Top 10 Eco‑Friendly Cleaning Products for Australian Homes in 2025

The Unseen Costs of Conventional Cleaning

You may believe your home is a sanctuary—but the air inside could be more polluted than outside. In Australia, indoor air pollution is estimated to contribute to over 3,200 deaths annually and exacerbates respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies.^[1] One major culprit? Traditional cleaning products, which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. These compounds degrade indoor air quality, aggravate asthma and eczema, and can cause long‑term health issues.^[2]

Chemicals in mainstream cleaners don’t just stay in your home—after rinsing, they wash down the drain and enter Australia’s waterways, harming aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. In fact, agricultural and household chemical runoff contributes significantly to pollution in critical rivers such as the Murray–Darling Basin.^[3] These compounds persist in soil and water systems, threatening wildlife and disrupting ecological balances.

Switching to eco‑friendly alternatives offers tangible benefits:

• Healthier air quality – plant‑based surfactants and essential oils emit minimal VOCs.
• Environmentally responsible – biodegradable ingredients reduce water pollution; sustainable packaging cuts landfill waste.
• Cost savings – concentrated formats mean fewer containers purchased over time.
• Ethical transparency – brands often disclose full ingredient lists and origin stories, with many being Australian‑made.

In this guide, we spotlight the top 10 eco‑friendly cleaning products available through Eco Traders in 2025—Australian‑made, high‑performance, and better for your home and planet.

The Green Clean Revolution: Top 10 Eco‑Friendly Cleaning Products

1. Koala Eco Natural Multi‑Purpose Kitchen Cleaner (Lemon Myrtle & Mandarin)

Australian-made, heavy-duty kitchen cleaner featuring lemon myrtle & mandarin essential oils.

• Ingredients: Purified water, plant‑based surfactants, 100% pure lemon myrtle & mandarin essential oils. Free from dyes, phosphates, SLS/SLES, synthetic perfume, and chlorine.^{:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}}
• Pros: Cuts grease, deodorises naturally, food-safe surfaces, plastic-free 100% recycled bottle.
• Cons: Slightly costlier than standard chemical kitchen cleaners.
• How to use: Spray directly onto surfaces—benchtops, ovens, stove tops, fridge interiors—wait 30 seconds, wipe with a damp cloth.
• Why it’s a top pick for Australia: Lemon myrtle is native to Queensland, antimicrobial, and uplifting; eco-sustainable packaging reduces waste.

Key note: Eco Traders stocks both 500 mL and 1 L refill sizes—choose the larger volume to reduce per-mL costs and plastic use.^{:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}}

2. Koala Eco Natural Multi‑Purpose Bathroom Cleaner (Eucalyptus)

Eucalyptus-scented, tackles soap scum and mildew with natural disinfecting power.

• Ingredients: Eucalyptus radiata essential oil, purified water, sugar-derived biodegradable alcohol, vinegar, plant surfactants. 99.9% germ kill.^{:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}}
• Pros: Natural disinfectant, biodegradable, no palm oil or synthetic fragrance, greywater safe.
• Cons: Heavily soiled grout may need pre-soak or gentle scrubbing.
• How to use: Spritz on tiles, bath, shower, leave 1–2 minutes, scrub with damp microfibre, rinse thoroughly.
• Why it’s a top pick: Australian eucalyptus is antiseptic and ideal for humid bathroom spaces common along Australia’s coastlines.

You can purchase a 1 L concentrate refill, which turns three spray bottles—resulting in a 23% cost reduction and lower shipping emissions.^{:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}}

3. Koala Eco Mandarin & Peppermint Floor Cleaner

Safe for timber, vinyl, and sealed surfaces—citrusy and fresh with added anti‑bacterial properties.

