20 Natural Cleaning Products We Love
Stock up on products that will help you get your house in tip-top shape — all eco-friendly and without harsh chemicals.
Between illness, tracked-in dirt, mealtime messes and general grime that comes par for the course as a family of four, my house could always use a good cleaning. Instead of using traditional chemical-laden cleaners, though, I rely on natural solutions that don't pose risks to my kids or pets. Switching to natural and organic products also improves overall indoor air quality since you aren't releasing harsh chemicals into the air, which in turn helps reduce skin irritations and respiratory infections. Plus, non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable ingredients are better for the environment. While all of these green cleaners may not kill every virus, they do keep your home microbe-friendly, allowing the "good" bacteria to stay in your home's ecosystem.
Keep scrolling to see the tried-and-true products I use because they are kid-safe, clean my house efficiently and are kind to the earth.
CLEANING SOLUTIONS + SOAPS
A versatile all-purpose cleaner in your cleaning stockpile is essential. This fan-favorite is a concentrated formula you can use on your floors, laundry, dishes and even your car — yet it's gentle enough not to irritate your skin. Non-toxic and biodegradable, this product is made with purely organic ingredients, most of which are also fair trade.
Vinegar has long been a beloved cleaner for natural product enthusiasts. Aunt Fannie's plant-based floor cleaner uses vinegar to get rid of dirt and grime so you can feel good about little ones and pets crawling around right after you've cleaned.
Bona is a water-based hardwood floor cleaning formula that dries fast and is residue-free. The formula is ideal for unwaxed, unoiled and polyurethane-finished flooring and is ready to spray and clean right out of the bottle. But most importantly, it's safer to use for people, pets and the planet.
Our go-to for quick wipe-downs of everything from high chairs to kitchen counters, Babyganics wipes are lifesavers for busy parents. Made from plant-derived and mostly organic ingredients, these are completely safe to use on all surfaces of your house. They really work, too!
Made in-house at ATTITUDE's Canadian facility, this EWG Verified brand prioritizes sustainability using plant-based ingredients, recyclable packaging and planting a tree for every purchase. This all-purpose cleaner is safe enough to use on food prep surfaces, yoga mats and everywhere in between.
Assistant editor Molly Miller loves the floor cleaner. "I purchased this on a trial basis after my second child was born, and now I refuse to buy any other brand. It's so, so good. I'm excited to try more household cleaners and personal care products from this brand!"
For those tough-to-tackle spots, most of us grab a powder cleanser. However, many of them are harmful to the environment and our skin. Bon Ami takes on dirt, rust and stains with renewable corn and coconut oils, making it a smart and natural alternative. Plus, it doesn't scratch appliances and is hypoallergenic, containing no chlorine, perfumes or dyes.
One of the best all-natural laundry products out there, Puracy's stain remover works just as well as its mainstream competitors. Formulated by chemists and evaluated by doctors, the biodegradable solution is comprised of plant-based enzymes and contains no SLS, SLES, sulfates, phosphates, animal by-products, chlorine, bleach, dyes, petrochemicals, caustics or optical brighteners.
Assistant editor Molly Miller says, "It gets out every single tough stain, from baby blowouts to spaghetti sauce. I was amazed at how well this natural cleaner worked."
As the only natural carpet and upholstery shampoo on the market, this clever cleaner is definitely one to add to your cleaning supplies. The concentrated formula reduces plastic, water and energy waste by 75 percent. Simply mix one ounce of the concentrate with 100 ounces of water to remove stains and odors from carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture.
Not only do big plastic laundry jugs take up a lot of room on your shelf, but they can also take up to 1,000 years to decompose. These laundry detergent sheets are a smart alternative since they dissolve in the wash and reduce your carbon footprint by coming in plastic-free packaging. Plus, they're hypoallergenic, vegan, bleach-free, paraben-free and phosphate-free.
Deep cleaning means confronting those hard-to-remove grease, oil and food splatters in the kitchen. Made with renewable energy, responsible packaging and earth-friendly ingredients, this degreaser will leave your stovetop and counters sparkling without the pungent smell of similar products.
ECO-FRIENDLY TOOLS
When it's time to upgrade or replace your cleaning tools, look for brooms, mops and other essentials that are made of recycled materials. This broom and dustpan set is designed from aluminum, recycled plastic and bamboo. Our favorite feature is the teeth on the dustpan that comb through the broom bristles to remove debris.
Essential for anyone who wants to make more eco-friendly cleaning choices, this set of spray bottles serves as the perfect vessel for homemade vinegar solutions and soap refills. (Our editor loves it, too!)
Most sponges or scour pads are made from petrochemical plastics that require a lot of energy to make and a long time to decompose. The handle for this dish brush is made of sustainable bamboo and is reusable. Simply trade out the cellulose sponge head (which completely breaks down naturally) when needed.