On The Hunt: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tools

We found four companies that make earth-friendly cleaning tools.

While shopping at a big-box store recently, I was looking over the gazillion cleaning gadgets on the shelves, and I had one thought: What a waste! I saw mops connected to plastic or metal rods; buckets made of non-recycled plastic; and non-biodegradable cloths and rags that, once they are used and disposed of, will only clutter up the local landfill.

What's the point of using non-toxic household cleaners if you're scrubbing and wiping with toxic plastics and metals? Once I got home from said big-box store, I hopped online in search of some stylish, good-for-the-earth cleaning tools that are sustainable to the core.

Here are some of the eco-chic tools I uncovered. The next time you shop for a cleaning tool, remember to keep the earth in mind:

1. CASABELLA Made from recycled soda bottles, this perky-green bucket is part of the the eclipse series by Casabella ($13). Not only will it hold suds, this bucket would also effectively store my Method, Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer's products. Also in the eclipse series by Casabella is a set of interchangeable cleaning heads that snap onto a pole made from 30% recycled aluminum ($13); parts in the set include a wringer, broom head, microfiber floor duster head and microfiber hand duster (which only requires water -- no chemicals).
eclipse™ Cleaning System Bucket by Casabella®, $13, containerstore.com.

2. GREENSWEEP Worn-out tires and plastic were transformed into the broom head of this broom ($18) by GreenSweep. Bamboo, considered a renewable material because of its rapid regrowth, is in the broom's handle. Rounding out this very green cleaning tool are bristles on the broom head made from a mix of natural and recycled plastics. Designed to be used indoors and outdoors, so whether it's a dusty sidewalk or a long hallway, this gadget will come in handy often.
GreenSweep™ Earth-Friendly Brush and Broom, $17.99, letsgogreen.biz.

3. SCOTCH BRITE Adding more waste to the trash when cleaning up a floor or countertop -- such as a dirty rag or cloth after it's been used -- does not make ecological sense. That's where Greener Clean Natural Bamboo Cleaning Cloth from ScotchBrite ($6), which is biodegradable and made from 100% natural fibers comes in. Because it's derived from 60% bamboo rayon (a very renewable material) and 40% cotton, you know that it was made with the environment in mind, plus it can be reused.
Greener Clean Natural Bamboo Cleaning Cloth from ScotchBrite, $6, scotch-brite.com.

4. SKOY Two California moms, who were fed up with cloths that are made from toxic materials, teamed up to design these biodegradable cleaning cloths ($6 for four, in an array of colors). Made in Europe, in a factory known to adopt sustainable business practices, SKOY multi-use cloths are chlorine-free and made from a natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp. Using one cloth, according to the founders, will last as long as 15 rolls of paper towels would.
SKOY multi-use cloths, $6 for four, skoycloth.com.