• Ingredients: Mandarin & peppermint essential oils, purified water, eco-solvent, plant surfactants, glycerin, food-grade preservative.^{:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}}
• Pros: Antibacterial, non-toxic, scent doubles as insect deterrent, greywater-safe.
• Cons: Slight residue on waxed floors—mop with clear water afterward.
• How to use: Dilute per label, mop floors, allow to dry. No need to rinse.
• Why it’s a top pick: Lightweight formula ideal for broadacre Australian homes and large floor areas.

4. Koala Eco Natural Stainless Steel Cleaner (Peppermint)

Polishes and protects chrome and stainless surfaces with clear peppermint freshness.

• Ingredients: Peppermint essential oil, plant surfactant, biodegradable alcohol, no dyes or phosphates, kills 99.9% of germs.^{:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}}
• Pros: Removes fingerprints and water spots, non-greasy, eco‑certified bottle.
• Cons: May leave light streaking on brushed steel unless wiped off promptly.
• How to use: Spray onto microfibre, wipe in direction of grain; buff with clean cloth.
• Why it’s a top pick: Stainless steel is everywhere in modern Australian homes—this plant-based formula keeps surfaces shiny without toxic build-ups.

5. Koala Eco Dish Soap (Lemon Myrtle & Mandarin)

Liquid dish soap designed for hand washing—tough on grease, gentle on hands.

• Ingredients: Lemon myrtle & mandarin oils, water, plant surfactant and emulsifier. No synthetic colours or fragrances.^{:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}}
• Pros: Biodegradable, food-safe rinse, Aussie-essential oils, greywater-safe.
• Cons: Not dishwasher safe—use alongside dishwasher powder below.
• How to use: Apply to sponge or dish directly; add warm water; rinse with clean water.
• Why it’s a top pick: Built specifically for Australian-seasons and hard water conditions.

6. Kin Kin Naturals Eco Dishwash Liquid (Tangerine & Mandarin, 1 L)

Aussie-made and ultra‑concentrated, suitable for hard or soft water and greywater systems.

• Ingredients: Coconut-based surfactants, rainwater, potassium citrate, tangerine + mandarin + sweet orange + pink grapefruit essential oils. SLS/SLES/alcohol‑ethoxylate free.^{:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}}
• Pros: Up to 500+ hand-washes per bottle, septic‑safe, skin-friendly, vibrant citrus scent.
• Cons: Larger bottles may be bulkier to store.
• How to use: A few drops in warm water for washing-up or use directly on stubborn pots.
• Why it’s a top pick: Kin Kin is a family-run brand in Noosa Hinterland focused on natural, low‑toxic household items.

Eco Traders offers 550 mL, 1 L, and even 5 L options—ideal for refilling smaller kitchen dispensers.^{:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}}

7. Kin Kin Naturals Eco Dishwasher Powder (Lime & Lemon Myrtle, 1.1 kg)

Plant-based dishwasher formula offering up to 70 loads per pack.

• Ingredients: Coconut & sugar based surfactant, baking soda, citrate, oxygen-based stain remover, lemon myrtle & lime oil. No palm oil.^{:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}}
• Pros: Septic-safe, biodegradable, large pack sizes (1.1 kg & 2.5 kg), fresh citrus scent.
• Cons: Not pre-measured pods—measure with scoop provided for best results.
• How to use: 15 mL per dishwasher load; use fresh rinse‑aid for sparkling results.
• Why it’s a top pick: Designed for tough Aussie residues—BBQ trays, pasta‑starchy dishes, and wine glasses all come out clean.

8. Koala Eco Natural Fruit & Vegetable Wash (Mandarin, 500 mL)

Plant-based wash removes pesticides, wax, and residue without affecting taste.

• Ingredients: Mandarin essential oil, citric acid, coconut glucoside, sodium lauroamphoacetate, preservative. No bleach or synthetic surfactants.^{:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}}
• Pros: Maintains freshness and flavour, safe for children’s snacks.
• Cons: Not for use as a sanitiser or disinfectant.
• How to use: Add a few drops per half sink of water; wash produce; rinse.
• Why it’s a top pick: Australian essential oils are effective at cutting residues and are biodegradable in waterways.

