With the number of people suffering from asthma and allergies increasing over time, it’s about time we go green and adopt a more environmentally-friendly cleaning approach to keeping our house spotlessly clean and protect our loved ones from hazardous (and completely unnecessary) chemicals. Here is a list of the 10 best eco-friendly products we believe deserve a spot in everyone’s house, from brands that seem to have taken their role seriously.
1. Honest Dishwasher Packs ($10.95)
The Honest Company has been focusing on providing the public with concentrated mineral-based formulas and septic safe products made of plants that clean perfectly without any harmful petrochemicals, bleach, and residues. What you get from the Dishwasher Packs is brighter dishes, pots, silverware, glasses, and pans (regardless of water temperature) without any icky residue whatsoever!
2. Method Daily Shower Spray ($4.04)
Have your bathtub or shower stall, alongside all other bathroom surfaces clean without inhaling chemicals and toxins that could cause respiratory problems, and enjoy a spa-like smell infused with bright notes of ylang-ylang, and a bit of a honeysuckle-flowers mix. Forget all about endless scrubbing and wiping; no more soap scums. Cleaning your bathroom is made a breeze!
3. Ecover Floor Soap ($4.5)
One of the surfaces that we do need to keep clean is the floor, especially when there are small kids running around and picking stuff off the floor. We know the drill. Everything they pick up is put right inside their mouth. For that reason, floors should be diligently clean with a plant-based product, rather than bleach that may kill germs but leaves an obnoxious odor and dangerous fumes. The Floor Soap is perfect for natural stone or tiled floors and will leave them bright and shiny, in a super eco-friendly way.
4. Seventh Generation All Purpose Natural Cleaner ($4.31)
They say that its fans swear by it. Judging by the results it brings to house-cleaning, I can believe that. This all-purpose 91% bio-based product is tough on grease, dirt, and stains, non-toxic, 100% free of harsh solvents, and respects your skin. It also works like a charm on stainless steel, granite, marble, and several other surfaces (practically every surface inside a house). Seventh Generation’s mission is to help protect our world (which is our home) with effective and environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Well, that works for me just fine.
5. Greener Choice OxiBrite Laundry Detergent 946ml ($12.38)
Greener Choice delivers us non-toxic, biodegradable, dye-free and phosphate-free cleaning products. The Laundry Detergent contains essential oils and naturally derived surfactants and no known carcinogens as identified by the IARC (International Agency for the Research on Cancer) that allows us to heave a sigh of relief knowing that our family is protected by products that have been designed with us in mind. Needless to say, nothing was tested on animals.
6. Ecover Washing up Liquid 1l ($62.99 for a pack of 6)
Cut right through grime and hear that sparkling sound of perfectly clean dishes play like music to your ears. This Eco-friendly washing up liquid also takes care of your hands, due to its marigold-camomile extracts and milk, and leaves a beautiful, mesmerizing smell in the air as you wash your dinner plates and glasses. Knowing that it only has natural and mineral compounds, I don’t think we could be happier dealing with grease and sending them back to where they belong without risking our health in the process!
7. Nature Clean Glass Cleaner ($4.79)
A basic ingredient in all glass cleaners, and not only, Ammonia, is said to be highly toxic and a suspected carcinogen. Right or wrong, it’s always best to have Eco-friendly and health-promoting products around the house, just to make sure we are on the safest side possible. Nature Clean’s Glass & Window Cleaner uses a wildflower called Witch Hazel as an environmentally-friendly Ammonia alternative, whose applications are wide in the pharma industry. This very ingredient, attributes antiseptic and astringent properties to the glass cleaner and definitely leaves glass surfaces streak-free. If I had to choose between a hypoallergenic, ammonia-free, biodegradable, non-toxic, septic safe product and one that uses chemicals that could harm my health and the health of my beloved ones, then I guess we have a clear winner!
8. Method Fabric Softener ($6.99)
These people say they make our clothes softer than “a basket of kittens” and based on how my clothes feel after using it, they get pretty close. The Fabric Softener uses a new technology called Smartsoft (with plants being the prime ingredient) and an extended line of fragrances (I have a flair for Lavender & Lilac, but there are plenty to choose from) and softening oils that have joined powers and leave clothes feeling like a fresh spring breeze and oh-so-cuddly. Plus it is ultra-concentrated; hence its 600ml are more than enough for 50-60 loads.
9. Simple Green® Bio Dog Stain & Odor Remover ($9.99)
Although having a pet at home is adorable and a great company, messes do happen that YOU (who else?) has to clean them up. Owing a cute dog, I know first-hand that I wished many times for a product that could effectively remove odors and discourage remarking and resoiling, which seem to come naturally to dogs, regardless of training. I may love my dog, but I also fall head over heels for my kids and I want them to live in a quality environment. The Simple Green stain and odor remover is, of course, pet-safe and is great as a carpet cleaner or spot remover on organic pet accidents.
Finally, we can now have a non-toxic, Eco-friendly, and very efficient product to remove pet-related messes and odors while having the house smelling wonderfully fresh and looking clean.
10. Shaklee Get Clean® Water ($105.95 -member price)
I have tried many water filtration systems before and they all provided my family with quality water that tasted much better than before being filtered. However, nothing gave me the closest taste to distilled water and I have found it with this water filtration pitcher system. They say it reduces lead by up to 99%, and saves more than 2,400 plastic bottles from ending up in the landfill (from bottle water usage). Now, if even half of these are true, I am very happy.
Cleaner water and house, and healthier planet and people I love and care much for? I’ll certainly drink to that.