What are eco cleaning products?
On a whole, people are much more mindful of the impact they are having on the planet. Plastic bottles? Better be recyclable! Microbeads? No thank you! But have you ever taken a second to extend the eco-conscious consideration to your cleaning products?
Thankfully, some brands have already done some of that consideration for you!
When a product is classed as ‘eco friendly’ that usually means it adheres to some or all of the following practices:
- Using ‘gentler’ active ingredients rather than harsh chemicals
- Using ingredients that are kinder to our waterways and environment
- Using refillable, biodegradable or recyclable packaging
A lot of eco cleaning products are also vegan and cruelty free – who’d have thought you’d have to check if your kitchen spray was vegan – eh?
Why choose eco-friendly cleaners?
A better question is why wouldn’t you? If you can achieve the same squeaky-clean results with an eco-cleaner while reducing the impact your cleaning has on the environment, then it’s a no-brainer really.
It’s not just about the harm these strong chemicals can have on the environment either. If you’re not using gloves 24/7, then chances are that these formulas will also get onto and react with your skin, and get distributed throughout the air in your house, where they could potentially do some harm.
What different eco cleaners are available?
From eco kitchen sprays and glass cleaners, to drain un-blockers, laundry detergents and toilet cleaners, there’s an eco-cleaning product for every room of the house. Here are some of our favourites.
10 of the best eco cleaning products for the entire home
The bathroom – eco-friendly toilet cleaners and other bathroom cleaners
The bathroom is a biggie – nobody wants to try and get clean in a dirty place, right? However, that doesn’t mean you have to blast every surface with super-harsh chemicals to get it looking squeaky clean, the technology is a lot smarter now.
Let’s take you through some of our favourite eco bathroom cleaners:
1. Eco toilet cleaner
Ecozone 3 in 1 Toilet Cleaner – Ocean Breeze, 750ml
Bleach free, non-toxic and full of plant-based ingredients, this clever cleaner will get your toilet bowl clean, sanitised and smelling ocean fresh!
Key benefits:
- Septic tank safe
- Lifts limescale build-up
- Tackles stains
- Removes dirt
- Bleach free
- Gentler ingredients
- Vegan friendly and cruelty free
- Contains essential oils
- Free from synthetic fragrance, dyes, petrochemicals and artificial preservatives
2. Eco-friendly shower cleaner
Method Daily Shower Spray – Ylang Ylang, 828ml
This Method shower spray is made from gentle and biodegradable ingredients that have been assessed by independent scientists to make sure it’s both safe for us and the environment.
Powergreen® technology dissolves and prevents soap scum – all with no chemical residue. You don’t even need to rinse!
Key benefits:
- Super natural and super effective Powergreen® technology prevents and dissolves soap scum
- Gentle and biodegradable ingredients: lactic acid and corn-starch derived decyl glucoside
- Bottles made from recycled old bottles
- Gorgeous and relaxing ylang ylang fragrance
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty free
3. Bulk buy eco toilet cleaner
Ecover Toilet Cleaner – Concentrated, Pine and mint 5L
If you like the idea of buying your toilet cleaner in bulk, this Ecover toilet cleaner could be for you. Just pop it in an empty toilet cleaner bottle you’ve already used so it’s easier to work with, topping up as and when.
Key benefits:
- Based around plant and mineral ingredients that clean, decalcify and freshen
- Safe for septic tanks
- Bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic
- Vegan-friendly and not tested on animals
- Refreshing natural pine and mint fragrance
4. Eco tub and tile spray
Method Tub & Tile Spray – Eucalyptus Mint, 828ml
Get those tubs and tiles sparkling naturally with this gentle, biodegradable spray. It easily dissolves soap scum and pesky stains, so you don’t have to scrub so hard.
Key benefits:
- Powergreen® technology cuts through stubborn stains and soap scum
- Less scrubbing, more cleaning
- Cruelty free and vegan friendly
- Responsibly sourced and gentler ingredients: corn-starch derived decyl glucoside and lactic acid
- Fresh minty smell
- Bottle is made from recycled old bottles
5. Eco-friendly limescale remover
Ecozone Tough Limescale Remover, 500ml
Banish limescale the natural way. This specially formulated limescale remover deeply cleans lime deposits that have built up on surfaces and around taps / showerheads.
Key benefits:
- Plant based ingredients
- Vegan friendly
- Septic tank safe
- Aquatic life safe
- Removed encrusted limescale and prevents return
- Leaves a lasting brilliant shine
The kitchen – eco-friendly kitchen cleaners
A lovely clean kitchen shouldn’t have to cost the earth or leave strong chemical fumes lurking, you can get it looking spic and span with these eco-friendly kitchen products. Here are some of our faves:
6. Eco Kitchen surface cleaner
Method Daily Kitchen Surface Cleaner – Clementine, 828ml
This beautifully citrusy spray delivers a mighty cleaning punch, using only naturally derived and biodegradable ingredients from corn and coconut.
It breaks down grime and dirt naturally, leaving only a gleaming clean and fresh scent behind.
Key benefits:
- Natural and biodegradable ingredients derived from coconut and corn
- Breaks down dirt naturally
- Cruelty-free and vegan friendly
- Great for most sealed kitchen surfaces – tile, worktops, stone, wood, glass
- Bottle is made from recycled old bottles
7. Eco washing up liquid
Ecover Ocean Plastic Ltd Edition Washing Up Liquid, 500ml
The bottle of this amazing limited-edition washing-up liquid is made from 50% recycled plastic and 50% plastic waste collected from the sea, waterways and shores of Rio, Brazil. So, not only do your dishes get an incredible eco-cleaning, so does the sea – pretty cool, right?
Key benefits:
- Made from recycled and reclaimed sea plastics – v. eco friendly!
- Suitable for septic tanks
- Natural ingredients
- Cleans all your washing up beautifully and naturally
- Vegan friendly and cruelty free
8. Eco dishwasher tablets
Ecover All-In-One Dishwasher Tablets, 68 Tablets
The easiest way to clean the dishes just got eco-friendly! These all-in-one dishwasher tablets harness the power of biodegradable, plant-based ingredients that leave your dishes squeaky clean, as well as your water waste.
Key benefits:
- Easy to use
- Not tested on animals and vegan friendly
- Rinse aid and salt action
- Biodegradable and plant-based ingredients
The whole house
9. Eco-friendly all purpose cleaner
Method All Purpose Cleaning Spray – Pink Grapefruit, 828ml
Dirt – beware, this eco multi-surface spray is here to clean you up! Spritz this zingy pink grapefruit spay on sealed surfaces to break down dirt and help you wipe it away smoothly.
- Breaks down dirt naturally
- Natural and biodegradable ingredients derived from coconut and corn
- Cruelty-free and vegan friendly
- Bottle is made from recycled old bottles
- Great for most sealed kitchen surfaces – worktops, stone, tile, wood, glass
10. Eco cleaning cloth
This powerful cleaning sponge has been designed to provide a spotless clean with just plain old water.
Get rid of mould, pen marks, oils and more with this cloth’s tough exfoliating power on virtually any surface – no trong chemicals necessary.
Key benefits:
- Use on tiles, screens, taps, kitchen sinks, stained mugs, oily food residues, grimy pans, dirty ovens… pretty much any surface!
- No strong chemicals needed – just water
- Makes up to 30 smaller blocks
Last updated: 20 January 2021
Sources
1 https://patient.info/news-and-features/are-cleaning-products-bad-for-your-health
2 As source 1
