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Are you looking for zero waste cleaning products that are affordable and effective? This list has got you covered!
From products you probably already own to sustainable cleaning companies that are paving the way for more eco friendly cleaning products-this list covers it all! You will be amazed at how effective these nontoxic cleaning products are even without the harsh chemicals.
I also include some tips on how to actually make the transition into using more sustainable cleaning products. I know from personal experience how tricky it can be to incorporate new products in your tried and true cleaning routine.
By the end of this post, you will be fully prepared to choose the best zero waste cleaning products for your home and budget!
This post is all about the best zero waste cleaning products.
How many cleaning products do I need?
Less is more! I truly believe that the least amount of cleaning products you can get away with, the better.
If I could clean my whole apartment with soap and water I would. And I mostly do, but I like to add in a few other products for areas that have extra grime or have special needs i.e. laundry.
This is why I only included 9 sustainable cleaning products in this post. I think it is important to only purchase what we need and will actually use. Would getting a sustainable duster make my cleaning bucket look more zero waste aesthetic? Probably! But I can just dust with a simple rag that I already own.
Zero waste living and minimalism have a beautiful crossover that leads to saving you money and not overproducing too many products (which isn’t good for the environment either!)
What to do with unused cleaning products?
Many conventional cleaning products have funky chemicals that can be harmful to your body, your pets, and the earth. But before you throw them all out and invest in a nontoxic and zero-waste cleaning routine, there are a few things to consider first:
- Try to use up all of the products you own so they don’t go to waste!
- Any unopened products can be donated to local nonprofits
- Cleaning tools can be used until they break, repurposed, used for outdoor cleaning, and sometimes recycled (but double-check according to your recycling centers guidelines)
Bottom line.
It is a lot more eco-conscious (and budget friendly!) to slowly transition your home to zero waste cleaning products rather than a huge overhaul.
How do you make zero waste cleaning products?
I dabble a bit in the diy zero waste world but mostly I love the convenience of someone else making eco friendly cleaning products in a sustainable way and then just buying them.
The only DIY zero waste cleaning I really do is sprinkling baking soda and spraying some vinegar. I like to use this for tough shower grime mostly.
How to find the best sustainable cleaning products?
Don’t just stop with this list! Keep your research going to find the products that will work the best for your home, budget and needs!
I really love this article by Going Zero Waste that talks about her favorite zero waste cleaning products too!
Zero waste cleaning brands I love:
This post details specific eco-friendly cleaning products I love but I wanted to also include some brands you should check out too!
- Earth hero
- Grove Collaborative
- Clean Cult
- Blue land
- Ethique
If you see any of their natural cleaning products on your grocery store’s cleaning aisle consider giving them a try.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 5 Genius Hacks for Zero Waste Cleaning (My Favorite Products and Routine!)}
This post is all about the best eco friendly cleaning products and non toxic cleaning solutions.
The Best Zero Waste Cleaning Supplies
1. No Tox Life Dish Wash Bar
Dish wash bars can be a bit intimidating if you have never used one before but they are actually really simple to use!
To use a dish block bar you wet your reusable sponge/rag with warm water and rub it on the block. Once it is lathered up you use your sponge like a regular dish sponge. That’s it!
Zero waste dish soap can save tons of plastic bottle waste from heading to the landfill.
I have used multiple brands for dish soap blocks and No Tox Life has been my favorite! I love how long it lasts and it doesn’t have a scent.
2. Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap
Castile soap is possibly my favorite item on this list because it can be used for basically everything in your home!
And when I say basically everything, I mean it! I put mine in a spray bottle and use it for:
- Kitchen counters
- Toilet
- Shower
- Dishes
- Washing my hands
- I even use it to wash my car!
My favorite scent is the lavender or tea tree but they have a bunch of amazing scents to choose from!
3. Dropps Laundry Detergent
Dropps are by far my favorite laundry detergent I have ever used! They seriously saved me after having an allergic reaction to another all natural laundry detergent that I tried.
I love that Dropps ships their products in recyclable packaging and there isn’t a giant jug to carry around. The detergent comes in a pod that you can simply throw in your washer and that’s it!
Dropps have really simplified my laundry routine since they are so powerful and all I really need to get my clothes clean, the natural way.
Some other things I love about Dropps:
- Carbon neutral shipping
- Give back with their partner Oceana (An ocean conservation program)
4. Rags or old cut up t shirt
This is the best zero waste cleaning tool that you probably already own!
Old rags or a cut up t shirt make great cleaning cloths rather than using a bunch of paper towels.
You will save money by not having to purchase specialty cleaning cloths and it is better for the earth because you are using what you already own rather than buying more stuff!
If you have a spot that needs cleaning that you would regularly use a sponge for, consider choosing natural sponges. Many brands are coming out with sponges made from compostable materials.
