Shopping·6 min read

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products to Help Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Eco-friendly refillable cleaning products
Design: theSkimm | Photo: Blueland
April 22, 2024

This post was originally published in March 2022 and has been updated.

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

We're all trying to do our best when it comes to the impact we make on the environment. One easy way to do that? Being more mindful of the products you use to clean your home. If you're looking to make the swap to more sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly cleaning products, we've rounded up some options that'll help you live mindfully.

blueland refillable bottles
Blueland

A refillable cleaning kit that uses mess-free tablets…

Blueland offers hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and more sans single-use plastics. Just add one of their tablets to your reusable container with water to get cleaning. If you’re new to the brand, you can buy one-off products to start, but we love their Clean Essentials Kit. You’ll get all four of the brand’s bestsellers — foaming hand soap, bathroom cleaner, multipurpose cleaner, and glass cleaner — and four forever bottles ($46, Blueland)

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Force of Nature

A toxin-free multipurpose cleaner that’s actually effective…

It’s easy to ignore the fact that a lot of cleaning products are actually bad for us. But this year, we decided to do something about that. Enter: our latest obsession from Force of Nature. In this starter kit, you’ll get five recyclable activator tablets that are filled with water, salt, and vinegar. To create and activate your multipurpose solution, you’ll fill the brand’s Electrolyzer (which is essentially just a mixer) with tap water and add one tablet. You can then pour the solution into the corresponding spray bottle. It’s a medical-grade disinfectant that’s 99.9% effective, EPA-approved, and cuts through dirt, grease, and grime. So…it’s a miracle. Psst…use code START40 for 40% off and free shipping on bundles. ($70, Force of Nature)

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Grove Collaborative

A marketplace for a wide variety of eco-friendly household products…

Grove Collaborative offers an array of sustainable household, personal care, clean beauty, kids, and pet products. We love the brand’s own label, which includes products like reusable glass bottles with different-colored silicone sleeves to keep track of what’s inside, this apple and pear blossom–scented tub cleaner, and these wool dryer balls. Grove Collaborative uses a subscription model that gives you flexibility with your monthly deliveries, plus a $19.99 VIP yearly membership for free shipping and more. (Price varies, Grove Collaborative)

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Supernatural

Reusable cleaning products scented with essential oils…

Supernatural uses plant-based ingredients, minerals, and essential oils in its cleaning formulas. Their starter set has wood floors, granite countertops, glass and windows, and bathroom tile covered. Our obsession: their powdered hand soap, which comes with a refillable aluminum shaker. (Price varies, Supernatural)

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Biom

Biodegradable all-purpose wipes made from plants…

Those cleaning wipes you love and have used forever? They’re probably made from thermoplastic materials. Consider Biom’s 100% plant-based wipes as a swap. These wipes are perfect for countertop spills, removing grime on your appliances, and cleaning tiles. The chic refillable dispenser comes in eight different colors and has a magnetic seal to keep your wipes fresh. ($54, Biom)

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Amazon washcloths
Amazon

Reusable Swedish dishcloths to swap in for your paper towels…

Swap out your single-use paper towels for these. Cellulose cloths are perfect for all around the house since they’re incredibly absorbent and fast-drying. One can last up to 100 washes before being composted. To wash them, you can throw them on the top wrack of your dishwasher. ($16.95/10-pack, Amazon)

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Dropps

Cruelty-free laundry detergent pods…

Detergent pods are necessary for the days that you can’t be bothered. These pods from Dropps are a favorite from the Ginny Weasley herself and smell amazing thanks to their notes of lavender and eucalyptus. They’re made of plant-based ingredients and natural enzymes to ensure that your stains disappear. An added bonus: The membranes easily dissolve in water and you just need one pod per load. ($26/64 pods, Dropps)

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Eco friendly cleaning products
Dirty Labs

A biodegradable dishwasher detergent…

This ultra-concentrated two-in-one formula has been designed with ingredients to break down harsh messes, with no pre-wash needed. It comes in a yuzu, geranium, and lemon scent and a fragrance-free option. It gets bonus points for a recyclable cardboard container and bamboo scoop. ($18, Dirty Labs)

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Eco friendly cleaning products
Amazon

A bamboo dish cleaning set…

Ditch the plastic kitchen tools with these pan, dish, glass, and veggie brushes, all made from eco-friendly materials like coconut and sisal bristles. The items have an ergonomic, minimalist design that won’t cause wear and tear on your special pots or pans. ($19.99, Amazon)

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