While the aftermath of a good household clean is always good for the soul, it’s not always great for your health or for the environment. Conventional cleaning products often contain toxic chemicals associated with skin and respiratory irritation, hormonal disruption, and other health issues. Plus, the majority are packaged in single use plastics, which aren’t doing the environment any favours.
Fortunately, we’ve seen a shift away from conventional cleaners laden with harsh chemicals. In their place is a new crop of considered cleaning products that not only ensure an efficacious clean but prioritise non-toxic, plant-based formulas, cruelty-free production processes, and come in recycled or biodegradable packaging.
To make your transition towards a more sustainable home easier, we’ve rounded up our favourite natural, eco-friendly cleaning products. From chic packaging to beautiful botanical scents, these products make cleaning cool again.
1. Zero Co
Waging war against single-use plastic, Australian startup Zero Co promotes circular sustainability through a unique business model. Made from plastic waste pulled from the ocean, each Zero Co ‘Forever Bottle’ is designed to be kept for a lifetime and refilled with products housed in pouches crafted from plastic diverted from landfills. Once used, the empty pouches can be sent back to be cleaned, refilled, and reused. As for the products themselves? They’re all plant-based and non-toxic, with efficacious formulas to target every room in the house. Standouts include the laundry liquid, dishwashing liquid, strain remover, and toilet cleaner, which all boast fresh scents like lemon myrtle, finger lime, and lemon aspen.
2. The Dirt Company
Taking a less is more approach to sustainable cleaning, The Dirt Company creates highly-concentrated formulas in minimalist chic packaging. The small but potent range of cleaning products comprises laundry detergent; wool and delicate wash; and stain remover. To reduce – and ultimately eliminate – plastic waste, The Dirt Company products come housed in recyclable refill pouches which can be decanted into glass dispenser bottles. Upon finishing your concentrate, each refill pouch can be sent back to The Dirt Company to be refilled and returned, creating a zero-waste cycle. Created with plant-based surfactants and naturally derived fragrances (think eucalyptus, lavender, cedarwood, and basil), all The Dirt Company products are non-toxic, vegan-friendly, and biodegradable.
3. Koala Eco
Developed in collaboration with an organic chemist, Koala Eco products harness the power of native Australian botanicals to rid your spaces of germs and bacteria. Its comprehensive suite of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products includes laundry liquid, dish soap, room spray, bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, and even dog wash. Powered by natural essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon myrtle, and peppermint, Koala Eco products suffuse your home with the beautiful scents of the Australian landscape. They come in recycled and recyclable rPET packaging, with the option to purchase chic green glass ‘forever’ bottles and 1L refills.
4. Planet Luxe
Merging luxury with nature, Planet Luxe creates cleaning products from pure essential oils. Housed in minimalist-chic packaging, they look good in your home and get the job done.
5. Dr. Bronner’s
If you’re game enough to simplify the cleaning process altogether, Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner makes the case for switching to just one product. An all-in-one cleaner made with plant-based surfactants and essential oils, this concentrate can be mixed with hot or cold water to be used to do dishes and laundry, as well as clean floors and other surfaces.
6. Ethique
Eco-friendly beauty and lifestyle brand Ethique have expanded their range to include household products, offering plastic-free concentrated kitchen, bathroom, and dishwashing cleaners. Made from essential oils and non-toxic, plant-based ingredients, Ethique is the ideal choice for the sustainably minded.
7. Cove Cleaning
Prioritising sustainability, Cove Cleaning encourages consumers to rethink how we use products. Rather than packaging with single use in mind, Cove Cleaning products come in refillable aluminium bottles that are designed to be kept forever. After your first purchase, you can stock up on refillable pouches; a system designed to reduce wastage. The formulas themselves are vegan and non-toxic, featuring fresh, natural scents like mint, lemon, and eucalyptus.
8. Bondi Wash
Combining fragrance with science, Bondi Wash uses Australian botanicals and other essential oils to create effective products that are safe for your household and the environment. With scents like Tasmanian pepper, lavender, lemon tea tree, and mandarin, the scents emanating from Bondi Wash’s range make the cleaning process enjoyable.
9. Williams Sonoma
Popular American homeware brand Williams Sonoma makes biodegradable, environmentally-friendly kitchen and surface cleaning formulas free from parabens, chlorine, and other toxic chemicals. Utilising natural essential oils, the scents like grapefruit, meyer lemon, lemongrass, and ginger, reflect the brand’s culinary roots.
10. Banyar Jagun
First Nations-owned Banyar Jagun makes eco-friendly products accessible, with its non-toxic, biodegradable formulas available at eminently affordable prices (starting from $5.95AUD). Key products in the range are an all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, heavy duty degreaser, and toilet cleaner, the latter of which is scented with neroli and vanilla.
11. Nontre
Nontre boasts a robust range of biodegradable home care products, including an all-purpose spray, bathroom cleaner, dish soap, laundry liquid, and home and linen spray. Each formula comes in an array of nature-inspired scents; think royal blossom, thyme and olive, and pine and sea minerals.
Words by AR Staff
Feature image by Steven Meisel for Vogue US