Discover the best green cleaning products that really work for every type of cleaning job in your home – from laundry to dishes to floors and everything in between. And of course are non-toxic and eco-friendly for people and the environment!
Shout. Lysol. Windex. Clorox. Tide. Pledge. Unless you’ve grown up living an extremely green lifestyle, you’re probably pretty familiar with those names and the types of products they represent.
And I’m guessing that like 97% of the population, you’ve got one or two of them under your sink right now.
Why Green Cleaning Matters
Conventional cleaning products are well known for their ability to get the dirty jobs done, but there is a price to pay for their version of “clean”. While they may be good at scrubbing off grime and busting germs, they are not healthy housemates.
The ingredients in those secret cleaning formulas are often toxic to breathe, bad for the environment and some are even dangerous to touch with your bare hands. According to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group of over 2000 cleaning products on the American market, cleaning substances have been linked to:
- asthma and other respiratory problems
- release of cancer causing formaldehyde
- elevated risk of birth defects
- chemical burns and allergic reactions
- poisonings
- hormone disruption
Surprisingly, federal laws do not mandate health testing for the chemicals used in most cleaning products and to make matters worse, manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on cleaning product labels (although California’s Cleaning Product Right to Know Act does require ingredient listings for the State of California starting in 2021.). If we don’t know what’s in our cleaning products, how can we make an educated decision about whether or not they are safe to use?
On top of the health concerns, layer in the environmental issues caused by cleaning product ingredients, like algae buildup, drinking water degradation and harm to aquatic life, and these products are not looking very “clean” at all.
RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Your Home & Life
What to Look For in a Green Cleaning Product
The market for non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products has exploded in the past few years but still it can be hard to separate the greenwashing from the truly green. I’ve been adding to my green cleaning arsenal for years and I’ve found that the best green cleaning brands meet these criteria:
- Disclose ingredients (even though they are not required to)
- Contain plant-based ingredients (not petroleum-based)
- Are biodegradable (preferably USDA Certified Biobased Product)
- Do not contain artificial colors or fragrances*
- An A or B rating in the EWG’s cleaning product database (a C rating can also be acceptable – see fragrance note)
- Bonus: Are ultraconcentrated or refillable
And of course they need to work. That goes without saying. Eco-friendly cleaning products have come a long way and I would argue that many of them work just as well or better than conventional cleaning products. Sure, I’ve tried a few that were duds, but over the years I’ve found the specific products that work best for me from a bunch of different green cleaning brands.
*A note about fragrance: Artificial or synthetic fragrance had become an evil buzz word in the natural product industry – and for good reason. HOWEVER, fragrance is complicated (as my friend Lindsay explains in this helpful post). Essential oils are a great natural fragrance option but they do not have the lasting scent that many people prefer. Other natural fragrances (from plant stems, tree bark resins etc…) add more scent options. Safer synthetic fragrances (phthalate-free for starters) are also available. The good news is that companies are becoming more transparent about fragrance ingredients and I expect the world of fragrance to become easier to navigate in the future.
My personal preference is for lightly scented cleaning products that smell like something you would find in nature (lavender, pine, lemon) as opposed to strongly scented “tropical breeze” or “floral mist” fragrances.
Best Green Cleaning Products & Brands
I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
So are you ready to swap out some of your old standbys for non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products? I’ve tried a lot of cleaning product brands over the years, so I’m here to help!
My recommendation is to start with the three products you use the most and then continue on from there. Maybe that’s dishwashing soap, laundry detergent and an all-purpose cleaning spray. Or maybe it’s the toilet cleaner that’s got to go. It’s really up to you!
BONUS: If you sign up for my mailing list, you’ll get a printable shopping guide of my top green cleaning products in 10 different cleaning categories. I have cherry-picked the best ones just for you!
Here’s a list of the best green cleaning brands I recommend and rely on for my household cleaning routine:
Earth Friendly Products (ECOS)
- Brand mission: To make safe cleaning products available and affordable to everyone.
- Known for: A whole range of cleaning products, from household to laundry to dishwashing.
- Primary ingredients: Biodegradable formulas based on plant-derived ingredients. They have a never-ever list of over 500 ingredients.
