We might not like a dirty sink, but a dirty planet is a bigger problem. Thank goodness zero waste cleaning products make it possible to shine and shimmer without the negative consequences.
Let’s be honest. Finding the motivation to clean is hard enough without the added eco angst. However, plastic-free cleaning products might just help you enjoy one of the world’s most despised tasks (here’s looking at you, dishes). And by reducing the clutter from plastic bottles, eco-friendly cleaning products can actually simplify your cleaning routine.
Across all manner of scrubbers, soaps, sprays, and sponges, we cleared away the grime to reveal some of the best zero waste cleaning brands using non-toxic ingredients.
To scrub up even further, our new Brand Rating System uses 22 different criteria, from climate action to waste and pollution, and we’ll be using it to update all of our articles including this one in the near future. For more details, have a read of our explainer.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Index: Plastic-Free Cleaning Products
- Blueland Jump to brand
- Zerowastestore Jump to brand
- etee Jump to brand
- Meliora Jump to brand
- EcoRoots Jump to brand
Blueland
Blueland’s Plastic-Free Cleaning Products USA
Blueland’s complete collection of zero waste cleaning essentials includes multi-surface, bathroom, and glass + mirror cleaners, as well as laundry and dishwasher detergent. All products are certified by EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle, and Leaping Bunny and do not contain parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates.
The only plastic involved is if you order a starter kit that includes a reusable Forever bottle. Otherwise, use your own bottle and opt for their refillable cleaning products that come in the form of dissolvable tablets mailed in compostable paper pouches.
The Laundry Starter Set includes a super cute ‘forever’ tin to store your tablets in, then simply top up with a refill pouch of 60 or 120 tablets.
About Blueland
With minimalist personal care and home products designed to “make it easy to be eco”, Blueland aims to keep the planet blue and your home green. Aside from green products, they do this by offering compostable or recyclable packaging and auditing their water and energy use.
They’re also a Certified B Corp, certified Climate Neutral, and part of the USDA BioPreferred program. While they do sometimes use palm oil, it’s always RSPO-certified.
Blueland’s plastic-free cleaning product subscription options can save money, but you can also buy individually as needed.
Our Personal Review Of Blueland’s Cleaning Products:
“We’ve been Blueland fans for a long time and have tried nearly all of this brand’s products. Their PVA-free laundry detergent tablets are a particular favorite as they perform equally well in cold or hot water when washing a small to medium load. We do occasionally add some of their Oxi Laundry Booster if clothing is really soiled.
Likewise, we found their wrapper-free dishwasher tablets perform really well, even on a short dishwasher cycle. Read: no stuck-on food or dubious residue. And for handwashing dishes, their dish soap powder is so easy to sprinkle on and comes in a handy ‘forever’ silicone shaker. While silicone isn’t biodegradable, it should last a very long time.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Zerowastestore
ZeroWasteStore’s Plastic-Free Household Cleaning Products
From plastic-free bathroom cleaning products to zero waste cleaning spray, ZeroWasteStore.com’s range covers your laundry, dishes, bathroom, and every surface in between.
They want to make sure you clean with only the best natural ingredients that are cruelty-free and vegan. Though some products contain common palm oil derivatives such as vegetable oils, glycerin, and stearic acid, ZeroWasteStore carefully vets all partner brands to ensure none are actually palm oil derived.
Reusable paper towels are one of our top recommended zero waste swaps, and ZWS delivers with Swedish dishcloths that come in fourteen adorable designs. Who said cleaning up messes couldn’t be fun?!
Made from cellulose and cotton, each sponge saves up to 17 rolls of paper towels. They’re able to absorb 3/4 cup liquid, so they are ideal for mopping up spills, but we find they’re super handy for all sorts of cleaning duties from wiping counters to washing dishes.
About ZeroWasteStore
ZeroWasteStore specializes in ALL things zero waste, not just zero waste cleaning supplies. Shop their huge selection of plastic-free kitchenware, pet care products, beauty products, gardening goodies, and much more.
Aside from shopping by interest, category, and brand, you can shop your values (though many items fall into all five value categories).
Most items are compostable or reusable. For the few with components that are not compostable, they partner with TerraCycle to ensure you can dispose of all your waste properly.
ZeroWasteStore is also a member of 1% for the Planet.
etee
etee’s Zero Waste Cleaning Products Canada
For cleaning any cloth or corner of the house, etee will bring some pure positiv-etee to your arsenal of zero waste cleaning supplies.
