<p>We conduct the same tests for eco-friendly cleaning products in the <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/” target=”_blank”>Good Housekeeping Institute</a> Cleaning Lab as we do for any other traditional cleaner. Whether that involves testing each product with the same 60 laundry stains or hand-washing the same 45 dirty dishes — the process of evaluating a product’s efficacy is all the same.</p><p>However, we take testing one step further when it comes to <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g31291481/eco-friendly-products/” target=”_blank”>eco-friendly products</a> by verifying any environmental claims the brand makes. <strong>Broad, unsubstantiated claims like “earth-friendly” or “all natural” are frowned upon by the <a href=”https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/truth-advertising/green-guides” target=”_blank”>Federal Trade Commission</a> and Good Housekeeping.</strong> When shopping on your own, keep in mind that the most responsible and reliable green cleaners clearly identify on the label what environmental benefits they provide. When brands are not specific about why they’re eco-friendly or there’s no substantial evidence that their products or manufacturing systems is better for the environment, we consider their claims to be <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/a32191077/what-is-greenwashing/” target=”_blank”>greenwashing</a> and won’t recommend their products. <em></em></p><p><strong><strong>Companies that make </strong><strong>the best green cleaners follow through on their </strong><strong>environmental</strong><strong> claims. </strong><strong>They also tend to </strong><strong>use recycled materials </strong><strong>or</strong> <strong>make products that can be reused or that </strong><strong>minimize damage to the environment. </strong></strong>We also take each company’s values and manufacturing process into consideration. Some brands even pledge to plant a tree for every purchase or have factories that run entirely on renewable energy. Needless to say, we take <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/a29830418/what-eco-friendly-means/” target=”_blank”>eco-friendly labels</a> and claims <em>very</em> seriously around here. </p><p>Based on in-Lab and consumer at-home testing, including the testing for our <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a46106345/sustainable-innovation-awards-2024/” target=”_blank”>Sustainable Innovation Awards</a>, we rounded up the best cleaning products that effectively clean your home, laundry and dishes with minimal harm to the planet.</p>”/>
1
Best Bathroom Cleaner
Method ANTIBAC Bathroom Cleaner
1
Best Bathroom Cleaner
Method ANTIBAC Bathroom Cleaner
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Cuts soap scum and hard water stains
- Kills bacteria and viruses
Cons
- Comes in one scent
Method’s plant-based bathroom cleaner uses citric acid as a key ingredient to help obliterate tough soap scum and hard water stains. Plus, it kills 99.9% of bacteria and flu germs after 10 minutes of sitting on hard, non-porous surfaces. It’s safe to use it on all bathroom surfaces, including a shower head that’s clogged with hard water mineral, vinyl shower curtain liners and plastic toilet seats. It has a crisp, minty scent with notes of geranium.
2
Best Cleaning Cloth
Skoy Reusable Cleaning Cloths
2
Best Cleaning Cloth
Skoy Reusable Cleaning Cloths
Pros
- 100% compostable ingredients
- Reusable swap for paper towels
- Cost efficient
Cons
- May stain
These Swedish dishcloths are a reusable alternative to paper towels as they can be washed and reused over and over. Our cleaning experts like that they can be reused longer because they’re more durable than germ-y sponges that get thrown out after only a few uses. Though they may stain with use.
Not only do these colorful cloths come in plastic-free packaging, they also are made of 70% wood and 30% cotton. This means the cloths are compostable and they are free of microplastics, which can be found in synthetic textiles found in some rags or dish cloths. These microplastics shed into the environment while washing and accumulate in oceans due to their low biodegradation rate, so these reusable cloths are a sustainable swap for paper towels and reusable rags.
3
Best Disinfecting Spray Cleaner
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner
3
Best Disinfecting Spray Cleaner
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner
Pros
- EPA-registered disinfectant
- Great value
- Comes in a 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottle
Cons
- Needs 10 minutes to disinfect surfaces
We’ve found Seventh Generation multi-surface cleaners easily remove grease and grime from cooktops, counters and other household surfaces without streaking or extra wiping and rinsing. A great value, this version has the added benefit of being able to disinfect hard non-porous surfaces too.
Its active ingredient is Thymol, an essential oil from the thyme plant. Though it doesn’t work as quickly as other disinfectants do, it is safe to use on food contact surfaces, like high chairs and countertops, without rinsing and is EPA-registered to kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses in 10 minutes. In addition, the spray bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.
4
Best Cleaning Concentrate
Seventh Generation Multi Surface Cleaner Concentrate
4
Best Cleaning Concentrate
Seventh Generation Multi Surface Cleaner Concentrate
Pros
- 7x the concentration allows you to reduce plastic usage
- Multi-surface cleaner
- 94% USDA Biobased Product
Cons
- Only one scent
Reduce (and reuse) your plastic usage with green cleaners from Seventh Generation — whose name comes from their mission to create a more sustainable world for the next seven generations and beyond. The concentrated formula of this multi-surface cleaner has seven times the amount of product as a standard bottle of the same size. The EPA Safer Choice Certified ingredients allows for a peace of mind as you clean nearly any surface in your home with this product.
