Green Clean

Whether you’re committed to seeking out eco-friendly products or not, it’s nice to know if the cleaning product you scrub your counter with is full of harsh chemicals seeping into your food. It’s not always easy to decipher the ingredients in your cleaning products or the potential damage they can do. Here, we’ve rounded up the best eco-friendly cleaning products. Each company provides different products, but to compare price, we listed their all-purpose cleaners—a household staple.

Pure and Gentle Soap (local)
Another local gem, Pure and Gentle Soap from Seguin, Texas has the distinct recognition of having received the Champion Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative award which is the highest award, for environmental stewardship given by the EPA. Pure and Gentle Soap has earned awards and accolades like this for their commitment to low greenhouse gas emissions and biodegradability. With unique scents like juniper berry, coconut and sweet amaretto, Pure and Gentle provides more variety than some more traditional cleaning products.

All Purpose Cleaner: $12.95 16 fl oz. (from concentrate)

Puracy (local)
Puracy Home Essentials is an Austin-based cleaning product company that has grown into a national presence via large department store chains like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and HomeGoods. With ingredients derived from coconut, olive oil, green tea, ginseng, vanilla bean and other naturally occurring sources, Puracy’s products have light and refreshing scents with the power of a more common chemical-based cleaner. In addition to their home cleaning products like stain remover, dish soap, and carpet shampoo, they also make personal products like baby shampoo, lotion, and even bug spray. You can buy their products in bundles or individually. 

All Purpose Cleaner: $6.99 for a 25 fl oz. 

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day cleaning products and soaps seem to pop up everywhere. Almost like a status symbol, a home, hotel, or a restaurant with Mrs. Meyer’s soap in the bathroom instantly gains some eco-friendly and trendy credibility. It’s not all hype and sweet smells, though. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day’s inventive use of essential oils from herbs and flowers results in biodegradable and mostly harsh chemical-free products. The same unique scents in their popular hand soaps like geranium, honeysuckle, and rosemary are found in their all-purpose cleaners and home cleaning products. All Purpose Cleaner: $4.00 16 fl oz.

Method 
Method’s fun, aesthetically pleasing packaging is about more than just good looks. Made from recycled plastic, the bottles (especially the pump bottles for hand and dish soap) are built to last. Buying their 36-ounce refill pack allows you to keep the same bottle and reduce waste. When you are done with it, however, the plastic is recyclable and might just end up in another method bottle one day. Find their fresh scents like clementine, mint, and pink grapefruit in major chains like Target and Wal-mart. 

All Purpose Cleaner: About $3.00 28 fl oz. (depending on retailer)

Seventh Generation 
Seventh Generation products have withstood the test of time. Over the last 28 years, this Vermont-based company has grown a national and even international presence. From dish soap to baby diapers, Seventh Generation offers a wide range of household products you can trust. What really sets Seventh Generation apart, however, is their commitment to environmental policy change. Through the “#ComeClean” campaign, Seventh Generation lobbies for changes in ingredient disclosure laws on the state and federal level. 

All Purpose Cleaner: $3.00 32 fl oz. (depending on retailer)

Better Life
An “as-seen-on-TV” favorite, Better Life got its start on ABC’s popular start-up investment show, Shark Tank. Now available in major retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond and Walgreens, the St. Louis-based company makes a number of products, from typical all purpose cleaners and hand soap, to more specialized products like wood polish, toilet bowl cleaner, and dryer sheets. Like all of the other brands mentioned, Better Life products are free of harsh chemicals and have primarily plant-derived ingredients. 

All Purpose Cleaner: $7.99 32 fl oz.

DIY: Natural All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

If you really want to know what’s in your cleaning products, consider making your own. With a few simple ingredients, you can craft your own highly-effective all-purpose cleaner and customize the scent with an essential oil of your choice. We’ve included one of our favorites from lifestyle blogger and author, Jill Nystul. You can find this recipe and more on her blog, One Good Thing By Jillee. 

You’ll need:
Glass spray bottle
1 tsp borax
1/2 tsp washing soda
1 tsp castile soap
18 drops essential oils (We used 10 drops of lemon oil and 8 drops of wild orange oil, but feel free to use what you like!)

Directions:
1) Add the borax, washing soda, and castile soap to the glass bottle.
2) Pour two cups of hot water into the bottle, and shake well to incorporate the ingredients.
3) After mixing, remove the top and add the essential oils to the spray bottle. Replace the top, then shake lightly again.

“This spray is perfect for cleaning up greasy smears and smudges. The washing soda cuts through tough grease, and the essential oils will add a beautiful shine.

Use it in the bathroom, on your kitchen counters, on your walls, and on your appliances for a thorough, all-natural clean!”