The eco-friendly cleaning-product world has gone from strength to strength over the past decade or so, which is both great for the planet, and those of us with sensitive skin – as by removing harsh chemicals and replacing them with plant-based alternatives, our skin is spared coming into contact with abrasive products that leave you feeling like you’ve just had an argument with sandpaper. It also means you don’t have to quite go back to lemon and vinegar (although that is also rather effective).
We wanted to have a look at a few of our favourites, all of which regularly leave a sparkle and shine that keeps us staring longingly at the cupboard, wondering if it’s too soon to use them again. While we’ve picked a specific product,all of these companies offer a whole range of green cleaning options so do look further into this.
1. Bambino Mio - Baby Laundry Cleanser
Our product of the week. Bambino Mio’sin-wash cleanser can add a boost to your laundry. Designed to tackle tough stains and odours and keep your whites naturally white, you just add a dash to your laundry and you’re ready to go.
The parents among us will recognise how quickly young children and babies can get through changes of clothes as they explore the sensory world of food, liquids and arts and crafts. Thankfully Bambino Mio offers a gentle and eco friendly laundry cleaner that the little ones will love.
How it works
Bambino Mio is suitable to freshen all whites, darks and coloured laundry such as baby clothes, bedding, and soft toys. It keeps whites naturally white and effectively tackles tough stains and odours. Its natural formula is perfect for newborn delicate skin and suitable for all skin types. Just add a dash to your regular laundry detergent. 750g will last approximately 12 washes.
Green Creds
Bambino Mio is free from enzymes, perfumes and optical brighteners. It’s also effective for washing at all temperatures from 30°C (which is eco mode by the way). Made with plant and mineral based ingredients to help preserve our planet. And in case you’re wondering it’s vegan friendly and isn’t tested on animals.
Washing clothes is one of those tasks that has a startling inevitability about it. You put the washing detergent in, then you put the fabric softener in. You might gain a bit of variety when it comes to the form it takes (personally, we’ve found liquids much more soluble than powder) but ultimately it’s the same process and products it has been for decades.
Originally coming to life as a solution for sensitive skin, the Eco Egg has slowly been building up credence in the laundry-world as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to your usual laundry-room selection
How it works
The egg replaces both your detergent and your fabric conditioner. It consists of a refillable egg, which you fill with mineral pellets (it comes with one set). There are two types of pellets – one (white) which takes care of the washing – lifting away dirt effectively, and one (black) which does the softening. The initial egg comes with pellets to last for about 70 washes, and then you buy refills which last approximately 50. On average, each wash costs 10p.
Green Creds
The claim on the Eco-Egg site is that you save the use of about 40 bottles of detergent a year (based on average family use) – which is 40 you’re preventing from going into a landfill.
The pellets themselves don’t have any chemicals, so that’s less harmful waste going down the drain, and they have a ‘climate positive workforce’ as they offset their employee’s carbon emissions by planting trees with Play It Green.
Ecover have long led the campaign for green cleaning, having been around since 1979.
As cleaning sprays are ten-a-penny, we didn’t think we’d see a difference when we made the switch, other than to the planet.
We can safely say that we were wrong.
The spray cleans as well (dare we say, better) than the majority of the other surface cleaning sprays we’ve used – and it leaves them looking and feeling less like they’ve been cleaned, and more like new again.
As it doesn’t have that spray smell we’re all accustomed to, it even works well for fridges – there’s no lingering chemical freshness to interfere with the food. If you do like a bit of a nasal hit, then there are several natural fragrant options available.
How it works
All the ingredients in their products are plant-based, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective. The spray uses sugar fermentation, rather than petroleum to remove dirt molecules.
Green Creds
More than you can shake a carbon offset tree-branch at, and more than we can mention here. Each bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic (except for the trigger which is only 30%), but Ecover have also engineered a plant-based plastic using sugar-cane, for use in some of their other bottled products. Ecover started life to provide an alternative to chemical and phosphate based cleaning products and have gone from strength to strength to continue evolving these credentials.
Commonly used in commercial and larger venues (so it must be good) – Green Bear Toilet Cleaner is a 100% natural microbiological cleaner that actually removes those smelly toilet odours, rather than purely masking them.
How it works
Developed by The Green Bear, it contains a combination of biological degradable soaps, carefully selected micro-organisms and a long lasting natural fresh scent to clean, disinfect and freshen, specialising in removing urine odour. It doesn’t affect cess puts or septic tanks.
Green Creds
Started with the aim of providing a more environmentally friendly solution to trade cleaning products, they have received a score of 91% in The Good Shopping Guide’s list of Ethical Cleaning Products. No harsh chemicals in the products, and dedicate a page on their site to committing to environmentally friendly practices.
