Spring cleaning season is in full swing!  When we shop for products to clean and disinfect our home, we like to keep three things in mind: effectiveness, safety, and affordability.  While it’s pretty easy to find budget-friendly cleaning products that work, it’s a bit harder to find cleansers that are safe and friendly to the earth– meaning they don’t have harsh chemicals in them, and use responsible packaging and sourcing. And of course, no animal testing!

We put a few to the test, scoured online reviews, and nitpicked ingredients. Here’s what we like best:

Friendly Cleaning Products

1. For a multi-purpose cleaner, we love The Honest Company’s Multi-surface Cleaner.  For just $5.95 for 26 ounces, this plant-based spray is formulated without any harsh chemicals and the only fragrance is natural grapefruit essential oil.  We also love Trader Joe’s Cedarwood and Sage Multi-Purpose Cleaner for it’s fresh scent and amazing price — just $3!

Friendly Cleaning Products

2. Mrs Meyer’s Dish Soap has become a staple in our kitchen!  Made from soap bark extract and other ingredients that can be found in your garden, Mrs Meyers is effective, concentrated, and doesn’t leave your hands dry. Our favorite flavors are basil and lavender.  (Hint: Check Amazon for the best deals!)

Friendly Cleaning Products

3. Seventh Generation products are our go-to when it comes to laundry.  Their plant-based formulas are tough on stains, and we love that they offer a “free and clear” formula for those of us with sensitive skin! If you’d prefer something fragrant, they also offer detergent with natural essential oils, including lavender and eucalyptus.

Friendly Cleaning Products

4. J. R. Watkins’ Lemon Window Cleaner is our favorite product for wiping down glass in our home.  Non-toxic and biodegradable, the popular product from America’s original apothecary manufacturer is available at Target for just $4!