I’m on the hunt for the best eco-friendly cleaning products. Deep-cleaning my house used to leave me with a lot of plastic bags, paper, and plastic containers to throw away. But I’ve been trying to reduce my footprint, and for this guide I tried to find an environmentally conscious recommendation that could fit in every step of your cleaning routine, including my favorite overall: the Blueland Clean Essentials Kit ($46).
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Scientists are developing new ways to recycle plastic, but it's not an Earth-friendly material, and cleaning supplies use a lot of it. The supplies below won't feel too different from what you already use, and they’re relatively affordable. For the ultimate cheap, minimalist, homemade cleaning solution, baking soda and vinegar paired with elbow grease will do the trick for many tasks (though baking soda can harm certain materials like aluminum, so do your research).
Be sure to check out our other eco-friendly guides, like the Best Reusable Products, Best Recycled Products, and Best Clothes Made of Recycled Materials.
Updated April : We've given this guide an overhaul with refreshed picks and updated information.
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What Makes a Product Eco-Friendly (or Not)?
Common solutions like disinfecting sprays and soaps are largely composed of water, which makes those products heavy and hard to ship efficiently. Excessive packaging is another factor in cleaning-product waste, as are harmful chemicals that can end up in the water supply (or in you). Add in the risk of microplastic shedding and a gazillion greenwashed Instagram ads, and it can be difficult to know how to make things clean and greener.
“Eco-friendly” is an extremely vague term that can be misleading, especially in marketing. No product is perfect, but the Environmental Protection Agency has some things to look for when searching for more environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.
Product composition: Generally, a shorter ingredient list is better. A concentrated product produces fewer carbon emissions and creates less waste to ship than a heavier, more diluted version, and a powder or tablet is even smaller. Look for products that are biodegradable or recyclable, with few fragrances and other unnecessary additives. More things to look out for are carbon-neutral shipping and minimal packaging.
Look for certifications: The EPA Safer Choice program vets products and certifies them if they meet the agency's standards for safer, more environmentally friendly products. Certified products feature the Safer Choice certification label on their packaging. Other certifications you may want to look for include those from the Rainforest Alliance, Leaping Bunny, and One Percent for the Planet. All of these certifications can help you make more sustainable choices when you're shopping.
How We Tested
I cleaned my house! I’ve been testing some of these supplies for years and some for just a few weeks, but I used them in my day-to-day life the same way you would. I wiped up spills, I did my laundry and my dishes, and I scrubbed the kitchen sink. I have used every product in this guide in my daily (OK, sometimes weekly) cleaning routines.
Papaya Reusable Paper Towels for $13: I mostly liked these cute, bright reusable paper towels, which are made from a mix of cotton and cellulose. They’re composable and absorbent. The reason they're an honorable mention is because the two-pack comes with a plastic hook. It makes sense to include something you’d need, since you’re supposed to hang these to dry them. But as best as I can tell, there’s no way to buy them without getting a plastic hook. Even if one towel replaces 17 rolls of paper towels, they’ll eventually need to be replaced, and I don’t need a gajillion hooks around (even if they are useful!). If this brand ever allows the opportunity to buy refills without a plastic hook, I’ll be more inclined to recommend it.
Fantasticlean Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Roll for $26: These tear-away microfiber towels are a solid replacement for paper towels, though microfiber is known for shedding microplastics. It feels silly to be weighing out which is worse: deforestation or plastic pollution? They’re both bad. These can be washed and reused up to 50 times, and they’re quite absorbent. I still think the cotton flannel towels above are a better pick, but if you're diligent about reusing these and you want a bulk quantity rather than the 12-pack above, these are worth looking into—especially if your house goes through a ton of paper towels like mine does.
Scrub Mommy Sponges (3-pack) for $22: This popular, cheery sponge lives up to the hype. The shape and texture make it super effective for scrubbing and wiping, and it’s durable. The reason it’s in this guide is because Scrub Daddy products are recyclable! If you need a new sponge, consider this one.
Safely Multipurpose Cleaner for $10: This cleaner comes from Kris Jenner’s new company and is really hard to find in stock. But it smells amazing, and the majority of the ingredients come from salt, coconut, and corn. The reason it’s an honorable mention is because it isn’t concentrated like the cleaners above, making it less eco-friendly. But I still think it’s worth telling you about because it does smell great and work well.
Huppy Toothpaste Tablets made with Peppermint are a toothpaste alternative that naturally whitens, fights plaque, and freshens breath without adding more plastic waste to our environment.
