The Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Brands

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

One thing that I have noticed I’m doing more of while being under lockdown is cleaning. In between balancing working, my daily ‘indoor exercise, going for a walk or a run (I need to get out at least once a day or I found myself getting really anxious) and spending time with my family – I’ve become a cleaning fiend. My home and personal space has never been so clean.

I personally think I’ve become a bit obsessed with it because I am having to continually wash my hands but that then leads to new and exciting cleaning discoveries.

Being honest when I started on my journey of living a more eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle – I needed some guidance on what eco-friendly cleaning products were. Simply put, eco-friendly cleaning products tick off a range of issues such as:

• Not containing toxic chemicals
• Has biodegradable ingredients
• Being made from plants
• Not using single use plastic
• Being plastic free entirely
• Being refillable
• Not creating waste
• Being vegan and/or cruelty free
• Recyclable packaging

Method is one product range that I use regularly but the downside is that it is owned by SC Johnson. If you choose to boycott brands that are owned by non-cruelty free companies then Method is not for you. A positive is that it’s not an expensive brand either – which is great because it makes eco-friendly cleaning so much easier.

This brand has confirmed that it is truly cruelty-free. They don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or any third-parties. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law. However SC Johnson are a company that test on animals.

Method is certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA. This brand is also 100% vegan, meaning that none of their products contain animal ingredients.

I actually discovered Method at a natural living brunch that I went to when I worked for Upbeat Drinks a few years ago.

When you read in to their packaging as well, that makes the brand even more appealing.

Ecover is an interesting one and has a very controversial past as well having previously tested on Daphnia (spiny water fleas). However they are on a mission to make clean living a standard in every home. They’ve introduced a new bottle which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled, 100% recyclable plastic. By 2020, they are aiming to make all their bottles like this. My mum is a big fan of their washing up liquid so I thought I should include it. Personally I don’t use Ecover but as it’s similar to Method in terms of cost – it’s a good option for people choosing to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Tincture is a British brand that uses a combination of botanical extracts and essential oils with active silver to add cleaning power. You can detoxify your home with clinically tested household cleaning products to leave you feeling uplifted, restored and in love with your home. Well at least that’s how they describe it on the website.

The products are 100% natural, made with plant-based ingredients, pure essential oils and botanical extracts. This creates a powerful cleaning formula that leaves stone, wood, metal, glass, silver, laminate and all other surfaces in your home beautifully clean.

If you’re new to eco-friendly cleaning then their starter set is a great option. I’ve just ordered this for my sister to help her get on board with my love of eco-friendly cleaning. She loves things that look good and the Tincture range is just that. It looks beautiful. I use Tincture alongside my method products and personally they work the best for me. I think you have to find what works for you though. I like the price of Tincture, it makes eco-friendly cleaning achievable. I think a lot of people can be put off by the cost.

The final brand that I wanted to mention is Mangler & Wringer. The story of this brand is quite special.

Mangle & Wringer was founded in 2012 by Vanessa Willes. She was inspired by her friend and cleaning lady Bette Smith who had be raised on traditional, non-toxic cleaning products – all of which were gentle and safe, yet powerful enough to be really effective.  Bette pointed out that since the rise in using mass-produced chemical cleaning products, there had been a rise in asthma, eczema and allergies, not to mention the devastating effects on the environment. Bette had learned how to make her own cleaning products and passed these onto Vanessa. I think that’s quite something, not wanting to let those traditional recipes disappear and passing them on after you’ve died – that’s exactly what Bette Smith did.

I’ve used Mangle & Wringer Kitchen Cleansers on numerous occasions and they leave my sink absolutely gleaming so I highly recommend them.

Cleaning is very personal and you have to choose the products that feel right for you. These are my personal choices.