Clean-ish Cleaning Products

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking plants, and that means a lot of dishes. 

While eating a whole-food plant-based diet has its perks (no greasy oil sheen, no raw animal products to deal with, thank you very much 🙌), the reality is still a sink full of dishes.

The mesh strainer, blender, salad spinner, piles of mixing bowls, two cutting boards and that cute measuring cup… all waiting their turn.

After eating this way for a while, a lot of us start thinking beyond the food. If we’re putting healthy, nourishing plants on our plates, it makes sense to think about how we’re cleaning those plates. Many conventional dish soaps (and laundry detergents)  contain synthetic ingredients derived from petroleum or animal sources, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals, which is why some people start exploring cleaner alternatives.

On top of that, some everyday cleaning tools, like plastic sponges, synthetic scrubbers, and microfiber cloths, can shed microplastics over time.

We may start asking ourselves:

• Is this soap the best choice for your families and the environment?
• Is the slick film left on my dishes fucking with my curry?
• Is this really safe on my cutting board?
• Am I scrubbing my counters clean or just moving mystery microplastics around?
• And why does it feel like I need a PhD just to understand the ingredient list on a bottle of soap?

This is when we start looking for better cleaning products and tools

Clean-ish cleaning products are cleaning supplies that aim to reduce exposure to harsh or unnecessary chemicals while still being effective.

Instead of focusing on strictly “all-natural” or perfectly non-toxic, they sit in the middle while prioritizing better ingredients, lower environmental impact, and reduced waste.

They often include products that are:

• Lower in synthetic chemicals than conventional cleaners (but not always 100% natural)
• Made with plant-based ingredients where possible
• Packaged with reduced plastic or refill systems
• Designed to minimize toxins, strong fumes, and residues

In short, clean-ish cleaning products still get the job done, without needing to go full on “vinegar and hope” in every situation, although, we do love a great DIY project!

Cleaning products our community recommended 

We turned to the real experts: our community. They shared their favorite products. Here’s what they had to say, plus a few favorites from our team and our research. 

🧼 All-purpose & surface cleaners

A simple spray bottle you can grab and use just about anywhere to clean up messes? Yes, please. Gone are the days of having five different bottles under the sink, each with its own very specific job. All-purpose cleaners make it easy to keep surfaces squeaky clean without overthinking it. Here are some of our community’s favorites:

• Public Goods cleaners
• Shaklee cleaning products
• Young Living Thieves Spray (this is the only cleaning product you’ll find in in our co-founder Molly’s house)
• Amway surface cleaner

🍽️ Dishwashing by hand

Well, well… if you did the cooking, hopefully someone else is handling the dishes. 😄 But if you’re a solo batcher, or you’re just faster at getting it done yourself, here are some of the dish soap recommendations our community swears by.

• Biokleen Free & Clear Dish Soap – Dish Liquid (Molly buys a one gallon container every 6 months and transfers it to a smaller bottle as needed) 
• Dirty Labs dish soap
• No Tox Life dish soap block
• ETEE dish soap concentrate pods
• Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap

🍽️ Dishwashing detergent

One thing we learned while talking about dishwashing detergents is that most dishwashers have a filter and it needs to be cleaned out or replaced every so often. #TheMoreYouKnow. It can make a huge difference in how well your dishwasher works and how clean it is. If your dishes aren’t coming out clean or things are starting to smell a little off, the filter is a great place to check first.

With that in mind, here are some of the detergents for dishwashers our community recommends:

• Dropps dishwasher pods (powder): Some people experienced residue issues and issues with the pump
• Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Powder: Some people experienced residue issues
• Dirty Labs dishwasher powder
• Blueland dishwasher tablets: Some people experienced residue issues. Available at some Costco locations.

👕 Laundry products

These dish towels aren’t going to wash themselves! Here are some of the community’s favorite products for laundry.

• Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent 
• Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods
• Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets
• Molly’s Suds (this isn’t our Molly – LOL) 

🧽 Cleaning tools & supplies

It’s not just about the soap, it’s about the sponge. There are so many more options out there now, including plastic-free and compostable choices that are better for both your kitchen and the planet, like the almighty loofah.

Fun fact: Loofah actually comes from a plant in the squash family. Mother nature is a badass, isn’t she?

Here are some of the recommendations we saw in the group:

• Norwex cloths
• ETEE compostable sponges
• Reusable/crocheted dish scrubbies
• Loofah/cellulose sponges
• Skoy scrubbers (these are great for cleaning counters and cast iron)

🧴 Cleaning hybrids

• Dr. Bronner’s (used for hand soap, face wash, and cleaning blends)
• Essential oils (for scent)

At the end of the day, clean-ish living isn’t about perfection. Whether you’re swapping one product at a time, trying out compostable sponges, or hand-squeezing organic lemons for your homemade cleaner, it all counts.

So here’s to fewer mystery chemicals, more thoughtful choices, and a sink full of dishes, because that means you got your batch on and fed yourself well.

Talk to us in the comments below about any natural / eco-friendly / clean products you use and love in the kitchen. 

Team Dirty