Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (2024)

Table of Contents
Best soluble cleaning product Best floor cleaner Best long-lasting refillable cleaning product Best cleaner for large households Best toilet cleaner Best soluble cleaning product subscription service Best starter kit Best for daily use Best refillable cleaning product for minimal scrubbing Best soluble handwash Why are more eco-friendly cleaning products better? How we test Neat Anti-Bac Multi Surface Refill Starter Pack Mango & Fig Key specifications Neat All Purpose Floor Cleaner Starter Pack – Mango & Fig Key specifications Method Multi-Surface Cleaner Key specifications Mix Multi-Mix Refill Key specifications Neat Foaming Toilet Cleaner Starter Pack- Sage & Mint Key specifications Ocean Saver The Anti-Bac Starter Kit Key specifications Purdy & Figg Counter Clean Mixed Starter Kit Key specifications Purdy & Figg Bathroom Bliss Starter Kit Key specifications Method Daily Shower Surface Cleaner Spray Key specifications Smol Foaming Handwash Key specifications Clean Living Biological Multi-Purpose Cleaner Starter Pack Key specifications Faith in Nature Aloe Vera & Rosemary Laundry Liquid - 20L Key specifications Kit & Kin All Purpose Cleaner Key specifications Iron & Velvet Multisurface Cleaner Refill Key specifications Bower Collective Limescale Remover Refill - 1L Key specifications Zoflora Antibacterial Multipurpose Cleaner, Key specifications Spruce Multipurpose Cleaner Starter Kit Key specifications Homethings AT (Allthings) Trio Cleaning Tabs Refill Key specifications These also passed... The verdict on refillable cleaning products References
Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (1)

Plastic waste is a huge global problem, but small changes can make a difference. Along with carrying a reusable water bottle and using a tote bag for your shopping, one way you can help do your bit to clean up the environment is by choosing refillable cleaning products.

That's why the experts at the GHI have been busy scrubbing to find the most reliable on the market. These are our top-rated refillable cleaners to buy now, but keep reading for our detailed reviews and more information about how they work.

Switching out your (typically plastic) cleaning products for one of these more eco-friendly cleaners is an easy way to cut your plastic waste. Many soluble cleaning products come as concentrated liquid in mini refill bottles, so you just need to pop it in an empty spray bottle, fill it with water, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to clean. You can also buy pouches or large containers that you can pour into existing bottles, as well as pods, tablets and sheets.

Soluble cleaning sheets are less common, but we have tested a few at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our top performer was the Simple Living Eco Multi-Purpose Cleaning Sheets, which scored 77/100.

These easy-store sheets must be shaken in hot or cold water for two minutes until fully dissolved and they can also be used as dishwasher tablets! Our testers found the resulting solution surprisingly strong and effective, particularly when cutting through grease, but it failed to budge burnt-on stains and left glass smeary. Still, our testers appreciated the easy-to-follow instructions and enjoyed a streak-free finish on kitchen appliances.

Why are more eco-friendly cleaning products better?

While the UK’s plastic recycling has come a long way, only 42% of all household plastic packaging is collected. This includes 63% of plastic bottles (including cleaning products) and 39% of plastic pots, tubs and trays. In other words, there’s still work to be done. So, using refillable cleaning products automatically cuts back on plastic waste. But, besides the obvious benefit of being more eco-friendly, they can also save you money in the long run. Products are often concentrated, so a small amount should go a long way.

Thanks to their more sustainable format, you'll save on repeatedly buying new plastic bottles, plus the concentrated solutions are smaller so are easier to store and leave you with a less cluttered kitchen.

As refillable products are made to stay in your home for a longer period, most brands have also made their products more aesthetically pleasing, too. Win, win.

How we test

To put these cleaning products to the test, the GHI experts mess up the lab with food stains and grease in the kitchen, and shower gel, shampoo, baby oil and bubble bath in our wet room.

Then they start scrubbing, checking each product’s ability to shift grease and grime from every surface. For soluble products, they also note how long each concentrate, tablet or sheet takes to dissolve in water, and what the provided bottles are like.

We also give each cleaner to 10 at-home panellists who put the products to work over a two-week period. They give feedback on each product's fragrance, ease of use and of course, cleaning prowess.

Because each product we test has differing eco-credentials, overall scores are based solely on their cleaning performance, and all their claims are listed below so you can find the right one for you.

