Swap cupboard-full cleaners for concentrate refills
Most spray cleaner is water shipped in plastic. One reusable trigger bottle plus tablets or concentrate replaces the whole shelf.
~95%
of spray cleaner is water
1 bottle
replaces years of trigger sprays
5–10x
less shipping weight for tablets
TL;DR
Best replacement right now: All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate by Puracy (89/100 ethics). Runners-up: EWG Verified All-Purpose Cleaner, Multi-Surface Cleaner Starter Kit, Manuka Oil & Tea Tree Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner.
How to make the switch
- Keep one glass or aluminium trigger bottle per room.
- Choose readily-biodegradable surfactants with full ingredient disclosure.
- Ventilate rather than mask — fragrance is not cleanliness.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Never mix a bleach product with an acid descaler.
- 'Plant-based' says nothing about aquatic toxicity — check the disclosure.
Top-scoring replacements
- 1
ExcellentCruelty-FreeEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyB Corp4.8 (12,400)A highly concentrated, plant-based cleaner designed by chemists to be safe for families while reducing plastic use through a refill system.
- 2
ExcellentEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyEcologo4.6 (840)A 100% natural, plant-based cleaner that achieves the highest safety ratings for human health while remaining effective on grease and grime.
- 3
ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleEPA Safer ChoiceLeaping Bunny+1 more4.6 (15,400)Blueland eliminates single-use plastic by providing a reusable glass-alternative bottle and dissolvable tablets that create a powerful cleaning solution with tap water.
- 4
ExcellentVeganCruelty-FreeFair TradePETA Approved4.8 (142)A potent, plant-derived cleaner sourced from Mānuka-growing Māori land trusts in New Zealand, perfect for new plant-based households seeking a biological, toxin-free deep clean.
- 5
ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleLeaping BunnyClimate Neutral+1 more4.8 (12,450)An innovative, plastic-eliminating cleaning solution that uses dry tablets and reusable glass bottles to drastically reduce shipping carbon and single-use waste.
- 6
ExcellentB CorpEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyCradle to Cradle+1 more4.7 (5,420)An innovative, zero-waste glass cleaning solution that eliminates single-use plastic through a dissolvable tablet system. It delivers a streak-free shine using non-toxic, plant-based chemistry.
- 7
ExcellentCruelty-FreeEWG VerifiedLeaping Bunny4.8 (18,500)A highly concentrated, plant-derived cleaner designed by PhD chemists to provide a streak-free shine on every non-porous surface without harsh fumes.
- 8
ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleLeaping BunnyEPA Safer Choice4.8 (15,000)A female-founded brand disrupting the cleaning industry with reusable glass bottles and dissolvable tablets that eliminate single-use plastic.
- 9
ExcellentEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyCruelty-FreeNon-GMO4.8 (850)Branch Basics offers a unique refillable system centered around a single multi-purpose concentrate, minimizing chemical exposure and packaging waste.
- 10
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+1 more4.9 (24,500)The gold standard for multi-purpose ethical cleaning, featuring organic oils and fair trade sourcing in a post-consumer recycled bottle.
- 11
ExcellentCradle to CradleB CorpLeaping BunnyEPA Safer Choice+1 more4.7 (12,450)An innovative, plastic-free cleaning system utilizing effervescent tablets and reusable glass-and-silicone bottles to eliminate single-use waste.
- 12
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeLeaping BunnyUSDA Organic+1 more4.8 (14,200)An industry gold standard for ethical home care, this ultra-concentrated soap uses organic oils and fair-trade ingredients for a versatile, biodegradable cleaning solution.
- 13
ExcellentB CorpEWG VerifiedCradle to CradleLeaping Bunny+1 more4.8 (15,400)A high-performance, non-toxic cleaning system utilizing reusable glass bottles and dissolvable tablets to eliminate single-use plastic.
- 14ExcellentB CorpCradle to Cradle PlatinumClimate NeutralLeaping Bunny+1 more4.5 (8,200)
The original 'forever bottle' cleaning system that eliminates single-use plastic via water-soluble tablets.
- 15ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleLeaping BunnyEWG Verified+1 more4.8 (12,400)
A revolutionary tablet-based cleaning system that eliminates single-use plastic bottles by using forever-bottles and dissolvable refills.
- 16
ExcellentEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyCruelty-FreeSafe Shopper4.8 (8,450)A high-performance, women-owned cleaning concentrate that replaces dozens of single-use plastic bottles with a single non-toxic, biodegradable formula.
- 17
ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleClimate NeutralEWG Verified+1 more4.5 (12,000)A stylish, refillable system that eliminates single-use plastic by providing cleaning concentrates in tablet form to be mixed with your own tap water.
- 18
ExcellentLeaping Bunny1% for the PlanetClimate NeutralVegan4.7 (18,450)A high-performance, zero-waste laundry solution that eliminates plastic jugs through concentrated, dehydrated sheets that dissolve instantly in any water temperature.
- 19
ExcellentPETA ApprovedB CorpClimate Neutral4.6 (215)Concentrated plant-based cleaning and breakdown pods for off-grid waste systems, formulated with Brazilian citrus oils and enzymes.
- 20
ExcellentPETA ApprovedCruelty-FreeEWG Verified4.8 (312)A premium, hypoallergenic cleaning solution from South Korea designed specifically for households with sensitive pets, featuring food-grade ingredients and a streak-free finish ideal for Airbnb hosts.
- 21
ExcellentB CorpCradle to CradleEPA Safer ChoiceClimate Neutral+1 more4.6 (8,420)A revolutionary refill system that eliminates single-use plastic by using dissolvable tablets and reusable glass or 'forever' bottles.
- 22
ExcellentPETA ApprovedB CorpCruelty-Free4.6 (1,250)A mainstream-friendly, powerful surface cleaner from New Zealand's leading sustainable brand, utilizing hemp-derived surfactants for a streak-free finish.
- 23ExcellentEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyVeganEcocert4.8 (840)
A professional-grade, 100% natural surface cleaner that sets the gold standard for ingredient transparency and safety.
- 24
ExcellentGOTSB CorpGreenguard Gold4.9 (840)A fully customizable, organic pillow filled with sustainable kapok fiber—a vegan, silk-like alternative to down.
Categories in this swap
Frequently asked questions
Do concentrated cleaners work as well?+
Yes, when dosed correctly — they are the same actives without the pre-added water.
Is vinegar a good all-purpose cleaner?+
It handles limescale and glass well but is unsuitable for stone worktops and is not a disinfectant.