there is no excuse for cleaning in a more eco-friendly manner in your home.
Product Type: Hand soaps, cleaning sprays, laundry detergents and dish soap
Type of Packaging: They use a refillable model (carton) to reduce single-use plastics, and their products are carbon-neutral shipped
Natural & Organic: Yes, made from naturally fragranced essential oils
Eco-Friendly: Yes
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Blueland
Women-owned business Blueland is famous for its non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free foaming hand and dish soap, laundry detergents, home cleaning formulas, and awesome bundles.
Blueland has also been proudly certified with USDA Biobased Preferred and EPA Safer Choice.
Product Type: Zero-waste essential cleaning products
Type of Packaging: Recyclable & refillable packaging. Carbon-neutral and climate-neutral shipping
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes & Cradle-to-Cradle Certified
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Grove Collaborative
Grove Collaborative is 100% plastic-neutral with over 150 sustainable products to choose from with ingredient transparency, covering your cleaning needs.
Product Type: Best known for natural household and personal care
Type of Packaging: A range of packaging but also refill options - by 2025 Grove Collaborative will be 100% plastic-free
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes - Certified B Corp, sustainable materials, reusable packaging, and carbon-neutral certified shipping
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Eco-Me
Eco-Me is a green company driven to remove chemicals from your home. Their vegan and gluten-free cleaning products will keep your family safe and protect our Planet.
Eco-Me also supports charities such as Pasadena Humane Society, the Breast Cancer Fund, Walden House, Best Friends Animal Society, and many others.
Product Type: Household cleaners, dishwashing, hand soaps, laundry, and air fresheners
Type of Packaging: PET#1 (plastics purchased from recycling centres) & BPA-FREE plastics
Natural & Organic: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes - plant-based ingredients, BPA-free
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
Common Good
Common Good was born after the creators were alarmed at the amount of plastic waste we produce from cleaning our homes. With their wonderfully scented cleaning products, your home will smell fresh while also doing your bit to support the environment.
Product Type: Best known for their laundry detergent, but they have plant-based soaps and all-purpose cleaners
Type of Packaging: Recycled plastic or glass, and they offer refillable bottles
Natural & Organic: Yes - 100% essential oils & ingredients from non-GMO sources
Eco-Friendly: Yes - plant-based ingredients
Leaping Bunny Certified: Yes
I really hope that you enjoyed this blog post!
If you have any eco-friendly or sustainable brands you think should be added to the list, let me know in the comments down below!
Written by Darby Bonner