1

Best soluble cleaning product

Neat Anti-Bac Multi Surface Refill Starter Pack Mango & Fig

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (13)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (14)

Now 14% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (15)Instructions are very user-friendly
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (16)Consistent spray
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (17)Hard to see how much water is needed when pouring into the bottle

Score: 92/100

This multi-purpose cleaner is designed to banish dirt, grease and germs from worktops, sinks, tiles and more. Our panellists were drawn to its “slick and cool” packaging and liked its strong, fresh fragrance. It cleaned brilliantly across all tests, with only a little scrubbing required to remove tough stains, and it left a sparkling, streak-free finish on everything from stainless steel hobs to glass coffee tables.

Everybody found it quick to dissolve in basic cold tap water but the opaque metal spray bottle made it tricky to gauge when a top-up was required. It sprayed finely and evenly though. And, if you already have a bottle, the effective cleaner is available as a standalone refill (£2.50).

It's not the only Neat product we'd recommend adding to your cleaning arsenal; we recently tested the brand's new daily shower spray at the GHI, awarding it an equally high score of 90/100. It impressed in our bath cleaning test and left our shower screen shiny and streak-free.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 30ml concentrate with 470ml of water
Use onMost surfaces
Eco claimsPlant-based, biodegradable ingredients, plastic-free refills, vegan, not tested on animals

2

Best floor cleaner

Neat All Purpose Floor Cleaner Starter Pack – Mango & Fig

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (18)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (19)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (20)Plant-based solution claims to eliminate 99% of bacteria
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (21)Well-made bottle squirts directly onto the floor – no water or bucket needed
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (22)No fill line on dispenser bottle

Score: 90/100

Another top-scorer for Neat. And if you want a fresh-smelling home, this all-purpose floor cleaner is a smart buy. Its mango and fig scent was a huge hit with panellists and the majority said it banished odours effectively.

The cleaner starter pick comes with a compact, refillable bottle made from 100% recycled plastic and a concentrated glass bottle of floor cleaner. Instructions were easy to follow but the consistency of the cleaner was on the runny side, leaving some panellists struggling to dispense the right amount – more of a sprinkle rather than a clean pour.

When it came down to the chores at hand, though, this impressed, barely dropping a mark while cleaning ceramic tiles and leaving behind only minor mud and tea stains on laminate.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 30ml concentrate with 720ml of water
Use onTiles, laminate and sealed wood and stone floors
Eco claimsPlant-based, biodegradable ingredients, plastic-free refills, vegan, not tested on animals, B-corp company

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3

Best long-lasting refillable cleaning product

Method Multi-Surface Cleaner

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (23)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (24)

Now 35% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (25)Solution clings to surfaces well rather than running off
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (26)Panellists found the solution fairly long-lasting
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (27)Instructions are printed on a clear label, which can make it difficult to read

Score: 89/100

Method’s multi-purpose cleaner cut through grease and food stains easily, leaving tiles, work surfaces, and the kitchen sink streak-free. It’s also effective for general cleaning around the home.

Our panel all found the bottle easy to use and the majority were impressed by how much surface one spritz covers. In fact, even tougher stains such as tea and coffee only needed two sprays to get the job done.

We trialled Method’s limited edition Cream Custard fragrance, which some found a little too sweet, while others liked its long-lasting scent.

While this fragrance doesn’t come as a concentrated formula, the other multi-purpose scents do (including Lotus Flower + Sage, Cherry + Bergamot, Jasmine + Cypresswood, and Mango + Citrus); simply add 10ml to a 100ml bottle, top up with water and you’ll be ready to spray away!

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate for certain fragrances only
InstructionsAdd 10ml concentrate to a 100ml bottle and top up with water
Use onMost non-porous surfaces
Eco claimsPlant-based, biodegradable ingredients, 100% recycled plastic bottles excluding trigger and pump, not tested on animals

4

Best cleaner for large households

Mix Multi-Mix Refill

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (28)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (29)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (30)Pleasant scent wasn’t too strong or overpowering
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (31)Mixed easily and quickly
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (32)Needs topping up and mixing often

Score: 88/100

This "clean green" mix is suitable for use on almost all surfaces. It's also both vegan and palm oil-free. Performance-wise, it excelled all-round, eroding stubborn stains with minimal scrubbing for gleaming, non-streaky results.

Most testers liked its allergy-friendly orange fragrance and, though pricey, they appreciated that one bottle of concentrate can make a lot of cleaner, and therefore last a long time. Our panellists did find it messy to dispense, which can make it more time-consuming to use with the small amber glass spray bottle (bought separately for £2).

