We can clean our homes and our planet with eco-friendly cleaning products. They still provide all of the dusting, sparkling, wiping, grime-fighting benefits of conventional cleaning products, but do so with natural materials, replaceable parts, and components that are easily recyclable or compostable at the end of their life. Just in time for spring cleaning, we’ve come up with a list of the 10 best eco-friendly cleaning products.
Step 1: Reconsider the Next Roll of Paper Towels
Paper towels have become the go-to for spills and stains. While they may be convenient, they’re not so great for our planet. Unfortunately, Americans are notorious users of the paper product, accounting for roughly half of global consumption. This means that we unroll more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year, which contributes to 3,000 tons of paper waste.
If every American household used just one less 70-sheet roll, that would save 544,000 trees each year. Here’s how you can do just that:
1. Marley’s Monsters Organic UNpaper Towels
Clean up your cleaning act with Marley’s Monsters. They were one of the first big names to revolutionize how we clean with their UNpaper Towels. Made from organic cotton, they’re durable enough to last for a long time, and can still be used like paper towels to clean up spills and wipe off glass surfaces, countertops, and more.
Just toss the dirties in the washing machine and they’ll be ready for another day on the job. Once they can clean no more, they can be composted.
2. Full Circle Home Recycled Microfiber Essential Cloths
For another more sustainable take on scrubbing, these Recycled Microfiber All-Purpose Cloths work with just water to remove bacteria. They’re gentle on glass and stainless steel and can be tossed in the washing machine before using again.
While the eco-friendly cleaning wipes are made from polyester that’s 80% recycled, it’s a good idea to still wash them with a Cora Microfiber Catching Laundry Ball to capture the microfibers that are released during washing.
3. Bluebirds Swedish Dishcloth
Make cleaning, dare we say… fun with Swedish Dishcloths that come in a range of cute designs. They work just like paper towels and successfully clean up stainless steel, ceramic, tile, granite, and glass.
Unlike paper towels, they can be washed and reused up to 200 times! You can either microwave them or toss them in the dishwasher or washing machine. Made of natural cellulose and organic cotton, once they do reach the end of their life, they can be composted.
Step 2: Get Rid of Toxic Cleaning Products
Formaldehyde, Perchloroethylene, Ammonia, 2-Butoxyethanol, Chlorine, VOCs, Butyl Cellosolve, Quaternary Ammonium, Galaxolide, Sulfates, Phosphoric Acid, Fragrance… and the list goes on!
Conventional cleaning products are full of toxic ingredients. A clean home doesn’t have to compromise the health of you and your family. A little white vinegar and baking soda is just as effective, along with some of these non toxic eco-friendly cleaning products:
4. Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub
For eco-friendly non-toxic cleaning products, there’s nothing better than this Cleaning Scrub, which has just five recognizable ingredients but still works well to tackle dirt and grease. Whether you’re cleaning in the kitchen, bathroom, or another hard surface, you’ll be wiping away with something that’s biodegradable, dye-free, and synthetic fragrance-free.
The stainless steel container is recyclable or reusable at the end of its life and with every purchase from Meliora, 1% is donated to environmental projects through 1% for the Planet.
5. Meliora Refillable All-Purpose Home Cleaner
The words “just add water” are some of the best to see when exploring sustainable cleaning swaps. Often, water comes with the product, making it necessary to store in plastic! That’s not the case with this All-Purpose Home Cleaner, which comes in a glass bottle and the option of 1 tablet, 4 tablets, or just 3 refill tablets without the bottle.
With just a few recognizable ingredients, they’re some of the best eco-friendly cleaning tablets on the market. Just simply dissolve them in warm water and you’re ready to clean floors, walls, countertops, and more!
6. Full Circle Home Refillable Glass Spray Bottle
When it comes to eco-friendly cleaning products, no plastic, this Refillable Glass Spray Bottle is essential. If you decide to go the DIY route and make your own cleaning spray, or buy it in bulk or as a packet that can just be added to water, THIS is the bottle for you! It’s sleek, sustainable, and helps you cut out single-use plastic bottles.
The responsibly made glass bottle can be washed in the dishwasher, used for many spring cleaning sessions, and eventually recycled (just be sure to remove the recycled plastic nozzle and silicone sleeve first).
Step 3: Ditch Plastic from Your Kitchen, Bathroom, and General, Around-the-House Cleaning
It’s all too easy to make simple, sustainable swaps for many of the cleaning products we use around the home. Between Loofah Dish Sponges, Recycled Trash Bags, and zero waste Laundry Powder, eco-cleaning is simple!
7. Green Eco Dream Bamboo Dish Brush
When we think of natural cleaning products, there’s one material that’s a popular choice: bamboo! In this Dish Brush, the natural bamboo handle is combined with a Sisal brush—which is made from the Mexican agave plant and is tough, wear-resistant, and thick enough to tackle caked on food.
Both the bamboo handle and the Sisal brush are compostable. To help extend the longevity of the cleaning tool, refills of the brush are available.
8. Meliora Castile Dish Soap
With a dish brush like the one mentioned above and a castile dish soap, you can have sparkly clean dishes—all without single-use plastics! This one is free of sulfates, parabens, preservatives, palm oil, artificial colors and flavors, but still works to produce a bubbly lather that cuts through grease.
9. Full Circle Home Splash Patrol Natural Latex Cleaning Gloves
To keep you clean (and our planet clean) while you clean, throw on a pair of these Natural Latex Cleaning Gloves. They’re slip-resistant and will keep your hands clean and safe from hot water and harsh chemicals.
Since they’re made from natural latex, you won’t have to worry about single-use plastics or toxins like PVC and BPA.
10. Full Circle Home Microfiber Duster
Chase away dust bunnies in a way that’s better for our planet with this Microfiber Duster. It works like a magnet to trap and collect dust and with a flexible handle, getting behind and on top of appliances will be a breeze.
Unlike conventional plastic dusters, this one is machine washable, has a bamboo handle, and is ready to dust for decades to come.
Clean Up Your Home Without Dirtying the Planet
It’s just around the corner—spring cleaning! Hopefully this list of eco-friendly cleaning products helps you prepare for your own cleaning, in a planet-friendly way.
Check out our Sustainable Cleaning Products below and use code BLOG10 to save 10% on your first order!
If you enjoyed reading this Blog, please share it, and help us get the word out together. Thank you! 😊
Greenecodream’s blog on eco-friendly cleaning products is a must-read for anyone looking to make their home a cleaner, greener space. The comprehensive guide provides invaluable insights and practical alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners, making it easier to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.