Household goods Recommendation Service

Top
Household goods
8 Best Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)

8 Best Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)

We’ve long been fed this idea that cleaning our homes has to be an almost dangerous endeavor, that toxic chemicals are necessary to kill all the germs that could be lurking around. But that’s simply not true, and toxic cleaners aren’t just bad for bacteria, they’re harmful to us and the environment, too.

Luckily, there is an increasing number of eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaners that get the job done just as well. But if you’re new to the world of eco-friendly cleaners, it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide reviewed by an environmental scientist, we’ll talk about the main factors to consider when choosing the best cleaner for you. We’ve also got a list of our 8 favorites to help you begin your search.

Last updated: 08-21-2022

Table of Contents

How to Choose an Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner - Buying Guide

Since all-purpose cleaners could literally touch every surface of your home, it’s important to consider both the makeup of the cleaner as well as your own situation.

Make Sure Labeling Is Transparent About Ingredients and Cleanable Surfaces

One of the worst things about cleaning products is that they are not required to disclose ingredients, so we really have no way of knowing what’s in them. If a cleaner has ingredients on the bottle, you already know that it’s head and shoulders above the rest.

For the Most Natural Cleaners, Look for Familiar Ingredients

You don’t actually need dangerous chemicals to clean things effectively. In fact, some of the best cleaners include ingredients that you might be able to buy yourself. Some ingredients that you might find are baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, and good old-fashioned soap.

Just be aware that vinegar and some essential oils may be unsuitable for certain surfaces, so always check to see the usage instructions before you get to cleaning your whole house. This is especially important for those looking to clean easily damageable surfaces like leather and unfinished wood.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Artificial Fragrances and Dyes

It’s hard to say “avoid chemicals” since even the cleanest, greenest cleaners will likely have a few chemical-y or scientific-sounding ingredients on their label, and it’s impossible to decipher every single one. Some commonly known chemicals to avoid include ammonia and bleach.

Luckily, by checking to see if the cleaner even has an ingredients list, you’re likely cutting out the worst chemicals for you - because the ones that are full of harmful chemicals usually don’t want you to know exactly what’s in them.

But there are still a couple of seemingly benign things to avoid including artificial fragrances and dyes.

Artificial fragrances are full of phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors, as well as volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches and respiratory distress. Dyes, on the other hand, are simply added chemicals without added benefits.

Look for Reputable Stamps and Certifications

Greenwashing is when a product claims to be more healthful than it really is in order to look more appealing. This happens all the time in food products, but did you know that it can also happen in cleaning products?

Official Seals Guarantee the Product Has Been Rigorously Tested

It’s kind of trendy to be eco-friendly right now – that may even be the reason you’re here. In response to that, a lot of products now claim to be “natural,” “green,” or “organic.” But unlike food items, there’s no regulatory system to define what these terms mean for cleaning products.

A lot of times, these “green” versions of chemical-laden products are simply the same formulation minus one or two ingredients. So in order to really figure out what’s good and what’s not, you’re going to have to look past the appealing organic-looking labels, no matter how enticing they may be.

An easy way to cut past the greenwashing is to look for reputable stamps and certifications. Some examples of stamps to look for are Green Seal, EcoLogo label, or EPA Safer Choice Label. All of these involve high standards and rigorous testing.

Environmental Working Group Ratings: A Simple Guide to Toxicity and Transparency

The Environmental Working Group is an environmental advocacy group that conducts research and oversight on agriculture, toxins, and corporate accountability. To get a quick, simple overview of how green a product is, look towards the EWG’s A through F rating system available on their website.

The EWG considers a number of factors when coming up with a product’s grade including ingredients, transparency, and government toxicity datasets.

While it isn’t perfect—not all products are rated, products can be penalized for listing general ingredients instead of specific ones, and these ratings are based on calculations rather than testing—it’s a decent measure of how “green” you can expect a product’s ingredients to be.

Don’t Choose Antibacterial Unless You’re Immunocompromised

Many scientists think that the next big health crisis is going to be antibacterial-resistant bacteria due to our overuse of antibiotics and antibacterial cleaners. We’ve been tricked into thinking that bacteria equals dirty and dangerous, when in fact the majority of bacteria have no effect on us or are even helpful.

So on top of creating antibacterial-resistant strains of the bad bugs, using too many antibacterial products actually disrupts the good bacteria too. Unless someone in your household has a compromised immune system and requires a squeaky clean environment, you can put the antibacterials away and stop freaking out about germs.

8 Best Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaners

Here are our favorite eco-friendly all-purpose cleaners. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Gwen Lynn. For more on our selection process, check out our content policy. Prices were gathered from respective EC sites on August 4, 2022.