To use, dilute the product with water in a bucket for the equivalent of 23-ounce refills of the cleaner and avoid rebuying multiple plastic bottles and lower the environmental impact of shipping, such as packaging and greenhouse gas emissions. Then, just pour it into a spray bottle and clean counters, kitchen appliances, bathroom tiles and more. Our experts, who gave this lemon chamomile scented product a Sustainable Innovation Award, were impressed by this product’s ability to disintegrate greasy soils in testing.
5
Best Duster
OXO Microfiber Extendable Duster
5
Best Duster
OXO Microfiber Extendable Duster
Pros
- Reusable
- Cuts down on additional cleaning product usage
- Extendable pole helps you reach high shelves
Cons
- Microfiber material is not biodegradable
This microfiber duster from OXO is a favorite in the GH Cleaning Lab because the extendable pole (up to 53 inches) makes reaching every corner and shelf easy. You’ll be able to trap and pick up dust — rather than simply blowing it into the air to later resettle — without the need for additional cleaning products and all the plastic packaging that comes with it.
When it’s time to wash it, simply unsnap the fluffy head and throw it in your washing machine. Microfiber is not biodegradable, however this product is substantially longer lasting than throwaway paper towels or wipes.
6
Best Cleaning Vinegar
Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar
6
Best Cleaning Vinegar
Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar
Pros
- Cuts grease and grime
- Comes in three scents
- More effective than regular white vinegar
Cons
- Doesn’t disinfect
Vinegar has been a pantry cleaning staple for years and is well known for its ability to cut grease and dissolve hard water stains. But it’s no secret that vinegar has a pungent smell. If you like the idea of cleaning with vinegar, but hate to odor it leaves behind, Aunt Fannie’s is a great alternative. It comes in three essential oil scents — Bright Lemon, Eucalyptus and Lavender — plus it contains additional plant-based ingredients to give the vinegar extra cleaning oomph.
Use it on grease-splattered oven glass, the hard water buildup on fixtures and more. Like regular vinegar, it does not have disinfecting properties.
7
Best Dish Spray
Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray
7
Best Dish Spray
Seventh Generation Foaming Dish Spray
Pros
- B Corp Certification attests to the brand’s sustainability efforts
- 79% USDA Biobased product and EPA Safer Choice certified
- Thick foam cleans tough grease off pans
Cons
- Sprayer is fragile and prone to breaking, according to some online customers
Seventh Generation and its cleaning products boast certifications and awards verifying their eco-friendly claims. The B Corp Certified brand is devoted to their sustainability practices and uses its Climate Fingerprints framework to assess each product’s environmental impact and the brand’s advocacy efforts.
Previously earning a Best Cleaning & Organizing Award and a Sustainable Innovation Award, this dish spray is a standout eco-friendly cleaning product. The Power + Foaming Dish Spray earned EPA’s Safer Choice Certification, is a 79% USDA Biobased product and comes in a 100% PCR plastic bottle.
In our Lab tests, our experts found that the thick, foamy formula was “extremely effective” in scrubbing grease and baked-on messes off of pans and cooking utensils better than thinner cleaning liquids. Choose from a citrusy Mandarin Orange or Honeycrisp Apple scent and conserve water by waiting to turn on the faucet until you’re ready to rinse. One downside is that some online reviewers report that the sprayer is fragile and prone to breaking.
8
Best Paper-based Detergent Packaging
Clean Cult Refillable Laundry Detergent
8
Best Paper-based Detergent Packaging
Clean Cult Refillable Laundry Detergent
Now 22% Off
Pros
- Recyclable paper-based cartons cut down on single-use plastic
- Concentrated formula allows for more loads per product
- Hypoallergenic, according to brand
Cons
- The carton cap is not a measuring cup
The packaging may look like an almond milk carton, but this paper-based packaging holds a super-concentrated laundry detergent. The 32-ounce concentrated formula cleans a whopping 64 washes. To use, pour the concentrate into the brand’s reusable glass bottle which has a spout and dosage markings in the cap to reduce single-use plastic (the cap of the carton can’t be used as a measuring cup).
This Cleaning and Organizing Award winner was a top performer in our testing, impressing our cleaning experts and testers with its gentle formula, scent options and ability to remove chocolate syrup, coffee and ink stains. The manufacturer claims the formula is hypoallergenic and made without phthalates, phosphates, parabens or dyes. Plus, it’s effective with any water temperature, so you can use cold water in a washing machine to lower your carbon footprint and save energy.
