It’s no secret that we should all be doing our bit for the environment, and that this can extend to every aspect of your home and lifestyle. Choosing more environmentally friendly cleaning products is one small, effortless thing you can do that can make a difference. But lots of people worry that eco-friendly cleaning products might not clean efficiently.
We agree that there’s no point making the switch if you have to spring clean your kitchen every month with traditional chemicals to pick up the slack. That’s why we’ve put some popular products to the test in a real kitchen.
Eco cleaning products come in many forms, from refillable subscription cleaners to standard pre-mixed solutions that you grab from the supermarket shelf. They usually all claim to make your kitchen sparkle just as well as the leading brands, but with more plant-based biodegradable ingredients. And those with refills available also cut down on single-use plastics too. Read on to find out which eco cleaners are the best for keeping your kitchen clean.
Best eco cleaning products at a glance
- Best fragrance-free eco cleaning product: Koh Surface Starter Kit, £29.90
- Best eco cleaning product for everyday use: method anti-bac all purpose cleaner, £2.50
- Best plastic-free eco cleaning product: Neat anti-bac multi surface cleaner, £20 (£12 for subsequent refills)
- Best eco cleaning product for scent: Purdy & Figg Signature Starter Kit, from £15
- Best eco cleaning product for luxury fragrance: Kinfill multi surface cleaner, £14
- Best refill eco cleaning product: Bower all-purpose sanitiser spray – pineapple 1L, £6.61
- Best eco cleaning product for everyday kitchen surfaces: method Daily Kitchen Cleaner, £2.50
- Best eco cleaning product for the kitchen and beyond: method Multi-Surface Cleaner, £2.66
- Best eco cleaning product for shiny surfaces: Ecover Multi-Action surface cleaner, £3.25
- Best value eco cleaning subscription: Smol multi-purpose spray, from £2 for trial pack
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How we tested eco cleaning products
Firstly, if the product consisted of a concentrate that had to be mixed with water, we assessed how easy and mess-free this process was. Then we looked at the packaging, claims and ingredients. To assess the cleaning performance, we tried each of the cleaners on a number of surfaces.
These included cleaning grease from a cooker hood, washing glossy kitchen cabinets and mucky hobs. But we also tried wiping away dried mud from floor tiles and greasy fingerprints from windows. During use we took note of the aroma as well as any issues with the trigger spray.
Best eco cleaning products to buy in 2026
Koh surface starter kit
Available from Koh (£29.90)
Best fragrance-free eco cleaning product
Pros:
- Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
- Excellent eco certifications
- Streak free, effective cleaning
- Refillable, recyclable packaging
Cons:
- Large refill box to store
- Less effective for deep cleaning
Size: 300ml bottle
RRP: Starter kit: £37.40. Includes 2L refill, bottle and cloths. Refills: £10.95
Star rating: 5/5
This is a fragrance-free, multi-use eco cleaner designed for kitchens and beyond. Its cleaning performance is impressive, tackling grease on hobs and cooker hoods with ease and removing sticky residues like jam after a short soak. Glossy surfaces are left streak-free and it copes well with fingerprints and smudges.
While it needs a little soaking time for burnt on stains and is less effective on deep dirt, it’s great at general everyday cleaning tasks.
Eco credentials are outstanding: the formula contains just 0.5% potassium hydroxide and purified water, with no added surfactants or fragrances.
The product is GECA eco-certified, Allergy UK approved, non-toxic and both septic and greywater safe. Packaging is fully recyclable, with a large refill pouch system (exactly like boxed wine) designed to reduce single-use plastic. The minimalist, ergonomic bottle is easy to use and refill.
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method anti-bac all purpose cleaner
Available from Amazon (£2.50)
Best eco cleaning product for everyday use
Pros:
- Larger bottle size
- Efficient cleaner
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces
Cons:
Size: 828ml
RRP: £4
Star rating: 5/5
Method products are widely available and the daily all purpose cleaner comes in a larger bottle size than most kitchen cleaners, which means it works out as a reasonably priced option. It’s a non-toxic plant-based cleaner that’s Leaping Bunny approved, plus Method is a B Corp, which indicates the company’s continued commitment to people and planet.