- Sustainability points: Climate positive throughout every step of business from manufacturing to shipping.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and Bs and a couple Cs
- Favorite ECOS Products: All Purpose Cleaner (Parsley Plus and Orange Plus) and Furniture Polish
Biokleen
- Brand mission: To produce highly effective cleaning products, without toxic chemicals, that are safe for families, pets and our planet.
- Known for: Products for household cleaning, odor control (including pets), laundry and dishwashing.
- Primary ingredients: Plant and mineral based ingredients, including live enzyme cultures to breakdown stains and eliminate odors.
- Sustainability points: Ultra-concentrated formulas.
- Certifications: none
- EWG ratings: B
- Favorite Biokleen Products: Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover
Ecover
- Brand mission: To pioneer clean through science inspired by nature, and to create products that won’t harm people or the planet.
- Known for: Dishwashing and laundry products.
- Primary ingredients: Naturally derived ingredients and a natural fermentation process to create solvents.
- Sustainability points: All bottles are made with a blend of 75% Plantplastic® and 25% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR).
- Certifications: Certified B-Corp
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and Bs and one C
- Favorite Ecover Products: Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Seventh Generation
- Brand mission: To transform the world into a healthy, sustainable & equitable place for the next seven generations.
- Known for: A full range of cleaning products for the home.
- Primary ingredients: Renewable, plant-based ingredients
- Sustainability points: Post-consumer recycled plastic is used for packaging.
- Certifications: Certified B-Corp, USDA Certified BioBased, Leaping Bunny, Rainforest Alliance
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and Bs and some Cs and Ds
- Favorite Seventh Generation Products: Rinse Aid
Grove Collaborative
- Brand mission: To help people find healthier home essentials.
- Known for: Selling many types of sustainable products, including cleaning products.
- Primary ingredients: 95% plant-derived ingredients and 100% natural fragrance
- Sustainability points: Cleaning product refills available in glass bottles, recyclable aluminum bottles or recyclable low-plastic pouches.
- Certifications: Certified B-Corp
- EWG ratings: N/A
- Favorite Grove Cleaning Products: Cleaning Concentrates
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ATTITUDE
- Brand mission: To inspire families to live healthier, more sustainable lives, with high-quality personal care and household products that are better for the body and our planet.
- Known for: A variety of household cleaners, laundry and dishwashing products.
- Primary ingredients: Natural, plant and mineral based ingredients
- Sustainability points: Bulk refills available for many of their cleaning, dishwashing and laundry products.
- Certifications: ECOLOGO®, PETA Certified
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and some Bs
- Favorite ATTITUDE Products: Dishwasher Tablets
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Branch Basics
- Brand mission: To help people create healthy homes
- Known for: Their multi-purpose cleaning concentrate.
- Primary ingredients: Plant and mineral based ingredients
- Sustainability points: All bottles are refillable using the cleaning concentrate.
- Certifications: MADE SAFE
- EWG ratings: B
- Favorite Branch Basics Products: The Concentrate
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Better Life
- Brand mission: To create plant-based, environmentally friendly cleaners that defy expectations for safety and performance.
- Known for: Specialty cleaning products, laundry detergent and dishwashing products.
- Primary ingredients: Plant-powered cleaning agents – like soap bark, corn, coconut and essential oils.
- Sustainability points: Biodegradable formulas
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny
- EWG ratings: A, B, C, D
- Favorite Better Life Products: Liquid Laundry Detergent
Dropps
- Brand mission: To create a gentle detergent that is also sustainable and convenient.
- Known for: Pods for laundry and dishwashing.
- Primary ingredients: Plant-based ingredients and natural enzymes
- Sustainability points: Plastic-free packaging (pods come in a compostable, cardboard box), carbon neutral shipping.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and Bs and a couple Cs
- Favorite Dropps Products: Laundry Detergent Pods
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Meliora
- Brand mission: To create people and planet friendly cleaning products that work.
- Known for: Laundry products, but also home cleaning and dishwashing.
- Primary ingredients: Natural plant and mineral based ingredients and essential oils.
- Sustainability points: Entire product line is single-use plastic-free, and refills are available for many products.
