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Here are the best cleaning products that every healthy home should have.
We all want to leave the planet better than how we found it, especially when you consider recent climate change reports. Yet, with so many “natural” cleaning products and “eco-friendly” cleaning products on the market, it can be difficult to discern what is really better for the planet and your health, and what products are worth your money.
Beware of unregulated terms, such as “natural” and “eco-friendly.” Technically speaking, any brand can use these labels to market their product, so it’s important to not let those surface-level gimmicks fool you. While the term “natural” implies it comes from plants, minerals and other things found in nature, by the time a product reaches you, the raw materials and ingredients have likely gone through a series of manufacturing processes. This is why we have done our research and only suggested products that are transparent in their plant-based ingredients and/or eco-friendly mission.
Whether you’ve already gone down a plant-based cleaning product rabbit hole, or you are just starting out, we compiled a list of the best products that deserve a place in your cleaning closet. For a deeper dive, check out our sustainable brand alternatives to our everyday needs, there are countless options for us to create a healthier and more environmentally-conscious household.
Our team conducted extensive research based on product ingredients, considering top choices and reports from reputable environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Working Group (EWG), and Green Seal. We prioritized products that were transparent in their plant-based ingredients and without any additional chemicals. We also assessed the product’s cleaning ability and effectiveness from opinions of frequent cleaners and online reviewers.
When it comes to affordable and plant-based cleaning for all surfaces, you can’t go wrong with Mrs. Meyers. The brand produces cruelty-free cleaners, certified by Leaping Bunny, meaning none of their products are tested on animals. This product is packed with essential oils (lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, clover, geranium, fir needle) and free from formaldehyde, synthetic surfactants, ammonia, parabens, phosphates, and chlorine, making it safe to use as a floor cleaner, tile cleaner, on countertops, walls, and more. One happy reviewer on Amazon says “my previous experiences with “environmentally friendly” products has NOT been pretty. They smell great, but they don’t clean. So that’s my test...can it clean like my Clorox Cleanup. OMG...YES, IT SO CAN! And the smell is freakin' awesome.”
This Eco-Me Dish Soap is a plant-based dish soap that’s free of sulfates, perfumes, and harsh preservatives. Gentle on your hands, this soap is safe to use on all dishes, baby bottles, glasses, and silverware. While this product isn’t USDA certified organic, Green Seal rates it as a greener, healthier dish soap option. One satisfied Amazon customer says, “This dish soap behaves much the same as others you'd find anywhere, aside from having nasties that cause sensitive folk to rash up. The soap is effective, sudses well, and smells nice without being at all overpowering. Highly recommended.”
For this dirty job, you want a cleaner that does most of the work for you. This toilet bowl cleaner is made with renewable, plant-based ingredients and not tested on animals, while still removing tough stains. This product’s bottle is made from 100% plant plastic and is 100% recyclable. According to an Amazon customer, “this is my favorite toilet bowl cleaner because it’s eco friendly & it cleans well. I appreciate that it doesn’t have the bluing agent & makes my bathroom smell delightful (rather than that strong chemical bleach based products have).”
Bac-Out safely works wonders on pet accidents, wine spills on carpets and couches, laundry, disposals, garbage cans and much more. This option uses a plant-based solution with no artificial fragrances or dyes, and their products never contain phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, or brighteners. This miracle stain and odor remover is an essential tool for any messy or smelly situation. Amazon reviewers rave about this product’s effectiveness against pet messes, clothing stains, and even as a carpet cleaner: “My steam cleaner alone was not cleaning the hot sauce off the rug, but a little spray of this solution, it took out the hot sauce like it never happened!”
If you’re tackling serious grease and grime, whether on kitchen surfaces, tiles, or even carpet, Krud Kutter might be a great choice for you. This water-based, nontoxic, odorless product appears in the EPA Safer Choice database, which is good enough for us! According to one Amazon customer, this product “cleaned up the cabinet doors, cleaned up the stove, basically, if there’s grease, I cleaned it up. Doesn't smell to high heavens either. Basically people, if you need a product that does what it says.... HERE YOU GO.... It has a use for everyone.”
It’s always good to keep some cleaning wipes on hand for a quick one-and-done job or if you’re cleaning on-the-go. The wipes are made only with water, a bio-fermented probiotic extract, lavender essential oil, and viscose fibers. While not flushable, the wipes are designed for safe disposal in a compost bin. One satisfied Amazon customer says “These wipes do a great job of cleaning and disinfecting. More importantly, they are compostable.”
Made mostly with vinegar, alcohol, and decyl glucoside, a plant-derived surfactant, this glass and window cleaner is biodegradable, pH balanced, and free of dyes and parabens. This affordable option does a great job on glass as well as on stainless steel, chrome, vinyl, and linoleum. This product is not USDA certified organic, but it is certified by the EPA’s Safer Choice program and cruelty-free, certified by leaping bunny. One Amazon customer raves that “this by far is the best of the best. My husband is our outside window cleaner man and he says this does the job better than anything else that he has used in the past. Another plus is the price.”
Available in three fragrances—including lavender eucalyptus, clean and crisp, and orange blossom—and unscented, these laundry detergent Dropps take the cake for the best plant-based, planet-friendly option. While these are more expensive than some other “natural” detergents or pods, this seems to be a crowd-favorite for a reason with its plant-based formula and completely compostable and recyclable packaging. One happy Amazon customer says, “I like these very much, and noticed that stains I thought I’d have to work on came out with just washing. I love that they come in a regular cardboard box that’s fully recyclable.”
Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner is a plant-derived floor cleaner that’s safe to use on hardwood, tile, marble, vinyl, laminate, and bamboo surfaces. This formula is free of sodium lauryl sulfates, petroleum solvents, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and dyes, plus, the product comes ready-to-use. According to one Amazon reviewer, “This stuff makes my floors shine and my house smell good! I put the product in a spray bottle to make it easier for me to control how much product I am using. A little bit goes a long way. And you get 2 bottles. Well worth the money!”
And lastly, every home cleaning requires some dusting. Although this task doesn’t require any solvents, there can still be a lot of waste accumulating from your single-use dusters. This washable duster is machine-washable and it comes with an extendable pole. Just like reusable paper towels, this option is great for eliminating waste, not to mention cost! One satisfied Amazon reviewer says “Love the telescopic handle and the fact that you get two orange tops to clean with. I love being eco-friendly and this means I don't have to keep making trips to the store and throwing away a one-time-use product to clean with. Thanks for making my life easier!”
Ingredients. To find the safest, most natural products, cleaning experts recommend staying clear of the following types of ingredients: phthalates, phosphates, petroleum solvents, butyl glycol, ethylene glycol, monobutyl, ammonia, alkylphenol surfactants, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, or VOCs.
Most all-natural cleaning products that are labeled clean or plant-based include safe ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, thymol, castile soap, lemon juice, vegetable glycerin, citric acid, and oils like jojoba seed, coconut, olive, lavender, lemon, orange, peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus.
Consider Validity of Labels. There are many cleaning products on the market that claim to be organic, but very few have the USDA certified organic label. While many of these cleaners are excellent options and are a lot safer than chemical-laden cleaning products, if they don’t carry the USDA organic label, they can’t be considered a certified organic cleaner.
According to the EWG, using the terms “natural” or “plant-based” implies that at least some of the ingredients are natural or plant-based, but it doesn’t mean it applies to all ingredients. So, always read the labels and do your research on what’s listed if this is a priority for you.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider cross-referencing the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning to see if a particular brand meets the guidelines. The EPA also keeps a list of products that are part of the Safer Choice standard.