Recipients of multiple beauty awards from Women's Health, Healthline, and SELF, Huppy’s Toothpaste Tablets are also vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free.
These tablets foam easily and are super easy to use: chew, brush with a wet toothbrush, and rinse.
Made with clean ingredients: peppermint oil, coconut oil, aloe vera extract, and xylitol, and contain nano-hydroxyapatite, a non-toxic fluoride alternative that remineralizes tooth enamel & helps fight sensitivity.
Non-Chalky - Satisfying Foam - Award-Winning - Plastic-Free
The perfect plastic-free, effective, and clean alternative to disposable and toxic deodorant. Get to know your body and try a deodorant cream for a change! Our formula is free from baking soda, a common irritant in natural deos, and is handcrafted in small batches using gentle, yet mighty, ingredients that effectively battle odor, while keeping your pits soft and hydrated, yet dry and rash free.
This Lemon Lavender Deodorant Cream is lightly scented with an essential oil blend of, you guessed it, lemon and lavender offering a citrusy and florally aroma.
Available in "Citrus & Vanilla"
Deep moisturizing everyday Lotion, made with Cold-Pressed Avocado Oil and plant-based ingredients
Nourishing Avocado Oil | This oil is similar to your skin’s natural oil complexion, making our avocado lotion an easy and quick way to make your skin feel nourished and hydrated. This similarity means your skin’s barrier more quickly absorbs the oil's nutrients (proteins, fatty acids, beta carotene, and vitamins A, D, and E). Dry and cracked skin is no problem! It’s a perfect general-use lotion that acts fast and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy.
Ingredients: Charcoal Filtered Deionized Water • High purity waterPersea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil• cold-pressed, nutrient packed oilCetearyl Alcohol • gives skin soft feelCetyl Alcohol • soft feel Stearic Acid • veggie-based, satiny feelVegetable Glycerin (Glycerin) • veggie-based, moisturizes skin. USP, kosher quality. Glyceryl Stearate • veggie-based, moisturizerCaprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol •preservatives used sparingly, prevents bacteria from growing in container)Essential Oils and/or Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils • scent
This shampoo’s vegan ingredients will gently cleanse your hair with luxurious lather while adding sheen and softness from ends to roots. With aloe as the main ingredient, as opposed to water in most shampoos, it restores essential nutrients to enhance your hair’s texture.
Thisshampoo is suitable for all hair types. For a deeper clean we recommend massaging the product into your scalp and leaving it in for a range 1 – 5 minutes depending on the desired effect. Follow up with our nourishing conditioner.
Safe for the whole family, it’s a choice that’s good for you and the planet.
Our Products are: Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone and palm oil Vegan and have non-GMO ingredients Designed to biodegrade Baby safe and hypoallergenic Cruelty-Free, Leaping Bunny certified.
This conditioner’s vegan ingredients will bring your hair back to life resulting in luminous, silky, smooth hair. With aloe as our main ingredient, your hair will be healthy and hydrated, restoring shine without weighing it down.
This conditioner is suitable for all hair types. For light conditioning, we recommend applying conditioner to the ends with a quick rinse. For deep conditioning, we recommend leaving it in for 3 – 5 minutes for ultra-hydration.
It can also be used as a leave-in conditioner and curl cream.
Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and palm oil Vegan and have non-GMO ingredients
Designed to biodegrade Baby safe and hypoallergenic Cruelty-Free, Leaping Bunny certified.
Our body wash’s vegan ingredients will gently cleanse your skin while improving tone and texture. With aloe as the main ingredient, daily use will restore nutrients and powerful antioxidants without drying.
With it’s luxurious, non-toxic lather, our body wash also makes for a great bubble bath.
Safe for the whole family, it’s a choice that’s good for you and the planet.
Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and palm oil Vegan and have non-GMO ingredients
Designed to biodegrade Baby safe and hypoallergenic Cruelty-Free, Leaping Bunny certified
So many uses for one simple ingredient!
•For general soaking to ease minor aches and pains add 2 cups of Epsom salt to your warm (not hot) bathtub. Soak for up to 20 minutes.
• For minor sprains - add 1 cup of Epsom salt to about a gallon of warm water. Soak for 30 to 45 minutes.
• For exfoliating - after soaking your desired body part, massage a handful of Epsom salt into your skin. Storage instructions -
Do not store in direct sunlight. Keep in a cool, dry place. Warning - Where prompt relief is not obtained or where there is evidence of irritation or infection, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Biodegradable agent suppliers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.