When people ask me where they should begin when starting a low tox lifestyle, I often point them to swap out their cleaning products as one of the first steps! But I totally get that it can be overwhelming and confusing to know what brands to choose and what products are actually effective. That’s why I put together this guide—to help you cut through the noise!
We’ll cover why using non-toxic cleaning products matters, which ingredients and brands to avoid (even the ones that look “green”), my top recommended natural brands, some “better-not-best” options, and even a few budget-friendly DIY staples to help you clean safely without breaking the bank!
This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents:
- Why Using Low Tox Cleaning Products Matters
- Ingredients to Avoid & Greenwashed Cleaning Brands
- Best Natural Cleaning Product Brands
- “Better-Not-Best” Cleaning Brands
- Budget-Friendly Natural Cleaning Ingredients
Why Using Low Tox Cleaning Products Matters ⚠️
But first, let’s chat more about why this even matters! Using natural, non-toxic cleaning products isn’t just a crunchy, feel-good trend—it’s actually a really important way to protect your health and your home. Most conventional cleaners are loaded with harsh chemicals that stick around in the air and on your surfaces long after you’ve finished cleaning.
And get this: a 2018 study found that regularly breathing in household cleaning sprays could be as damaging to your lungs as smoking a 20-pack of cigarettes a day! 😱 That’s pretty wild, and definitely not something most people think about when they’re just wiping down the counter.
It gets worse. The Environmental Working Group tested both conventional and even some “green” cleaning products and found 530 different VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Out of those, 193 were considered hazardous, with links to things like respiratory problems, higher cancer risk, and developmental or reproductive issues. VOCs are basically invisible substances that get released into the air and can build up indoors, especially if you’re not getting a lot of fresh airflow. So even if you’re not actively cleaning, you could still be breathing that stuff in day after day.
That’s why switching to safer, less toxic cleaning products makes SUCH a big difference. And trust me, the holistic, plant-based options still get the job done—without filling your home with junk that can mess with your health. It’s especially crucial if you have babies, little kids, pets, or anyone in the house with allergies or asthma. Plus, you’re also being kinder to the planet by keeping harmful chemicals out of our water and ecosystems. It’s a small swap that makes a huge impact!
Ingredients to Avoid & Greenwashed Cleaning Brands ❌
Did you know that federal law doesn’t require companies to disclose the ingredients in cleaning products? Yikes! So if you can’t find any ingredients on a label, that’s a major red flag.
But if the ingredients are listed, watch out for these culprits that are commonly found in cleaning products.
❌ Undisclosed synthetic fragrances: The term “fragrance” has no FDA regulation and can be a combination of over 3,000+ different chemicals that imitate a smell or contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates. Fragrance is associated with allergies, neurotoxic symptoms (brain fog, dizziness), and hormone disruption.
I don’t know about you, but walking past the cleaning aisle at the store always gives me a headache! Not to mention, “clean” doesn’t have a smell—we’ve been conditioned to think that obnoxiously strong scents = a better cleaning job, which isn’t true.
❌ Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and Octylisothiazolinone (OIT): Preservatives that are sensitizers and linked with skin irritation, allergies, and lung irritation. Some are even banned in other countries!
❌ Ethoxylates: Ingredients that undergo a chemical reaction and can be contaminated with carcinogens ethylene oxide, benzene, and 1,4 dioxane, which are associated with reproductive and DNA damage. These can be listed as “ethoxylate” or end in -eth, such as ceteareth, steareth, or laureth.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, nor is my goal to shame you or make you feel bad if you DO use these brands (I’ve used some of them in the past myself). But I wanted to call out some popular brands that are known for greenwashing and make you aware of their misleading marketing claims. Many people purchase these brands and *think* they are non-toxic when in reality, they use unsafe ingredients in their formulas.
- Better Life (CMIT, polysorbates, MIT)
- Everspring (BIT, ethoxylates, fragrance, MIT, polysorbates)
- Method (BIT, ethoxylates, fragrance, MIT, OIT, PEGs, polyquaternium, propylene glycol)
- Mrs. Meyer’s (BIT, ethoxylates, fragrance, MIT, polysorbates)
- Puracy (mostly plant-based but still uses BIT, ethoxylates, fragrance)
- Seventh Generation (ethoxylates, fragrance, OIT, MIT, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol)
The Best Natural Cleaning Product Brands 🧽
Now, here are some #OrganicallyBeccaApproved brands that you can feel good about using around the home!
Branch Basics (⭐️ Becca’s Favorite!) [$15-55, $0.49-4.12 per refill]
Refillable • MADESAFE Certified • EWG Verified • Leaping Bunny Certified • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Branch Basics is my tried-and-true brand that I’ve been using for YEARS! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a million different products—a lot of that is honestly just marketing tactics to get you to buy multiple things that essentially do the same thing 🙄
That’s why I love Branch Basics! Basically, you buy the liquid concentrate solution, which can be diluted with water in various ways to make ALL of your cleaning products: all-purpose, dish soap, hand soap, toilet bowl, shower, bathroom, floors, laundry, stain removal, mirrors…you name it. You can buy plastic or glass bottles; both have markings on them to help you measure and mix. It’s so easy, and I appreciate the refillable aspect!
