The 7 Best Eco-Friendly Products Your Home Cleaning Kit Is Missing

While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

If you're ready to embrace a greener lifestyle when it comes to cleaning, you're in luck. There's no shortage of sustainable, eco-friendly, and plant-based household cleaning products that are gentle on the planet and its inhabitants — and, most importantly, they actually work. The tricky part is sorting through the countless options on the market to figure out which products are legitimate and which just have really good marketing.

To help simplify things, we spoke with Sydney Swanson, the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) healthy living science analyst, consumer safety science, who shared a few important tips. Her first recommendation is to look "for products that fully disclose all their ingredients on pack." She adds: " Look out for vague terms like 'surfactant' or 'preservative' on the packaging; this inadequate disclosure does not provide sufficient hazard data and can encompass a wide range of ingredients." The same goes for fragrance: "The term 'fragrance' is an umbrella term that can house up to 4,000 different chemicals. These chemicals can be aquatic toxicants, phthalates, and those that release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere."

When asked if there are any ingredients she recommends scouting out in products, Swanson suggested a different approach. "Look out for the ingredients you would like to avoid," she said. "Consumers can also look for certifications, such as EWG Verified, or those that match their specific needs or concerns. However, be wary of greenwashing claims like 'non-toxic' or 'eco-friendly' as these terms have no legal definition and are often just a marketing ploy."

Ahead, we've rounded up seven eco-friendly cleaning products that are either EWG Verified or considered low-risk by the organization, including products for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and more. Keep scrolling to shop our selects, starting at $5.


Experts Featured in This Article

Sydney Swanson is the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) healthy living science analyst in the area of consumer safety science, specializing in the analysis of consumer products for EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning and EWG's Food Scores.She was previously a research assistant in the UCLA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Research Lab and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Best Eco-Friendly Disinfecting Spray

Best Eco-Friendly Disinfecting Spray

Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray Multi Purpose Cleaner ($5, originally $6)

Frequently touched surfaces — and the bacteria they leave behind — don't stand a chance against this multipurpose disinfecting spray. According to the brand, "it can be used on food contact surfaces and children's toys without the need for rinsing, making it a convenient and safe choice for various household cleaning tasks."

Best Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner
amazon.com

Best Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner

Attitude All Purpose Cleaner ($8)

The rave reviews of this all-purpose cleaner say it all. Not only does it effectively tackle dirt and grime, but it also comes in refreshing scents like citrus zest, grapefruit, and lavender. Plus, it's made with 94 percent naturally sourced ingredients and is PETA-certified vegan. "Since having a baby, I've really tried to cut down on harsh chemicals around the house," writes one of its many five-star reviewers. "I saw this recommended, and I've been really pleased. The price is reasonable, it effectively cleans, the smell is pleasant, and it's safe to use around my baby. I've already purchased my second bottle."

Best Eco-Friendly Floor Cleaner
amazon.com

Best Eco-Friendly Floor Cleaner

Aunt Fannie's Ultra Concentrated Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash ($14)

With nearly 10,000 five-star ratings, it's no secret that Aunt Fannie's Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner is a top-seller among all of Amazon's floor cleaner options — and it's definitely a favorite in the eco-friendly category. It's vinegar-based but scented with essential oils to offset the smell and is super concentrated. "A little goes a long way!" an Amazon reviewer shared. "Just a capful in the mop bucket gets my floors sparkly clean and smelling like lemons."

Best Bleach Alternative
amazon.com

Best Bleach Alternative

AspenClean Unscented Oxygen Bleach Powder and Color Safe Stain Remover ($18, originally $20)

Bleach isn't exactly the most eco-friendly option, which is why we had to spotlight this EWG-Verified bleach alternative. It uses sodium carbonate, an unscented ingredient that delivers stain-removing and brightening power similar to bleach but without the harshness. Plus, it's color-safe, too.

Best Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaner
amazon.com

Best Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaner

9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner ($25)

This bathroom cleaner makes quick work of soap scum, hard water buildup, and grime, according to Amazon reviewers who've used it on ceramic, tile, porcelain, and more. If you're unfamiliar with the brand, it's known for keeping things simple. Every product features nine ingredients or fewer (hence the name). This particular formula is powered by vinegar for deep cleaning but balanced with eucalyptus essential oil, so the scent isn't too overpowering.

Best Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent
amazon.com

Best Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent

Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablet Starter Set ($30)

Here at PS, we love brands and products that check all the boxes: fun to use, aesthetically pleasing, innovative, and eco-friendly. Blueland fits the bill perfectly, and one of our standout favorites is its detergent. The starter set includes a chic blue tin for easy refilling, and the packaging is entirely plastic-free. Most importantly, it works super well on dirty dishes. You can read up on Blueland founder Sarah Paiji's go-to product recommendations, too.

Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
amazon.com

Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

Heritage Park Luxury Laundry Detergent ($36)

We love how Heritage Park considers every detail of the laundry detergent experience. Its enzyme-based formula features a pH-balanced base that's gentle on fabrics, is highly concentrated to maximize each load, and a fragrance-free formulation. Best of all, it's perfect for those with sensitive skin. "This product stopped continual itching from his clothes for my husband who has very sensitive skin," one Amazon shopper attests.

-


Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has over seven years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She was previously the senior beauty editor at Grazia USA and the style and beauty editor at Us Weekly. Now freelancing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Marie Claire, and more.