Image	1 Green Gobbler	2 ECOS	3 Aunt Fannie’s	4 Biokleen	6 Method	6 Better Life	7 Puracy	8 CleanSmart
Name	Cold Pressed Orange Oil Concentrate	Parsley All Purpose Cleaner	All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar - Eucalyptus	All Purpose Cleaner, Super Concentrated	All Purpose Cleaner, French Lavender	Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, Clary Sage & Citrus (3 pack)	Natural All Purpose Cleaner (2 pack)	Daily Surface Cleaner (2 pack)
Features	2 Ingredients Do Just About Everything	A Green Cleaner That Leaves the House Smelling Fresh	Vinegar-Based Cleaner to Protect Your Microbiome	Concentrated Cleaner Makes Up to 32 Gallons	Effective, Non-Toxic Cleaner in Bulk	A Super Tough, Truly All-Purpose Cleaner	Plant-Based and Works Well for Everyday Messes	Non-Toxic Disinfectant for Families With Children or Pets
Price	$21.98	$9.59	$8.99	$12.56	$3.58	$18.39	$11.97	$15.99
Cleans	All surfaces	All surfaces	Most surfaces except stone and some woods	Most surfaces	Counters, tile, stone, wood, glass	All surfaces	All surfaces	Any non-porous surface
Certifications	–	EPA BfE, USDA Biopreferred	–	–	–	–	–	–
EWG rating	–	B	A	A	B	C	A	–
Antibacterial	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Link	View Amazon View Walmart	View Amazon View Walmart	View Amazon View Walmart	View Amazon	View Amazon (3 pack) View Walmart View Target	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

Green GobblerCold Pressed Orange Oil Concentrate

$21.98

2 Ingredients Do Just About Everything

This cleaner can be used for almost anything. This concentrated cleaner has just two ingredients – orange oil and a coconut - based surfactant–and works against all types of grime, on fabric, and even acts as a weed killer and ant repellant.

However, the orange oil can be irritating to the skin when undiluted and is quite flammable. But as long as you’re careful about storage, this could very well be your Holy Grail cleaner.

Reviewers love the fresh orange scent and that it can be diluted down to last longer. It works well for multiple purposes - including cleaning off mold, killing pests, and making your bathroom sparkling clean.

Cleans	All surfaces
Certifications	–
EWG rating	–
Antibacterial	No

ECOSParsley All Purpose Cleaner

$9.59

A Green Cleaner That Leaves the House Smelling Fresh

This cleaner is great for use during the winter if you like your home to smell like spring. This cleaner uses the power of parsley to clean and deodorize, leaving everything smelling simply fresh.

It cleans counters, floors, and cabinets with ease and even leaves mirrors and windows streak-free. It is made from plant-based ingredients, is not tested on animals, and is pH balanced.

Although the picture on Amazon shows two bottles, note that you're only ordering one when you purchase it. But reviewers like the smell of the cleaner and say it works well.

Cleans	All surfaces
Certifications	EPA BfE, USDA Biopreferred
EWG rating	B
Antibacterial	No

Aunt Fannie’sAll Purpose Cleaning Vinegar - Eucalyptus

$8.99

Vinegar-Based Cleaner to Protect Your Microbiome

This cleaner is made with only food-based ingredients and promises not to disrupt the delicate microbiome in your home with any unnecessary antibacterials. It’s great for light to medium cleaning and is safe for children and pets.

However, this vinegar-based cleaner should not be used on stone countertops and floors as well as some wood surfaces. Also, note that it does have a mild vinegar scent until it dries - which was a make or break for some reviewers.

Reviewers say it works well on glass, stainless steel, and kitchen counters. It's also great for stains and spills.

Cleans	Most surfaces except stone and some woods
Certifications	–
EWG rating	A
Antibacterial	No

BiokleenAll Purpose Cleaner, Super Concentrated

$12.56

View product on Amazon

Concentrated Cleaner Makes Up to 32 Gallons

If you don’t mind an extra step, this concentrated cleaner can be used for everything from daily countertop wiping to heavy-duty bathroom cleaning just by mixing it at different concentrations. For everyday use, this bottle will make up to 32 gallons.

It is fully non-toxic, made in the USA, and produced in a facility that does not share any lines with hazardous materials. The company is also certified Ozone safe and runs on clean energy offsets.

Some reviewers say that it doesn't work well on cutting grease, but many more say it works exceptionally well on cleaning almost everything else. It only has a slight citrus smell to it, so those sensitive to odors can still enjoy using this.

