Cleaning your house can be dirty business. Researchers at the University of Washington tested a variety of popular household products (such as air fresheners, all-purpose cleaners, soaps, laundry and dish detergents, and the like) for toxic ingredients. Surprise! They found a whopping 133 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the products—even in those labeled “green,” “natural,” or “organic.” What’s the use of cleaning your house with a bunch of chemicals that mar the planet and compromise your health? There are a few brands that are looking to change that. Made with non-toxic ingredients, wrapped in zero-waste packaging, and offering a powerful clean that’s better for you and the planet, these cleaning supplies are the change we didn’t know we needed to make at home.
Blueland made its debut on Shark Tank and landed a $270,000 deal with Kevin O’Leary, thanks to its nontoxic cleaning tablets and environmentally responsible packaging. TheClean Essentials Kitincludes three reusable plastic spray bottles (color coded for their specific cleaning solution), a hand soap bottle, and four nontoxic cleaning solution tablets (Multi-Surface, Glass + Mirror, Bathroom, Foaming Hand Soap) that make up to 20 oz. of VOC- and paraben-free cleaners when dissolved into plain old water. When you’re close to running out of solution, you just order moretablet refills—which start at a wallet-friendly $2. ($39)
Praised byFCstaff writerLizSegranfor its monochromatic, neutral colorway and handsome design, thisclean-home starter kitsteps up what a cleaning kit can look like by ditching the plastic for shatterproof frosted glass bottles. And unlike Blueland,Cleancultuses liquid soaps and cleaning mixtures made of all-natural ingredients such as coconut oil, citric acid, and sodium gluconate (a mineral-based cleaning agent).Refillscome in 16 oz. paper-based milk cartons. ($85)
Washing dishes in a dishwasher has been found to be more environmentally friendly and water conscious than washing dishes by hand, and withDropps, dishwashing is about as eco-friendly as it can get. Dropps are lightly scented with natural essential oils (or you can getunscented), they’re biodegradable, and they work. Asubscription plankeeps your detergent stocked up without trips to the market, and you won’t have to feel guilty about the delivery—because all Dropps packaging is biodegradable and compostable. (Starting at 14¢ per load)
Made using renewable energy, thisgranite countertop cleaneris paraben-free and comes packaged in a reusable/refillable bottle. And users love it. “I’ve tried many granite cleaners, this one outshines them all!” says one review. And because it comes with two microfiber towels, you can ditch the single-use paper towels. ($15)
For anyone with a Grove Collaborative membership, you know this B Corp is serious about making the world of consumer goods a better place. Thiscleaning concentrate kitcomes with plant-derived, orange- and rosemary-scented All Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, and Tub & Tile Cleaner, which you mix with water into the silicon-wrapped, no-slip glass bottles. Plus, this kit comes with a bonus microfiber towel that you can swap out for those (wasteful) paper towels. ($48)
Starting at less than $10, the well-made cleaning products and detergents from family-ownedCommon Goodgo beyond leaving all the toxic ingredients out and make their manufacturing process as eco-friendly from beginning to end. The company uses 100 percent renewable energy to create their products and is Zero Waste Platinum Certified. Plus, their products are completely unscented, for those who prefer it. (Starting at $7)
Sometimes, you have to clean up a goopy, sloppy mess with something other than an organic linen or cotton napkin. That’s where theMethod All-Purpose Compostable Cleaning Wipescome in. These lavender-scented saviors are bundled in recycled packaging, made of ethically-sourced ingredients, shipped in biodiesel-fueled vehicles, and produced in a LEED Certified facility. And can we just mention again: they’re compostable. ($7)
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