- Certifications: Certified B-Corp, MADE SAFE, Leaping Bunny
- EWG ratings: A
- Favorite Meliora Products: Laundry Stain Removal Stick
Molly’s Suds
- Brand mission: To formulate products without carcinogens or known human toxins. To strive to be good stewards of the Earth and give back to our community and those in need.
- Known for: Laundry, household cleaning and dishwashing products.
- Primary ingredients: Earth and plant-based ingredients derived from corn, coconut, or sustainable sourced palm oil, as well as natural fragrances.
- Sustainability points: Some products are packaged in glass and others in recyclable plastic.
- Certifications: EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny
- EWG ratings: A
- Favorite Molly’s Suds Products: Sink Scrub in Citrus and Stain Remover Spray
Thrive Market
- Brand mission: To give everyone access to healthy products, reliable information, and affordable prices.
- Known for: A wide variety of healthy food and non-toxic products, including Thrive Market brand cleaning products.
- Primary ingredients: Plant and mineral based ingredients.
- Sustainability points: Powdered detergent available for those who want to avoid plastic bottles.
- Certifications: Certified B-Corp
- EWG ratings: Mostly As and Bs
- Favorite Thrive Market Products: Laundry Detergent Powder
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Bon Ami
- Brand mission: To use simple ingredients to produce a high-quality cleaner that works.
- Known for: Mineral based powdered cleaner.
- Primary ingredients: Calcium carbonate, feldspar and other minerals
- Sustainability points: Product comes in a cardboard container made from 65% post-consumer recycled materials.
- Certifications: None
- EWG ratings: A
- Favorite Bon Ami Products: Powder Cleanser
Aspen Clean
- Brand mission: To create a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products.
- Known for: A wide range of cleaning products suitable for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.
- Primary ingredients: Natural and organic ingredients, including organic essential oils for scent.
- Sustainability points: Products are biodegradable and packaged in 100% recycled plastic bottles.
- Certifications: EWG Verified, EcoCert
- EWG ratings: A
- Favorite Aspen Clean Products: Window Cleaning Spray
Aunt Fannies
- Brand mission: To bring wellness to the home through nature-inspired cleaning products
- Known for: Floor cleaners and other household cleaning products
- Primary ingredients: Products are vinegar based and have less than 10 natural ingredients each.
- Sustainability points: Floor cleaner is a concentrate. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is used in packaging whenever possible. Net zero plastic footprint.
- Certifications: None
- EWG ratings: As and Bs
- Favorite Aunt Fannies Products: Floor Cleaner
Don’t forget DIY Cleaning Products!
Not everyone has the time or the interest in making homemade cleaning products – but if you are one of those who likes to DIY everything possible, take a look at the DIY cleaning products I’ve got up on the blog (more to come!)
- All-purpose cleaning spray
- Fizzy scouring powder
- Laundry freshener
- Tub & tile cleaning remedies
- 15 ways to use vinegar in the home
Want even more info about non-toxic cleaning so you can be CONFIDENT that your cleaning routine is safe? Check out my Green Cleaning Kickstart mini-course!
Erika says
This is so thorough – thanks for your advice! I’ve been meaning to switch to better cleaning products. Will remember you recommendations.
Micaela says
Happy to help! I’d love to know which brands/products you end up with!
Jessica says
this is timely! I like using green products but admittedly haven’t done the research on it – thank you for compiling this list. I’m surprised I’ve only heard of ONE of the brands on here (Seventh Generation) which I guess makes sense because it’s at Target. Think that making DIY options is worth it??
Micaela says
Hi Jessica – glad I was able to help you discover some new brands! As for DIY – yes I think it’s totally worth it – but not everyone is into it. Buying something you can trust from a store is so easy!
Alisha says
Thank you for sharing this comprehensive list! I enjoy making my own DIY cleaning supplies, but I also like to have a few natural cleaning products. I’m a huge fan of Dr Bronner’s, Seventh Generation, and Better Life! It’s always good to have a list of non-toxic cleaning products on hand.
Micaela says
I’m in a similar situation – I’ve made plenty of DIY cleaning supplies but don’t always have the time or need a specialty product. These are all brands I’ve used and recommend!
Michelle Miller says
This is an amazing resource! I will definitely be doing my research.
Micaela says
Glad you find it helpful!