Cleaning is effortless with this kitchen spray, it leaves glossy cabinets virtually smear free and, likewise, removes grease from windows without leaving any residues or smears. It has no problem with mud, thick cooker grease or other daily kitchen spills. According to Method, it can be used on worktops, tile, stone, wood and glass so it’s a good all-rounder for any kitchen. The clementine fragrance is slightly more synthetic than some others, but we still found it to be pleasant.
Overall, this is a simple eco swap you could pick up in any supermarket and really not notice a difference in ease of use or results. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and refills are also widely available in supermarket, meaning Method ticks every eco box.
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Neat anti-bac multi surface cleaner
Available from Neat (£20 – £12 for subsequent refills)
Best plastic-free eco cleaning product
Pros:
- Aluminium bottle
- Pleasant aroma
- Easy refills
Cons:
- Initial purchase is expensive
Size: 500ml
RRP: Starter pack including aluminium spray bottle is £7. Refills: £2.50 each
Star rating: 5/5
Admittedly, the spray trigger is plastic, but the body of the bottle is a sturdy, built-to-last aluminium and the refills come in tiny glass bottles, meaning this cleaner is the best option if you’re looking to go as plastic-free as possible.
The liquid refills dissolve immediately into cold water, no mess or fuss. The matte white bottle looks good in the kitchen and has a removable silicone base to keep it from slipping around.
Neat is a B Corp and the product is made with biodegradable and plant derived ingredients. The mango and fig fragrance has a very pleasant, fresh, fruity aroma that’s not at all chemically and it was one of our favourite fragrances. As a cleaner it tackles all surfaces, leaving them clean and shiny. Whether grease, mud or daily grime, we were impressed with the cleaning power of Neat. And it’s an added bonus that it can eliminate 99.9% of bacteria.
The initial £7 cost for the bottle and first refill is a bit steep, especially in comparison with other brands, but after that, the refills are competitively priced. Plus, they’re easy to buy online without being locked into a subscription. And the small bottles allow you to stay stocked up without an overflowing cleaning cupboard.
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Purdy & Figg Signature Starter Kit
Available from Purdy and Figg (£15), Amazon (£36.37)
Best eco cleaning product for scent
Pros:
- Subscription model available for convenience
- Complete plan includes bathroom products too
- Microfibre cloths included
- Fully recyclable packaging
Cons:
- Scents may not be for everyone
- No eco certifications
Size: 300ml
RRP: Starter pack includes three scents, plus bottle and cloth is £15. Refills: £24 for a three scents
Star rating: 4.5/5
For those looking to reduce plastic waste without compromising on performance, this eco-friendly cleaning system offers a smart, sustainable solution. It uses a durable glass “bottle for life” paired with plant-based concentrates, cutting down on single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging. Refills arrive in minimal cardboard and the clearly labelled concentrate bottles make mixing simple – just pour and top up with 300ml water. The setup is quick, mess-free and designed with user convenience in mind.
The cleaner itself is non-toxic and free from harsh chemicals or synthetic dyes, scented with essential oils for a fresh, spa-like aroma that’s pleasant but not overpowering – the citronella and niaouli scent was our favourite. While it’s not certified by major eco labels, the ingredients are transparently listed online and the product is made in the UK.
Performance-wise, it’s well suited to everyday cleaning. It handles grease, sticky residues, fingerprints and mud across a variety of kitchen surfaces, leaving a clean, streak-free finish. It’s most effective on light to moderate mess; more stubborn, baked-on stains may need extra effort. The trigger spray delivers a wide, even mist and feels comfortable in use, contributing to an overall fuss-free experience.
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Kinfill multi surface cleaner
Available from Kinfill (£14)
Best eco cleaning product for luxury fragrance
Pros:
- Streak-free finish
- Plant-based ingredients
- No single-use plastic
- Pleasant natural fragrance
Cons:
- Pricey initial purchase
- Needs extra effort on burnt stains
Size: 500ml
RRP: Starter kit includes bottle and two refills: £14. Refills alone: £9
Star rating: 4.5/5
This cleaner is a pleasure to use, with a scent that’s more like a subtle perfume than a typical cleaning spray. The aluminium bottle feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, and the trigger delivers a fine, even mist that covers surfaces well.
It tackles grease on cooker hoods and splashbacks in a single pass and lifts sticky residues from worktops with minimal effort. Fingerprints and smudges on glossy cabinets and windows wipe away easily, leaving a streak-free finish. For tougher, burnt-on stains on hobs, you may need to go over the area a few times, but it still performs well overall.
