Now that you’ve decluttered, donated and otherwise disposed of all the stuff that you no longer want or need, you can get down to the business of actually cleaning, better known as the part I hate the most. As much I love the idea that I can clean my whole house from top to bottom with nothing but a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s and some peroxide, sometimes I want something more.
I’m definitely tempted to try some products when I walk by the cleaning aisle at the grocery store and see a new product that claims to be non-toxic, eco-friendly or biodegradable. I’m hesitant, of course, to recommend any of these cleaners until I’ve actually tried them, because all cleaning products are not created equal, particularly when they’re claiming to be green. But I truly believe that this is one area EVERY family should attempt to make greener. “Cleaning” our homes with toxic chemicals is unsafe and counterproductive. So here are some of my favorite green alternatives:
Better Life cleaners
With product names like “Simply Floored!” (floor cleaner), “what-EVER!” (all-purpose cleaner), and “I Can See Clearly, WOW!” (glass cleaner), what’s not to love, right? Obviously, the reason these products made my list of favorites goes far beyond the name. The company was created by two conscientious dads, Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs, who simply wanted safe cleaning products that could be used around their kids. And to put it simply, these products just worked. They tackled soap scum and rubbed-in beeswax (don’t ask) with ease, and there were no toxic fumes to make me go running out of a closed bathroom after a couple of squirts. And unlike many products that claim to be green, the ingredients were clearly listed on the label with no VOCs, parabens or other offending chemicals in sight. Add to that the fact that they are reasonably priced and shipped in recyclable bottles, and I know I’ll be sad when these cleaners run out.
Price: $6.99-7.29 per bottle, $39.99 for a starter kit with all products plus a Twist Euro sponge and Loofah sponge. Sign up for their newsletter to get $10 off the price of the starter kit.
Simply Neutral
It goes without saying that any product I put on my list of favorites is effective, but Simply Neutral cleaners stood up to every test, from a ceramic cooktop with caked-on sauce to white sneakers that needed a thorough scrubbing. But their cleaning power isn’t what impressed me most about these cleaners. I was more than a little surprised at how light the shipping box was when I received them. That was with good reason. The bottles were very nearly empty, with, at best an ounce or two of cleaning liquid in them. There was a note attached:
“Simplyneutral’s goal is not only to protect our customers, but also the planet. To reduce our global footprint, we have shipped you our “waterless” version of cleaners. Our concentrate is already in the bottle, you just need to add the water.”
At first, I was thrown for a loop. To receive large, 32 oz. bottles of cleaning products that were nearly empty was crazy, or was it? It definitely showed my husband and I just how much water we’re paying for when we purchase traditional, full bottles. And even after all that diluting, the cleaners were still incredibly potent and effective. On top of that, their business card was stamped on a piece of recycled cereal box. I’m not kidding. I could clearly see the Cheerios logo on the other side. Now that’s what I call recycling!
Price: $4.99-5.99 per 32 oz. bottle. Also available in concentrate (so you’ll never have to buy another bottle)
Eco Mist Solutions
This one is for my Canadian readers. Anyone who has children and upholstered furniture knows that they should beware of markers. I know it too, but my daughter caught me blissfully unaware one day while I was washing the dishes. She used a dark blue marker to color her entire fingertip. Then, realizing what she had done, she tried to wipe it off — by wiping it on the sofa cushion. What was left was a huge blue spot that I was certain I’d never be able to remove. I didn’t even bother trying to get it out for a few days. Thankfully though, Eco Mist Solutions’ carpet & upholstery cleaner came to my rescue.
It took some soaking in an quite a bit of blotting and rubbing, but the Eco Mist completely removed a large, unsightly, dark blue stain from a beige sofa cushion. If their other cleaners are even half as effective, I am sold. And what’s even better is the very basic ingredients used to make up such a powerful cleaner: Non-chlorinated water, corn, tree sap, processed coconut extract, potatoes, soy, grass and grains. There’s nothing on the list I’ve never heard of or can’t pronounce.
Where to Buy: Available at Home Depot locations throughout Canada
What about you?
Are there any natural cleaning products you’ve tried and loved? Have you tried any of the ones listed here? What did you think of them? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I’m Jennae Petersen, and I’m a lot of things. A mother, a graphic artist, a connosieur of beautiful interiors and a purveyor of all things design. Green Your Decor was borne of frustration in my attempts to find eco-friendly housewares that were also beautiful, and inspiration to do something to reduce my own carbon footprint and help others do the same in a beautiful way.