9
Best Disinfectant
Lemi Shine Lemi Shine Disinfecting Aerosol
9
Best Disinfectant
Lemi Shine Lemi Shine Disinfecting Aerosol
Pros
- Uses citric acid as an active ingredient
- Kills 99% of bacteria and and viruses
Cons
- Needs to sit on surfaces for longer than traditional sprays
Keep your family and pets healthy and protected against germs with this disinfectant spray that kills over 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the flu. The eco-friendly formula uses citric acid as an active ingredient, and it is free of bleach, dyes, parabens, phosphate, formaldehyde, phenol and chlorine.
In testing, our cleaning experts found that this spray needs to sit on surfaces for five minutes to disinfect, which may be longer than traditional disinfectant spray. So, be sure to wait a few minutes before wiping down the surface with a reusable cloth.
10
Best Heavy Duty Cleanser
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser (2 Pack)
10
Best Heavy Duty Cleanser
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser (2 Pack)
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Versatile
- Free of dyes, chlorine and fragrance
Cons
- Needs water to work
A tried-and-true favorite since it first came to market in 1886, Bon Ami cleanser is made mostly of feldspar — a soft, mined mineral that gently polishes surfaces clean. It also contains limestone and baking soda, however it’s free of dyes, chlorine or fragrance.
Because it cleans without scratching or damaging surfaces, it’s a great basic cleanser for cookware as well as kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Make a paste with a little water to gently clean scuffs from floors and walls. It even safely buffs away pesky rust and hard water stains. While it’s an extremely versatile and affordable product, it needs water to work.
11
Best Gentle Cleanser
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
11
Best Gentle Cleanser
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Now 68% Off
What could be more eco-friendly than baking soda? Not only can you bake with it and brush y0ur teeth with it, but baking soda makes a great gentle abrasive cleaner. Sprinkle it directly on your sink to remove scrapes and marks, inside cups and carafes to remove coffee and tea stains and on floor tiles to remove scuff marks.
Just like baking soda absorbs odors in the refrigerator, it can also freshen mattresses, pet beds, shoes and be added directly to the wash and rinse cycles to deodorize clothing. There’s so much baking soda can do, you’ll be coming up with uses of your own. The cardboard packaging is more eco-friendly than plastic, although it can get messy.
12
Best Laundry Detergent Sheets
EC30 Laundry Detergent Swatches
12
Best Laundry Detergent Sheets
EC30 Laundry Detergent Swatches
The waterless formula, carbon savings during shipping and plastic-free, recyclable packaging all make these laundry detergent sheets an eco-friendly swap for a plastic bottle of detergent. Plus, the brand is committed to plant a tree for every product purchased and partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant over 120,000 trees.
The experts in our Cleaning Lab found these sheets highly effective at cleaning dirty laundry and removing stains, listing it as the best overall laundry detergent sheets and giving the product a Sustainable Innovation Award. These swatches successfully removed set-in spaghetti sauce stains and restored whiteness to a gray-stained fabric in our tests, though they were slow to dissolve.
This product is a bit on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for a waterless, eco-friendly detergent, EC03’s swatches are your best bet.
13
Best Sponge
Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge (3 Pack)
13
Best Sponge
Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge (3 Pack)
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Made with plant-based fiber and recycled materials
- Durable for tough messes
- Does not damage nonstick cookware
Cons
- White color makes stains more apparent
Scrub food remnants and buildup off of pots, pans and surfaces with this eco-friendly sponge from Scotch-Brite’s Greener Clean line. These dye- and BPA-free sponges are made from 100% plant-based fiber with a 100% recycled-material scrubbing layer on one side and are packaged without any plastic, which earned it a Sustainable Innovation Award.
Our cleaning experts found these scrubbers effective at cleaning and removing buildup from nonstick cookware without any scratches or damage. Add in the fact that these gentle (yet durable) scrubbers will last you a long time — each scrub can be cleaned over 20 times in the dishwasher, which comes in handy because its white color makes stains more apparent. This product may be your best bet for an environmentally-conscious sponge.
Pros
- Plant-based ingredients and renewable fibers
- Lavender fragrance from essential oils
- Softens fabric
Cons
- Single use item
These 99% USDA Certified Biobased dryer sheets are a sustainable replacement for traditional dryer sheets, containing plant-based ingredients rather than plastic fibers. They excelled in our GH Cleaning Lab tests, earning the product a Cleaning & Organizing Award, with its ability to soften fabric, reduce static and add a fresh lavender scent from essential oils. The non-woven sheet is made from renewable fibers, but if you’re looking for a reusable alternative to dryer sheets, you can try wool dryer balls for similar results.