5. Zero waste cleaning kit
If you are completely new to the zero waste lifestyle I think zero waste kits are a great place to start!
Everything you need comes in these convenient little kits. Even starting with a few swaps that you can sustainably maintain in your home makes an impact! Again, you don’t need to completely revamp your home overnight.
I love this zero waste cleaning kit from Package Free Shop because it gives you all the tools to swap out your disposable dishwashing tools for more sustainable ones.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 11 Genius Zero Waste Kitchen Organization Tips For a Peaceful Home}
6. Blueland eco friendly cleaning products
Blueland does a really great job of offering concentrated cleaning products that you can add to your reusable bottles again and again. They have a wide selection of cleaning products for every area of your home!
They also have an amazing zero waste cleaning starter kit for all of the basics you need for your cleaning routine. If you are new to zero waste living I think Blueland is a great company to check out!
7. Ecos cleaning products
I feel like this brand is available at most big box stores and grocery stores which is an eco friendly win!
Because of this, Ecos is one of the first eco friendly cleaning brands I started with (and because it is more on the affordable side compared to other sustainable cleaning brands!)
I loved their lavender laundry detergent! This is saying a lot because my skin can be sensitive to detergents. I never had a problem with this one! The only reason I switched to Dropps was to avoid the plastic jug.
Anyways, Ecos has dish soaps, all purpose cleaning sprays,
8. Grove glass spray bottle & glass cleaner
So this one was an impulse buy for me but I am so glad I did that because now I can recommend this wonderful product to yall!
This glass and silicone spray bottle is made by Grove Collaborative which is an awesome eco friendly marketplace that sells their products at Target and online! Instead of using plastic bottles, consider choosing these glass bottles to fill your cleaning supplies with if they are concentrate or being bought from the zero waste store.
It is made of glass and then has a silicone cover on it that you can adjust to uncover a label on the bottle indicating what product is inside. It’s really helpful for keeping your products organized!
The one downside is that glass bottles are heavy so if you are carrying around a cleaning basket you will definitely get your workout in!
I pair it with their glass cleaner concentrate and it really is the best combo. It comes in a tiny glass bottle that you simply mix with water. I love that you are only paying for the product and NOT the water. It just makes more sense that way.
The orange rosemary scent is nice and light yet not too overpowering. It really gets the mirrors and glass in my home spotless and I don’t see myself buying another glass cleaner!
9. Washable mop covers
Are you obsessed with your swifer? They are pretty convenient but having to throw out the cleaning pads every time you mop can get pretty wasteful.
Consider switching to reusable mop covers instead! After mopping your floors you can simply throw your washable mop covers in the wash and keep reusing them.
If you are looking for a more budget friendly option you could always diy your reusable mop covers. It could be an easy diy if you are good at sewing!
What are your favorite low waste cleaning products? I would love to hear in the comments below the products that have worked the best for you! Reviews from real people help others to decide if blank and hopefully that means less wasted product!
10. White Vinegar
Vinegar is such an incredible and versatile cleaning product you can use all throughout your home! It is found in many zero waste cleaning product recipes as you can find it at most zero waste stores.
Vinegar is perfect to scrub your shower with to cut down on mold. After scrubbing with your shower brush, allow the vinegar to sit and work it’s magic. Open up your windows to let the sun assist on killing the mold.
One thing to note with cleaning with vinegar is that it of course has a strong smell. The smell goes away once it dries but it is pretty harsh at first.
Why should you use eco friendly cleaning products and tools?
There are tons of reasons to use eco friendly cleaning products in your home but here are a few of them.
- Skip out on toxic chemicals (or simply harsh chemicals, no more headaches!) that are in many traditional cleaning supplies
- Avoid single-use plastic when you buy reusable cleaning tools, concentrated cleaning formulas or shop at a zero waste store
- Natural ingredients and biodegradable ingredients that are safe for you and the earth. Think of all the cleaning bottles that sit in landfills and the chemicals they leach into the earth, harm aquatic life etc.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products are just more aesthetically pleasing than conventional brands (;
There are many different ways to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle and using sustainable cleaning products is just one of them. Maybe reducing your food waste or minimizing plastic packaging in other areas of your home is how you can contribute to the environmental movement. Just keep trying your best and educating yourself as things are constantly changing in the sustainable living world!
This post was all about the best sustainable cleaning products.
Have any other great zero-waste cleaning options? Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!
Stay well,
Maggie
Other posts you may like:
Top 5 Zero Waste Online Stores So You Can Make Eco Friendly Choices From The Comfort Of Your Home!
How to Compost in Your Dorm Room (Simple Tips!)
7 Amazing Zero Waste Kitchen Must Haves for A Plastic Free Home
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