From an eco perspective, this product stands out. The concentrate refills come in glass vials and the main bottle is designed to be reused indefinitely. All ingredients are plant-based and biodegradable, with no single-use plastic. It’s vegan, cruelty-free and B Corp-certified.
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Bower all-purpose sanitiser spray – pineapple
Available from Bower Collective (£6.61)
Best refill eco cleaning product
Pros:
- Effective on everyday mess and light grease
- Streak-free finish
- Lovely pineapple scent
Cons:
- Less effective on heavy burnt-on stains
- Refill pouch can be awkward to pour
Size: 1L
RRP: £9.99. Refill: £4.79
Star rating: 4/5
Bower’s all purpose sanitiser in pineapple is a ready-to-use, plant-based cleaner that stands out for both its eco credentials and performance. The refill system is simple – decant the flexible pouch into your own bottle or a Bower glass bottle, which comes with a silicone base for added protection. The pouch is made from 30% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable via Bower’s closed-loop scheme, with prepaid envelopes provided for returns.
The formula is biodegradable, cruelty free, vegan and uses lactic acid as the antibacterial agent. Full ingredients are clearly listed, including potential allergens. The scent is authentically pineapple, fresh and fruity but not overpowering.
In use, the sanitiser is effective on everyday spills and light to medium grease, easily cutting through dried mud and sticky residues, and leaving a streak-free finish on glossy surfaces. For heavy, burnt-on mess, more passes may be needed, but it excels as an everyday cleaner. The spray trigger delivers both a smooth, direct spray as well as a wide, fine mist.
This is a well-priced, genuinely sustainable swap that performs well and ticks all the right eco boxes, making it an excellent choice for conscious cleaning.
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method Daily Kitchen Cleaner
Available from Dunelm (£2.45), Ocado (£2.75)
Best eco cleaning product for everyday kitchen surfaces
Pros:
- Cuts through grease and everyday mess with ease
- Pleasant, fresh scent
- Plant-based, biodegradable and cruelty free
- Made from recycled plastic and recyclable
Cons:
- No refill option
- Some stubborn stains need extra effort
- Contains fragrance allergens
Size: 828ml
RRP: £3.75. No refill available
Star rating: 4/5
A fuss-free, ready-to-use spray, method’s daily kitchen cleaner delivers reliable performance with a fresh clementine scent. The plant-based, biodegradable formula is vegan, cruelty free and septic safe, ticking all the main eco credentials.
The bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable through household collections, though unfortunately there’s no refill option for this specific product.
In use, the cleaner cuts through grease on cooker hoods and splashbacks with ease and makes light work of sticky residues like jam on worktops, requiring minimal scrubbing. Glossy cabinets and windows are left with a bright, clear finish, though occasional smears might need a quick buff. Stubborn, burnt-on messes on the hob may need a second application and a bit more effort, but for everyday spills and smudges, it’s quick and effective.
The bottle is comfortable to hold and the wide, fine mist gives good coverage. The branding is bold and instructions are clear, with allergen alerts for limonene and linalool. At 46p per 100ml, it offers good value and is widely available in major supermarkets and online.
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method Multi-Surface Cleaner
Available from Ocado (£2.75)
Best eco cleaning product for the kitchen and beyond
Pros:
- Effective cleaning on a range of surfaces
- Calming lavender scent
- Recyclable packaging made from 100% PCR plastic
Cons:
- Needs extra effort for burnt on stains
Size: 828ml
RRP: £3.85. No refill available
Star rating: 4/5
This is a ready-to-use multi-surface cleaner that’s as effortless as it is effective. It’s a simple eco swap for everyday kitchen cleaning: the calming, bold floral fragrance is immediately noticeable but not overpowering. Performance is impressive: it cuts through grease on cooker hoods, sticky jam residues and everyday fingerprints on glossy surfaces with ease. Even burnt-on stains and muddy footprints are tackled well, though you may need a little extra elbow grease for more stubborn marks.
The trigger is comfortable to use, delivering a wide, even spray without leaks or clogging and surfaces dry quickly with no sticky or streaky residue. The bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable via standard household collection, which is a plus for sustainability. Ingredients are plant-based and biodegradable, with allergens clearly listed. While there’s no refill option for this particular bottle, it’s widely available in major supermarkets and online.
