So you’ve finally done it! You’ve gone vegan, Congratulations! At this point you might have already stocked your fridge and cabinets with vegan treats, maybe even sorted out your skincare, but what about cleaning your home? Being vegan, whether for moral, health, or environmental reasons is about much more than just your diet!
Veganism as defined by The Vegan Society is classified as, “seek(ing) an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man.”
Simply put, to be vegan is the desire to eliminate our reliance on animals for their resources and reduce their suffering. So it makes sense that the next step towards a well-rounded vegan life would be to integrate cruelty-free living into our cleaning products as well!
Fortunately, there are a plethora of alternatives to animal products when it comes to cleaning, and the more recent popularity of veganism has led to an even broader selection of products than ever before. But, before we jump right in, what exactly are we looking for when it comes to making the best selections in an ever growing sea of products all tagged with things like ‘all natural’, ‘plant-based’, ‘eco-friendly’, etc? While it’s difficult to be completely assured that any products you purchase will be entirely vegan due to the complexity of the issue, here are a few ways to help you narrow down the choices so you can do your best. (Which is, afterall, at the heart of veganism, doing your best!)
While plenty of companies will label their products as cruelty free or plant-based, here are four logos to keep an eye out for!
The Leaping Bunny: This is one of the best logos to look out for. This means that the product on every level of its production has not been tested on animals. It is the only organization that requires regular audits. Non-vegan products can still have this logo.
PETA’S Beauty without Bunnies: Similar to the Leaping Bunny, this logo means the product has not had animal testing done on any level of production. However, PETA does not audit and only requires a one time questionnaire and statement of assurance. Non-vegan products can still have this logo.
The Vegan Society: This logo means, in addition to not having been tested on animals, contains no animal products. Audits are performed in addition to the application process.
Vegan Action Certified: Similar to the above, this logo means the product contains no animal additives and has not been tested on animals. Vegan Action does review applications but does not perform audits.
All products selected below are Vegan and Leaping Bunny certified! Keep in mind, however, that some products do have parent companies that still condone testing on animals, like Unilever and SC Johnson. (Those products will be marked, so you can use your own judgment when purchasing!)
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified* (parent company is SC Johnson, however!)
Do you want a product that can do it all? Sticky kitchen countertops? Yep! Toothpaste bespeckled bathroom sinks? Check! Dusty furniture? Absolutely. This all-purpose spray from Method is an awesome general cleaning solution for just about every surface and mess. I love to keep a bottle in the kitchen to keep my countertops clean and fresh after the messy prep of cooking! They come in a wide array of fragrances that are delightful and not overwhelming (My favorite is Pink Grapefruit!). Method is also one of the more widely available vegan and cruelty free products, so you can pick up a bottle just about anywhere!
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
If Method isn’t for you, give Puracy a try! This Multi-Surface Cleaner is safe on all non-porous surfaces and is streak free. In addition to being Vegan and Cruelty free, Puracy’s products are hypoallergenic, child-safe and eco-friendly! Puracy offers a concentrate that you can use to refill your original sprayer, in two amazing mild scents, Green tea & Lime and Lemongrass.
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
Dr. Bronners, that bottle with all the words on it and bold claims of almost infinite uses. It’s a staple in the natural cleaning world and one of few products that stands up to the hype. It is a true multi purpose product, from body wash to floor cleaner, I love to keep a bottle around to mix my own solutions. My favorite applications are for mopping non-porous surfaces, as a laundry detergent, and as dish soap! It comes in some pretty delightful essential oil scents, like lavender, mint, citrus and more!
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
It can be a struggle to find a good wood cleaner that doesn’t contain beeswax, ECOS brings us an awesome wood cleaner with the power of olive oil! Just spray onto your soiled wood surface and immediately follow up with a quick polish with a soft cloth and you’ve got yourself a furniture piece shining like new! ECOS is also a very environmentally conscious company and is Zero Waste Platinum certified.
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified* (parent company is SC Johnson, however!)
This concentrated laundry detergent is a personal favorite! It’s effective and gentle on clothes, and claims at least 64 loads of laundry per bottle (in my experience, a little goes a long way!). It comes in a variety of amazing, albeit powerful, garden inspired fragrances. Honeysuckle is my absolute favorite (and they make hand soap to match!)
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified* (parent company is SC Johnson, however!)
Let’s be honest. No one likes cleaning their oven. If you are like me, you keep putting it off and when you finally muster up the courage to take it on, you just end up getting blown over by the fumes of conventional oven cleaner. Method’s Kitchen Degreaser still requires a fair amount of elbow grease but the light Lemongrass scent certainly makes the process more enjoyable. (The key to getting a natural oven cleaner/degreaser to work is time, just let that spray sit for as long as you can and you’ll be rewarded with much less scrubbing!)
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
Citra Solv is a great alternative to Method’s degreaser, with the bonus benefit of being a family run operation with a commitment to being eco friendly. It’s tough on grease, sticky adhesive stains, sap and tar but also makes a great gentle wood cleaner.
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
Vinegar dilution has always been an effective all natural cleaning staple that does wonders on windows, but sometimes the smell can be a bit too much. Aunt Fannie’s has a wide range of vinegar based products, including this window and glass cleaner, that have the mild, pleasant aroma of essential oils but all the benefits of streak free vinegar cleaning! If your windows and mirrors are particularly dirty I recommend a wash with soap and water and then a finishing wipe down with Aunt Fannie’s to get that nice streak free shine!
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified* (parent company is Unilever, however!)
With the fresh scent of Cypress and Fir, this toilet bowl cleaner makes quick work of a dirty job! The formula is septic safe and biodegradable, so it provides the bonus of being environmentally friendly. Seventh Generation also has been very transparent on the nature of their products and any potential non vegan crossover (the product is produced in a multi use facility), so while this product is ‘vegan enough’ for me, feel free to examine their FAQ’s for more details so you can make the right decision for you.
Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified
Whether it’s pets, kids, or an accidentally tipped over wine glass, carpets get dirty! This carpet cleaner concentrate is a life saver. You can use it in your carpet cleaner, or as a spot cleaner with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge! In addition Biokleen is an awesome company that focuses on sustainability. They manufacture tons of products that require less water, less packaging and are more concentrated.
There you go! That was just a sample of Vegan and Cruelty free cleaning supplies we love! As the market continues to expand, I’m sure we’ll see a rise in even more amazing products to stock our homes with. For now though, hopefully this list will give you an idea of what to look for, as you continue onward, towards a clean and cruelty free life! Happy Cleaning!