Last updated on September 14th, 2025 at 03:44 pm

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 and non-toxic cleaning products is an excellent start, but let’s take it another step further by eliminating the plastic waste, too.

How can we reduce plastic in cleaning products?

One of the best strategies to decrease plastic use in cleaning products is to adopt reusable spray bottles. Reuse any spray bottles you might already have, or purchase some like my favorite Grove glass spray bottles. Choose from the following cleaning product options to fill them.

• Making your own zero-waste cleaning products is arguably the most eco-friendly option. Not only is it a surefire way to eliminate plastic from your cleaning routine, but it also gives you control over which chemicals are used in your home. It’s most likely the most economical choice, too. Try some natural DIY cleaner recipes, like these from EWG. Or simply use vinegar & baking soda to clean.
• Purchase concentrates or cleaning tablets that you will dilute with water. Blueland cleaning tablets are a great example; tablet refills arrive in biodegradable pouches with plastic-free shipping material. If you don’t have access to recycling, you can ship materials to them for free.
• Buy in bulk or refill size. Hopefully, you have a bulk shop near you where you fill your own containers with soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products. If you don’t, there are plenty of great online options listed below.

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.

Choose plastic-free packaging

Glass and metal are among the best plastic-free packaging choices because they don’t involve the addition of chemicals in their production, bottles are reusable, and they can be recycled infinitely. Sustainable materials such as bamboo, compostable packaging, and sustainably-sourced or recycled paper are also excellent options. Check company websites for information on their packaging, and be sure to give feedback to your favorite brands to make the switch to plastic-free.

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.

Plastic-Free All-Purpose Cleaners

All-purpose cleaners offer the most plentiful options for plastic-free packaging. All of these 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 every type of surface in your home, decreasing waste and saving you money and space.

Plastic-free all-purpose cleaners are available in several forms to match your preference.

Tablets

• Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – $5 for two tablets that each make 24 oz of cleaner. Tablet wrappers/pouches are home compostable.
  • Also available at Amazon
• Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – $5.99 for three tablets, each of which will give you 16oz of cleaner. Packaged in home-compostable/recyclable paperboard box printed with vegetable-based inks. Enter ‘LETSGOGREEN’ at checkout on to save 10% on your purchase.
• Boulder Clean All-Purpose Cleaner – $2.49 for one tablet that makes 16 oz of cleaner. Packaged in industrially compostable material.
  • Also available at EarthHero / Amazon

Powder

• Bon Ami Powder Cleanser – This cleaner has been around since 1886 and uses simple, non-toxic ingredients. Its packaging is produced from 65% post-consumer material and is fully recyclable.
  • Also available at Grove / Amazon
• Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – Simple ingredients come either unscented or with peppermint and tea tree oils added. Packaged in uncoated paper can with steel end and cap; paper is home compostable/recyclable, steel can be recycled (separate parts). Enter ‘LETSGOGREEN’ at checkout on to save 10% on your purchase.
  • Also available at EarthHero / Grove / Amazon

Liquid concentrate

• Grove Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – packaged in glass
  • Also available at Target
• Etee All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – packaged in compostable beeswax
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this all-star cleaner, as this company has more eco-certifications than any other I have come across. They are finally offering refills in FSC-certified paper cartons, although they still do contain a plastic liner, and you may not find them at retailers yet. This castile soap can be diluted to clean just about anything.

Plastic-Free Bathroom Cleaners

Tablets

• Blueland Bathroom Cleaner
  • Also available at Amazon
• Boulder Clean Bathroom Cleaner
  • Also available at EarthHero / Amazon

Powder

• Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – Simple ingredients come either unscented or with peppermint and tea tree oils added. Packaged in uncoated paper can with steel end and cap; paper is home compostable/recyclable, steel can be recycled (separate parts). Enter ‘LETSGOGREEN’ at checkout on to save 10% on your purchase.
• Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner Powder – this fragrance-free option comes in a tin
  • Also available at Grove / Amazon
• Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
  • Also available at Grove / Amazon

Plastic-Free Toilet Cleaners

Powder

• Etee Probiotic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaning Powder. Also available at Amazon
• Bon Ami Powder Cleanser. Also available at Grove / Amazon
• Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – Simple ingredients come either unscented or with peppermint and tea tree oils added. Packaged in uncoated paper can with steel end and cap; paper is home compostable/recyclable, steel can be recycled (separate parts). Enter ‘LETSGOGREEN’ at checkout on to save 10% on your purchase. Also available at EarthHero / Grove / Amazon

Tablets

• Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets ($18 for 14 tabs) Also available on Amazon
• Wild Waters Soapery Toilet Dazzler Bombs – paper packaging

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.

• Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap

Plastic-Free Disinfectant

There aren’t really any options for plastic-free disinfectants besides an aerosolized cleaner, 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 – According to the company website, it is suitable for wood, stone, and laminate. Learn more about mopping with Dr. Bronner’s/Sal Suds.

Plastic-Free Glass Cleaners

Tablets

• Blueland Glass + Mirror Cleaner
• Boulder Clean Glass Surface Cleaner

Liquid Concentrate

• Etee Window Cleaner Concentrate
• Grove Glass Cleaner Concentrate
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap (get glass cleaning instructions here)

Plastic-Free Leather Cleaner

There aren’t many plastic-free options specifically formulated for leather.

• Try this DIY option that calls for vinegar + water for cleaning, and conditioning with coconut oil.
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap – The company recommends dilution 1 qt water to 1/4 c soap for cleaning leather.
• For a leather conditioner, try Beehive Naturals, packaged in a tin.

Plastic-Free Stainless Steel Cleaners

Like leather cleaner, I haven’t found plastic-free cleaners specifically for stainless steel. All-purpose cleaners that list stainless steel under their uses include:

• Grove Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate
• Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap

Plastic-Free Stone Cleaners

Again, we’re relying on the plastic-free all-purpose cleaners here, since I haven’t found plastic-free options specifically for cleaning stone.

• Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – Website lists ‘sealed stone’ under uses.
• Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – Website 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 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 on a small area first.

• Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner – ‘sealed wood’ listed on 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 is listed under uses.

Wax

• I’ve used Daddy Van’s all-natural beeswax polish for a long time. It makes my unfinished table look like new and smells wonderful.
• Beehive Naturals All Natural Wood Conditioner is made with beeswax and essential oils, packaged in a tin.

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.