As environmental awareness grows, more and more people are looking for eco-friendly ways to clean their homes. Here is an in-depth look at some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that will be popular in 2024.
Natural Cleaning Brands
Several natural cleaning brands have emerged as leaders in sustainability. Here are some of the top eco-friendly cleaning companies to look for:
Blueland
Blueland specializes in creating cleaning and personal care products that come in tablet form. You simply add water to create the cleaning solution. Their kits include reusable forever bottles and the tablets delivered to your door. Their growing product line includes multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, glass and mirror cleaner, and more. I love the convenience and sustainability of their products.
Grove Collaborative
Grove Collaborative offers a wide assortment of natural cleaning and personal care products. Their cleaning brands include Mrs. Meyer’s, Method, Ecover, and Grove Co. Grove is a certified B Corporation and member of the EPA’s Safer Choice program. Their products use plant-based ingredients and come in sustainable packaging.
Cleancult
Cleancult takes transparency and simplicity to the next level. Their cleaning products contain only 4-5 vegan and biodegradable ingredients. They offer dish soap, hand soap, surface cleaner, laundry detergent and other cleaning basics. The scents come from pure essential oils, with no synthetic fragrances. Cleancult offsets its carbon footprint and uses recycled materials for packaging.
Powerful Plant-Based Ingredients
Many eco-friendly cleaning products harness the power of plants to effectively clean without harsh chemicals. Here are some of the most common active ingredients:
-
Citric acid – Derived from citrus fruits, citric acid cuts through grease and soap scum. It’s found in many natural bathroom cleaners.
-
Baking soda – Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a mild abrasive that scours surfaces without scratching them. It’s also a natural deodorizer.
-
Castile soap – Made from vegetable oils, castile soap breaks up oils and grease. It’s the basis of many hand and dish soaps.
-
Essential oils – Oils like lemon, eucalyptus and tea tree naturally clean and disinfect. They also provide pleasant scents without synthetic fragrances.
-
Hydrogen peroxide – The oxidizing properties of hydrogen peroxide give it natural bleaching and disinfecting abilities. It’s often used for laundry.
Plastic-Free and Recyclable Packaging
To reduce waste, the cleaning brands of 2024 will increasingly use plastic-free and recyclable packaging. Expect to see:
-
Metal or glass bottles – Stainless steel or glass bottles are more durable and recyclable than plastic. Brands like Blueland are utilizing them for refillable cleaning containers.
-
Cartons made from recycled paper – Milk cartons and cardboard can be recycled many times over. Brands like Cleancult use them to package cleaning powders.
-
Compostable cellophane bags – Some brands package tablets or powders in certified compostable cellulose bags that biodegrade.
-
Refill systems – To cut down on packaging waste, some companies like Ecover allow you to mail back empty bottles to be refilled.
-
Minimalist packaging – Brands are reducing packaging by concentrating formulas. For example, Cleancult’s 4-ingredient soaps come with no box or outer plastic wrap.
Specialized “Green” Cleaning Solutions
Eco-friendly cleaning is going beyond the basics like floors and dishes. Specialized “green” cleaning solutions are emerging, like:
Plastic-Cleaning Tablets
Plastic is notoriously hard to clean naturally. New tablets like Cleancult’s Plastic Cleaner use plant oils and mild abrasives to clean plastic surfaces like appliances, toys and lunch boxes. No more harsh chemical sprays needed!
Eco-Friendly Electronics Cleaners
Keep your devices clean while avoiding chemical buildup with eco-friendly screen cleaners. Cleancult makes an electronics spray from plant oils and alcohol, and Who Gives a Crap offers reusable bamboo wipes infused with a gentle solution.
Natural Mold and Mildew Solutions
Vinegar has always been a homemade solution for mold and mildew. Now companies like Force of Nature are offering plant-based mold removers powered by thyme oil and citric extracts. With natural antimicrobial abilities, these products kill mold safely and effectively.
Sustainable Disinfecting Wipes
Look for disinfecting wipes that are biodegradable, compostable and made with plant oils instead of alcohol or bleach. Seventh Generation has an EPA-approved disinfectant wipe made with thymol from thyme oil.
Reusable Cleaning Pads
Sustainable brands offer washable, reusable cleaning pads as an alternative to paper towels. Makeup Eraser’s reusable pads can replace chemical wipes for cleaning countertops, appliances, windows and more.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services
More and more cleaning services are adopting green practices as well. Here are some signs to look for when hiring eco-friendly cleaners:
-
They use natural cleaning products. Ask which brands and ingredients are used.
-
They focus on microfiber cloths and towels instead of paper products. Microfiber is more effective at cleaning and reusable.
-
They use portable refillable bottles to avoid single-use plastic waste.
-
They follow green business guidelines for saving energy and water.
-
They offer plant-based options for services like carpet and upholstery cleaning.
As demand grows for sustainable options, 2024 will see major advances in eco-friendly cleaning. Natural plant-based formulas, recyclable packaging and reusable tools will transform home cleaning for the greener. Embracing these products helps reduce your environmental footprint, while still getting surfaces sparkling clean.
