Protect Your Family’s Health with Plastic Free Cleaning Products

Plastic Free Cleaning Products

Keeping your home clean helps remove dirt and germs. Achieving a clean home can also involve reducing unnecessary packaging: consider plastic-free cleaning products in the UK and reusable tools where they suit the job. Packaging alone does not make a product safer or more effective.

The problem with regular cleaning products

Cleaning products vary in ingredients, concentration and purpose. Some can irritate skin, eyes or airways if used incorrectly, so follow the directions, ventilate where appropriate and store them away from children and pets. Refill formats may reduce packaging, but they still need the same care in use.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distinguishes routine cleaning from disinfection and warns against mixing cleaning products. In many everyday situations, cleaning with soap and water is sufficient; follow appropriate guidance when disinfection is needed.

When shopping at a zero waste store, check the actual product information rather than assuming every item is harmless. Recognised standards can help: the Safer Choice label from the US Environmental Protection Agency assesses ingredients, performance and other criteria. This is an example of a standard to check, not a claim that every product in our range carries it.

Things to buy

A plastic-free shop in the UK has a good selection of environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional cleaning products. Here are some examples that can replace the disposable, plastic goods you might have at home:

  • Wooden dish brush with a replaceable brush head – Look for clearly described wood sourcing, suitable bristles and a replaceable head. Check whether the exact product carries FSC certification rather than assuming all wooden brushes do.
  • Eco-friendly scrubbers – Some use coconut fibres, but check the whole product for metal, plastic, coatings or other components and follow the care instructions.
  • Organic washcloths – Cotton cloths can be washed and reused for wiping and mopping up spills. Check the fibre content and any organic certification, and wash and dry cloths appropriately between uses.
  • Plant-based multipurpose cleaners – Some concentrates or sachets are designed for suitable refill bottles. Follow the exact dilution, water-temperature and storage instructions; plant-based ingredients do not guarantee harmlessness, and a pod is not automatically plastic-free or home-compostable.
Friendly Turtle   |   Posted on June 07 2019

More Posts

0 comments

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing

Let customers speak for us

from 4578 reviews
Great

Good quality

Pinpon

Absolutely lovely cotton bags . My food is much fresher . I like the quality . Very pleased

marion cecilia elizabeth bailes
Excellent travel coffee cup

Feels comfortable to hold, drinks well with the flip lid and keeps y coffee warm! Perfect! Thank you.

Deborah Battams
Nice hair ties and fair trade too

Sturdy hairbands and good range of colours. Seems like they will last and they cope well with thick hair without damaging it.

Beth

It is a good strong wide toothed comb. Should have bought 2!

Vicki Leng
Great for Agrihomeopathy

These amber-coloured spray bottles are perfect for preparing and spraying homeopathic remedies on your organic and homeopathically treated garden. I have quite a few of them because each remedy needs a separate bottle, but the same remedies do tend to come up year after year, e.g. to deal with aphids, spider mites, cabbage butterflies and on it goes.

Helen Kimball-Brooke
Lovely

I already had some of these tea towels and love them so treated myself to some more so I could ditch the horrible ones I have accumulated. The quality is great- they come with a useful hanging hook, they wash really well and are soft and absorbent- what else do you need? Well worth the money. Delivery was quick.

Jill Rowe
Beautiful comb

Beautiful comb, nice and smooth, goes well through my thick hair and my mother’s fine curly hair.

Anstice
Beautiful brush

Good quality, nice to know it is so eco friendly, feels good on the scalp and effective at getting through my thick hair. Good price, well packaged and good delivery time. Very pleased with my purchase, thank you

Anstice
Just the job

Just the job

H
Great trigger spray

I bought these to replace some bought from elsewhere which had failed within a short time of using. I use these daily, they are excellent and I'll definitely be buying more. Would highly recommend

Jenny
Good quality bottles

Nice bottle with good pump spray that doesn't drip down sides of bottle.

Anonymous
Useful and subtle.

These are excellent - not damaging , nice colours, do the job.
Not much more to say really.

V.A.
Deodorant tin

I was very impressed by the very swift arrival of my package, arrived almost the next day.
It smells delicious

CustomerJune Williams
Given as present

It was well received as the recipient was really happy to receive them.

Jan

Blog posts

Clever Ways Businesses Can Reduce Packaging Waste Without Damaging Their Products

Clever Ways Businesses Can Reduce Packaging Waste Without Damaging Their Products

Friendly Turtle Posted on October 30 2026

Reducing packaging waste is an important step towards more sustainable business operations, but protecting products during delivery is just as essential. In this Friendly Turtle EcoBlog guide, discover practical ways businesses can reduce packaging waste without compromising product safety or customer satisfaction. Learn how choosing correctly sized boxes, using protective materials more efficiently and introducing reusable packaging solutions can help minimise unnecessary cardboard, plastic and cushioning. We explore how sustainable packaging practices can support responsible resource management, reduce avoidable shipping costs and limit the environmental impact of damaged goods and replacement deliveries. From reviewing everyday packing processes to selecting recycled-content materials and improving packaging efficiency, these simple strategies can help businesses of all sizes make more environmentally conscious decisions. Whether you run an online shop, manage a warehouse or regularly dispatch customer orders, find out how thoughtful packaging choices can reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and support a more sustainable approach to e-commerce and shipping.

Read More
Are Lab-Grown Diamond Rings Sustainable? What to Know Before Buying

Are Lab-Grown Diamond Rings Sustainable? What to Know Before Buying

Friendly Turtle Posted on October 30 2026

Are lab-grown diamond rings sustainable, or are their environmental benefits sometimes overstated? In this Friendly Turtle EcoBlog guide, discover how to look beyond green marketing claims and make more informed jewellery choices. Although laboratory-grown diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, their environmental impact depends on factors such as energy consumption, manufacturing processes and supply-chain transparency. Learn how to assess carbon-neutral promises, renewable energy claims and independent certifications, while understanding the role of recycled gold and responsibly sourced materials. We also explain why diamond grading certificates do not automatically prove sustainability and what questions to ask jewellers about ethical production, cutting and polishing. From checking a ring's durability and repair options to recognising potential greenwashing, this practical guide helps you evaluate the full picture before buying. Whether you are choosing an engagement ring or exploring more sustainable jewellery, discover how to balance beautiful design, long-term value and environmental responsibility.

Read More
Garden renovation with wooden decking, natural stone landscaping and green planting

Eco-Friendly Garden Renovation: Sustainable Pools, Patios and Decking

Friendly Turtle Posted on October 29 2026

An eco-friendly garden renovation is an opportunity to create a beautiful outdoor space while making more thoughtful choices about materials, energy and natural resources. In this Friendly Turtle EcoBlog guide, discover how sustainable garden design can bring together stylish patios, durable decking, carefully considered swimming pools and wildlife-friendly planting. We examine the environmental impact of conventional concrete and look at alternatives such as permeable paving, locally sourced stone and recycled composite materials. Learn what to consider when comparing fibreglass and concrete pools, including maintenance, water treatment and long-term energy use, without assuming that one option is automatically greener. Find out how responsibly sourced timber, including FSC-certified wood, can fit into an outdoor renovation, and why product lifespan and repairability matter just as much as initial appearance. From native flowers that support bees and butterflies to efficient LED lighting that helps limit light pollution, small design decisions can make a meaningful difference. Whether you are updating a compact patio or planning a complete garden makeover, this guide offers practical inspiration for reducing waste, conserving water and creating an inviting outdoor retreat that balances comfort, biodiversity and sustainability for years to come.

Read More