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 10ml (two teaspoons) with 140ml of cooled, boiled water and swirl until dissipated. One refill can make up to 2.25 litres of cleaner
Use onMost surfaces
Eco claimsVegan, free from SLS, parabens, palm oil and chemical preservatives and colourings

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5

Best toilet cleaner

Neat Foaming Toilet Cleaner Starter Pack- Sage & Mint

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (33)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (34)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (35)Lovely scent that was effective at neutralising smells
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (36)Left bathroom surfaces shiny
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (37)Opaque bottle and slim viewing window made it tricky to see how much product is left
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (38)Didn’t always dispense product upside down on first attempt

Score: 88/100

This is another fantastic product from Neat that you’ll want in your cleaning cupboard. The formula turns from liquid to foam (when sprayed and once made up in the refillable bottle), and is designed to cling to the toilet bowl for effective stain and odour removal.

Its cleaning efficacy was something most of our panel vouched for too. After sitting for five minutes, stains were removed from the toilet without the need for excessive scrubbing and it cut through grime around the rim, only needing a wipe to clear it up afterwards.

Plus, it tackled dried toothpaste on tiles, shampoo stains, grease and soap scum throughout the bathroom. It was less impressive at tackling limescale and cleaning grout though, so opt for a specific product for those tasks.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 30ml concentrate with 500ml of water
Use onToilets, sinks, taps
Eco claimsPlant-based, biodegradable ingredients, plastic-free refills, vegan, not tested on animals, B-corp company

6

Best soluble cleaning product subscription service

Ocean Saver The Anti-Bac Starter Kit

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (39)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (40)

Now 10% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (41)Even spray mist
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (42)Good, eco-friendly packaging
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (43)Mixed opinions on the strength of the fragrance – some found it too weak

Score: 87/100

Grubby sink or stinky bin? This plant-based cleaning kit will tackle all your household grime. Soft on surfaces and easy on the nose, our panellists found it good value for money and thought it “smelled lovely”. The drops dissolved, mixed and cleaned well, but a lot of elbow grease was needed to lift dried or burnt-on stains, so save it for lighter cleans and everyday spills. It also left some streaks on glass.

Though not very storage-friendly, the bulky bottle included doesn’t require frequent top-ups, which busy folk will appreciate. This starter kit includes three refills or you can sign up to a handy subscription service.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsDrop one 10ml refill into a 750ml spray bottle, fill with water, screw on top and shake until dissolved
Use onSuitable for most, coated surfaces – they recommend using a small area of the surface you wish to test first
Eco claimsPlant-based and non-toxic, zero plastic waste, not tested on animals

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7

Best starter kit

Purdy & Figg Counter Clean Mixed Starter Kit

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (44)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (45)

Now 15% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (46)Comes with a premium microfibre cloth and three refills
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (47)Makes surfaces smell fresh
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (48)Not specifically anti-bacterial
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (49)Panellists found they used the product quite quickly

Score: 87/100

With a similar design to our winning refillable, Purdy and Figg’s Counter Clean kit comes with a bottle for life and concentrated refills that just need diluting before you get started.

It left our tiles spotless and the cleaner cut through grease on our countertop without leaving any sticky residue behind. Testers found it struggled more when tasked with removing shampoo and grease from the bathroom, needing some extra scrubbing and a final buffing to remove all stains and leave it clear of watermarks.

If you’re willing to expend some elbow grease on tough stains though, the gorgeous natural scents are a real treat.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 20ml concentrate with 280ml of water
Use onAll surfaces, including aluminium, wood, stone or other porous surfaces
Eco claimsPlant-based, paraben-free, GMO-free, plastic-free refills, not tested on animals, natural ingredients

8

Best for daily use

Purdy & Figg Bathroom Bliss Starter Kit

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (50)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (51)

Now 15% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (52)Bottle has a non-slip rubber base
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (53)Spray nozzle was easy to use and direct
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (54)Left some streaks on glass surfaces that needed extra buffing
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (55)Didn’t tackle limescale with ease, so would need a stronger bathroom cleaner

Score: 86/100

For daily freshen ups and quick wipe downs, this cleaner was a winner in our panellists' eyes. They loved the pleasant scent, which wasn’t too overpowering, and the compact glass bottle has a nice design that they were happy to display rather than keep hidden away.