Their range includes zero waste dish soap, hand soap, PVOH-free laundry soap, probiotic toilet bowl cleaner, window cleaner, floor cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner, all made with plant-based ingredients and no toxic chemicals, parabens, or sulfates.
For dish soap, choose between a solid bar, a concentrated liquid soap, and concentrated powder for your dishwasher. The concentrated liquid soap is made with 100% plant-based ingredients and no synthetic preservatives, dyes, or foaming agents. It comes housed in an innovative beeswax-based pod that’s fully home compostable.
etee’s Foaming Hand Soap Concentrate also comes in compostable pods and a choice of Lavender Lime or Lemongrass scents. If you don’t already have your own dispenser, etee sells a reusable glass dispenser with a BPA-free plastic pump.
About etee
etee isn’t just one of Canada’s best plastic-free cleaning product brands. They also make all manner of personal care and dental products, as well as zero waste reusables.
With 90% made in North America and 100% packaged with recyclable, reusable, or compostable means, etee eliminates as much waste as possible.
They donate a portion of profits to Safe Horizon, MJHS Health System, and more.
Meliora
Meliora’s Zero Waste Cleaning Essentials USA
If your zero waste cleaning routine involves putting in a load (or two or three because you’ve put off doing it until you had no more clean, ethical underwear), check out Meliora’s line of vegan and plastic-free laundry detergents and stain sticks.
Meliora has Meli-MORE-a than that when it comes to zero waste cleaning supplies, though.
There’s also solid dish soap, gentle scrubs, and all-purpose cleaner. Dissolved in water, these become liquid, but the plastic-free cleaning product refills come in recyclable aluminum tins or compostable bags.
We’re all about minimizing the number of products needed to clean our home, and Meliora helps us achieve that with the All-Purpose Home Cleaner, which comes in the form of dissolvable cleaning tablets. Suitable for all hard surfaces, the concentrated, preservative-free tablets contain just four simple ingredients. Simply add to a spray bottle of warm water, shake gently until it dissolves, and you’re ready to go.
About Meliora
The brand’s full name is Meliora Cleaning Products, and they like to say, “Meliora Means Better”.
For this Certified B Corp, that means creating products that are great for the earth and all her inhabitants (AKA palm-oil free, non-toxic, and vegan).
Their Chicago factory is so sustainable that they welcome you to tour it!
The woman-owned and operated business and 1% For the Planet member provides fair wages and regularly donates to organizations like Women’s Voices for the Earth.
EcoRoots
EcoRoots’ Zero Waste Cleaning Products USA
If you’ve been wondering where to buy zero waste cleaning products, EcoRoots is a good place to look. Their home and kitchen range tackles two of our most common cleaning shores: dishes and laundry (ugh).
Their dish soap blocks and laundry detergent sheets are vegan, cruelty-free, and made entirely with biodegradable plant-based ingredients.
For plastic-free cleaning tools, they have wooden brushes, reusable cloths, and compostable and/or reusable scrubbers featuring a beechwood handle and plant-based fiber bristles. The durable dish scrubber is a zero waste kitchen essential and useful for all sorts of scrubbing jobs around the house. When it finally wears out, it can be added to your compost heap or buried in the garden and left to biodegrade.
About EcoRoots
Founded in Aspen, Colorado, EcoRoots educates us on the impact of plastic consumption, as well as what alternatives exist.
Plastic is in literally everything, and EcoRoots’ goal is to change that, starting with the home and our most commonly used bath and beauty products.
EcoRoots is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, only uses recyclable materials for shipping, and has made it possible for small, conscious businesses to sell their planet-friendly products on a larger platform.
I used to use Dr.Bronners, but just can’t take all that plastic anymore. Hoping they change packaging at some point
Agree! They opt for the recycled packaging model which does have a place I think (and they are particularly conscious about it) but there is a strong argument for getting the packaging to be as low impact as possible at the source.
ec30? any comments on them?
Hi Kim, we haven’t come across ec30 yet unfortunately, do you know anyone who has tried them? Worth the investigation?
I was wondering the same about Blueland.
Hi Joy and Alexis, they’re just not on our radar. We’ll take a look on the next update of this article! Thanks for letting us know about them!
I’ve recently been interested in Blueland cleaning supplies, did they not make the cut or were they just not on the radar?