10 Best EPA-Certified Green Cleaning Products
Since there are no federal regulations on cleaning products, finding non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaners can be a challenge. We’ve rounded up ten of the best EPA-certified green cleaning products to take the guesswork out of your search.
Whether you’re looking for a non-toxic disinfectant, window spray, toilet bowl cleaner, or all-purpose product, we’ve got you covered.
10 Best EPA-Certified Green Cleaning Products
- Disinfectant: CloroxPro Eco Clean Disinfecting Cleaner
- All Purpose Cleaner: Mr. Clean Clean Freak Spray LAVENDER
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Dish Soap: ECOS Dish Soap
- Dishwasher Tabs: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs
- Window Cleaner: Lemi Shine Glass and Surface Cleaner
- Laundry Detergent: All Free and Clear Eco Bottle
- Fabric Softener: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheet
- Floor Cleaner: Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
- Upholstery Cleaner: Bissell Tough Stain Pretreat Spray
Here’s a rundown of ten EPA-approved green cleaning products and a look at why we chose each.
1. Best Disinfectant: CloroxPro Eco Clean Disinfecting Cleaner
Finding green disinfectant cleaners is challenging, as the EPA does not have a specific section dedicated to disinfectants. We found one eco-friendly disinfectant cleaner with an EPA “safer-choice” certification: CloroxPro Eco Clean Disinfecting Cleaner. ( available at Walmart also)
CloroxPro Eco Clean disinfectant doesn’t contain bleach, alcohol, or phosphates; the active ingredient is lactic acid. To use it as a disinfectant, spray a hard non-porous surface and let it sit for two minutes before wiping it away.
Clorox Pro Disinfecting Cleaner has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Top reviews state the cleaner smells good and it’s a great sustainable disinfectant.
Pros:
- Kills 99.9% of germs in 2 minutes
- It doesn’t contain bleach, phosphates, or alcohol
- Comes in a convenient spray bottle
Cons:
- Not safe for food contact surfaces
2. Best All Purpose Cleaner: Mr. Clean Clean Freak Spray LAVENDER
While many all-purpose cleaners have an EPA safer choice label (search for them here), our top pick is the Mr. Clean Clean Freak Spray in Lavender. (Available on Walmart) Even though this spray comes in other scents, lavender is the only one with the certification.
The Clean Freak Spray works on multiple surfaces, including countertops, bathrooms, appliances, and other hard porous surfaces. The nozzle allows you to spray a continuous mist, which is helpful when cleaning large areas.
Mr. Clean Clean Freak Lavender has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 1,200 reviewers. Reviewers love the lavender scent stating it’s fresh but not overpowering. And there’s a lot of praise for the spray nozzle.
Pros:
- Suitable for all non-porous surfaces
- Continuous mist spray nozzle
- Comes with a refill
Cons:
- Not antibacterial or disinfecting
- Lavender is the only EPA-certified scent
3. Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
There aren’t a ton of EPA safer choice toilet bowl cleaners, but Seventh Generation makes the list. It has a plant-based formula that cleans without toxic ingredients or harsh fumes. Its emerald cypress and fir scent comes from essential oils.
To use the Seventh Generation toilet bowl cleaner, squirt under the rim, brush and flush. While this formula isn’t a disinfectant, it can help loosen toilet stains and deodorize.
The Seventh Generations Toilet Bowl Cleaner is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by more than 280 reviewers. Most reviewers like this product for its light, non-chemical scent. Some negative reviews state the bottle is hard to open and doesn’t work for severe stains or hard water rings.
Pros:
- Light scent
- Cleans without bleach, phosphates, or toxic ingredients
- Septic-system safe
Cons:
- Not a disinfectant
- It may not be suitable for stains or toilet rings
4. Best Dish Soap: ECOS Dish Soap
Many dish soaps (72 total) have an EPA safer choice certification. We chose ECOS because it’s cost-effective, comes in many scents, and works well. However, you can find plenty of non-toxic dish soaps at stores like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon.
You can get ECOS dish soap (available at Walmart also) in five unique scents, including almond, apricot, free & clear, grapefruit, and pear. It works as dish soap, hand soap, or degreaser and features a 100% vegan formula.
Ecos dish soap has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 8,700 reviewers. Most reviewers claim the product smells good, gets sudsy, and cleans as expected. The top two cons are that the soap is too liquidy and the lid tends to leak.
Pros:
- Comes in five scents
- Degreases and suds well
- It comes in large 25 fl oz bottles
Cons:
- The lid tends to leak during shipping
5. Best Dishwasher Tabs: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs
The Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs are non-toxic and free from fragrance, dye, bleach, and phosphates. But, even though they don’t contain harsh chemicals, they’re still ideal for cutting through grease and cooked-on food.
To use a Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent pack, place one in the dishwasher tab dispenser per the manufacturer’s instructions.
These dishwasher pacs have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon from more than 4,300 users. The majority of reviewers state that these clean well. The biggest complaint is that the pods are hard and nonflexible, making them difficult to fit into some dishwasher’s soap compartments.