In terms of cleaning power, it was best at wiping down tiles and removing light stains such as shampoo and body wash from a shower screen. It removed some limescale too, but this was more superficial and required some scrubbing – for tougher marks and deep cleans, a stronger cleaner may be better. Despite this, most of our testers said they’d continue to use the product as well as recommending it to others.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsMix 20ml concentrate with 280ml of water
Use onBath, mirrors, glass, taps, sinks
Eco claimsPlant-based, plastic-free refills, natural ingredients, no toxins or allergens

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9

Best refillable cleaning product for minimal scrubbing

Method Daily Shower Surface Cleaner Spray

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (56)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (57)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (58)Trigger was easy to use and the spray misted the surface well
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (59)Fragrance wasn’t overpowering
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (60)Struggled to get through thick soap scum

Score: 85/100

Method’s shower cleaner is a great pick for preventing a build-up of water marks and keeping your shower sparkling. The brand claims you don’t need to rinse either – simply spritz and go.

In the lab, it left our tiles shining and removed marks from taps too. However, we noticed that the spray didn’t quite dissolve all the soap and water marks on our shower screen. It also left surfaces a little streaky when used as advised (without rinsing), so we’d recommend giving it a once over rather than just spraying and leaving.

That said, only minimal wiping is required, which our panellists appreciated, and they loved the long-lasting fragrance, finding the it a pleasure to clean with overall.

This cleaner comes with a bottle but if you already have a reusable one, you can buy a refill separately.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid
InstructionsRefill a reusable bottle
Use onShower and bathroom
Eco claimsPlant-based ingredients, non-toxic, cruelty-free, bottles are made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic (except caps, triggers and pumps)

10

Best soluble handwash

Smol Foaming Handwash

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (61)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (62)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (63)Easy to dispense handwash with one hand with no leaking noticed
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (64)Refill instructions are easy to follow
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (65)Some panellists found the tablet took a while to fully dissolve

Score: 85/100

Smol's Foaming Handwash can be added to your Smol subscription via their website. For £3 you'll receive the bottle and one refill; after that, it's £10 for a box of six refills.

Smol’s handwash comes in tablet format and dissolves in water, allowing you to refill the same bottle over and over again. Our panel said the foam had a pleasant scent and was effective at neutralising odours such as garlic or onion on your hands from cooking, as well as cleaning mucky hands (although it struggled with dirt trapped under nails).

Note you can't buy the handwash by itself; it's only available if you’re already subscribed to one of Smol’s other products. Our testers also rated the brand's Non-Bio Capsules (a GHI winner, scoring 90/100) as well as its Stain Gel (79/100), so you could order it as an add-on to one of those, or you may want to consider signing up for the home bundle so you can make multiple swaps at once.

Key specifications

TypeTablet
InstructionsFill bottle with water and add tablet. Leave to fully dissolve
Use onHands
Eco claimsBottle made of 100% recycled plastic, the bottle box is 100% recyclable and made from FSC-approved sources, cruelty-free, brand is B-Corp certified

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11

Best for deep cleaning

Clean Living Biological Multi-Purpose Cleaner Starter Pack

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (66)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (67)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (68)Fine mist with a wide spray
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (69)Lightweight design
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (70)Must be refilled more frequently than other brands

Score: 85/100

This starter kit comes with three sachets of cleaning concentrate, a metal bottle and a glass microfibre cloth – everything you need to get cleaning immediately (sorry)! Made using live, healthy bacteria, the formula claims to remove dirt from deep inside the pores of common surfaces, where viruses like to breed.

Our panellists liked its attractive packaging and pleasant scent and found it fast to dilute. It cut through grease a treat, making it a top pick for cleaning kitchen appliances, but it left our ceramic tiles slightly smeary.

Refills can be bought online (albeit at greater cost than from other brands) and there’s a subscription service available too. Our testers particularly liked the inclusion of a pre-paid envelope for returning empty sachets for recycling.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsPour one 30ml sachet into the 300ml aluminium bottle, top up with tap water and clean. One pack contains three sachets
Use onMost hard surfaces
Eco claimsVegan, natural ingredients, recycled and sustainable materials

12

Best eco-friendly laundry liquid

Faith in Nature Aloe Vera & Rosemary Laundry Liquid - 20L

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (71)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (72)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (73)Performed best at low temperatures
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (74)Retains darker colours well
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (75)Most panellists found it confusing to know how much to use for one load of washing

Score: 85/100

This detergent’s mix of aloe vera and rosemary was a big hit with our panellists who loved the scent it left on their clothes. It’s made with natural ingredients and effectively removed baby food, tomato puree and coffee marks from our laundry. Red wine stains on cotton lifted well too.

