Eco Friendly Cleaning Products: Are They Worth It?

It’s 7 AM, morning chaos. There’s a half-packed lunchbox, a sticky kitchen counter, and a toddler taking their time getting ready. Sound familiar? This is the moment — the rushing, the stressing, the yelling. Here’s where the products we grab now can shape our health, homes, and planet.

We’re all busy parents, and we want what’s best for our families. However, as with all things, there always has to be a cost-benefit analysis. So let’s take a look at everything to do with eco-friendly cleaning products from a balanced perspective.

Let’s Start with the Environmental Concerns: What Actually Goes Into Your Typical Cleaning Product?

So you’re at a Walmart, or a (Woolies for Australian readers). You head into the detergent aisle and you're hit with that pungent smell we all know.

This is where many people fall into the trap of thinking that those smells actually equate to cleanliness. This trap is purposely set by big companies that sell these products to mislead their customers.

Grocery store cleaners all promise sparkling results, claiming, "Bam! And the dirt is gone!" But the real question is — gone where? The phosphates, ammonia, and chlorine end up seeping into our waterways and into the ocean, that’s where.

Now if you aren’t familiar with any of these technical terms, that’s okay. You just have to know that when water treatment plants don’t treat these chemicals enough, our aquatic life that we end up eating gets disrupted.

A news release by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), says that almost 53% of conventional cleaning products contain stuff that’s harmful to our respiratory system (our lungs).

Here’s a helpful tip for when you go shopping next time. Look for labels that have stickers from reputable orgs like:

• Green Seal.
• EPA Safer Choice for Americans.
• ACO (Australian Certified Organic) for Australian readers.

Let’s Talk About Health Concerns and Protecting Your Family

Your kids are crawling on floors that you’ve just freshly cleaned. Your curious toddlers are touching everything in sight. Your pets lick up anything that intrigues them. These situations are unavoidable, and the moment you look away, it’ll be happening.

When cleaning products are 53% likely to contain toxins, these everyday moments seem seriously risky. Eco-friendly alternatives typically steer clear of skin irritation, breathing problems, and allergic reactions. And it all comes down to what actually goes in them.

Many eco-conscious brands also like using organic ingredients, but they’re usually more expensive. And for this reason, even eco-aware business owners typically aim for a balance between health and cleaning efficacy.

Here’s something possibly relatable. If there’s ever been a time where you’ve sprayed a cleaner and it’s left you coughing or light-headed, it’s often from VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

VOCs — a technical term that, just from the name, doesn’t sound like something you’d want to be around.

They often come from cleaning supplies, pesticides, and according to this Northern Arizona University resource, “include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects”.

Eco options are usually lower in VOCs, so they improve air quality in your home and are gentler on the lungs.

This is especially applicable to people with asthma, as that same EWG article found that in cleaning products, “about 22 percent contain chemicals reported to cause asthma to develop in otherwise healthy individuals.”

Here’s another shopping tip. If the label is abstract and says anything like “fragrance” or “perfume”, it’s best to avoid them and opt for fragrance-free options.

Now Let’s Talk Sustainability. It’s More Than Just About the Product Itself.

Beyond what’s inside the bottle — it’s also about the bottle itself and the packaging. Many conventional products are mass produced, and so they conveniently rely on single-use plastic. This adds to our growing global waste problem.

Sustainable brands often use one the following packaging types: refillable, reusable, or recyclable. Otherwise, they tend to use concentrates that reduce total plastic waste.

For people that like minimalistic home setups, natural products seem pricier upfront, but they often save money in the long run. Plus, fewer plastic bottles around the house means you take up less storage space in general.

There are some certifying bodies out there like ECOCERT that go around thoroughly investigating businesses to make sure that they’re doing everything ethically.

So if you ever see an ‘ECOCERT’ label, or ‘certified B Corporation’ on any cleaning product, chances are you’re in good hands.

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis: Do They Clean as Well?

There’s a common myth that eco-friendly cleaning products aren’t as effective. That narrative is fading fast with new users piling in every year, and there’s actually science behind this.

Ingredients like aloe vera extract naturally carry antibacterial properties, and so many ‘natural’ products can still tackle stains without the toxicity.

Some brands that are really committed to sustainability also offer subscription models or bulk buying options to help further reduce this price. Plus, you’ll find that many natural products are also multipurpose, so there’s no need to buy a cleaner for every surface you have.

Think of the cumulative impact of avoiding doctors and less medications over time. These alone can make eco-friendly choices worthwhile to look at.

And if you’re looking to apply these principles beyond surfaces, check out our guide on how to clean silver jewellery using gentle, non-toxic methods.

The Final Verdict

So, are eco friendly cleaning products worth investing in? Well, you can get large amounts of bleach that’ll last you months for just a few dollars. But when it comes to protecting your family’s health and reducing environmental impact, then absolutely it’s worth it.

The best part about switching, aside from the reduced stress, is how much more user-friendly they are. Everyday tasks like cleaning the filter on a cooker hood become simpler and safer too.

Make the switch today and feel good about your family-friendly, environmental-conscious choices.