5. Method Hand Wash
The one with the clever marketing department. Method have just launched a ‘clean-up pre-nup’ to help resolve the 39% of household arguments about the division of cleaning labour, and also have a campaign in conjunction with ‘drag-cleans’.
Method make non-toxic cleaning products, and then try to add a layer of fun around it to make it more appealing. And it works! Not only are the products excellent at removing dirt, but they look and smell excellent.
How it works
As with Ecover (who technically own them, although they speak of it as a mutually agreeable collaboration), all of their products are made using minerals instead of petroleum.
Green Creds
A focus on refills, products made with readily available minerals instead of petroleum and bottles made of post-consumer recycled plastic.
The majority of their products are developed and produced in their zero waste platinum certified factory and aren’t sold in countries where animal testing is required by law.
On top of this, they reinvest their money into green science and planet-friendly packaging solutions.
Not only will you enjoy the process more with the solid aluminium handle (recyclable when it does finally give up the ghost) the easily replaceable heads are made from bamboo, with natural sisal plant bristles, which you can then compost when needed… giving you a truly eco-friendly dish brush.
Nookery wanted to create a range of products that were both ecologically friendly, and aesthetically pleasing and it’s fair to say that they’ve achieved this!
How it works
As an alternative to plastic brushes with nylon bristles, the environmentally sound bamboo (is there anything it can’t do?) came to the rescue and it cleans just as well as the classic washing up brush. Just make sure you detach the head after each wash to prevent rust and to prolong its life.
Green Creds
Not only are the dish brush and the replaceable heads kind to the environment, the packaging is too. It comes in a kraft paper tube which is 100% recyclable.
The aluminium brush handle is infinitely recyclable. Nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today and is one of the only materials in the consumer disposal stream that more than pays for the cost of its own collection.
Choosing sustainable consumer products is a straightforward change you can make in your day-to-day. That’s also why we created Bundant, for a more sustainable way of storing and shopping for cleaning products. Why not try the Bundantband for 6 months and see what a difference it makes as part of your sustainability journey in 2023.
The Top 6 Green Cleaning Products
The eco-friendly cleaning-product world has gone from strength to strength over the past decade or so, which is both great for the planet, and those of us with sensitive skin – as by removing harsh chemicals and replacing them with plant-based alternatives, our skin is spared coming into contact with abrasive products that leave you feeling like you’ve just had an argument with sandpaper. It also means you don’t have to quite go back to lemon and vinegar (although that is also rather effective).
We wanted to have a look at a few of our favourites, all of which regularly leave a sparkle and shine that keeps us staring longingly at the cupboard, wondering if it’s too soon to use them again. While we’ve picked a specific product,all of these companies offer a whole range of green cleaning options so do look further into this.
1. Bambino Mio - Baby Laundry Cleanser
Our product of the week. Bambino Mio’s in-wash cleanser can add a boost to your laundry. Designed to tackle tough stains and odours and keep your whites naturally white, you just add a dash to your laundry and you’re ready to go.
The parents among us will recognise how quickly young children and babies can get through changes of clothes as they explore the sensory world of food, liquids and arts and crafts. Thankfully Bambino Mio offers a gentle and eco friendly laundry cleaner that the little ones will love.
How it works
Bambino Mio is suitable to freshen all whites, darks and coloured laundry such as baby clothes, bedding, and soft toys. It keeps whites naturally white and effectively tackles tough stains and odours. Its natural formula is perfect for newborn delicate skin and suitable for all skin types. Just add a dash to your regular laundry detergent. 750g will last approximately 12 washes.
Green Creds
Bambino Mio is free from enzymes, perfumes and optical brighteners. It’s also effective for washing at all temperatures from 30°C (which is eco mode by the way). Made with plant and mineral based ingredients to help preserve our planet. And in case you’re wondering it’s vegan friendly and isn’t tested on animals.
Read: How to show your partner your actually tidy
2. Eco Egg
Washing clothes is one of those tasks that has a startling inevitability about it. You put the washing detergent in, then you put the fabric softener in. You might gain a bit of variety when it comes to the form it takes (personally, we’ve found liquids much more soluble than powder) but ultimately it’s the same process and products it has been for decades.
Step forward, the Eco Egg.
Originally coming to life as a solution for sensitive skin, the Eco Egg has slowly been building up credence in the laundry-world as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to your usual laundry-room selection
How it works
The egg replaces both your detergent and your fabric conditioner. It consists of a refillable egg, which you fill with mineral pellets (it comes with one set). There are two types of pellets – one (white) which takes care of the washing – lifting away dirt effectively, and one (black) which does the softening. The initial egg comes with pellets to last for about 70 washes, and then you buy refills which last approximately 50. On average, each wash costs 10p.
