Zero Waste Biodegradable Cleaners (the best brands)
Greenscents is a Somerset brand that offers refillable cleaners in glass bottles, including a Nonscents unscented range. Read our interview with Greenscents!
Use code GSENGLANDNATURALLY for 15% off entire order (minimum purchase £20)
Conventional cleaners have all kinds of issues from not biodegrading to being made with artificial fragrance to being tested on animals. Try these more natural alternatives instead.
Use eco-cleaners with plastic-free cleaning cloths and sponges (SEEP also sells fair trade rubber gloves in cardboard packs). Keep all cleaners away from electrical components.
Choose unscented brands for pregnancy/nursing and near babies and pets (citrus oils in particular are toxic, even if dried and licked from laws on countertops or floors). Never mix vinegar or lemon juice with any bleach (causes toxic gas). Read how to clean floors naturally (without harming spiders).
Miniml refillable cleaning products (with Yorkshire water!)
Miniml offers a range of products made with natural ingredients (all scented) with Yorkshire water. Take back to stores to refill, or use the QR code to send off for cleaning and refilling.
Spruce (refillable natural cleaning products)
Spruce uses natural ingredients, sold in starter kits to ‘create your own cleaner’ with tap water. Then just rinse and use the bottles again.
We don’t recommend the laundry sheets, as most are PLA-based (polyvinyl alcohol) so are not really plastic-free – use eco laundry powders).
You then just buy refill sachets to make up new batches. To avoid overwhelm, there are just few choices:
- Multipurpose Cleaner (geranium) for countertops, tiles, stone, wood and sealed surfaces.
- Bathroom Cleaner (eucalyptus) for tubs, tiles, ceramic, stainless steel & porcelain)
- Floor Cleaner (bergamot, patchouli, geranium).
- Eco sponges (add to your order to avoid plastic sponges)
- Glass & Mirror Set (peppermint) for windows and mirrors.
You can order each item separately or mix-and-match. For instance, you may only wish to buy the multi-purpose and glass cleaner (using the former to clean the bathroom). Each order includes aluminium eternity bottles and paper refill sachets, which you can compost when empty.
Most users say they use up one bottle’s worth of product in around 2 months, with regular cleaning. Obviously this may be more for big houses, housekeepers or professional use (offices, restaurants, hotels etc).
Delphis Eco (commercial cleaning products)
Delphis Eco is the main brand of commercial eco-friendly cleaning products for offices, hotels, restaurants, schools, doctor/dental surgeries, hospitals etc. The entire range is biodegradable, sold in recycled plastic bottles and has super reviews!
Use floor cleaners with a plastic-free mop or use a bucket filter if using a microfiber mop, to stop leaching microplastics (collect and securely bin them, to avoid them washing away at landfill).
The range includes:
- Foaming & Combi Oven Cleaners
- Heavy Duty Toilet & Limescale Remover
- Washroom Cleaner & Urinal Blocks
- Metal Polish
- Chewing Gum Remover
- Natural Salad Wash
- Commercial Hand Soap
- Floor Maintainer (for mops or floor machines)
- Heavy Duty Degreaser
- Scented Air Freshener
- Cabinet Glass Wash
- Masonry & Stone Cleaner
- Waterless Hand Rub
- Low Foam Degreaser
- X-Factor Stain Remover Spray (for sticky marks, spills & pen marks).
This brand was founded by a city banker, who also created the ‘recycled plastic rating’ code on bottles. Despite being the main brand used by most supermarkets for their warehouses, they rarely sell them to consumers – why not?
Where to recycle toxic cleaning products
If you have some toxic products that you no longer wish to use, don’t pour them down the sink, as this can harm waterways. You can recycle empty containers with household waste. With bottles still containing product, your council should be able to collect via the hazardous waste department. The fact that this is where they should be taken, is good reason to switch to a more natural brand!
