12 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly All Purpose Cleaning Products For Your Sparkly Green Home

Why Choose Non-Toxic Cleaning Products?

Non-toxic cleaning products often use plant-based ingredients like essential oils that are gentle to your skin when cleaning in contrast to the harmful chemicals like ammonia that are commonly used in traditional cleaners.

Non-toxic cleaning products don’t release harmful fumes during or after cleaning. Compared to a traditional cleaner that may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) some of which are toxic gasses that can cause respiratory issues, fatigue, and headaches.

As a parent, you might also feel at ease using cleaners with safer ingredients. You will find that non-toxic cleaners are less toxic and have less severe outcomes when accidentally ingested.

Are Non-Toxic Cleaners as Effective?

The short answer is yes, non-toxic cleaners are as effective as their toxic alternative and here 4 main ingredients that make this possible:

1. Plant-derived Surfactants

Many non-toxic cleaners use plant-derived surfactants. These are molecules that interact with water and oily substances which results in an effortless cleaning process. Common plant-based surfactants include:

• Decyl glucoside is made from coconut and corn sugar and it's a gentle surfactant that is effective at cutting through grease and grime.
• Lauryl glucoside is another coconut-derived surfactant that's excellent for cleaning and safe for sensitive skin.
• Sodium coco sulfate is also a coconut-based alternative to the harsher sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates a good lather and cleans effectively.

2. Enzymes

Enzymes are another key ingredient that you will find in many effective non-toxic cleaners. They are biological catalysts that are specifically designed to break down certain types of stains or dirt. 

For example, protease enzymes target protein-based stains like blood or grass, while lipase enzymes work on oily or greasy messes.

3. Natural Acids and Bases

The cleaning power of acids and bases is also utilized in non-toxic products but with safer alternatives to toxic chemicals in traditional cleaners. 

Vinegar, for instance, is a mild acid that can effectively cut through soap scum and hard water deposits. Baking soda, a gentle base, can scrub away tough stains without scratching surfaces. When combined, these natural ingredients can create a powerful cleaning reaction that rivals many traditional products.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils, while often added for their pleasant scents, can also contribute to a product's cleaning efficacy. 

Many essential oils have natural antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral properties. Tea tree oil, for example, is known for its ability to control mold and mildew, while lemon oil can help cut through grease and grime.

3 Tips For Proper Usage of Non-Toxic Cleaners

1. Effective Application

While non-toxic cleaners can be highly effective, it's important to note that they may work differently than traditional products. Some non-toxic cleaners may require more time to sit on a surface so as to work effectively. 

This doesn't mean they're less powerful; they're simply working in a way that's gentler on surfaces and safer for you. You may also notice that stubborn stains or heavy-duty cleaning tasks may require a bit more elbow grease. However, this manual effort is often a small trade-off for the health and environmental benefits. 

Moreover, over time you may find that regular use of non-toxic cleaners actually leads to easier cleaning, as harsh chemical residues that can attract dirt are eliminated.

2. Use The Right Tools

The tools that you may use alongside non-toxic cleaners can also impact their effectiveness. Microfiber cloths, for instance, are excellent companions to non-toxic products. Their ultra-fine fibers can help you trap dirt and bacteria more effectively than traditional cleaning cloths. 

Similarly, using scrub brushes with natural bristles or cellulose sponges can boost the efficacy of non-toxic cleaners on messes that you consider tough.

3. Pair With Natural Disinfection

For disinfection, you can pair non-toxic cleaners with natural disinfectants for an advantage against germs. 

Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is a powerful oxidizer that can eliminate a wide range of pathogens. When you use it with a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner, it can help provide a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Similarly, you can use high-proof alcohol or white vinegar as natural disinfectants in many situations.

The 12 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners We Recommend

1. Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner

This is a brand on a mission to make it easy for everyone to make a sustainable choice. Blueland has been an active participant in the fight to reduce Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) pollution in oceans, rivers, and soil.

