DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any brands mentioned below. We, at Remain Eco, simply love these companies, and want to help other people who are looking for brands to get their eco-friendly cleaning products. In no way these eco-friendly cleaning brands are perfect, they have a long way to go, but every step counts towards saving our planet.
An eco-friendly lifestyle is getting more popular every day. Perhaps, it is simply due to many people trying to get on the “sustainable” or “zero waste” bandwagon. Some might be doing it for the sake of saving our one and only planet.
Regardless, it’s undeniable that both reasons are having an impact on pushing brands and companies to produce eco-friendlier products. Although today, these sustainable products are often only available in Europe, North America, and parts of Oceania.
Hopefully, in the future, these are also accessible to developing countries.
I know what you are thinking, “how can we be sure that these brands are actually ethical?”. The simple answer is we can’t.
CHECK OUT: Our compilation of articles on the best cleaning products categorised by purpose
LAWS TO PROTECT ECO-FRIENDLY TERMS
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough laws and policies in place to keep these companies in check making sure they are indeed producing an eco-friendly product and not only using the term for marketing. You probably heard of this term before – greenwashing.
Greenwashing is when a company claims or labels its products eco-friendly, organic, sustainable, all-natural, non-toxic, etc. Greenwashing is illegal, but how foolproof is this law?
The UK, Canada, the US, and the EU all have laws when it comes to greenwashing or using eco terms to mislead consumers.
For example, USDA said that organic food only needs to have 70% organically produced ingredients. Your brand of protein bar doesn’t have to write 70% organic, instead, they can simply use the word “organic”.
THINGS TO LOOK INTO ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING BRANDS
When you are doing research about specific cleaning brands that claim to be eco-friendly, there are a few things you can have on your checklist.
Leaping Bunny, cruelty-free, and vegan
Leaping Bunny is a logo that shows the product bears this logo means that this product was not tested on animals. Products actually don’t have to be tested on animals, that is not required by the law in the US or Canada.
Leaping Bunny is a non-government organisation that certifies brands and products that are not tested on animals. Another term you might encounter is “cruelty-free”. For products with no animal produced ingredient, it will be marked as “vegan”.
Recycled materials/Non-toxic
Another thing you want to look into is if the company is using recycled materials. Most eco-friendly cleaning brands below are using recycled bottles for their all-purpose cleaners or dish soaps. Some parts of the bottle such as the spray mouth or lids are often not recycled.
You also want to check if the product is non-toxic. This means it’s safe to be around children, pets, plants, and marine life. It also means that if the formula enters the waterways, it won’t harm the septic and the pipes.
The best feature you want to look for is “hypoallergenic”. These brands are gentle and safe to be used by people with sensitive skin or even babies. It’s also better to choose products that are unscented. If you really want a scented one, choose the brand that uses essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance.
To learn more about which ingredients in commercial cleaning items are toxic, read this list of most toxic cleaning products. You can also make your own homemade cleaning solutions with these eco-friendly cleaning hacks.
ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING BRANDS
We have a list of eco-friendly cleaning products that you can buy from the shop or online stores list feature these brands. In case making your own formula is not your thing, you can check out these items and see for yourself which one you prefer.
Attitude
A Canadian-based company, Attitude’s main goal is to produce clean products with less plastic, and plant trees. With a vision of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, ad Reforest, Attitude hopes to provide products without destroying our planet.
Once you figured out that their product is something you want to stick to, you can then buy refill boxes instead of buying another bottle when you run out.
Attitude has products from hair, body, home care, and even for children. Here is a list of Attitude products on Amazon.
Sonett
Sonett is one of the newest brands I discovered in 2022. It’s a German brand with the tagline “ecologically conscientious”. It’s hard to deny that they were head of their time. 40 years since they launched, “sustainable cleaning products” are finally becoming a more popular idea and sought-after.
I personally love their products, the bottle design itself is not pretentious. It’s not filled with green leafy images or a shining “eco-friendly” tag. It’s minimalistic and straightforward. Check out the list of Sonett products.
