Last updated on April 29th, 2024 at 05:27 pm
Your Ultimate Guide to Plastic-Free Cleaning Products for a Healthier Home
Clean up your act with safe, zero-waste cleaning products.
If you think about it, isn’t it ironic that many cleaning products, used with the intention of purging our homes of dirt and germs, actually introduce chemicals, toxins, and wastes that are much more detrimental to our health and planet?
We all know plastic pollution is a problem, and household cleaning products are no exception. Transitioning to plastic-free cleaning products is one simple way we can help our planet and reduce plastic waste in our lives.
Using eco-friendly cleaning products is an excellent start, but let’s take it another step further by cutting out the plastic packaging, too.
How can we reduce plastic in cleaning products?
The surefire way to eliminate plastic is to make zero waste cleaning products on your own. Reuse any spray bottles you already have, or purchase reusable ones, like my favorite glass spray bottles from Grove, and then choose from several options to fill them.
- Try some natural DIY cleaner recipes, like these from EWG. Or simply use vinegar & baking soda to clean. This method tends to be the most economical.
- Buy in bulk or refill size. Hopefully you have a bulk shop near you that you can take your own containers and fill them with soaps or other cleaning products. If you don’t, there are plenty of great options online that we will get to below.
- Purchase concentrates or cleaning tablets that you will dilute with water. Blueland is a great example; you have the option of buying tablet refills that come in biodegradable packaging, and the rest of their packaging is recyclable. If you don’t have access to recycling, you can ship it to them for free and they will recycle it for you.
If you’re not into making your own cleaners, that’s ok. Luckily, there are a plethora of awesome plastic-free cleaning supplies available from reputable companies that prioritize both non-toxic ingredients as well as eco-friendly packaging.
Glass and metal are among the best plastic-free packaging choices because they don’t involve a lot of chemicals in their production, and bottles are both reusable and can be recycled infinitely. Sustainable materials like bamboo, biodegradable packaging, or sustainably-sourced or recycled paper are also excellent options. Check company websites for information on their packaging.
Plastic-Free Cleaning Products to try
Plastic-Free Air Fresheners
Avoid aerosol fresheners, which emit VOCs into the air that can be harmful for both you and the environment.
I really like Grove’s room spray concentrates, which are packaged in small glass bottles. You simply add the concentrate to water to a spray bottle (Grove also sells a glass room spray bottle, which is what I use) and you’re good to go, great scent, free of any aerosolized chemicals. Also available at Target.
Another option on my list to try is this Enviroscent diffuser. It is made from mango wood, the fragrance comes from recyclable paper (no liquid involved), and it comes in plastic-free packaging.
Plastic-Free All-Purpose Cleaners
There are a lot of good options here. They all can be used to clean most surfaces, but check brand-specific information first, and always test on a small, inconspicuous area. Finding a good all-purpose cleaner can eliminate the need for purchasing multiple cleaners for all your different surfaces, decreasing waste and saving you money and space.
Plastic-free all-purpose cleaners come in several forms, as do all the other types of cleaners.
Tablets
- Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – tablet wrappers/pouches are home compostable
- Also available at Amazon
- Boulder Clean All-Purpose Cleaner – packaged in material compostable in industrial facilities
- Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – packaged in home compostable/recyclable paperboard box printed with vegetable-based inks
Powder
- Bon Ami Powder Cleanser – package is produced from 65% post-consumer material and is fully recyclable
- Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – packaged in uncoated paper can with steel end and cap; paper is home compostable/recyclable, steel can be recycled (separate parts)
Liquid concentrate
- Grove Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – packaged in glass
- Also available at Target
- Puracy Everyday Surface Cleaner – packaged in their new aluminum can packaging
- Also available at Target
- Etee All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – packaged in compostable beeswax
- Ethique Multi-Purpose Kitchen Spray Concentrate – solid bar packaged in paperboard
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this all-star cleaner. Despite being packaged in plastic (which is 100% recycled), I think this brand deserves to be mentioned, as this company has more eco-certifications than any other I have come across. This castile soap can be diluted to literally clean just about anything.
