15 Popular Zero-Waste Cleaning Products

Are you unsure if it’s feasible to thoroughly clean your home without using harmful items included in single-use plastic?

It’s definitely good news. In fact, among the product categories in the sustainability business that have seen the most rapid growth over the past few years are eco-friendly cleaning supplies without plastic packaging. That being said, a green fad will always be accompanied by a greenwashing tendency.

Cleaners from many mainstream brands have been released with labels that make them seem eco-friendly; however, these products frequently still come in plastic packaging, are tested on animals, and contain hazardous substances.

Here are some of the best zero-waste cleaning products that we recommend:

15 Popular Zero Waste Cleaning Products

1. Blueland

According to Shark Tank, Blueland offers concentrated tablets that, when combined with water, magically transform into a variety of household cleaning solutions, including toilet cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, and glass cleaner (along with other personal care items). The company produces spray bottles that may be reused again.

Each tablet is packaged in compostable wrappers, and the spray bottles are constructed of glass, silicone, and Tritan, a plastic-based material. Concentrates are a fantastic alternative because they are economical and practical, according to Sarah Paiji Yoo, CEO and co-founder of Blueland, in 2020.

All Blueland goods are vegan and cruelty-free because the company is a Certified B Corp. The business does utilize a few substances, though, such as synthetic scents and colorants, that some environmentalists want to avoid.

2. Earthy Edith’s

A Pennsylvania-based family-run manufacturer of cleaning supplies is called Earthy Edith’s. Each product from the company is manufactured with just organic distilled white vinegar and essential oils, and it comes in reusable amber glass spray bottles for Simple All Purpose Cleaner and Simple Bathroom Cleaner.

In addition, there is the Simple Stone Cleaner, which is a mixture of organic cane alcohol and aromatic oils. The entire business is vegan, doesn’t use animal testing, and doesn’t use GMOs. These cleaners were previously available solely in liquid form from Earthy Edith’s, but the company now also sells concentrated refill choices.

If you choose this option during the checkout process, your order will arrive as a concentrated liquid. To use, pour one-third of this liquid into your 16-ounce spray container and top it out with distilled or filtered water. Rinse off. A pre-paid postage label is included with each concentrate refill bottle, so you can return it to Earthy Edith’s.

3. Force of nature

Want to improve your spring cleaning routine? A cleaning tool called Force of Nature turns tap water and a recyclable capsule into a potent disinfectant and all-purpose cleaner by using electricity.

Without any potentially dangerous chemicals, perfumes, or irritants, each “activator” pill has the same amount of germ-killing power as bleach while only containing salt, water, and vinegar. Force of Nature is on the EPA’s List N, the disinfectants permitted for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, which is a huge plus compared to some other “all-natural” cleaners on the market and destroys 99.9% of germs.

The starter kit includes a 12-ounce reusable spray bottle, the electrolyzer device, a power wire, and five activator capsules—enough to generate five bottles of cleaner.

4. Meliora

Meliora is a zero-waste cleaning product brand known to produce quality plastic-free, vegan, and cruelty-free zero-waste cleaning products and is a 1% for the Planet and Certified B Corp.

Additionally, free of dyes, perfumes, and palm oil, Meliora’s All-Purpose Home Cleaner is available as tablets. Drop the tablet into a refillable glass spray bottle that Meliora sells, fill it with warm water, and give it a gentle shake.

The cleanser contains only vegetable soap manufactured from potassium cocoate, sodium cocoate, glycerin, water, and organic coconut oil as its very few other ingredients. Since the tablets are so lightweight, this approach significantly lowers shipping emissions while also minimizing the waste associated with mailing bottles packed with liquids. Meliora also produces bar soap, powdered laundry detergent, refill tablets for hand soap, and other products.

5. Cleancult All-Purpose Cleaner

Cleancult redefines the term “clean” in terms of performance, natural ingredients, and paper-based packaging. Their all-purpose cleaner, which uses no harsh chemicals and reduces plastic waste, has the natural, non-toxic power to gently clean any countertop or surface.

Each refill comes in a recyclable milk carton and is sealed with a cutting-edge plant-based lid to keep it fresh. When you subscribe to 32-ounce cleaner refill cartons, you may pair Cleancult’s glass spray container with their selection of all-purpose cleaners and receive a 20% discount.

The smells on these cartons, which include sweet honeysuckle, blue sage, orange zest, and bamboo lily, are all-natural essential oils and are relatively faint. If you can’t use dish soap, hand soap, or dishwasher tabs, Cleancult also produces a selection of those products.

6. Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner

For good reason, Seventh Generation is a well-known and dependable zero-waste cleaning product brand. While not concentrated, this all-purpose cleanser is biodegradable, VOC-free, doesn’t emit any toxic gasses, and is USDA-certified. It poses no threat to children or animals and is a safe cleaner for pretty much any hard surface. Importantly, users confirm the “tough on grease” formula’s effectiveness.

7. Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder

You can rely on the concentrated, ecological recipe of Charlie’s Soap washing powder because it has earned the EPA Safer Choice certification. The substances successfully clean garments without leaving behind residue or odors that can irritate those with sensitive skin because they are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free. In other words, it’s kind to skin and clothing.

