An Honest Review of Switching to Eco Friendly Reusable Cleaning Products for Two Years

When I first tried a reusable bamboo brush for cleaning the dishes, it fell apart in weeks.

It really didn't stand up to the challenge of washing up every single day and I was left wondering why I'd stopped using plastic scourers.

But in the last two years I have since tried eco-friendly cleaning products again and now I wouldn't go back.

In this blog I will share what products I use, how I rate them plus some tips on switching to more eco-friendly washing up products. 

My Experience with Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products After Two Years

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Refills

Washing Up Liquid

"The UK uses 13 billion plastic bottles every year. Only 7.5 billion are recycled. The remaining 5.5 billion are landfilled, littered, or incinerated" (Plastic Bottles, Turning Back the Plastic Tide Report)

It is crazy just how many plastic bottles we get through as a civilisation. I used to easily burn through the small 300ml washing up bottles which were usually cheaper than buying any kind of larger version at the supermarket. 

So I decided to start using a refill service at Green Heart Collective, where I work. This is great because I now simply refill a 1L squeezy bottle which will be able to hold my washing liquid for a lifetime.

I chose Ecoleaf by Suma as my washing up liquid as it performs really well, gets things clean and is slightly kinder to hands than the supermarket stuff I was using before. 

What I also like about Ecoleaf is that it is from an amazing worked-owned co-operative called Suma Wholefoods.

All Ecoleaf products are vegan, animal cruelty free and non-toxic. And what makes it different from the gloop you find in high street shops is that the ingredients come from plant extracts which are also biodegradable and non-hazardous. 

Any cons?

• It doesn't bubble up so much but that doesn't really affect the performance at all. 
• You might need a teeny bit more elbow grease to get things super clean
• No super pretty colours, it's a clear liquid...because it doesn't contain any unnecessary chemicals!  

Ecoleaf Toilet Cleaner

I have found the Ecoleaf Toilet Cleaner to be just as effective as using regular toilet bleach etc for keeping things clean and tidy. And yet it is completely chemical free, using biodegradable, sustainably sourced ingredients.

Cons

• The only real con is with refilling them means you have to prize off the plastic attachment, which can be a little messy. But with practice, and a cloth, it's fairly straightforward. Not a problem if you pop to your nearest refill shop and they refill it for you! 
• No 'pretty colours' - again this is not something I care about in the slightest. In fact it's good as it means less added nasties.

Ecoleaf Anti-Bac Multi Surface Cleaner

The Ecoleaf anti-bacterial spray is a pretty good all-purpose cleaner. No thrills, you need to leave it to work for a few minutes first.

It is non-toxic, natural, biodegradable, vegan, sustainably sourced and safe for the environment.

Cons

• Some people have commented on the smell, but I personally didn't notice it at all.

Read More: Refill is the New Recycle

Sustainable Diswashing Tools

Sponge

I first used a set of compostable sponges by Eco Living which I bought at Buy the Kilo in Tynemouth Metro Station. These are really great to use because they're a good size and great for all-round kitchen cleaning.

They're also made from naturally renewable resources such as cotton, wood pulp and flax meaning they're also TOTALLY plastic free. 

Any Cons?

• They can get a bit stained
• Eventually will break apart with heavy duty use...but this shows that they are actually compostable!

Composty Pop Up Sponges

I recently tried Composty's Pop Up sponges, which come flatpacked in a small cardboard box. You just add water and then they puff up to a normal sized sponge. It meant that I could buy a 12 pack, which still fitted inside a Royal Mail large letter size box, great for saving space.

The multi-packs come in a few different colours, which might be helpful if you have different sponges for different jobs around the house.

They are also relatively cheap, long lasting, and ultimately can be broken down and composted as they are made from natural cellulose.

Cons

• Just like the Eco Living sponges, they can become a bit stained after a while.
• Similarly, they can break down after 2 months or so. It really depends on how much wear and tear they get. Still plenty of life, though.

LoofCo Washing-Up Brush

A rubberwood and coconut brush that actually lasts! LoofCo's Washing-Up Brush is really good for scrubbing the dishes. I use it for those slightly more stubborn bits that get stuck on plates. It's also handy for cleaning away tea stains at the bottom of mugs. 

Unlike my first bamboo washing up brush this LoofCo brush has kept in good condition. It does need to be kept dry between uses, so I give it a rinse and make sure that air can get round it. 

Smaller Pot Brush

All the gear and no idea. My arsenal of washing up tools is not complete without this final pot brush. I got it from Buy the Kilo and it is made by Eco Living. It's made from beechwood with vegan, plant-based bristles. The bristles are very stiff and it is great to clean up pans without scratching them. 

Read More: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Cleanup

ecoLiving Wooden Dish Brush with Handle

The main thing I loved about the ecoLiving dish brush is the changeable head. I was finding that bristles on previous washing up brushes eventually perished, so being able to change out the head and keep the handle means slightly less waste overall.

The head is smaller on this dish brush, but that makes it easier to clean round pots and pans.

Fully biodegradable, handle made from locally grown responsibly sourced beech wood. Bristles made from the fibres from the yellow leaf of the agave cactus.

Cons

• The bristles feel softer compared to some pan brushes. This is ultimately better for your pans as it is less abrasive. But it does mean you need a bit more scrubbing power.

Sponge Scourer Combo

All of the items so far I can really recommend and they do last a long time if you look after them properly (give them a wash after use and allow to dry properly).

One of the weaker products was a sponge scourer. It had a rough loofah side and a softer spongey side which were stitched together. I forget which brand it was. It's probably already composted by now because the spongey side very quickly got shredded after washing up every day. The loofah side survived for a lot longer. 

This was a shame because it seemed to be a good transition from the plastic sponge/scourer combo and it meant I didn't need to use any brushes. Maybe it would be worth trying a different brand. 

Rubber Gloves

Big fail. I usually like the products you get from If You Care but I unfortunately the rubber gloves were pretty hopeless, falling apart within a week. I can only seem to get on with those black heavy duty gloves which last months. 

The Pros and Cons of Using Eco-friendly Cleaning Products in General

Pros

• Less plastic
• Far less microplastic pollution
• Support smaller businesses and organisations
• Less waste
• Old sponges, brushes will eventually decompose
• It's a relatively cheap swap to make (even if you pick one item to change)
• Long lasting

Cons

• Slightly more elbow grease required (only sometimes and in those cases, let it soak!!)
• You do need to take a bit more care by rinsing sponges, brushes after use and allowing to dry to avoid mould
• It is more pricy than the cheapest supermarket brands

Read More: Washing Your Clothes to Save the Planet

Tips on Switching to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

1. Change one thing a time 
2. Let things soak in warm water for a bit
3. Try different products from different brands
4. Ensure any brushes or sponges are rinsed and left to dry after use

Have you got any recommendations for eco-friendly washing up gloves, or for any sustainable eco cleaning refills? Leave us a comment below!