Plastic-Free Bathroom Cleaners
Tablets
- Blueland Bathroom Cleaner
- Also available at Amazon
- Boulder Clean Bathroom Cleaner
Powder
- Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner Powder – this fragrance-free option comes in a tin
- Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
Liquid concentrate
Plastic-Free Carpet Cleaners
I haven’t found any plastic-free cleaners specifically labeled as ‘carpet cleaner’, so test these all-purpose cleaners that list carpet under their usage instructions.
Plastic-Free Disinfectant
There aren’t really many options for plastic-free disinfectants. All I have been able to find is the Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray, packaged in a recyclable metal can. Also available at Grove / Amazon.
You can also try my favorite DIY disinfectant recipe.
Plastic-Free Floor Cleaners
- Grove Floor Cleaning Concentrate – packaged in glass bottle
- Also available at Target
- Etee Floor Cleaner Concentrate – packaged in compostable beeswax
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap – again with the plastic caveat. Site says it is suitable for wood, stone, and laminate. Learn more about mopping with Dr. Bronner’s/Sal Suds.
Plastic-Free Glass Cleaners
Tablets
Liquid Concentrate
- Etee Window Cleaner Concentrate
- Grove Glass Cleaner Concentrate
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap (learn more here)
Plastic-Free Leather Cleaner
Again, not a lot of plastic-free options here.
- Try this DIY option that calls for vinegar + water for cleaning, and conditioning with coconut oil.
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap (and their plastic exception). They recommend dilution 1 qt water to 1/4 c soap.
- For a leather conditioner, try Beehive Naturals, packaged in a tin.
Plastic-Free Stainless Steel Cleaners
All-purpose cleaners that list stainless steel under their uses include:
Plastic-Free Stone Cleaners
Again, we’re relying on the plastic-free all-purpose cleaners here, since I haven’t found options for plastic-free stone cleaners.
- Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – site lists ‘sealed stone’ under uses
- Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – site states it is effective on stone, natural tile, marble, grout
- Boulder Clean All-Purpose Cleaner – per their customer service, they do not recommend on unsealed stone or porous surfaces
- Grove Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – site states for use on ‘non-porous surfaces…granite and quartz’.
- Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap – specifically mentions quartzite and granite
Plastic-Free Toilet Cleaners
Powder
- Etee Sparkling Citrus Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaning Powder
- Also available at Amazon
- Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
- Meliora
Tablets
- Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets
- Also available on Amazon
- Wild Waters Soapery Toilet Dazzler Bombs – paper packaging
Plastic-Free Wood Cleaner
I haven’t been able to find any plastic-free cleaners labeled specifically for wood, but you can go with all-purpose cleaners here who list wood under their uses. Of course use your discretion and test first.
- Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – ‘sealed wood’ per their website
- Boulder Clean All-Purpose Cleaner – ok on sealed wood per their customer service
- Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – wood listed under uses
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap – wood listed under uses
Wax
- I’ve used this Daddy Van’s all-natural beeswax polish for a long time and I love it.
- Beehive Naturals is another option, also packaged in a tin.
Plastic-Free Cleaning Tools
Complement your plastic-free cleaning products with these plastic-free cleaning tools. Finding the right items can be tough, but here is what I have discovered.
Plastic-Free Buckets
I think galvanized steel is your best bet.
Behrens makes many sizes of buckets, which are widely available.
- Amazon / Walmart / Home Depot / Target
Cleaning Cloths
Pretty much any fabric scraps or cloths from old clothes, towels, or sheets can serve this purpose. If you buy new cloths, make sure they are made from a natural fiber like 100% organic cotton, such as this Full Circle Tidy Dish Cloth Set.