Ecover
Ecover’s mission is to redefine what “clean” means both in households and on our planet. Ecover is not only looking at eco-friendly ingredients when creating their products, they are also investing in clean manufacturing, recycled materials, and ethical sourcing.
Ecover makes products from laundry, dishwashing liquid, to toilet cleaner. Learn more about Ecover products by checking out their Amazon store.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is a 30-year company producing eco-friendly cleaning products. From cleaners, laundry items, disinfectants, and even period care, baby products, and deodorant. Seventh Generation believes in climate justice, creating plant-based formulas, using recycled packaging, and listing ingredients accurately.
This company also support climate justice movements and donates money to communities that are affected and suffer the most from the effects of global warming. You can take a look at the complete products list of Seventh Generation on their Amazon shop.
Better Life
Better Life is definitely one of my favourite eco-friendly cleaning brands. It is a Canadian company that was founded by two fathers who wanted a cleaning product that can do the job without compromising safety. They went on Shark Tank with their idea. Today, Better Life cleaning products can be found in many shops across Canada but are also available on Amazon North America and also in Europe.
Better Life collection consists of all-purpose cleaners, laundry formula, bathroom cleaners, and kitchen detergent to name a few. They also offer “gift packs” if you are looking into convincing your family and friends to try eco-friendlier cleaning items.
Mrs. Meyers
Mrs. Meyers is one of the most popular cleaning brands in the US that offers cruelty-free formula, derived from plant-based ingredients, and uses recycled packaging. You probably wondering about its name’s origination.
It is inspired by a mother of nine – Thelma A. Meyer. She is a homemaker from Iowa, US. Mrs. Meyer’s daughter came up with the idea after she noticed how commercial cleaning products at stores have really sterile smell. She decided she wants to make cleaning products that smell like a garden and brand them after her mother.
Today the brand offers cleaning products for anywhere in your home and even candles.
Ecos
ECOS is founded by a Greek immigrant who came to the US in 1953, Van Vlahakis. After working as a chemist in the cleaning products industry, he realised how harmful these items are for humans and the environment. Vlahakis then started his own cleaning products company producing eco-friendlier yet effective cleaning formulas.
ECOS didn’t stop at cleaning products, in 2013 ECOS became carbon neutral and its facilities are operating with 100% renewable energy. They have cleaning products for laundry, dishwashing, cleaners, and even baby care.
Biokleen
Biokleen was founded by Jim who was working at a chemical supply company as a sales executive in 1980. Jim was aware yet have little knowledge of how the chemicals used in creating cleaning products can be harmful. He brought this concern to his employer but was fired for it.
He then made it a goal to create a plant-derived cleaning product. At night, he would spend hours learning about chemistry and botany to understand formulation better. After his hard work, he created Biokleen’s All Purpose Cleaner but wasn’t happy about it. A few tries later, he produced All Purpose Cleaner II which he was satisfied with.
Today, Biokleen have many products from bathroom cleaners, stain remover, laundry detergent, and basic home cleaning formulas. Biokleen does not test on animals.
Puracy
Puracy’s goal is to produce organic and natural cleaning products safe for humans, pets, plants, marine life, and waterways. Founded by two fathers from Texas, US, who realised that natural-based cleaning formulas are not very effective.
With the help of doctors and chemists, they create household cleaning products that are cruelty-free, made from natural ingredients, and effective. Puracy is still a new company yet making remarkable progress on Amazon as they read #1 best seller in their category. Check the list of Puracy products.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In a cleaning products aisle that is dominated by big corporate producing and selling you products that are harmful to you and the environment, there are smaller companies out there whose goal is to provide effective and eco-friendly household cleaning solutions.
It might take a while to find a product and brand that delivers what you are looking for, but for the sake of ensuring and doing our part to give future generations a planet that is livable, it’s all worth it.
I hope that you found this list of eco-friendly cleaning brands helpful. If you know other companies who are working hard to produce sustainable cleaning products, let us know in the comment section below.
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