• ‍Application Type: Concentrated tablets + reusable spray bottle‍
• Usage Instructions: Fill the refillable cleaning spray bottle with warm water, add one tablet, and let it dissolve. The starter set includes a refillable bottle and cleaning tablets that you can refill.‍
• Scent Types: Fresh lemon‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Its products are made without VOCs, chlorine bleach, and other harsh chemicals. They are also vegan, gluten-free, soy, and nut-free and its certifications include EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle Certified™, and Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free).

2. ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner

With EWG and ECOLOGO certifications for safety and sustainability, Attitude makes hypoallergenic cleaners with minimal ingredients.

• ‍Application Type: Ready-to-use all purpose cleaner spray‍
• Usage Instructions: Spray on the surface and wipe clean‍
• Scent Types: Unscented, citrus zest, lavender, pink grapefruit‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, hypoallergenic‍
• Sustainability Stats: EWG verified, ECOLOGO certified, carbon neutral company

3. Branch Basics Essentials Kit

Built around helping people avoid the use of toxic cleaning products in their homes, Branch Basics provides a course guide to free-toxin living.

• ‍Application Type: Liquid concentrate With glass or BPA-free plastic spray bottles (Their Essentials Kit)‍
• Usage Instructions: Dilute The Concentrate in the spray bottle according to your cleaning task(they provide a very helpful user guide)‍
• Scent Types: Unscented‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, it is hypoallergenic.‍
• Sustainability Stats: Refillable bottles, mineral based ingredients, and sustainable packaging. 

4. Force of Nature All In One Bundle

It’s a sustainable brand that was launched in an effort to rid cleaning products of toxic chemicals and single-use plastics. Force of Nature product’s main ingredients are salt, water, and vinegar.

• ‍Application Type: Liquid cleaner made with their appliance‍
• Usage Instructions: Fill the electrolyzer with water and its activator capsules, then spray and wipe surfaces‍
• Scent Types: Light clean scent‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes ‍
• Sustainability Stats: Reusable bottle, minimal packaging, and EPA registered disinfectant

5. Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner

Better Life was inspired by the power of nature to deliver an effective clean without harsh chemicals. Better Life’s products are designed to be safe for your home and the environment, using plant-derived ingredients that are gentle but powerful.

• ‍Application Type: Ready-to-use multipurpose home and kitchen spray.‍
• Usage Instructions: Spray directly on surfaces and wipe clean‍
• Scent Types: Natural scents like Pomegranate, Unscented, Clary Sage & Citrus.‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Biodegradable, cruelty-free, and made in the USA

6. Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate

This is a brand that commits itself to using at least 98.5% natural ingredients that are naturally derived, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Puracy’s products are gentle on sensitive skin but tough on dirt and grime.

• ‍Application Type: Everyday multi-surface cleaner concentrate or clean can starter set.‍
• Usage Instructions: Dilute the concentrate with water in their 250oz bottle as instructed. Spray on the surface, and then wipe clean with a dry paper or lint-free cloth.‍
• Scent Types: Organic lemon grass, green tea and lime.‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, hypoallergenic‍
• Sustainability Stats: Concentrated refills available, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and earth conscious.

7. ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner

This brand has 50 years of commitment to safer cleaning products. Ecos claims to be the world’s first company to make carbon neutral and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste facilities products.

• ‍Application Type: Ready-to-use plant-based multi-surface spray‍
• Usage Instructions: Spray and wipe clean‍
• Scent Types: Parsely, Orange‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Carbon neutral, water-neutral, 100% vegan, women owned, and Leaping Bunny Certified.

8. Aunt Fannie's All-Purpose Cleaners

Aunt Fannie’s philosophy is that there’s power in nature and it aims to show what it has to offer; they’re on a mission to clean up cleaning.

• ‍Application Type: Ready-to-use all purpose cleaning spray and biodegradable natural cleaning wipes. ‍
• Usage Instructions: Spray on the surface and wipe clean‍
• Scent Types: Clean natural scent‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Food-based ingredients, cruelty-free, made in the USA, and they are Leaping Bunny Certified.

9. Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner

Six cosmic principles helps guide Dr. Bronner’s brand: Work hard and grow, do right by customers, treat employees like family, be fair to suppliers, treat the earth like home, and fund and fight for what’s right. The Sal Sud cleaning concentrate is formulated for all surfaces, dishes and laundry!

• ‍Application Type: Liquid concentrate Sal Suds biodegradable cleaner.‍
• Usage Instructions: Dilute according to the cleaning task‍
• Scent Types: Fresh pine scent‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Organic ingredients, fair trade, 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and cruelty-free products.

10. Meliora All-Purpose Home Cleaner

It’s a Chicago-based brand that prides itself in manufacturing planet-friendly home cleaning and products. It also supports the Right-To-Know Acts as it continues to be transparent about its product’s ingredients.

• ‍Application Type: All purpose solid soap refill tablets‍
• Usage Instructions: Add a refill tablet to the bottle, dissolve the soap with warm water, spray on hard surfaces, and wipe clean until the surface is dry for a streak-free surface.‍
• Scent Types: Unscented‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Plastic-free packaging, B Corp certified, MADE SAFE® Certified, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and vegan.

11. The Supernatural Starter Set Cleaner

This concentrated cleaner comes in glass vials to mix with water. It uses powerful plant extracts and essential oils.

• ‍Application Type: Liquid concentrate glass vials with spray bottles ‍
• Usage Instructions: Mix one vial with water in a 13 oz spray bottle‍
• Scent Types: Various essential oil blends‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Generally yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: Glass packaging, plant-based ingredients, and cruelty-free products.

12. AspenClean Natural All-In-One Cleaner Concentrate

This brand offers EWG verified cleaners made with organic essential oils. AspenClean’s products are highly rated for safety and efficacy.

• ‍Application Type: The natural all-in-one cleaner concentrate.‍
• Usage Instructions: Dilute 1 Tbsp of concentrate with 650 ml of water in a spray bottle. 1 concentrate bottle will give you 35 multi purposes cleaning doses!‍
• Scent Types: Various essential oil blends‍
• Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes‍
• Sustainability Stats: EWG verified, organic ingredients, B Corp certified

Our Criteria For The Best Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners

Our process of selecting the best non-toxic and eco-friendly all-purpose cleaning product involves considering both their non-toxic properties and eco-friendly qualities. 

Non-Toxic Properties

We evaluate non-toxic cleaners by first checking the safety of their ingredients. We consider brands that avoid using harsh chemicals. We also value brands that are transparent about their ingredients and have third-party certifications from reputable organizations that can provide additional assurance of a product's safety.

Eco-Friendly Qualities

In our selection of eco-friendly cleaners, we look for products that use readily biodegradable ingredients that are friendly to the environment. The brands we choose from need to have sourced the ingredients sustainably by using plant-based ingredients from sustainable agriculture. The brands we select from also source their eco-friendly ingredients locally as much as possible.

5 DIY All-Purpose and Natural Cleaners for Your Home

We will show you our 5 picks of environmentally mindful cleaning tips that you might find useful in your cleaning routine. We hope you will enjoy making these cleaners from familiar, inexpensive ingredients:

1. Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

White vinegar and distilled water are the building blocks of this eco-friendly DIY cleaner. The result is a spray that you can use to clean glass, mirrors, and windows. Its ingredients include:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar or homemade orange peel vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Sal Suds
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Putting It Together

• Add the following to your spray bottle: vinegar, water, and essential oils or Sal Suds if it's your desired option.
• Then use the bottle’s spray nozzle to close the bottle and gently shake the bottle for the ingredients to mix. It’s recommended to shake every time before use.
• First, test it with a sample of the surface you want to clean and use a clean cloth to wipe and clean the surface.
• If you’re satisfied with the results, you might find it useful to clean various areas in your home.

2. Castile Soap All-Purpose Spray

Castille is an ancient natural soap from Spain that’s the primary compound in this cleaner. It can clean sensitive stone surfaces such as granite or marble in your home and comes in two forms; liquid soap and bar soap, but for this recipe, we will use the liquid soap. The ingredients include:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 tablespoons scented or unscented liquid castile soap OR 1 teaspoon Sal Suds
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Putting It Together

• In the spray bottle, add the distilled water, followed by the castile soap, or Sal Suds, and essential oil if you decide to include it.
• Make sure to tightly close the bottle with its spray nozzle and gently shake (you need to do this every time you want to use it).
• Test the all-purpose cleaner with a sample of the surface you want to clean, then use it if you are content with the sample results.

3. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

This is a natural cleaner with ingredients that you can easily put together and is best for hard surfaces that need cleaning. Its ingredients are:

• 1 tsp borax
• 1 tsp Castile soap
• ½ tsp washing soda (not the same as baking soda)
• 4 drops of lemon essential oil
• 4 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
• 2 cups distilled water

Putting It Together

• First, place the borax, washing soda, essential oils, and soap in your glass spray bottle.
• Follow with adding the distilled water into the glass spray bottle and remember to leave room for the sprayer.
• Close the glass spray bottle accordingly and shake to mix the ingredients. 
• Before using it for its intended purpose, test with a sample area and if the results impress you, have fun cleaning your home.

4. Lavender Mint All-Purpose Cleaner

This Lavender Mint DIY cleaner includes a few simple ingredients that will be effective in cleaning your household surfaces. The ingredients include:

• 16 ounces hydrogen peroxide 3%
• ½ teaspoon lavender essential oil
• ½ teaspoon lemon essential oil
• ⅛ teaspoon peppermint essential oil

Putting It Together

• You need to add all the ingredients together into your spray bottle
• Attach the spray nozzle and confirm it's well sealed, then gently shake the ingredients to mix
• You can test it on a sample surface to be sure it gives you the results you need
• Note that for best disinfecting results, spray on surfaces that need cleaning and leave for several minutes before coming back to wipe the surface clean

5. Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

It’s an all natural, simple, and straightforward DIY all purpose cleaning solution; use it to clean your walls, couches, or coffee table. Its ingredients are:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 15 drops of essential oils.
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid castile soap.

Putting It Together

• When all your ingredients are in one place, mix them(in a container of your choosing), and gently stir the mixture to mix well.
• Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and confirm you have attached the spray nozzle accordingly.
• Test the DIY all purpose cleaner on a sample of surface you need to clean. If satisfied with the results, you may use it to clean as you see fit.

Healthy Home Heroes

In our journey through the world of non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning solutions, we've uncovered that choosing these products is a win-win for personal well-being and the health of our planet. No need to sacrifice cleanliness for conservation—as we've learned, it’s entirely possible to nurture both.

With options from brands like Branch Basics and Puracy at the forefront, powerful cleaning is harmoniously paired with peace of mind. These products are not only gentle on sensitive skin and tough on dirt but also thoughtful in their earth-friendly packaging. Embracing them is a delightful stride toward safeguarding our shared home, ensuring a cleaner tomorrow for generations to come. Perfect!

FAQs

How do I choose non-toxic cleaning products?

To choose non-toxic cleaning products, look for labels that indicate they are free from harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Opt for products with natural, biodegradable ingredients and certifications from reputable organizations like EPA’s Safer Choice or Green Seal.

Is Meyers cleaner non-toxic?

Yes, Mrs. Meyers cleaners are considered non-toxic. They are made with plant-derived ingredients, essential oils, and are free from harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and phosphates.

Does Mrs Meyers contain formaldehyde?

No, Mrs. Meyers products do not contain formaldehyde. They are formulated to be free from formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals.

Does Mrs. Meyers have endocrine disruptors?

Mrs. Meyers products do not contain known endocrine disruptors. They are made with plant-based ingredients and essential oils, avoiding harmful chemicals.

How do I choose eco-friendly cleaning products?

To choose eco-friendly cleaning products, look for those with biodegradable ingredients, minimal packaging, and certifications like EcoLogo or Green Seal. Products with refill options and those made from renewable resources are also the best choices.

Are environmentally friendly cleaning products effective?

Yes, environmentally friendly cleaning products can be very effective. Many are formulated to clean as well as, or better than, traditional cleaners without the harmful side effects. They use natural ingredients that are tough on dirt and grime.