Cleans	Most surfaces
Certifications	–
EWG rating	A
Antibacterial	No

amazon.com

Better LifeNatural All-Purpose Cleaner, Clary Sage & Citrus (3 pack)

$18.39

View product on Amazon

A Super Tough, Truly All-Purpose Cleaner

This cleaner is plant-based, non-toxic, and tough on even difficult messes like soap scum, hard water stains, and cooked-on food splatters. Plus, it’s safe for use on fabrics and can be used as a pre-spotter. It also comes unscented, if you prefer.

The reason for the C rating from the EWG is that one of the ingredients may be bad for marine life, but if you’re using it on surfaces within your home, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Some reviewers received their package damaged, with some of the cleaner leaking or spilling. They also say you might have to scrub harder than usual to use it effectively. But most say that the cleaner has a nice, subtle scent and doesn't leave any residue. They particularly love how it's safe, though.

Cleans	All surfaces
Certifications	–
EWG rating	C
Antibacterial	No

MethodAll Purpose Cleaner, French Lavender

$3.58

Effective, Non-Toxic Cleaner in Bulk

For those who like to buy in bulk, this 8-pack of non-toxic, wallet-friendly cleaner could be for you. This cleaner is made from corn- and coconut-based surfactants, has not been tested on animals, and comes in a bottle made from recycled plastic.

It is highly effective even on tougher messes, doesn’t leave streaks, and has a pleasant scent. However, a few reviewers note that the delivery packaging may cause some bottles to arrive damaged.

The scent isn't too strong, but still clean and refreshing - which was the highlight for most reviewers. It also does clean well - just spray it, let it sit for a bit, then wipe it off. It works best with stainless steel and glass.

Cleans	Counters, tile, stone, wood, glass
Certifications	–
EWG rating	B
Antibacterial	No

PuracyNatural All Purpose Cleaner (2 pack)

$11.97

View product on Amazon

Plant-Based and Works Well for Everyday Messes

This cleaner contains only plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and can cut through most messes including grease, oil, adhesives, and spills. It is naturally scented and is light enough for even those with sensory sensitivities.

While this spray is great on everyday messes, it isn’t quite strong enough to handle really caked-on grime. Additionally, some reviewers report streaking when not using a microfiber cloth, so if you’re against microfiber, be prepared for possible residue.

On the other hand, reviewers love that it leaves everything fresh smelling and how it's naturally sourced and nontoxic.

Cleans	All surfaces
Certifications	–
EWG rating	A
Antibacterial	No

CleanSmartDaily Surface Cleaner (2 pack)

$15.99

View product on Amazon

Non-Toxic Disinfectant for Families With Children or Pets

This disinfecting cleaner is the definition of non-toxic and is great for households with young children and pets. It’s made only from hypochlorous acid and water, which breaks down into a saline solution and is safe for eating surfaces without rinsing.

However, this cleaner is best used as a surface cleaner and won’t cut through grease very well. Some reviewers also note issues with the spray nozzle, so you might need to transfer it into another container.

Since it does disinfect surfaces, reviewers really like this product. Many also use it on their CPAP machines or masks - it cleans and makes the products smell fresh - and you don't need to rinse it off.

Cleans	Any non-porous surface
Certifications	–
EWG rating	–
Antibacterial	Yes

Are Eco-Friendly Cleaners Effective?

There is a pervasive idea that although eco-friendly cleaners are better for us and the environment, they aren’t very great at cleaning.

While it may be true that some traditional cleaning products are super effective because they’re toxic (the chemicals in oven cleaners, for example, melt fat and protein - the stuff that humans are actually made of!), that doesn’t mean that eco-friendly options aren’t effective.

Many are just as effective as their toxic counterparts right off the bat. Those that are not may require more setting time or an extra layer of product, but they work in the end. And ultimately, isn’t it worth a little extra effort for a cleaner that isn’t going to harm you?

More Ways to Live Sustainably

Thinking about changing your lifestyle to be more eco-friendly all around? It can be hard when getting started - there's a lot of information to sift through - so when you need help on finding clean alternatives, take a look at one of our other buying guides!

10 Best Eco-Friendly Razors in 2022 (Merkur, Vikings Blade, and More)

7 Best Eco-Friendly Sponges in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)

9 Best Eco-Friendly Toilet Papers in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)

Buying Guide Reviewed by Environmental Scientist Gwen Lynn

Environmental Health & Safety Scientist

Gwen Lynn

Author: Jacqueline Oshiro

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more mybest recommendations! For questions or comments, leave us feedback via a Google Form on our Contact Us page.