Cleaning products that I definitely avoid to buy are the ones contains phthalates. Some cleaning products can be pretty harmful to the planet, especially those that contain ingredients like phthalates and come in single-use plastic containers. However, among so many clean products in the market, I often feel overwhelming finding the best natural cleaning products with all the marketing hype and confusing chemical terms out there.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Environmental chemical exposure is a major concern for consumers of packaged goods. However, product claims can use language that might mislead the average shopper.” Plus, the federal government doesn’t regulate terms like “green,” “natural,” or “nontoxic,” so it’s hard to know if that eco-friendly cleaner you’re eyeing is really good for the environment.
I looked at nontoxic and biodegradable ingredients alongside the Environmental Working Group’s safe list and packaging. Keeping that in mind, I picked Bon Ami powder cleanser as our top choice because it’s so versatile.
I also have other favorites, including glass cleaners, dish soap, and sponges. Before diving into my list of eco-friendly cleaning products for your home, remember that some items are available on Amazon. To lessen your environmental impact, you can try to combine your purchases into one shipment and recycle the boxes when you’re done.
Best overall: BON AMI
Why we like it: One of our personal favorites is the Bon Ami powder cleanser! It’s great for cleaning dirt and stains on almost any hard surface—whether it’s your countertops, floors, or even pots and pans. What’s even better is that it has just five natural or biodegradable ingredients that are gentle on your skin and don’t release harsh fumes. Plus, it comes in a cardboard container with a removable metal top that you can recycle.
Ways to use it: Scrub it with a sponge as dry powder, mix it with water to create a paste for tough stains on tile or metal, or add more water to dissolve it completely for cleaning shower doors and stovetops.
Keep in mind: Since it’s a powder, Bon Ami might leave some residue on surfaces. Just wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth or rinse with water, and you’re good to go!
Product details:
- Ingredients: Limestone, feldspar powder, soda ash, baking soda (surfactant)
- Recyclable container: Metal and cardboard; no plastic
- Scent: None
Best all purpose natural cleaner: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Cleaner
Why we like it: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds is a favorite for a reason! Just like their biodegradable castile soaps, this product is super versatile for cleaning around the house. It’s made from plant-based ingredients and surfactants, plus it has essential oils that give off a light, pleasant scent.
Customers love that Sal Suds is concentrated, which means you can use it for a variety of tasks, like mopping floors or doing laundry. It comes in large plastic bottles (16 ounces, 32 ounces, and a gallon), so you won’t need to toss them in the recycling bin anytime soon.
Keep in mind: Sal Suds contains sodium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant. While studies have shown that sodium lauryl sulfate is nontoxic and biodegradable, some people may be sensitive to it or allergic.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Water, sodium lauryl sulfate, lauryl glucoside, sodium coco sulfate, sodium benzoate, abies siberica (Siberian fir) needle oil, picea glauca (white spruce) branch/leaf oil, picea mariana (black spruce) leaf oil, citric acid, sodium chloride, limonene
- Recyclable container: Yes
- Scent: Pine
Best natural cleaning spray: Blueland Clean Home Kit
Why we like it: Blueland is a clever cleaning product that uses tablets to make your own natural cleaner, and it comes with a reusable spray bottle! To make the cleaner, just fill the bottle with water, drop in a tablet, and watch it dissolve. We love that these tablets are free from bleach, phthalates, ammonia, parabens, and harmful VOCs like benzene. The clean home kit comes with the bottles, and after that, you only need to reorder the tablets.
Product details:
- Ingredients:
- Hand Soap – Citric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Citrate, Algin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Fragrance, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Monosodium Citrate.
- Multisurface Cleaner – Citric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Monosodium Citrate, Hydrated Dextrates, Fragrance, Hydrated Silica, Sorbitan Caprylate, Yellow Colorant.
- Bathroom Cleaner – Citric Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Monosodium Citrate, Hydrated Dextrates, Fragrance, Hydrated Silica, Sorbitan Caprylate, Pink Colorant
- Recyclable container: Reusable
Best natural disinfectant: Seventh Generation Zero-Plastic Bathroom Cleaner
Why we like it: Seventh Generation’s powdered bathroom cleanser is super easy to use and made from biodegradable ingredients. Plus, it comes in a recyclable steel container, which is a big win for the environment!
