If you’re looking to reduce the number of single-use plastics and harsh chemicals used in your home, cleaning products are a great way to start. In recent years, many companies have introduced a new generation of concentrated products in reusable and/or recyclable containers with refills available in liquid or tablet form. You simply add tap water to a sprayer or pump bottle, and you’re ready to tackle messes all over the house. This also reduces the amount of emissions associated with transportation because you’re not shipping as much water.

Many products are multi-purpose, so you don’t need to buy a ton of different cleaners that pile up under the kitchen sink. Many companies also offer subscription services that allow you to choose what you want and when it should be shipped to you as well as a discount for recurring orders. Another plus? Concentrated products generally save you money because a little goes a long way.

Ahead, our top picks for the best concentrated cleaning products.

Want to ditch all your cleaners and use just one? This versatile multi-tasking concentrate is the answer. Mix it in a spray bottle for counters and bathrooms, in pump bottles as a foaming hand wash, or as a detergent, stain-buster, or floor cleaner.

Best Multi-purpose

Branch Basics The Concentrate

You can purchase their recyclable plastic or glass bottles or use your own; there’s also a 10 percent discount on subscription orders. There’s even a trial size for a few bucks, so you can try it out before committing. Branch Basics’ products carry the Made Safe seal, which certifies they’re made without the use of over 6,000 concerning chemicals.

Price at time of publish: $55

This kit contains everything you need for cleaning every room of the house. The set comes with four glass spray bottles and four starter glass vials of cleaners for glass and mirrors; counters and granite; bath and tile; wood and floors. 

Best Kit

Supernatural Cleaning Starter Set

The products are Leaping Bunny certified and made with USDA certified organic essential oils such as fir, eucalyptus, and grapefruit. Two trees are planted for every order to offset the carbon emissions of shipping. Sign up for the subscription service and get 10 percent off subsequent orders. And there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t love the products.

Price at time of publish: $75

Packaged in recyclable glass and paper, this concentrated cleaner comes in unscented or scented options, such as lavender and thyme, which are made from essential oils with no synthetics. You can shop for Grove products online or pick them up at your local Target. The company is certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny and is a Certified B corporation with carbon-neutral shipping and facilities.

Best Glass Cleaner

Grove Co. Glass Cleaner Concentrate

Grove is also plastic-neutral, diverting the same amount of plastic from the ocean for every ounce of plastic in its products; and its goal is to be 100 percent plastic-free by 2025. The cleaner leaves windows and mirrors streak-free and has an amazing, fresh scent.

Price at time of publish: $7

The 23.1-ounce bottle washes 66 loads and has a cap that measures out the correct amount of detergent when you turn the bottle upside down and squeeze. The detergent comes in unscented, lavender, alpine, and tropical scents. For more than 30 years, Seventh Generation has been producing plant-based products with zero synthetic fragrances or dyes, and products are Leaping Bunny, Safer Choice, and USDA Biobased certified.

Best Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrated Lavender Laundry Detergent

You can find Seventh Generation products at a range of retailers if you don’t want to wait for shipping. It has a mild scent, and we love the fact that so little product is needed per load, although the dosing cap is a little tricky to use until you get accustomed to it.

Price at time of publish: $14

The 32-ounce refill comes in a recyclable paper carton with a plant-based recyclable cap. It’s available in two scents including grapefruit basil, and lemongrass. It can be poured into the company’s attractive pump bottle (sold separately) or used in your own bottle. This dish soap does a great job with greasy cleanups, and you don’t need to use much, so it lasts a long time.

Best Dish Soap

Cleancult Liquid Dish Soap Refill

The company is carbon-neutral and will take back cartons free if your local recycler doesn’t accept them. The rectangular boxes also ship more efficiently, which the company says helps them reduce the number of trucks needed to deliver its products.

Price at time of publish: $17

This reasonably-priced product comes with two attractive glass pump bottles, and refills (in tablet form) come in a compostable paper in three different scents. All packaging is recyclable, compostable, or both, and the company is Climate Neutral Certified. Blueland’s cleaning products are formulated without dyes, phosphates, chlorine, parabens, or phthalates. The company also makes concentrated dish soaps, laundry detergent tabs, and sprays.

Best Hand Soap

Blueland Hand Soap Duo

Price at time of publish: $34

Way back in the 1960s, the founder of this company was interested in making soap from natural products with no synthetic ingredients. The company line has expanded, but this original liquid soap product can be used for everything from washing hands, dishes, and windows to mopping, laundry, and bathrooms. The company is a Certified B Corporation, and its products are Leaping Bunny and USDA Organic Certified as well. Dr. Bronner’s is a Treehugger staff favorite for its versatility and because it’s not harsh on sensitive skin.

Best Budget

Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap

Price at time of publish: $37

What to Look for in a Concentrated Cleaning Product

Shopping can be a little confusing because there’s not a lot of regulation on the terminology you’ll find on cleaning product labels. For example, “natural” can mean that all—or only some—of the ingredients come from plants or minerals rather than petroleum. Ditto for the word “non-toxic,” which has no standard definition in the cleaning industry. Your best bet is to look for seals that show products have been tested and certified by independent third-party organizations that examine a company’s ingredients and environmental impact, such as:

If you’re looking for a single concentrated product that can be made into many different types of cleaners, consider the Branch Basics Concentrate (view on BranchBasics.com). If you prefer a kit that includes all the bottles and different formulas for different surfaces, then you may prefer the Supernatural Cleaning Starter Set (view on Supernatural.com). 

·  Leaping Bunny, which certifies products are cruelty-free of animal testing at all stages of development

·  Safer Choice (formerly US EPA Design for the Environment), which reviews products to ensure they work well and that ingredients meet safety criteria for health and the environment

·  Climate Neutral Certified means a company is committed to offsetting and reducing its carbon emissions

·  USDA Certified Organic indicates a company uses materials that foster resource cycling and protect soil and water

·  USDA Certified Biobased Product which shows products have replaced fossil-fuel-based ingredients with bio-based ones

·  Certified B Corporation means a company has been evaluated for strict social, environmental performance, accountability, and transparency

Why Trust Treehugger?

We researched the market based on ratings, product ingredients, reviews, and company sustainability initiatives, as well as environmental certifications. Arricca SanSone specializes in writing about home, shelter, and gardening for many digital and print publications. She admits that she actually likes cleaning.