Across both cotton and polycotton washes, the cleaner struggled to remove mud and grass stains, however, most panellists were still pleased with its vegan cleaning power.

As the refillable product comes as a bulk buy, most found it difficult to refill their reusable bottles or pour the liquid into the washing machine drawer without making a mess. But that’s a small price to pay though for an effective, eco-friendlier alternative.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid bulk buy
InstructionsPour direct into machine’s drawer or dilute 15ml with 5ml of warm water for hand washing
Use onLaundry
Eco claimsVegan, cruelty-free, paraben and sulphate-free, 100% natural origin aroma and essential oils, recyclable refills

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13

Best cleaning pouch

Kit & Kin All Purpose Cleaner

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (76)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (77)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (78)Lathers well
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (79)Bottle is comfortable and easy to hold
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (80)Opaque refill and bottle make it difficult to see how much product is left

Score: 84/100

Made with essential orange oil, this citrus all-purpose cleaner is derived from 100% natural ingredients and claims to neutralise 99.9% of bacteria.

Instead of a liquid concentrate, this refillable comes as a pouch that can be used to top up your bottle and then collected free of charge to be cleaned and refilled or recycled. You can use it neat on a cloth or diluted, and our panellists found it effectively cut through grease, sticky stains and soap scum with ease. In fact, it even left most surfaces streak-free and shiny – result!

Burnt-on stains were tricky, but they always are. Most trouble came when refilling our bottle. The pouch is large and the product more viscous, which means it’s difficult to pour without making a mess. Otherwise, it’s an effective, pleasant-scented refillable.

Key specifications

TypeRefill pouch
InstructionsRefill bottle and return the pouch free of charge
Use onMost surfaces, ovens, floors
Eco claimsPlant-based, cruelty-free, no toxins; reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging; B-Corp company, vegan

14

Best for allergies

Iron & Velvet Multisurface Cleaner Refill

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (81)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (82)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (83)Compact packaging that won’t take up space in your cupboard
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (84)Great for routine cleans
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (85)Took a bit of shaking for the concentrate to dissolve fully

Score: 84/100

If you, or someone in your household, has an allergy or sensitivity, you may want to try this antibacterial, fragrance-free cleaner, which is suitable for use on all hard surfaces. This brand purposefully doesn’t supply a bottle to encourage the reuse of one you already have – an ethos you may or may not welcome, depending on your existing bottle supply!

Our testers found it reliable when tackling grease and light soiling, especially on tiles, but it smeared on glass and failed to lift burnt-on food without some heavy-duty scrubbing.

Key specifications

TypeLiquid concentrate
InstructionsPour one sachet into your own 500ml refillable bottle – drop, fill, shake and repeat. One pack contains five sachets
Use onSuitable to use on a wide variety of surfaces, they'd recommend testing on a small inconspicuous area first
Eco claimsPlant-derived and sustainably sourced active ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free, comprised of 99% natural ingredients once diluted

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15

Best limescale remover

Bower Collective Limescale Remover Refill - 1L

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (86)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (87)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (88)Leaves surfaces streak-free and shiny
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (89)Bower’s reusable bottle (sold separately) has a trigger lock for preventing accidental sprays
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (90)Some areas needed more than one spray so uses the product up quickly
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (91)Mixed opinions on scent – some found it had a vinegary smell to it

Score: 84/100

Limescale is every cleaner’s nightmare so we were excited to get our hands on Bower Collective’s dedicated solution. Testers found it successfully removed limescale, soap scum and water marks from tiles and baths with minimal elbow grease.

But it struggled more when combatting the same on shower heads, taps and toilets. Superficial limescale budged but when it came to built-up residue, even tough scrubbing couldn’t clear everything. Most panellists were pleased with the results though.

The product was easy to dispense, and panellists found it worked wonders at descaling a kettle, too. Some had difficulties refilling a bottle with product from the pouch and you need to buy a bottle separately (or use one you already have at home), but all in all it’s an effective cleaner for preventing limescale and ridding watermarks from your home.