For those after something a bit different, the deep house version offers a unique, perfumed scent (oud, saffron and plum) as a limited edition.
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Ecover Multi-Action surface cleaner
Available from Dunelm (£1.75), Ecover (£3.25)
Best general eco cleaner for shiny surfaces
Pros:
- Widely available
- Various refill options available
- Refills are good value for money
Cons:
Size: 500ml
RRP: £3.25. Concentrated refill for three bottles: £5
Star rating: 4.5/5
Ecover is one of the best known and trusted eco cleaning brands around, and this plant-based, palm oil-free multi-action cleaner is Leaping Bunny approved – which means you can trust that it’s cruelty free. What’s more, it’s produced in Ecover’s zero-waste factory using plant-based and biodegradable ingredients.
The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and when it’s empty there’s a concentrated refill available to purchase. The refill does come in a small plastic bottle, but it contains enough concentrate to refill three bottles, so vastly reduces the amount of plastic and is much more cost-effective.
Plus, in an effort to further reduce single-use plastic, Ecover refill stations are available in shops nationwide, but you’ll need to check online if there’s one near you.
The aroma is somewhat chemically and overpowers the citrussy lemongrass and orange scent that’s promised on the label. But with that being said, this was the best at leaving glossy kitchen cabinets smear free.
It can remove grease from cooker hoods and will also remove fingerprints from glass, leaving a streak-free shine. It’s a great all-rounder but particularly useful to have around if you have a lot of shiny or reflective surfaces to keep clean and smear-free. It’s a versatile multi-surface cleaner that’s not limited to use in the kitchen.
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Smol multi-purpose spray
Available from Smol (£2 for trial pack, then £7 for six tablets)
Best value eco cleaning subscription
Pros:
- Compact refill tablets
- Easy subscription option
- Low cost
Cons:
Size: 500ml bottle
RRP: £2 for trial pack, then £7 for six tablets (subscription model)
Star rating: 4/5
Smol is vegan and Leaping Bunny-approved, so it’s cruelty free. The reusable spray bottle is plastic but it’s made from 100% recycled plastic. And with just the brand name debossed on the bottle, it has a minimal design that looks nice on the worktop. The bottle includes an orange silicone band to indicate that this is the multi-purpose spray, and it’s nicely positioned near the top to help with grip.
The small concentrated refill tablets come in plastic-free, compostable packaging. The tablet takes several minutes to dissolve, but this mess-free refill is easy to use and the tiny tablets take up very little storage space, so it allows you to keep a fully stocked cleaning cupboard without the clutter.
The nozzle can be set to either mist the product or shoot it in a more direct spray. The aroma is distinctly reminiscent of laundry detergent, plus it lingers, which some people will like and others will not.
We preferred other brands for cleaning windows and shiny surfaces, as Smol left visible watermarks. But it’s powerful enough to remove grease and grime including tougher muck on cooker hoods and hobs.
We think it’s best when spritzed on surfaces for an everyday clean. Plus, the refills offer the best value for money we’ve seen. And because it’s multi-purpose, it’s not limited to use in the kitchen.
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Why use eco-friendly cleaning products?
The first reason to switch to eco cleaning products is to reduce the volume of potentially harmful chemicals in your home. While all common cleaning chemicals have been approved for use in our homes, some are still potentially quite toxic, both to humans, animals, and the environment.
For an even better impact on the planet, most eco cleaning products are at the very least packaged in recycled materials. The best ones offer concentrated refill products for a much lower waste approach, and with the need for us all to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics, this is a more sustainable option that’s easy to adopt.
Which certifications to look out for when choosing eco-friendly cleaning products
There are numerous certifications that you might come across on cleaning products, but these are the ones we think are worth seeking out:
- Leaping Bunny: This internationally recognised symbol is your guarantee that no new animal tests were used in the development of the product.
- B-Corp: To achieve B Corp certification, a company has to commit to, and prove that it is working to positively impact its workers, community, customers and the planet. These businesses work hard to meet very high standards in social and environmental performance.
- Vegan: Some cleaning products contain substances derived from animals. If that is something you want to avoid, you can look out for the Vegan Society logo.
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