Since it’s a powder, just sprinkle a little on a cloth or sponge, add some water, and clean away. It’s designed to lift grease and disinfect surfaces without being harsh. We also love that it doesn’t have any fragrances, dyes, or bleach, so you can feel safe using it on surfaces where you prepare food.
They also have Zero-Plastic powder hand soap. This concentrated mineral-based hand soap provides 6X more cleaning ingredients than Seventh Generation’s leading liquid hand soap!
Keep in mind: Like other powdered eco-friendly cleaners, it might leave some streaks. But no worries! Just wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to fix that.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Sodium carbonate (mineral-based builder), sodium gluconate (plant-derived chelating agent), fumaric acid (synthetic pH adjuster), sodium percarbonate (mineral-based oxygen stain remover), alkoxylated alcohol (plant-derived surfactant), ethoxylated alcohol C12-C18 (plant-derived surfactant). Phosphate-free.
- Recyclable container: Yes, recyclable or reusable
- Scent: None
Best natural stain remove: Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Stain Remover
Why we like it: Biokleen Bac-Out is an awesome natural cleaner for tackling pet stains and odors, especially when you need a quick fix. This cleaning solution has special enzymes that “digest” stains like dirt and urine, turning the odors into harmless carbon dioxide. We also found that it works wonders on red wine and coffee spills if you act fast!
Keep in mind: While Biokleen Bac-Out is great for many stains, it’s best on organic messes. It might not be as effective on mechanical grease or synthetic materials.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Water, glycerin (plant-derived), viable bacteria culture (plant-derived), phenoxyethanol, C12-16 pareth-7 (plant-derived), tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (plant-derived), disodium citrate (plant-derived), citrus species leaf oil (plant-derived), linalool (plant-derived), fragrance, and lavandula hybrida oil (plant-derived)
- Recyclable container: No
- Scent: Lime or lavender
Best natural laundry soap: Tru Earth Laundry Sheets
Why we like it: One of the best things about Tru Earth laundry sheets is that they come plastic-free! We found that the unscented version of this eco-friendly cleaner tackled everyday stains and even tough ones like dried pasta sauce. It also did a great job brightening up wool sweaters when washed in cold water. Other users loved how easy the strips are to use and enjoyed the satisfaction of avoiding plastic jugs.
Keep in mind: While the laundry strips work great, not all of Tru Earth’s products are hypoallergenic. Some other cleaning products from the brand didn’t get as many positive reviews as the laundry strips.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Corn starch, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerine, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, water, glyceryl cocoate, cocamidopropyl betaine, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, sodium gluconate, paraffinum liquidum, potassium sorbate, lauryl glucoside, C10-16 olefin, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate
- Recyclable container: Plastic-free; comes in a thin paper envelope
- Scent: Unscented, Fresh Linen, Lilac Breeze
Also Read: How do I deep clean my bathroom?
Best organic cleaning product: Public Goods Scrubbers
Why we like it: A lot of kitchen sponges are made from plastic, which is a problem because tiny bits can break off and wash down the drain, adding to microplastics in our water. Public Goods Scrubbers are different! One side is made from chemical-free walnut fibers that can handle tough cleaning jobs, while the other side is made from vegetable cellulose, perfect for soaking up spills.
Keep in mind: Like most sponges, the walnut side may struggle with really stubborn stains and burnt bits on pans.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Walnut-based scrubbing abrasive, all-natural vegetable cellulose
- Recyclable container: Plastic-free paper envelope
- Scent: None
Best organic kitchen towel: Mioeco Reusable paper Towels
Why we like it: This Mioeco Reusable Kitchen Towel can significantly reduce waste by eliminating the need to constantly buy and throw away single-use paper towels, making them a more sustainable choice for the environment; they are often just as absorbent as paper towels, can be washed and reused multiple times, and can even be more cost-effective in the long run. These reusable paper towels, crafted from premium organic cotton. Thus, these are very safe for children and has superior absorbency. Furthermore, these are machine washable! Simply toss theses towels in the laundry after use.
Product details:
- Ingredients: Organic Cotton
- Scent: None
