Best Zero Waste & Refillable Cleaning Products for Sustainable Home Cleaning
Our mission at Zero Wasted is to help you make more informed decisions when trying to buy more consciously - we do all the research so you don't have to. We sometimes use affiliate links on our site. We only recommend products we love, that we think you will too.
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In this guide, we rank the best zero waste cleaning products in the UK based on ethics, environmental impact, and price point. We're all for reducing single-use plastic waste, cleaning without headaches, and still achieving that squeaky clean sparkle.
Refillable & Plastic Free
We all know plastic pollution is a problem, and although many plastic bottles are recyclable, the sprays and pumps usually aren't. So we've hunted for brands that reduce plastic and offer refills.
Vegan Cleaning Products
Ethical choices that promote a clean home while respecting animals and the environment. Cleaning our home shouldn't be at the expense of animal welfare which is why our list only contains vegan and cruelty-free cleaning products.
Non-toxic cleaning
All the cleaning products below are non-toxic, and free from parabens, bleach or harsh chemicals. We've also listed each product's full ingredients and included an ingredients chart below so you can see what they actually mean!
How can I make my cleaning eco-friendly?
To make your cleaning routine eco-friendly, opt for refillable and single-use plastic free solutions along with non-toxic, plant-based and biodegradable cleaning products. Check out our list below to get started. You can also click through on each product to see a full list of each products ingredients. If you're not sure about a particular ingredient we've made a table of ingredients at the end of this guide to make things a bit easier when it comes to decoding their properties and uses.
How do I create a zero waste cleaning routine?
If you're seeking zero waste cleaning products, our list has you covered. Wondering how to reduce waste in cleaning practices? Avoid disposables such as wipes and plastic cleaning wipes and sponges and instead use reusable and compostable options (you'll find some great options on our Best Buys page).
What are the benefits of using plastic free cleaning products?
In the UK alone, households produce an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, (about the weight of 250,000 elephants) with a significant portion originating from cleaning products. By opting for plastic-free alternatives, we can make a substantial impact in reducing this figure.There are many advantages of plastic free cleaners:
- Reduced plastic waste: By using plastic free cleaning products, you help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfills and oceans.
- Environmental protection: Plastic free alternatives minimise the environmental impact and emissions associated with the production, use, and disposal of traditional plastic cleaning products.
- Healthier home environment: Plastic free cleaning products often contain natural and biodegradable ingredients, making them safer for your health and indoor air quality while minimising harm to aquatic life and ecosystems.
- Supporting local and ethical businesses: Choosing plastic free options often means supporting smaller, eco-conscious companies that prioritise sustainability and ethical practices.
Are there fragrance-free cleaning options available?
Yes, fragrance-free cleaning alternatives are available, and our list features several products with all-natural fragrance or unscented options. While synthetic fragrances sometimes get a bad rap, they do have their merits. It ultimately comes down to personal preference. For more detailed information on naturals vs synthetic fragrance, you can refer to our
ethical perfume guide, which explores the diverse world of fragrances.
Best Zero Waste & Refillable Cleaning Products
Making sense of cleaning ingredients
Table with a list of common cleaning ingredients and their properties:
| Ingredient | Description | Properties in Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Citric Acid | Acid that naturally occurs in citrus fruits such as lemons but is usually manufactured | Disinfectant, cleaner, preservative - viewed as a safer alternative to conventional disinfectants such as chlorine bleach |
| Sodium Chloride | Commonly known as table salt | Cleaner, deodoriser |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | Commonly known as baking soda | Cleaner, degreaser, deodoriser, mild disinfectant |
| Sodium Sulfate | Inorganic salt | Surfactant (sodium coco sulfate is derived from coconut) |
| Potassium Hydroxide | A white, strong alkaline, corrosive solid or powder | Cleaner, degreaser - it needs to be combined with surfactants and other alkalinity sources before being dissolved in water |
| Anionic Surfactant | Foaming 'surface active agent' (stirs up activity on the surface you are cleaning to help trap and remove dirt) with a negative charge for lifting all types of dirt | Cleaner |
| Non-ionic Surfactant | Non or low foaming 'surface active agent' with neutral charge good for degreasing action | Cleaner, degreaser |
| Silicates | Known as water glass or liquid glass, a silicate is made up of silicon and oxygen, and part of anion family meaning it has negative charge for lifting all types of dirt | PH buffer (resists changes in pH), stabilisation, adhesion (binding) |
| Sodium Carbonate | Commonly known as washing soda or soda crysals | Cleaner, detergent, degreaser, adds alkalinity to product, |
| Phenoxyethanol | Phenoxyethanol can be found naturally in green tea, but the commercial ingredient is synthetically produced | Preservative |
| Benzalkonium Chloride | Organic salt | Antiseptic, disinfectant, antimicrobial preservative |
| Fragrance Allergens | Sensitising ingredients commonly found in essential oils and synthetic fragrances such as Linalool, Limonene, Eugenol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral etc. | Adding scent to a cleaning product |
| Potassium Citrate | A potassium salt of citric acid | Antibacterial, adds alkalinity |
So that's our ultimate list of the best zero waste cleaning products. Is there a great zero waste find we haven't featured? Pop us a message to let us know. Happy Cleaning!
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