Pros:
- Degreases and cleans dishes without toxic chemicals
- Scent-free, so no harmful smells transfer to your dishes
- Easy to use
Cons:
- The tabs are stiff and bulky, which prevents them from fitting in all dispensers
6. Best Window Cleaner: Lemi Shine Glass and Surface Cleaner
While you can use a simple mix of vinegar and water to clean your windows, many EPA-certified window cleaners are available for purchase. Our top pick, Lemi Shine, derives its active ingredients from citrus extracts. And it has a fresh lemon scent that we prefer to vinegar.
You can use Lemi Shine glass cleaner on windows, mirrors, appliances, wood, sealed stone, and tile. Just spray the cleaner and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth.
Lemi Shine is rated 5 out of 5 stars and is a climate-pledge-friendly product. Users claim this product works well on hard water spots and glass and doesn’t leave streaks.
Pros:
- Cleans multiple surfaces, including glass
- Fresh lemon scent
- Cleans hard water spots, doesn’t streak
Cons:
- Expensive compared to DIY window cleaners
7. Best Laundry Detergent: All Free snd; Clear Eco Bottle
There are many EPA-certified laundry detergents. If you’re looking for a liquid version, consider All Free & Clear Eco Bottle. All Free & Clear employs plant-based ingredients, and the bottle is 100% recycled plastic. It’s a non-toxic laundry detergent safe for the whole family, including kids with sensitive skin.
To use this detergent, add ¼ of a capful to medium loads and ½ a cap to large loads. You can even pretreat stains by rubbing the detergent on the stain before washing.
All Free & Clear has over 2,000 user reviews with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Most reviewers claim it cleans well and works for those sensitive to soap or perfume. However, one of the biggest complaints is that the bottle size is too small.
Pros:
- Free of toxic chemicals and fragrance
- Plant-based ingredients and recycled plastic package
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Some complaints about a small bottle for the price
8. Best Fabric Softener: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheet
Fabric softener is a major culprit on the toxic cleaners list. Most fabric softeners contain chemicals linked to asthma and cause build-up in washers and dryers. So, choosing a safer fabric softener should be a high priority. If you like fabric softener sheets, our top pick is Seventh Generation.
Seventh Generation fabric softener is free of dyes and synthetic fragrances but helps reduce static cling. These sheets are also gentle on the skin. To use one, insert it into your dryer with your wet clothes.
These fabric softener sheets have a 4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon. While most users enjoy the scent, there are several complaints about the perforation on the sheets and the smell not transferring to clothes.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly and non-toxic formula
- Light, pleasant scent
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Many users report the perforation on these sheets is hard to rip
9. Best Floor Cleaner: Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
While you can use a multi-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution on most hard-floor surfaces, Bona spray is a convenient way to clean tile, laminate, vinyl, and hardwoods. It has a water-based formula safe for humans and animals and dries streak free.
To use Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner, start by vacuuming or sweeping the floor. Then, spray a small section of the floor with Bona, and wipe it with a microfiber mop. Repeat until the entire floor is clean.
Bona floor cleaner has high ratings of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 5,300 reviewers. Most users enjoy the fresh scent and claim it leaves their floors clean. Some users report having to use a lot of product or seeing footprints after cleaning their floors.
Pros:
- Spray bottle makes this product easy to use
- Safe for all sealed hard floor surfaces
- Non-toxic to humans and pets
Cons:
- Some reports of footprint tracking after using this product
- May require a lot of cleaner depending on how dirty your floors get
10. Best Upholstery Cleaner: Bissell Tough Stain Pretreat Spray
Whether you have a stain on your carpet or couch, an upholstery cleaner can help remove it. Our top pick for EPA-certified “safer choice” upholstery cleaners is the Bissell Tough Stain Pretreat Spray. ( available at Walmart also) It works on multiple surfaces and tackles stains like motor oil, set-in dirt, makeup, jelly, and coffee.
To use Bissell Tough Stain spray, spray on the soiled area, allow it to sit for up to five minutes, and then blot with a white towel until the stain is gone. You can also use this as a spot treater before using a carpet or upholstery cleaning machine.
The Bissell Tough Stain spray has 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 400 reviewers. Many reviewers claim it’s the best carpet cleaner they’ve tried and that it has a great scent.
Pros:
- Works on multiple types of fabric
- You can use a spot treater or pretreatment
- Eco-friendly, made with biodegradable detergents
Cons:
- It may not be effective in extreme situations
How We Chose the Best Green Cleaners on this List
While there are many green cleaners on the market, we started our search by looking for products that are EPA certified as a “Safer Choice.” A safer choice certification from the EPA is a voluntary program where the EPA reviews products and packaging to ensure ingredients are safe for the environment, humans, and animals. The EPA also examines the VOC level, PH balance, and product performance.
After finding the best EPA green cleaners, we looked at multiple user reviews, ensuring the products we chose work well, are cost-effective, and have received high user ratings.