How to Choose Cleaning Products Without Microplastics

Though invisible to the naked eye, microplastics are everywhere. These tiny plastic particles — smaller than 5 millimeters — lurk in household dust, tap water, and even the cleaning products we trust to keep our homes fresh and safe.

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While some cleaning products contain microplastics as ingredients to enhance performance (adding abrasive effects or fragrance), these particles can come from the single-use plastic containers that house these products.

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Some cleaning products, such as laundry and dishwasher pods, also have plastic-derived ingredients such as Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) that can break down into microplastics.

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Why Microplastics Are Bad for Us

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When we use cleaning products with microplastics, we unknowingly inhale, ingest, and absorb these particles through our skin. Studies have found microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. While research is still ongoing, early evidence suggests they may cause inflammation, interfere with hormone systems, and contribute to long-term health problems. Children and pets are especially vulnerable, given how much time they spend close to the floor and their tendency to touch everything.

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How To Find Cleaning Products That Are Free Of Microplastics

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If the cleaning product is packed in any plastic bottle or even if the packaging contains some plastic parts, there’s a high probability of finding microplastics in that ingredient. So, a safe way to avoid that is to look for products that are free of any plastic packaging. Here are some of our top picks: 3 Top Plastic-Free Cleaning Brands

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A more nuanced (and slightly time-consuming) way is to check the ingredient list of the product. Beat the Microbead has created a list of plastic-derived ingredients commonly found in everyday use products. If you see any of these ingredients on the packaging, it’s good to steer clear of that product. Here are some of the plastic-derived ingredients found in cleaning products:

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• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Nylon
• Acrylates copolymer
• Polystyrene

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We have curated some guides to help you eliminate microplastics from your home and cleaning products:

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• How to Avoid Microplastics in Your Home
• Simple ways to eliminate microplastics from your laundry
• 9 Ways to Avoid Microplastics at Home

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Also, here are 3 brands that offer plastic-free cleaning products:

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Blueland

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Blueland is a B Corp-certified company that produces plastic-free cleaning products in tablet form, using sustainable packaging including compostable materials and recyclable shipping boxes.

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Dirty Labs

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Dirty Labs produces concentrated, plastic-free cleaning products in recyclable aluminum and cardboard packaging.

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Grove Co.

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Grove Co. offers plastic-free cleaning products in glass concentrate bottles and recyclable aluminum containers, with all packaging made from FSC-certified recyclable cardboard.

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