Although the concentrate is $55, it equates to roughly 13 refills and is very economical. For instance, a mixture of the all-purpose spray comes to about $2.06. So worth it!
Branch Basics’ formula is gentle, fragrance-free, minimal, plant-based, non-GMO, biodegradable, and safe for the whole family. They also offer an Oxygen Boost Powder (use it with the concentrate to tackle more stubborn messes like soap scum or dirty pots and pans), Dishwasher Tablets, Laundry Detergent Powder, and Gel Hand Soap. Highly recommend!
Use coupon code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a 15% off starter kits and select products 🏷️
Also available here at Target and Amazon (discount not applicable).
Related post: “The 7 Best Natural & Low Tox Dish Soaps (+ Brands to Avoid)”
Aspen Clean [$10-30]
Refillable (some) • ECOCERT® Certified • EWG Verified • Leaping Bunny Certified • Made in Canada & USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Aspen Clean was born out of a parent’s journey to find a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based cleaning products. They make cleaners for the kitchen, bathroom, glass, floor, laundry, and dishes. A few of their items are refillable, and some are plastic-free!
Note: The only things I don’t recommend are the laundry and dishwasher pods because they contain PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). It’s a synthetic polymer that raises concerns about microplastic pollution and not being fully biodegradable.
Attitude [$6-39]
Refillable • EWG Verified • Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) • Made in Canada • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Attitude is a Canadian company that was developed by a dad who wanted to make products that were better for our health and the environment. They have a wide range of cleaning products, including all-purpose sprays, dish soap, floor, shower, bathroom, laundry detergent, window and glass, and kitchen. You can buy big refill boxes for most items, too!
One thing to note is that Attitude has multiple collections of similar products with varying ingredients and packaging. Some of their products are unscented, some use only essential oils for scent, and others use nature-identical safe synthetic fragrance molecules (but disclose all components).
My top pick is the Home Essentials line, which comes in aluminum bottles and only uses essential oils. Everything has good ingredients, but I wanted to point that out in case it matters to you and you wanna double-check before purchasing!
Also available here on Amazon. Access their Canadian website here.
Related post: “12 Best Natural & Non-Toxic Baby Product Brands (Crunchy Mom Approved)”
Aunt Fannie’s [$9-22]
Refillable • Leaping Bunny Certified • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Aunt Fannie’s was created by a dad whose toddler got sick, and he began a quest to understand all the things that make us well. The company is named after his grandmother, and they’re on a mission to “clean up cleaning.” They make surface sprays (multi-purpose, wood, stainless steel, stone, granite, etc.), wipes, floor, glass and window, and more.
The formulations are very pure and only use essential oils for scent. Many of them are powered by vinegar, which has been used as a cleaning agent as far back as 5000 BC! (But just a heads up that they can smell like vinegar if that bothers you)
You can buy refills and bulk sizes, too. I really like the cleaning wipes, which are biodegradable and compostable!
Dr. Bronner’s (💰 Budget-Friendly!) [$8-65]
Refillable • USDA Certified Organic • Fair Trade Certified • EWG Verified • B Corp • Leaping Bunny Certified • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Dr. Bronner’s was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third-generation master soapmaker. The company has a ton of impressive standards and certifications, including sourcing regenerative ingredients and being the largest personal care company to be USDA Organic.
Their popular 18-in-1 castile soap is soooo versatile; it can be used for cleaning bathtubs, makeup brushes, fruits and veggies, mopping, etc. The Sal Suds product is a powerhouse multi-functional cleaner that can be used similarly (it is a detergent, not a soap, unlike the castile soap).
(FYI, castile soap can be quite drying on skin, so I’d stick to non-topical applications. Also, Sal Suds contains sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS], which can irritate skin, so avoid excessive contact with that one if possible!)
I admire how affordable and accessible Dr. Bronner’s products are—you can likely find them at grocery stores and markets across the country. A little goes a long way, and a bottle will seriously last you forever. You can purchase refill boxes, too!
Also available here at Target.
Related post: “23+ Affordable Clean Beauty & Organic Skincare Brands to Start Your Low Tox Journey”
Koala Eco [$10-25]
Refillable • MADESAFE Certified • 1% for the Planet Member • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Koala Eco was founded by an Australian couple whose now-healthy son was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma as an infant, and they were driven to eliminate unnecessary chemicals from their home.
They offer multi-purpose cleaning products for the house, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. Everything is scented with high-quality aromatherapy-grade Australian essential oils. I like the Floor Cleaner, which smells like mandarin and peppermint!
The bottles are plastic, but you can also grab glass bottles and large refills ♻️
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 20% off 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon.
