Best Eco All-purpose Cleaners
There are many eco-friendly all-purpose cleaners that are currently on the market, and more and more are appearing as this is being written. Most of the brands offering eco-friendly all-purpose cleaners don’t vary that much in terms of price. However, they do vary in terms of effectiveness and eco-friendliness. The brands included on this list are either third-party verified, and/or list ingredients on their bottle, and come from a company that has sustainable business practices.
Biokleen - Super Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser
This super-concentrated cleaner made without toxic chemicals has been reviewed, as are all Biokleen products, batches, and formulas, by a third party (Berg Environmental, Content Verified, and the EPA’s Design for the Environment). Their third-party certifications are a first in their industry along with the EPA's official recognition for advances in green chemistry. It has a mild pH, works on most types of surfaces, and is great for those who have chemical sensitivities.
Biokleen - Super Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser
Imus Greening The Cleaning - All-Purpose Cleaner
From the lady from brought us the ‘Greening your Cleaning’ book comes the ‘Greening your Cleaning’ eco-friendly household cleaners. The citrus sage all-purpose cleaner smells good and safely cleans hard surfaces. In addition, it is the only product on our current list that has earned the EcoLab certification: EcoLab is a Canadian certifying laboratory with relatively strict criteria for product effectiveness and eco-friendliness.
Imus Greening The Cleaning - All-Purpose Cleaner
Begley’s Best - All-Purpose Cleaner
The actor and long time environmentalist started working on his line of green cleaning products in 2003. This product works with different types of water (hard, soft, fresh, salt), is non-toxic, works on hard and soft surfaces, and biodegrades in up to seven days. The company has also obtained Cradle-to-Cradle certification, which aims to minimize or bring to zero the impact that the life of the product has on the environment.
Begley's Best - All-Purpose Cleaner
Sun & Earth Cleaner - All-Purpose Cleaner
According to the manufacturer, this cleaner was ranked the #1 all-purpose cleaner in independent laboratory tests, and I can believe it. It works great on hard and soft surfaces and smells good.
Sun & Earth Cleaner - All-Purpose Cleaner
Mrs. Meyers - All-Purpose Cleaner
This cleaner is available in diverse fragrances: Basil, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Geranium. It is concentrated and need to be diluted before using ¼ cup to one gallon of warm water. Although there is no third-party certification, is it still an effective and eco-friendly cleaner.
Mrs. Meyers - All-Purpose Cleaner
Bon Ami - Cleaning Powder
This cleaning powder is available in most grocery stores. It is affordable as well as eco-friendly (no dyes, perfumes or bleaches), not to mention that is has been around for quite a long time. The powder cleans without scratching and can be used to clean surfaces as well as pots and pans.
Bon Ami - Cleaning Powder
Planet - All-Purpose Cleaner
This product cleans a variety of surfaces, including carpets and ovens (though you have to leave it on for a while if you’d like to do that). It is unscented, which is great for asthma sufferers and others with chemical sensitivities. The spray cleaner may be tougher to find in stores, but we included it because it does a great job at a great price for you and the planet.
Planet - All-Purpose Cleaner
Earth Friendly Products - Orange Plus Concentrate
This is a great product certified by a third-party: GreenStar. They provide the MSDS Sheet for each product they sell (obviously including this one). Earth Friendly developed their products following a strict Freedom Code (a list of chemicals and ingredients that they agree not to use). They are not tested on animals and they don’t use animal ingredients. Earth Friendly sources its ingredients locally to the extent possible, which allow a better control over their product quality, contain product costs and provide jobs locally. And, of course, it is effective at cleaning!
Earth Friendly Products - Orange Plus Concentrate
Seventh Generation - Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation is the pioneer in the green cleaning product arena for homes. Ingredients are clearly disclosed on the label. In addition, this cleaner non-toxic, biodegradable, and does not use harsh chemicals, phosphates, or dyes. I would call it an ‘oldie but a goodie’ although it is a relatively young and progressive company, but mainly because it was one of the first to produce eco-friendly versions of conventional products.
Seventh Generation - Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Citra Solv - Natural Cleaner and Degreaser
As with the other brands, Citra Solv products are made from renewable resources, which have a minimum impact on the planet, mainly citrus extracts, as the name would suggest. However, contrary to some of the previous products we have just seen, neither third party nor label has evaluated it independently. Although the price is high, it is still a great value since it is concentrated and must be diluted with water. Unlike some of the other products, however, it is combustible and therefore should be stored in a safe place.
Citra Solv - Natural Cleaner and Degreaser
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Citra Solv has been around for over 20 years, and I love it and use it to clean EVERYTHING! It's really not that much more expensive, because you have to dilute it, and a little goes a really long way. It's also the "greenest" product I've found, and it's independently owned, which is another plus for me.