9. Tri Nature Sphagnum Moss Disinfectant Concentrate

A powerful, eco-friendly cleaning solution made with natural sphagnum moss extract.

• Key Ingredients: Sphagnum moss extract, plant-based detergents, natural fragrance oils

• Pros: Hospital-grade disinfectant, biodegradable, safe for use around children and pets, pleasant soft floral scent

• Cons: Requires dilution, not ideal for quick one-step spray use

• How to Use: Mix with water per label instructions; suitable for floors, hard surfaces, nappy bins, and pet areas

• Why It’s a Top Pick: A trusted Australian-made disinfectant with strong performance and botanical ingredients—ideal for deeper eco-friendly cleaning jobs** A must-have for health-conscious households

10. Simply Clean Lemon Myrtle Floor Cleaner

Gentle surfactants efficiently clean away dirt

• Key Ingredients: Lemon myrtle oil, plant-based surfactants, food-safe ingredients.

• Pros: Naturally antibacterial, biodegradable, uplifting lemon myrtle scent.

• Cons: Slightly more expensive than mainstream brands.

• How to Use: Dilute in a bucket of water, mop as usual, no rinsing required.

• Why It’s a Top Pick: Made in Australia using native lemon myrtle—perfect for regular floor cleaning without toxins

Expert Insights

"Reducing exposure to harsh chemicals in cleaning products is a fundamental step towards creating a healthy living environment, especially for families," says Dr Laura McMahon, Naturopath and Environmental Health Advocate.

Eco‑certifications to look for include:

• Australian Certified Organic – ensures certified ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
• ECOLOGO – focuses on environmental and human health safety.
• Green Seal – verifies effective biodegradability and chemical footprint reduction.

These standards help you avoid "greenwashing"—marketing that overstresses 'natural' while hiding petrochemicals.^[4]

Making the Switch: Practical Tips

• One step at a time: Replace products only when current ones run out to manage the change.
• Ingredients literacy: Skip ammonia, bleach, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, VOCs.
• Concentrated is key: Choose refills and syrups—dilution saves money and packaging.
• Proper storage: Keep natural products in cool, dark places to extend shelf life.
• Use microfibre cloths: They clean effectively with just water—pair with eco cleaners for tougher mess.

Conclusion: Your Impact on a Healthier Australia

By choosing these carefully curated eco-friendly products, you're not just cleaning—you’re contributing to better indoor air, healthier waterways, sustainable packaging habits, and ethical supply chains. That small switch makes a big difference.

Explore Eco Traders' full eco‑cleaning range to find products that fit your home and values. It’s time to clean smart, live well, and protect Australia’s future.

FAQ

1. What common toxic ingredients should I avoid?

Avoid phosphates, chlorine bleach, ammonia, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances—common in many mainstream cleaners.

2. What natural ingredients are effective?

Look for plant-based surfactants (coconut, sugar), citric acid, baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils (lemon myrtle, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint) for cleaning, deodorising, and antibacterials.

3. Are natural cleaners as effective as chemicals?

Yes—modern formulations can tackle grease, soap scum, and even bacteria. Certifications and lab data back their effectiveness.

4. Is 'natural' always 'eco‑friendly'?

Not always—true eco credentials factor in sustainable sourcing, biodegradability, refillability, and transparent packaging. Certifications highlight real claims.

5. Can I make my own eco‑cleaners?

Absolutely—DIY staples include baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, and essential oils. Just ensure proper dilution and avoid mixing acidic vinegar with bleach.

6. Where do I buy these products?

All listed products are available via Eco Traders Australia, a family-owned retailer based in NSW with national delivery.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: "Burden of disease attributable to indoor air pollution, 2023."
2. NSW Department of Planning: "VOCs in household cleaning products", 2022.
3. CSIRO: "Pesticide and chemical runoff into Murray–Darling Basin", 2021.
4. ECOLOGO certification guidelines: ecoloft.org.