Selecting a quality green cleaner can be challenging due to “greenwashing,” a form of misleading marketing that insinuates a product is 100 percent eco-friendly when it’s not. For example, a product’s label may say it’s made from recycled materials or have energy-saving benefits, but these claims may be exaggerated. “Look for products by companies that fully disclose all of their [product’s] ingredients on the label, not just on their website," advises Sydney Swanson, healthy living science analyst for the Environmental Working Group. The EWG is an independent, non-profit organization that rates and shares data about green cleaning products in a searchable database. The United States Environmental Protection Agency also has a search option for Safer Choice-certified products that includes options the government agency has tested. In addition to carefully reviewing a green cleaning product’s ingredient list, you can consider factors like the amount and type of packaging used and its potential impacts on the environment. If all of this sounds like a lot of work, don’t worry. We tested and researched the best green cleaning products in a range of categories to help you find the perfect item for all of your cleaning needs. Below, the best green cleaning products for a clean and happy eco-friendly home. This detergent’s cleaning power comes from naturally occurring stain- and odor-removing enzymes rather than petrochemicals, sulfates, caustics, phosphates, dyes, or chlorine. Unlike chemical-based acidic and alkaline cleaners, enzyme-based cleaners target specific biological stains such as pet urine, food residue, and stained fabrics. They also tend to have fewer health and environmental side effects. Puracy wins when it comes to packaging, too. The 48-ounce refill means there is less plastic packaging finding its way to landfills and waterways. Some reviewers note that the detergent didn’t work well in homes with hard water. It’s also not readily available in stores, so it can be somewhat hard to find. Price at time of publish: $17 Smart Sheep wool dryer balls are more expensive than some of their competitors, but we like that the company uses high-quality, humanely sourced wool. The dryer balls are also felted in Nepal by workers paid a living wage. Price at time of publish: $30 Meliora Soap Stick for Laundry Stain Removal is MADE SAFE certified, meaning it’s free from ingredients considered hazardous to people and the planet. It earned an A rating from the EWG, as well. It’s not tested on animals and is certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Program. Finally, Meliora is a certified B Corp that adheres to transparent environmental and labor standards. They also pledge 2 percent of company sales to environmental causes through the 1% for the Planet program. Price at time of publish: $11 This formula is safe for graywater and septic systems. You can use it to wash ceramic, crystal, glass, plastic, baby bottles, porcelain, metals, jewelry, patio furniture, toys, rubber, pet dishes and toys, and any surface that’s safe for premium soap. The company says each 16-ounce bottle can tackle 160 sinks full of dishes. Choosing the 48-ounce refillable pouch over a plastic bottle reduces your environmental footprint and washes around 500 sinks of dishes. Price at time of publish: $18 This scrubber has a rough side composed of loofah plant material for scrubbing—not scratching—and the soft side is made of a spongy cellulose-cotton and wood cellulose dishcloth. They’re stitched together with eco-friendly, biodegradable cotton thread. These scrubber sponges are easily cleaned on the top rack of a dishwasher or popped into the microwave for a few seconds. You can also just rinse after each use and wring dry. Each sponge lasts three to five weeks. When it’s time to replace your Loofie Scrubber, compost it or bury it in your garden where it will decompose. Price at time of publish: $6 Made from 90 percent organic ingredients and 70 percent fair trade ingredients, Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is great for people and the planet. It comes in fragrance-free and scented options. It’s biodegradable and also makes an excellent choice for taking along on camping trips to wash up trailside. Price at time of publish: $36 for pack of 2 While the cedar smell may be irritating to those with aroma sensitivities, there are no parabens, phosphates, chlorine bleach, fillers, or stabilizers in the ingredient list and it was awarded an A rating from the EWG. ECOS toilet cleaner also earned a SaferChoice certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Price at time of publish: $5 Meliora Cleaning Products’ home cleaning and laundry products get top A ratings from the EWG and are Made Safe certified. The company is committed to transparency and lists every ingredient on their products. The Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub in Peppermint Tea Tree, for example, contains only sodium bicarbonate, vegetable soap, organic peppermint oil, and organic tea tree oil. Price at time of publish: $14 The cruelty-free, pet- and people-friendly formula cuts through smudges and pet slobber quickly. Spray it on, let it sit for a few moments, and wipe it away for sparkling windows, mirrors, and sink faucets. Aunt Fannie’s Glass and Window Vinegar wash is made in the USA and has been awarded the highest safety rating for cleaning products by the EWG. Price at time of publish: $12 These paper towels are composed of 100 percent recycled paper (80 percent post-consumer content, 20 percent pre-consumer content). Additionally, they’re free from dyes, inks, or fragrances, so they’re easy on your skin and eyes. While they are a single-use product, you can toss them into your compost bin after you’ve cleaned up your mess so that they can be sent back into the environment. Price at time of publish: $81 Our product tester, Danielle Directo-Meston, noted that while it took about 10 minutes for the tablets to dissolve in the cleaning bottles, the hand soap tablet took closer to 20 minutes to dissolve fully. Blueland’s high-quality reusable bottles help you reduce your carbon footprint. The products also help you reduce your chemical exposure. They’re made without parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. They’re sourced from vegan ingredients that are gluten-, soy-, and nut-free. You won’t find any phosphates, parabens, petroleum, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances on the ingredient list of this EWG-verified floor cleaner. This cleaner offers an excellent value since the concentrated formula equals 18 bottles of the brand’s Natural Floor Cleaner. To use, add two tablespoons into an AspenClean 22-ounce bottle and dilute with water. Use within 24 hours. Price at time of publish: $23 Since they’re scented with 100 percent essential oils, you’ll find no chemical odor here. However, some users were unhappy with the lingering vinegar scent. The wipes earned an EWG A rating, despite some of the ingredients posing some potential skin and allergy issues. Price at time of publish: $8
Ingredients and Certifications
If you don’t feel like researching ingredient lists, don’t worry, all the information you need has already been compiled. Utilize the EWG database or the Healthy Living app to make informed choices when purchasing green cleaning products. Other resources include Made Safe, a program of the nonprofit Nontoxic Certified. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice program federally certifies products that use safe ingredients. Their information is shared in an online database. If your product-in-question is on one or more of these lists, you can use it with confidence.
Amount
Green cleaning options come in many forms. Those in liquid or powder form tend to be an excellent value because you can use less of the product each time you’re cleaning. Since you’re likely looking to generate less packaging, opt for products that come in large amounts rather than individual, single-use products.
Packaging
Reduce your environmental impact by avoiding plastic packaging, and choose products in compostable, biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable packaging when possible. Some companies even allow refills if you send in the bottles.
Fragrance
The term “fragrance” on a product’s label is a fancy way of saying “hidden chemicals,” says Swanson. She notes that fragrances commonly contain chemicals that help the scents last longer. Chemicals can also be used to mask scents and make it seem like a product is fragrance-free. These chemicals, known as phthalates, have been linked to a plethora of health problems, so it’s best to steer clear.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Heidi Wachter, a freelance writer and climate journalist wrote this article. She has firsthand experience testing all kinds of eco-friendly cleaners, including several options featured on this list. For this roundup, she scoured product reviews; interviewed Sydney Swanson, EWG healthy living science analyst; and read advice from medical professionals such as dermatologists. She prioritized options that were affordable, effective, and well-rated by environmental product rating databases.
