Wouldn’t it be great if we could ditch all those bottles in our cleaning cupboard – and just use one product for everything?
We’re searching for the best multi-purpose cleaner that’s planet-friendly too. We’re looking for a product that’s great on surfaces, floors and even tough baked-on grease. Read on for our results.
Our test
We scored each product on:
- Cleaning effectiveness
- Smell
- Packaging
- Speed
We gave each product a score out of a maximum of 20.
Royalty-approved: Delphis Eco Professional Floor and Surface
We’ve been recommending Delphis Eco products to our domestic and commercial cleaning clients for over 10 years.
Delphis have won a raft of awards and accreditations for their commitment to sustainability with packaging made from 100% recycled plastic, and planet-friendly ingredients. And of course, their products are effective too.
Operations Assistant Rumi tested the Professional Floor and Surface Cleaner. It scored highly on effectiveness on surfaces. Rumi says “it cleans surfaces really deep and you only need a drop” – so it’s great value too. Rumi recommends giving floors and surfaces a thorough rinse after use.
Buy Delphis Eco products direct from their website or from Waitrose.
Cost per 100ml: £0.50
Total score 19/20
The fruity one: Method Anti Bac All purpose – Wild Rhubarb
Method are well known for cleaning products which smell great – and this is no exception. COO Jo loves the wild rhubarb fragrance in this multi-purpose cleaner.
It has strong eco-credentials too. The spray bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and there’s also a 2 litre refill available. Method products are cruelty free and use biodegradeable ingredients. This one scored well with Jo because it’s anti-bac too, killing nasties such as E. coli.
Buy Method in most supermarkets, John Lewis and Holland & Barrett as well as direct from their website.
Cost per 100ml: £0.46 (Spray) £0.36 (refill)
Overall score: 20/20
The home-made option: Nancy Birtwhistle All Purpose Spray
As you’ll know if you’ve been reading our blog for a while, I’m a big fan of Nancy’s homemade cleaning recipes. They use simple, everyday ingredients, no harmful chemicals, and they are cost-effective too.
This recipe contains only 3 ingredients (white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and a few drops of essential oils), plus water. The rubbing alcohol helps the product to evaporate more quickly, and the essential oils are for fragrance (I love lemon and peppermint). Without these 2 ingredients, the cost would be just £0.22 for 100ml.
This spray cuts through grease really well. It creates a lovely shine on my kitchen cupboards and induction hob. For more stubborn stains, I’ve found soaking in the solution for a few minutes does the trick.
Cost per 100 ml £0.77 (or £0.22 without rubbing alcohol and essential oils)
Overall score: 19/20.
Final Thoughts
Multi-purpose cleaners mean less plastic, less space in the cupboard and less chemicals in our homes and our environment. And our test shows there are plenty of options for planet-friendly, budget-friendly multi-purpose cleaners too.
Each month we’re making #JustOneSwap to greener, cleaner products. WIll you join us? Take a look at our blog for more inspiration.