You may be wondering about microfiber, which is a very useful and popular material to use in cleaning tools. Unfortunately, microfiber is a synthetic material that sheds tiny pieces of plastic into the surrounding environment. Read more about microplastic pollution here.
Duster
Finding plastic-free dusters is a little tricky. Microfiber is a popular material that unfortunately contains plastic. I don’t like ostrich feather dusters because I don’t trust that the feathers are gathered humanely.
- Marley’s Monsters sells a 100% organic cotton duster on a wooden handle, or one made with 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton.
- Zero Waste Co. has a similar option with cotton duster on a bamboo handle.
- Redecker makes a goat hair duster with a wooden handle, available on EarthHero and Amazon.
- Wool Shop is a family-owned business that sells all kinds of dusters, including lambswool dusters with wood handles, however they have nothing on their website concerning animal welfare. They can also be found in various retailers, including Williams Sonoma.
Floor Care
If you’re a Swiffer fan, switch from the disposable cloths to reusable ones such at these 100% cotton cloths sold by the Zero Waste Store. Many other options can be found on Etsy.
Plastic-Free Brooms
Plastic-Free Dustpans
- Redecker has several options of metal dustpans with beechwood handles
- Quickie aluminum dustpan
- Edwards powder coated steel dustpan
Plastic-Free Mops
- Fuller Brush Co. Wet Mop – cotton mop head and steel handle
- Also available on Amazon
- Quick Loop Mop – this mop head is constructed from steel and oak. You use your own cloth and handle.
- Also available on Amazon
Gloves
- Try natural latex gloves from Full Circle or Grove.
- If You Care has gloves that are made from 100% natural rubber and compostable if cut up into small pieces. I haven’t tried to compost them, but they are great gloves for household chores.
Scrubbers & Sponges
Purchase scrubbers and sponges made from 100% plant-based materials such as plant cellulose, walnut, or coconut coir.
- Blueland offers a plastic-free sponge made from cellulose and loofah, compostable.
- Also available on Amazon.
- Full Circle Plain Jane sponge is made from 100% compostable materials, including the packaging
- Also available on Amazon
- Casabella Kind Loofah Sponge is made from natural and compostable materials.
- Also available at Whole Foods
I have become a big fan of Swedish dishcloths. They have multiple uses: they can serve as a sponge, paper towel, and dishrag. They can be laundered in the washing machine or dishwasher. And best of all: they are made with natural cellulose that can be composted when they reach the end of their life. What’s not to love? Some of my favorites include:
- Grove
- Swedish Wholesale Store: available on Target, Amazon, Walmart
- Papaya Reusables. Besides having tons of super cute design options, their cloths have a little hole in one corner so they can be hung from a hook, which can also be purchased.
For something with a little more scrubbing power, here’s some great scouring pad and brush options.
- Public Goods Walnut Scouring Pad
- Zero Waste Store Biodegradable Coconut Kitchen Scourers
- Redecker Copper Scouring Cloth
- Also available on Amazon
- Redecker makes a scrubber brush made from beechwood and Tampico plant fiber bristles.
- A second option is the Zefiro Bamboo Cleaning Brush.
Toilet Brush
- ZeroWasteStore has a plastic-free toilet brush made from compostable, sustainably-sourced beech wood and tampico agave fibers.
- The JoyfulHomeSL shop on Etsy sells a toilet brush that is made with coconut coir that is also completely compostable.
Final thoughts on plastic-free cleaning products
Hopefully this guide helps you to cut down on plastic in your home. Now that you know what to look for and where you can find it, finding plastic-free cleaning products should be more achievable for you.
In the meantime, use up the cleaning products you already have, and when empty, recycle what you can and properly dispose of the rest. When it’s time to purchase a replacement, choose from a product on this list or something similar. That way you don’t need to rush out and buy a whole bunch of cleaning supplies at once.
Happy cleaning!
Stay tuned for upcoming posts on plastic-free dishwashing and laundry options.