15
Best Smelling Dish Soap
L’AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap
15
Best Smelling Dish Soap
L’AVANT Collective High Performing Dish Soap
Pros
- Smells divine
- Refillable glass bottle
- EPA Safer Choice Certified ingredients
Cons
- Pricey
Eco-friendly products can feel just as luxurious as regular products and this plant-based dish soap from L’AVANT Collective is a prime example of that. Beyond smelling divine and looking high-end, the white glass bottle is refillable and the concentrated formula means you’ll use less each time you wash dishes. The woman-owned brand’s High Performing Dish Soap Refill bag uses 61% less plastic than a 32-ounce plastic bottle of dish soap, helping you cut down plastic waste.
The formula itself is eco-friendly as well. It’s composed of plant-based ingredients without parabens, phosphates, phthalates, chlorine, bleach and dyes, making it EPA Safer Choice Certified and a USDA Certified Biobased Product. Excellent at grease-cutting, the thick suds also helped remove any remnants from cookware in our testing, earning it a Cleaning and Organizing Award.
16
Best Laundry Detergent
Tide purclean Liquid Laundry Detergent
16
Best Laundry Detergent
Tide purclean Liquid Laundry Detergent
Pros
- USDA Certified Biobased Product 75%
- Translucent cap makes measuring easy
- EPA Safer Choice certified
Cons
- Some reviewers didn’t like the scent
Tide purclean was a top performer in our Cleaning Lab stain removal tests and has earned our Good Housekeeping Seal. The laundry detergent works in all water temperatures and it’s 75% USDA Certified Biobased Product, meaning 75% are plant-based ingredients. In addition, this formula is free of dyes, chlorine and optical brighteners and is produced at a zero waste to landfill manufacturing site using 100% renewable wind power electricity. It’s also an EPA Safer Choice certified product, which verifies its safe ingredients for the environment, people and pets.
Some reviewers weren’t fond of the honey lavender scent, but it also comes in an unscented version. We absolutely love the translucent cap that finally makes accurate measuring possible.
17
Best Dish Liquid
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap
17
Best Dish Liquid
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap
Pros
- Produces long-lasting suds
- USDA Certified Biobased Product 95%
- EPA safer choice certified
A top performer in our GH Cleaning Lab tests of free and clear plant-based dish liquids and a winner of a Good Housekeeping Sustainable Packaging Awards, Seventh Generation washed more dishes than the competitors and had the longest lasting suds. It is impressively made with 95% biobased ingredients.
The EPA Safer Choice certified formula is free of dyes and fragrances. The bottle is made entirely of recycled plastic and the flip-top cap is mostly made from recycled plastic clothes hangers.
18
Best Powdered Dish Soap
Blueland Powdered Dish Soap Starter Set
18
Best Powdered Dish Soap
Blueland Powdered Dish Soap Starter Set
Pros
- Produces a good amount of suds
- Also works as a powdered cleanser
Cons
- More expensive than other dish soaps
Blueland’s innovative formula comes in a recyclable paper pouch. All you do is pour the powder from the pouch into the stylish and refillable silicone shaker and set it beside your sink. Sprinkle the soap powder directly onto a sponge or brush if you only have a few items to clean or into a basin or bowl that you fill with water for a bigger load.
We found its grease-cutting ability impressive and its suds substantial. Because it’s a powder, this dish soap does double-duty as a gentle cleanser to clean y0ur sink, cookware and more. Though it may seem pricey, a little goes a long way.
19
Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray
19
Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray
Pros
- EPA Safer Choice Certified
- 95% USDA Biobased Product
- Refillable spray bottle
Cons
- New formula is sticky, according to some online reviews
Maintain the shine and color of your hardwood floors with this 95% USDA Biobased Product that’s safe for pets and the environment. This eco-friendly cleaning spray boasts an EPA Safer Choice certification and a Sustainable Innovation Award, thanks to its plant-derived ingredients and formula free of parabens, ammonia, phthalates, phosphates and formaldehyde — which the EPA listed as a “probable carcinogen.”
The spray bottle is made from 30% PCR content and is refillable, decreasing your plastic usage overall. Pair the spray with a microfiber mop to effectively remove dust and dirt without damaging hardwood floors. Some online reviewers have found the new formula to be sticky.
Pros
- Plastic-free packaging
- One tree is donated with every purchase
- No harmful ingredients to aquatic life, according to brand
Cons
- Only 15 pouches per package
There’s no plastic packaging with EC30’s products, which makes this toilet bowl cleaner more eco-friendly than its traditional counterparts. When you drop one of the pouches into the toilet, it will begin bubbling and a thick foam once it is dropped in the water. The waterless, powder formula allows this product to be wrapped in recyclable paper packaging and it uses less water to produce, making it a sustainable swap for a toilet bowl cleaner.
In our Cleaning Lab, we found this product to be more effective than any other new toilet bowl cleaners we tried and we gave it a Cleaning and Innovation Award, though there are only 15 pouches per package. The brand also claims none of the ingredients are harmful to aquatic life and donates one tree with every purchase.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
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