Related post: “A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Kitchen Supplies”
Meliora (🌎 Most Sustainable!) [$5-21]
Refillable • MADESAFE Certified • B Corp • 1% for the Planet Member • Leaping Bunny Certified • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Meliora is a Latin word that means “better.” The company is woman-owned with a vision for people to have pristine, happy, and healthy homes without relying on products with secret formulas and mysterious chemicals. The owner, Kate, first wondered “what’s in our cleaning products?” while studying for her Master’s of Environmental Engineering.
Meliora has incredible standards for sustainability and waste reduction! Everything is free from single-use plastic, and many products are completely plastic-free with paper or steel packaging. They offer zero waste refills, bulk sizes, and glass bottles. Nice!
Their formulas are super pure with minimal ingredients. You can get unscented or options with organic essential oils. Their collection includes all-purpose spray, dish soap, scrub, and oxygen powder.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on Meliora products 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon (discount not applicable) and EarthHero (discount code BECCA10).
Truly Free Home [$17-25]
Refillable • Made in USA • Vegan & Cruelty-free
Truly Free began after a father discovered that his son’s rashes were caused by their laundry detergent. The company makes products for the entire home, including the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. Your first order comes with a bottle, and then you can purchase refill pouches after that. It’s cheaper if you subscribe to multiple items, and most things come in 2-packs, so the price is even lower per refill!
Many of their products are unscented, some contain essential oils, and some use nature-identical synthetic molecules (like the Laundry Detergent, which smells SO amazing, like a more subtle Tide minus the nauseating fake fragrances). Truly Free is fully transparent and lists all ingredients and where they are derived from.
Besides the laundry detergent, I also like their dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and odor & stain eliminator!
Note: The only product with iffy ingredients is the Laundry Stain Spray, which contains BIT and MIT preservatives. However, Truly Free is reformulating this soon, woohoo!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 30% off 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon (discount not applicable).
Related post: “16+ Simple Ways to Greenify Your Home & Live Naturally”
Bleach Alternative: Force of Nature Disinfectant
Bleach has a plethora of health issues, from skin and eye irritation to respiratory damage, and is even more dangerous when mixed with certain substances like ammonia. This nifty device converts tap water plus a capsule of salt, water, and vinegar into hypochlorous acid, a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer as effective as bleach. Yes, it’s legit, it’s even registered by the EPA to kill 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew when used as directed!
While it’s important to be mindful about over-sanitizing and only do it when necessary, this disinfectant can be helpful for the occasional super germy situations 🦠
Also available here on Amazon.
“Better-Not-Best” Cleaning Brands 🧼
Here are some brands that have *mostly* low tox products, but aren’t perfect ingredient-wise across the board. I suggest reading individual labels to see which are okay.
- Blueland: Many of Blueland’s products contain undisclosed fragrance (a botanical/synthetic blend), so opt for the unscented versions. They use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in a few products, which isn’t too concerning in things like toilet bowl cleaner, but I’d skip it in any products that touch your skin since it can be irritating. Also, watch out for ethoxylated alcohol. I love their dishwasher tablets—they work well!
- Molly’s Suds: They use a natural fragrance in most products, which they claim has no synthetics, but it’s proprietary, so use your discretion there. Some Molly’s Suds items contain phenoxyethanol and polysorbates, which aren’t total dealbreakers for me, but I prefer to avoid them if possible. However, I suggest skipping their pods and dryer sheets since they have PVOH/PVA and propylene glycol.
- Nellie’s: They use a natural fragrance in most products, which they claim is from essential oils, but it’s proprietary, so use your discretion. They also contain ethoxylates, denatured alcohol, phenoxyethanol, laureth-7, and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) preservative.
- Rosey: This is a brand exclusive to Thrive Market, and you have to be a member to purchase from there, but it’s totally worth it, and Rosey has a lot of affordable options. For example, the unscented dish soap is $4 for 24 ounces and works great. Most of their products have safe ingredients, but look out for laureth-7, PVA in the pods, polysorbates, and phenoxyethanol. They also use a natural fragrance in most products, which they claim has no synthetics, but it’s proprietary, so use your discretion. Use my link for 30% off your first Thrive order + a free gift!
Budget-Friendly Natural Cleaning Ingredients 🍋
If you’re up for it, there are plenty of ways to DIY your cleaning products! Just do a quick internet search or browse Pinterest for ideas.
- Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can be used to scrub surfaces, deodorize, unclog drains, freshen toilet bowls, remove stains, and more.
- Distilled white vinegar is acidic and can be used to descale hard water buildup, soften fabrics, deodorize, remove mildew, clean dishwashers, and more.
- Lemon essential oil has antibacterial properties, smells refreshing, and is a nice addition to many homemade cleaners.
- Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is a gentle abrasive that you can use on sinks, showers, tubs, tile, cookware, and more.
You might also enjoy this post:
The Best Organic & Eco-Friendly Laundry Supplies (That Work, Naturally!)
Making the switch to non‑toxic cleaners doesn’t have to be complicated—start with one swap and keep this guide handy for future picks as your products run out, and you’ll have a holistic, green home in no time! Thanks so much for reading, and drop any questions below in the comments 💚