8. ECOS Hypoallergenic Dish Soap

Another well-known zero-waste cleaning product that is recommended is ECOS. This concentrated dishwashing liquid is made in zero-waste factories that are carbon and water neutral and powered by renewable energy. It is hypoallergenic and devoid of dyes and scents. Dish soap can be rough on hands, which is why people with delicate skin prefer our non-toxic formula.

9. Biokleen Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Devoted users of the Biokleen brand use this all-purpose cleaner for absolutely everything, from cleaning dishes to doing laundry to scrubbing the floors. Since it contains no artificial perfumes or other potentially dangerous chemicals, it is safe to use around children and animals. It is also extremely concentrated to reduce waste.

10. Coconut Scrubbing Pads Without Plastic

Most cleaning caddies contain the green scouring pads that can be found on the backs of some sponges or that are available separately. They are typically made of synthetic fibers, just like dish brushes and sponges.

Although they are occasionally marked as “recyclable,” this only applies to the sorts of plastic that, while technically recyclable, cannot be recycled in your curbside pickup. But fear not, there is a waste-free substitute—coconut scour pads!

They are manufactured from waste coconut coir and natural rubber latex, making them 100% biodegradable and free of plastic. They are designed for dishes but may be used anywhere that takes a little elbow work. Additionally, a tree is planted for each pack sold.

Vegetable cellulose, polyester, or polyurethane make up the majority of synthetic sponges and dishcloths; the latter two are more frequently found in the traditional yellow sponge used for dishwashing and countertop cleaning.

These artificial sponges not only emit plastic particles when they are used, but they also wind up in landfills at the end of their useful lives. Better options include those manufactured from vegetable cellulose, but even when they do decompose, you wouldn’t want to put them in your compost pile because they are typically processed with so many chemicals.

What cleaning product substitute produces zero waste? Mayan loofah sponges that are natural These can be used exactly like a “normal” sponge and are cultivated on a vine. Since they are fully natural, you don’t need to be concerned that they will leak chemicals or microplastics when utilized in your cleaning process. Put them in your compost when they reach the end of their useful life, and they will decompose in just 30 days!

12. Dishwashing Block

Along with your loofah sponge and coconut scourers, you’ll need some dish soap, but liquid soap in single-use plastic bottles is not the best option. The vegan dish block from No Tox Life is a cleaning force!

5.9 oz. block easily cuts through oil and filth and provides a thick lather for dishes, pots, pans, and even fabrics. It also protects your hands with a little bit of added aloe vera. The soap bark extract leaves a soft, minty-fresh scent wherever you apply it and is 100% waste-free.

13. Dropp’s Skin Laundry Pods

Large HDPE bottles, which will most certainly end up in a landfill or the ocean, are frequently used to package liquid laundry detergent. In 2017, the recycling rate for HDPE plastics was 31.2%, somewhat higher than PET but still alarmingly low, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Detergent pods made by Dropps are the first to be made without plastic, enzymes, chlorine bleaches, or dyes. One of the greatest zero-waste cleaning solutions on the market, they pack and send it in a 100% recyclable, repulpable, and compostable cardboard box.

14. Veles- All Purpose

The powerful Veles cleaner is a must-have item on our list of the best zero-waste cleaning products. It can be used on ceramics, glass, chrome, fiberglass, stainless steel, and plastic. It comes in a reusable aluminum bottle and contains enough cleaning fluid to last about three months.

The refills are provided in glass bottles and should last for around six months after cleaning. Additionally, the cleaning solution’s 97% food waste-derived chemicals constitute a significant problem in the US. This type of waste-free cleaning solution examines every step of the manufacturing process, from ingredient sourcing to container design, to create a cleaner that is genuinely sustainable and natural.

15. Reusable trash can liners

It’s likely that while cleaning, whether it’s finally recycled or not, you’ll produce some sort of waste. But that doesn’t mean it ought to be thrown out in a single-use plastic bag that will take a very long time to decompose.

When you add up the number of bags each person uses by the startling 310.43 million Americans who reported using plastic trash bags and trash can liners in 2019, you have billions upon billions of these bags going to waste every year.

Reusable liners are the solution to this specific sustainability issue, and you can machine wash them every time you empty them to prevent landfill disposal. For any green cleaning event, whether in the house or garden, there is a bag available in a variety of sizes.

How to Know a Zero-Waste Cleaning Product

Here are some more considerations to make while looking for the best eco-friendly cleaning solutions online:

Formula

Seek out formulations that are pH-balanced, biodegradable, and free of potentially dangerous compounds, such as possible carcinogens or very irritating or corrosive substances. Additionally, they should not contain artificial fragrances and should have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can have a harmful effect on air quality.

Packaging 

A key element of the sustainability of household goods is sustainable packaging. Since concentrated formulas don’t need to be pre-diluted with water, they ship more quickly and with less waste. To reduce the amount of packaging trash you produce, we also advise buying in bulk whenever possible. Another major bonus is packaging created from recycled materials.