The 13 Best Green Cleaning Products for a Sparkling, Eco-Friendly Home

Best Laundry Detergent

Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent

4.8

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Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent is our top pick for a laundry detergent because it’s safe for sensitive skin, free from harmful chemicals, and has minimal packaging. Plus, it’s dermatologist-tested. Since the personal care product industry isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, expert testing on products is essential.

This detergent’s cleaning power comes from naturally occurring stain- and odor-removing enzymes rather than petrochemicals, sulfates, caustics, phosphates, dyes, or chlorine. Unlike chemical-based acidic and alkaline cleaners, enzyme-based cleaners target specific biological stains such as pet urine, food residue, and stained fabrics. They also tend to have fewer health and environmental side effects.

Puracy wins when it comes to packaging, too. The 48-ounce refill means there is less plastic packaging finding its way to landfills and waterways. Some reviewers note that the detergent didn’t work well in homes with hard water. It’s also not readily available in stores, so it can be somewhat hard to find.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 64 ounces (256 loads of laundry) | Scent: Free & Clear or Fresh Linen | Certifications: None}

Best Dryer Balls

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

5

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Switching from single-use dryer sheets to multi-use wool dryer balls is an environmentally responsible choice. These New Zealand wool dryer balls are reusable and promise to help tumble over 1,000 loads of laundry. They work their softening magic by bouncing off clothes in your dryer so that the clothes stay separated and air flows more freely. This makes for softer clothes, and it’s a more efficient way of drying. Shortened drying times reduce energy use and save you money. Wool dryer balls are also chemical-free, making them a smart choice for those with sensitive skin and allergies.

Smart Sheep wool dryer balls are more expensive than some of their competitors, but we like that the company uses high-quality, humanely sourced wool. The dryer balls are also felted in Nepal by workers paid a living wage.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Type: Wool dryer ball | Amount: 6 balls per package | Scent: Not applicable | Certifications: Not applicable}

Best Stain Remover

Meliora Laundry Stain Removal Soap Stick

4.2

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Sometimes life is messy. When it is, it's helpful to have a stain remover on hand, like Meliora’s simple soap stick. It’s made from an organic coconut-sunflower oil blend. Plus, it's portable, so you can easily keep it in a diaper bag or backpack to quickly treat stains before they set in. To use, wet the affected fabric, rub the stain with Meliora Soap Stick, and toss the item in the wash. It works best when used immediately.

Meliora Soap Stick for Laundry Stain Removal is MADE SAFE certified, meaning it's free from ingredients considered hazardous to people and the planet. It earned an A rating from the EWG, as well. It's not tested on animals and is certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Program. Finally, Meliora is a certified B Corp that adheres to transparent environmental and labor standards. They also pledge 2 percent of company sales to environmental causes through the 1% for the Planet program.

Price at time of publish: $11

_{Type: Stick | Amount: 1.7 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Certifications: MADE SAFE, EWG A rating, certified cruelty-free from Leaping Bunny Program}

Best Dish Soap

Puracy Natural Dish Soap

5

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Puracy Natural Dish Soap won our top dish soap spot because it's an affordable, chemical-free option. The vegan coconut-based formula earned an EWG A rating. Puracy contains zero parabens, sulfates, triclosan, phosphates, SLS, SLES, MEA, DEA, TEA, petrochemicals, or dyes. It does still contain some chemicals of concern such as benzisothiazolinone, which can harm aquatic life and result in skin irritation in some individuals.

This formula is safe for graywater and septic systems. You can use it to wash ceramic, crystal, glass, plastic, baby bottles, porcelain, metals, jewelry, patio furniture, toys, rubber, pet dishes and toys, and any surface that's safe for premium soap. The company says each 16-ounce bottle can tackle 160 sinks full of dishes. Choosing the 48-ounce refillable pouch over a plastic bottle reduces your environmental footprint and washes around 500 sinks of dishes.

Price at time of publish: $18

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 16 ounces + 48-ounce refill | Scent: Green tea and lime, lemongrass, citrus and sea salt | Certifications: Certified cruelty-free, EWG A rating}

Best Dish Scrubber

Etee Loofie Scrubber

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Thanks to Etee Loofie Scrubber, washing dishes or cleaning other surfaces around the house is less abrasive on the environment. This scrubber is made without microplastics that can end up in water supplies and become ingested by humans and other animals.

This scrubber has a rough side composed of loofah plant material for scrubbing—not scratching—and the soft side is made of a spongy cellulose-cotton and wood cellulose dishcloth. They’re stitched together with eco-friendly, biodegradable cotton thread.

These scrubber sponges are easily cleaned on the top rack of a dishwasher or popped into the microwave for a few seconds. You can also just rinse after each use and wring dry. Each sponge lasts three to five weeks. When it’s time to replace your Loofie Scrubber, compost it or bury it in your garden where it will decompose.

Price at time of publish: $6

_{Type: Sponge | Amount: 1 or 3 | Scent: Not applicable | Certifications: Not applicable}

Best All-Purpose Cleaner

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap

4.5

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An all-purpose cleaner is a must-have for the home. Pure castile soap is a safe, eco-friendly solution that can clean just about anything. Use it as laundry detergent, floor cleaner, bug repellent, dishwashing soap, and even as a vegetable wash. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is three times more concentrated than most liquid soaps so it’s an affordable, long-lasting option. Some reviewers, however, note that it can cloud and be less effective when used in cold water. It can also leave a residue on shiny or hard surfaces when used in hard water.