Green Creds
The claim on the Eco-Egg site is that you save the use of about 40 bottles of detergent a year (based on average family use) – which is 40 you’re preventing from going into a landfill.
The pellets themselves don’t have any chemicals, so that’s less harmful waste going down the drain, and they have a ‘climate positive workforce’ as they offset their employee’s carbon emissions by planting trees with Play It Green.
Read: 5 Arts and Crafts Ideas for Waste Packaging
3. Ecover Multi-Action Cleaning Spray
Ecover have long led the campaign for green cleaning, having been around since 1979.
As cleaning sprays are ten-a-penny, we didn’t think we’d see a difference when we made the switch, other than to the planet.
We can safely say that we were wrong.
The spray cleans as well (dare we say, better) than the majority of the other surface cleaning sprays we’ve used – and it leaves them looking and feeling less like they’ve been cleaned, and more like new again.
As it doesn’t have that spray smell we’re all accustomed to, it even works well for fridges – there’s no lingering chemical freshness to interfere with the food. If you do like a bit of a nasal hit, then there are several natural fragrant options available.
How it works
All the ingredients in their products are plant-based, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective. The spray uses sugar fermentation, rather than petroleum to remove dirt molecules.
Green Creds
More than you can shake a carbon offset tree-branch at, and more than we can mention here. Each bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic (except for the trigger which is only 30%), but Ecover have also engineered a plant-based plastic using sugar-cane, for use in some of their other bottled products. Ecover started life to provide an alternative to chemical and phosphate based cleaning products and have gone from strength to strength to continue evolving these credentials.
Read: Our Favourite Storage Containers
4. Green Bear SanitAIR Toilet Cleaner
Commonly used in commercial and larger venues (so it must be good) – Green Bear Toilet Cleaner is a 100% natural microbiological cleaner that actually removes those smelly toilet odours, rather than purely masking them.
How it works
Developed by The Green Bear, it contains a combination of biological degradable soaps, carefully selected micro-organisms and a long lasting natural fresh scent to clean, disinfect and freshen, specialising in removing urine odour. It doesn’t affect cess puts or septic tanks.
Green Creds
Started with the aim of providing a more environmentally friendly solution to trade cleaning products, they have received a score of 91% in The Good Shopping Guide’s list of Ethical Cleaning Products. No harsh chemicals in the products, and dedicate a page on their site to committing to environmentally friendly practices.
5. Method Hand Wash
The one with the clever marketing department. Method have just launched a ‘clean-up pre-nup’ to help resolve the 39% of household arguments about the division of cleaning labour, and also have a campaign in conjunction with ‘drag-cleans’.
Method make non-toxic cleaning products, and then try to add a layer of fun around it to make it more appealing. And it works! Not only are the products excellent at removing dirt, but they look and smell excellent.
How it works
As with Ecover (who technically own them, although they speak of it as a mutually agreeable collaboration), all of their products are made using minerals instead of petroleum.
Green Creds
A focus on refills, products made with readily available minerals instead of petroleum and bottles made of post-consumer recycled plastic.
The majority of their products are developed and produced in their zero waste platinum certified factory and aren’t sold in countries where animal testing is required by law.
On top of this, they reinvest their money into green science and planet-friendly packaging solutions.
Read: How can Zero Waste be Practiced in Real Life?
5. Nookery Washing Up Brush
Revitalise your washing up experience with this unique and different brush from Nookery.
Not only will you enjoy the process more with the solid aluminium handle (recyclable when it does finally give up the ghost) the easily replaceable heads are made from bamboo, with natural sisal plant bristles, which you can then compost when needed… giving you a truly eco-friendly dish brush.
Nookery wanted to create a range of products that were both ecologically friendly, and aesthetically pleasing and it’s fair to say that they’ve achieved this!
How it works
As an alternative to plastic brushes with nylon bristles, the environmentally sound bamboo (is there anything it can’t do?) came to the rescue and it cleans just as well as the classic washing up brush. Just make sure you detach the head after each wash to prevent rust and to prolong its life.
Green Creds
Not only are the dish brush and the replaceable heads kind to the environment, the packaging is too. It comes in a kraft paper tube which is 100% recyclable.
The aluminium brush handle is infinitely recyclable. Nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today and is one of the only materials in the consumer disposal stream that more than pays for the cost of its own collection.
Read: How we’re trying to improve our daily routines
Choosing sustainable consumer products is a straightforward change you can make in your day-to-day. That’s also why we created Bundant, for a more sustainable way of storing and shopping for cleaning products. Why not try the Bundantband for 6 months and see what a difference it makes as part of your sustainability journey in 2023.