Key specifications

TypeRefill pouch
InstructionsFill own bottle or purchase a reuseable Bower bottle and then return the pouch with the pre-paid envelope (recommendation is to send at least four at once to be more environmentally responsible)
Use onLimescale – taps, tiles, shower screens, sinks
Eco claimsVegan, naturally derived ingredients, recyclable pouch, Bower works with CleanHub to prevent ocean-bound plastic waste

16

Best budget refillable cleaning product

Zoflora Antibacterial Multipurpose Cleaner,

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (92)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (93)

Now 15% Off

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (94)Easy to refill and comes with a sticker for your bottle so that you can easily refer to cleaning instructions when needed
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (95)Neutralises odours well
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (96)Extensive instructions only available online
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (97)Contains ingredients that may produce irritation and are toxic to aquatic life

Score: 82/100

This versatile Zoflora refillable comes as a concentrated pod that needs diluting with 750ml of water before you can get to work on stains and spills. The instructions were easy to understand but the pod takes around seven minutes to fully dissolve.

Once ready, testers found this pleasant-smelling spray effective at cutting through grease and removing soap scum, leaving surfaces streak-free and shiny after little scrubbing.

Tea, coffee and dried on stains required more attention though. And make sure your refillable bottle can hold 750ml to make the most of the pod (or buy one of Zoflora’s own bottles). Otherwise, it’s a savvy buy.

Key specifications

TypeConcentrated pod
InstructionsFill own bottle with pod and 750ml of warm water. Screw the spray top back on tightly and shake
Use onKitchens, bathrooms, sinks, taps and bins
Eco claimsRefillable cleaner

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17

Best for design

Spruce Multipurpose Cleaner Starter Kit

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (98)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (99)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (100)Spray gave great coverage
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (101)Robust and high-quality product
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (102)Left a streaky finish on some surfaces like glass

Score: 82/100

These good-looking, non-toxic refills can be used on most surfaces, including wood and stone. Our panellists loved the clean, contemporary design and felt the metal bottle with its sturdy trigger would last a long time, even if it is slightly tricky to fill up (tip: do so slowly to avoid lots of foaming).

It gave great coverage but our testers had to scrub hard to remove tough stains. The geranium fragrance proved divisive and some testers found the solution best suited to quick, light cleans, but a couple of sprays was ample to freshen up everything from our kitchen appliances to our bathrooms.

Key specifications

TypeDry concentrate
InstructionsEmpty one sachet into the included 500ml bottle, fill with tap water slowly to avoid excess foaming
Use onTiles, countertops, stone, wood and most sealed surfaces
Eco claimsOuter packaging is plastic-free, FSC-certified, printed with biodegradable ink and fully recyclable, all ingredients rated highly on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and European Chemical Agency (ECHA) for human and environmental safety, free from artificial colours, fragrances, palm oil, parabens, pesticides, petroleum, phosphates, SLS and triclosan, cruelty free and vegan

18

Homethings AT (Allthings) Trio Cleaning Tabs Refill

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (103)

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (104)

Pros
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (105)Pleasant scent
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (106)Cut through grease effectively
Cons
  • Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (107)Struggled to leave our shower screens spotless

Score: 82/100

These soluble tablets are formulated for use as general purpose sprays on everything from granite and marble to stainless steel, laminate and sealed wood. Our panellists found the sturdy, attractively designed bottles (available as part of the Keep It Clean kit, £16) comfortable to hold and use, but noted that the tablet failed to dissolve without a good shake.

Once ready to clean, it rid their hobs of grease but left glass quite streaky. In-house, our testers reported similar results, but found it just as effective as other products at cleaning more stubborn soils.

Key specifications

TypeTablets
InstructionsDissolve one tablet in lukewarm water, wait for it to fully dissipate before attaching the spray nozzle. For stubborn stains, wait 10 to 15 seconds before wiping clean
Use onQuartz, marble, stainless steel, tiles, laminates, stone, granite and sealed wood
Eco claimsSachets are made with a home compostable material, each refill tablet emits 90% less carbon than a single-use bottle, non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free

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The verdict on refillable cleaning products

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (109)

Refillable cleaning products are a great environmentally-friendly swap to make. Neat is our top pick brand-wise – between its All Purpose Floor Cleaner and its Multi-Surface Starter Pack, it's a strong-performer across the board, tackling all kinds of stains and marks.

While it’s a pricier option, Purdy & Figg’s Counter Clean Kit is a smart buy if this is your first step into refillables. It comes with a bottle for life, three concentrated refills in different scents, and a premium microfibre cloth so you can start using everything straight away.

For a budget buy, Zoflora’s Antibacterial Multipurpose Cleaner Pods provide an effective clean that will leave your home smelling fresh and looking shiny.

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (110)

Megan Geall

Homes Writer

Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (111)

Tested byBlossom Boothroyd

Homes Testing Manager

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

Say ‘no’ to plastic waste with our 23 best refillable cleaning products, tried and tested (2024)

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