Made from 90 percent organic ingredients and 70 percent fair trade ingredients, Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is great for people and the planet. It comes in fragrance-free and scented options. It’s biodegradable and also makes an excellent choice for taking along on camping trips to wash up trailside.

Price at time of publish: $36 for pack of 2

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 fluid ounces | Scent: Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, almond, citrus, tea tree, rose, or unscented | Certifications: EWG A rating}

Best Toilet Cleaner

ECOS Toilet Cleaner

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Powered by naturally anti-fungal cedar oil and citric acid, ECOS is tough on toilets, eliminates hard water stains, and fights germs and bacteria. Meanwhile, it’s easy on graywater and septic systems. The biodegradable formula is also a more sustainable choice for you and the environment.

While the cedar smell may be irritating to those with aroma sensitivities, there are no parabens, phosphates, chlorine bleach, fillers, or stabilizers in the ingredient list and it was awarded an A rating from the EWG. ECOS toilet cleaner also earned a SaferChoice certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 24 fluid ounces | Scent: Cedar | Certifications: SaferChoice, EWG A rating}

Best for Bathrooms

Meliora Cleaning Products Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub

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Meliora’s cleaning scrub is plastic-free, dye-free, preservative-free, palm-oil-free, and cruelty-free. The powder also comes in an adorable recyclable can, which is a nice touch. It’s septic-safe and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice to use in the bathroom. Use it to clean tubs, ceramic tile, stainless steel, and more. Always do a spot test to make sure it doesn’t scratch the surface you’re planning to clean. Some customers noted that the powder can clump, making it hard to rinse off.

Meliora Cleaning Products' home cleaning and laundry products get top A ratings from the EWG and are Made Safe certified. The company is committed to transparency and lists every ingredient on their products. The Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub in Peppermint Tea Tree, for example, contains only sodium bicarbonate, vegetable soap, organic peppermint oil, and organic tea tree oil.

Price at time of publish: $14

_{Type: Scrub | Amount: 12 ounces | Scent: Peppermint tea tree or unscented | Certifications: Made Safe, EWG A rating}

Best for Glass

Aunt Fannie's Glass & Window Vinegar Wash

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Vinegar has long been used to clean windows because its acidic composition quickly breaks down grime without streaking. If you don’t want to make your own window cleaner, consider Aunt Fannie’s Glass and Window Vinegar Wash, a new-school recipe using plant-based ingredients and essential oils. There are no dyes, petroleum, sulfates, phthalates, or parabens found here. But while vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent, it can leave a slight vinegar smell.

The cruelty-free, pet- and people-friendly formula cuts through smudges and pet slobber quickly. Spray it on, let it sit for a few moments, and wipe it away for sparkling windows, mirrors, and sink faucets. Aunt Fannie’s Glass and Window Vinegar wash is made in the USA and has been awarded the highest safety rating for cleaning products by the EWG.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 1, 3, or 6-pack; 16.9 fluid ounces | Scent: Lavender | Certifications: EWG A rating}

Best Paper Towels

Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels (Unbleached)

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Seventh Generation Unbleached Recycled Paper Towels are a top choice for those moments when you need a single-use option for home cleaning. These two-ply paper towels absorb spills as effectively as non-recycled paper towels. They also minimize your environmental impact by keeping trees in the forest. However, they are wrapped in single-use plastic before they hit store shelves, so that’s something to consider.

These paper towels are composed of 100 percent recycled paper (80 percent post-consumer content, 20 percent pre-consumer content). Additionally, they’re free from dyes, inks, or fragrances, so they’re easy on your skin and eyes. While they are a single-use product, you can toss them into your compost bin after you’ve cleaned up your mess so that they can be sent back into the environment.

Price at time of publish: $81

_{Type: Paper | Amount: 120 sheets per roll | Scent: Not applicable | Certifications: None}

Best Set

Blueland Clean Essentials Kit

5

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A kit is an easy way to introduce your household to greener cleaning. This essential cleaning set from Blueland includes a multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and glass and mirror cleaner, as well as hand soap. This kit comes with three reusable Forever Bottles and three plastic-free refill tablets. Simply fill the bottle with warm water, drop in a tablet, and once it’s dissolved, screw on the pump and spray.

Our product tester, Danielle Directo-Meston, noted that while it took about 10 minutes for the tablets to dissolve in the cleaning bottles, the hand soap tablet took closer to 20 minutes to dissolve fully.

Blueland’s high-quality reusable bottles help you reduce your carbon footprint. The products also help you reduce your chemical exposure. They’re made without parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. They’re sourced from vegan ingredients that are gluten-, soy-, and nut-free.

_{Type: Tablets | Amount: 4 tablets; 3 reusable 24-ounce spray bottles; 1 reusable 9-ounce foaming hand soap bottle | Scent: Varies | Certifications: Cradle to Cradle certified, cruelty-free certification from Leaping Bunny, EPA Safer Choice}

Best for Floors

AspenClean Natural Floor Cleaner Concentrate

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Whether you have wood, stone, or laminate flooring, Aspen Clean’s concentrated floor cleaner will make it shine. However, it’s not suitable for unfinished, unsealed, or waxed floors, and it works best when combined with the company’s microfiber cloth mop.

You won’t find any phosphates, parabens, petroleum, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances on the ingredient list of this EWG-verified floor cleaner. This cleaner offers an excellent value since the concentrated formula equals 18 bottles of the brand's Natural Floor Cleaner. To use, add two tablespoons into an AspenClean 22-ounce bottle and dilute with water. Use within 24 hours.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 18 fluid ounces | Scent: Not applicable | Certifications: EWG Verified, EcoCert certified}