By Blythe Copeland | Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:45
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Buy Green: All-Purpose Cleaners
This five all-purpose cleaners—all harmful chemical-free—can be used for floors, carpets, clothes, home, dishes, and even fabric.
One bottle that cleans your whole house? Now that's a goal we can get behind. These all-purpose cleaners—most of which come in spray and concentrate versions—work on wood, marble, granite, fabric, and just about any other material that's impervious to water. That means you can keep that spot under your sink clutter-free and tackle floors, carpets, clothes, home, and dishes without the harmful chemicals (and therefore off-gassing) found in most cleaners.
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Sal Suds From Dr. Bronner's
Why We Like It: Natural Sal Suds from Dr. Bronner's is made with fir and spruce oils for a fresh scent?and works equally well with hard or soft water, on just about anything you need cleaned, from dishes to laundry to floors.
Eco-Factor: This biodegradable cleaner won't stick around after your cleaning frenzy, while the grease-cutting ability comes from glucose combined with coconut and palm kernel alcohols. Plus, coco-betaine prevents skin irritation and the company does not perform animal testing.
Uses: 16, 32, or 128 per bottle (at 1 ounce)
Where: Dr. Bronner's
How Much: $7-$37
Photos courtesy of Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One!
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All Purpose Cleaner From Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
Why We Like It: The aromatherapy scents of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner?basil, lavender, lemon verbana, and geranium?are an aromatherapeutic alternative to the harsh scents of more traditional cleaners, and the solution works all over your home—from wood to marble, granite, and fiberglass. There's also a no-scent version for sensitive noses.
Eco-Factor: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day uses natural ingredients?think corn, sugarcane, coconut, and palm?or safe synthetics, and the products are all biodegradable and cruelty-free. The All-Purpose Cleaner can also be diluted for use as countertop spray.
Usage: 16 at ¼ cup
Where: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
How Much: $8
Photos courtesy of The Caldrea Company
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Spot Remover and All Purpose Cleaner From Begley's Best
Why We Like It: Begley's Best Spot Remover and All-Purpose Cleaner comes in a spray bottle or dilutable concentrate, both safe for use on tile, porcelain, counters, cabinets, plastic, wood, leather, aluminum, and fabrics.
Eco-Factor: The cleaners—made from pine and citrus extracts, maize, olive seeds, and sugarcane roots—are non-toxic, and biodegrade in less than a week.
Uses: 32 (at 1/4 cup)
Where: Begley's Best
How Much: $6-$14
Photos courtesy of Ed Begley Jr./begleysbest.com
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Multi-Surface Cleaner From Method
Why We Like It: Multi-Surface Cleaner from Method is gentle enough to release dirt and grime from all your surfaces without toxic chemicals and harsh synthetics?plus it comes in cucumber, pink grapefruit, French lavender, and unscented versions.
Eco-Factor: All-natural ingredients?including corn-derived surfactants, soda ash, and essential oils?give a deep clean, while even the bottle is made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Uses: 28 (at 1 ounce)
Where: Method
How Much: $4
Photos courtesy of Method
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Free & Clear Natural All Purpose Cleaner From Seventh Generation
Why We Like It: Seventh Generation Free & Clear All Purpose Cleaner works to clean and cut grease without dyes or synthetic chemicals.
Eco-Factor: The spray cleaner is made of all natural, non-toxic, phosphate-free ingredients?as part of the company's larger commitment to "the next seven generations"—and 10 percent of the profits support environmental charities and organizations.
Uses: 32 (at 1 ounce)
Where: Seventh Generation
How Much: $5
Photos courtesy of Seventh Generation
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