The first thought that comes to our minds when we hear that a cleaning product is “natural” is “Is it actually effective?” Traditionally, glass and mirror cleaners contain ammonia which is an effective degreaser and has a streak-free finish. The downside of ammonia is the harmful fumes that it can produce if it comes in contact with chlorine bleach and other chemicals. Luckily, many environmentally conscious brands produce glass cleaners that are formulated with plant-based ingredients which we have reviewed and tested.
Why Use an Eco Friendly Glass Cleaner?
Choosing an eco-friendly glass cleaner offers various benefits for both your home and the environment. These include toxin-free cleaning with natural and plant-based ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals. Eco-friendly cleaners have a reduced environmental impact, as they are formulated with biodegradable ingredients and often come in recyclable packaging. They contribute to healthier indoor air quality by using natural fragrances from essential oils instead of synthetic chemicals. Many eco-friendly options are cruelty-free, supporting ethical practices and animal welfare.
What Certifications Should You Look for?
- PETA Cruelty-Free Certification: This certification ensures that the product has not been tested on animals.
- Leaping Bunny Certification: Similar to the PETA Cruelty-Free Certification, this certification indicates that the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals.
- EWG VERIFIED: This certification is given by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and verifies that the product meets their strict criteria for health and transparency.
- ECOLOGO® Certification: This certification indicates that the product has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its environmental sustainability and reduced impact on the ecosystem.
Our Recommendations
We have found and reviewed the best eco friendly glass cleaners – here are our recommendations.
This eco-friendly window cleaner from Grove Co. comes in a set that includes a 2-pack of Lavender & Thyme Scented glass cleaner refills and a clear, reusable spray bottle. The cleaner provides a streak-free shine on glass, mirrors, and other surfaces without leaving behind smears or film. It’s formulated with an all-natural fragrance derived from essential oils and plant extracts, offering scents like Lavender & Thyme, Lemon & Eucalyptus, or Orange & Rosemary.
The clear spray bottle is made with partially-recycled glass and a silicone sleeve. Grove Co. is committed to reducing plastic waste, using infinitely recyclable glass and recycled paper in its packaging, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable choice for a clean and healthy home.
Grove Co. maintains strict standards for product ingredients across all its brands, spanning home cleaning, personal care, pet, and kids’ products. According to the company’s list of “No Way Ingredients,” they ban parabens, phthalates, phosphates, triclosan, triclocarban, optical brighteners, BHA/BHT, ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA), formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, lead and lead compounds, Quaternium-15, coal tar, heavy metals, synthetic musks, toluene, resorcinol, and silicone.
Grove Co. emphasizes its commitment to environmental sustainability by implementing initiatives to go “Beyond Plastic.” Every purchase made with Grove is 100% plastic neutral, meaning that for any plastic included in an order, the company removes an equivalent amount of plastic pollution from nature.
This environmentally friendly glass cleaner offers people- and pet-friendly homecare with a wellness-inspired approach for healthier housecleaning. It utilizes vinegar and plant-based cleaners to effectively lift grime and tackle tough tasks such as soap scum, grout crud, and minerals, leaving surfaces pristine and sparkling. The cleaner is designed for various surfaces like bathroom counters, tubs, tile, and fixtures, without relying on harsh chemicals.
It neutralizes odors, refreshes the air without heavy perfumes, and has received the highest health and safety rating for cleaning products from the Environmental Working Group. The formula is made in the USA, and the application involves spraying, allowing a few moments for the formula to work, and then wiping clean.
Aunt Fannie’s products are vegan, and their packaging, including bottles and canisters, is recyclable. The company strives to use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic whenever possible, and customers are advised to check with their local recycling office for specific guidelines in their area.
All of their products are free from a range of potentially harmful substances, including dyes, cleaning sulfates, phthalates, parabens, gluten, known allergens, immunotoxins, mineral oil, bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde, phenols, fake fragrances, MIT preservatives, BIT preservatives, pyrethrins, alcohol, petroleum propellants, and neonicotinoids. The essential oils used in Aunt Fannie’s products are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) certified by the FDA, providing assurance of their safety.
This glass cleaner offers an innovative and environmentally conscious cleaning solution. Simply dissolve a tablet in warm water to create 16 oz of streak-free cleaner. The package includes a refillable glass spray bottle with a silicone sleeve and a window and glass cleaner refill. The trigger sprayer is made from recycled end-of-life wind turbine blades, reducing plastic usage while enhancing durability. This non-toxic, biodegradable formula is free from dyes, harsh chemicals, parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, and phthalates.
Green Llama offers a range of cleaning products crafted from natural, biodegradable ingredients. Their formulations are free of harmful chemicals, phosphates, and synthetic fragrances. The products are cruelty-free and packaged in recyclable materials. Despite being eco-friendly, Green Llama Clean’s products undergo rigorous testing to ensure effectiveness comparable to traditional cleaners, but without the associated harmful side effects. The product line caters to various cleaning needs, offering solutions for kitchens, bathrooms, and general cleaning.
This glass and mirror cleaner by Mrs. Meyer's offers a quick and easy solution for shining mirrors and glass surfaces. It is ammonia-free, ensuring a streak-free finish while leaving surfaces sparkly. Suitable for both interior and exterior window cleaning, the product is made with essential oils, plant-derived ingredients, and other carefully chosen components. This glass cleaner is Leaping Bunny certified, reflecting a commitment to not testing on animals.
Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products are formulated with natural and plant-derived ingredients, enhancing their environmental sustainability and biodegradability. Essential oils are often used for fragrance, offering a pleasant scent without resorting to synthetic or potentially harmful chemicals. The products are free from harmful substances like ammonia, chlorine, parabens, and phthalates, contributing to a reduced environmental impact. Mrs. Meyer’s is committed to cruelty-free practices, holding a Leaping Bunny certification, ensuring that its products are not tested on animals. The brand maximizes the use of recyclable packaging, promoting waste reduction and recycling.
This plant-based glass cleaner is EWG VERIFIED and composed of at least 94% naturally sourced ingredients with powerful cleaning properties. The packaging is easy to recycle, as the bottle is made from HDPE #2 plastic. Additionally, the product is PETA certified, 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It has a light citrus scent which doesn’t linger on surfaces and is not overpowering.
Attitude formulate their cleaning products with natural and plant-derived ingredients, and prioritize biodegradability. They hold the ECOLOGO® Certification, and PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification. Attitude stays informed about ingredient safety through monitoring scientific databases like California’s Proposition 65. They also adhere to the strict health criteria of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and participate in the EWG VERIFIED™ program, ensuring their products are free of ingredients of concern.