25 Apr 2025
Let's start with a little note on "eco-friendly".
It's a term tossed about like leaves on a windy day… but what does it really mean?
At smol, we think it's high time to shake off the greenwashing we see from so many brands, and get real. We don't call our products eco-friendly because frankly, it's a misleading term. To truly be eco-friendly, a product would have to leave zero impact on the environment or even have a net positive effect.
Spoiler alert: no manufactured product can claim that.
We prefer to say our products are planet-friendlier and more sustainable. Curious about the nitty-gritty? Check out our deep dive in: What does eco-friendly really mean?
So now we've set the record straight, let's talk about why you’ll LOVE making the swap to more sustainable cleaning products with…
5 reasons to swap to a greener clean.
1. better for the planet.
More sustainable cleaning products are formulated with a lower environmental footprint in mind. You’ll find they have a higher level of biodegradable ingredients, that they reduce plastic waste with refill options and also cut down on harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on our waterways.
And if you’re wanting to cut your carbon footprint, brands like smol can really help.
Just take our fabric conditioner. It cuts carbon emissions by 76% compared to a similar leading branded fabcon. Our laundry capsules and liquid will also cut your carbs by 35% compared to the big brands through production and delivery. Our handwash creates 89% lower carbon than a liquid hand soap and for our surface sprays it's a whopping 91% drop in carbon!
All in all, the facts speak for themselves. smol customers have so far saved over 2300 tonnes of plastic, 5,500 tonnes of chemicals and over 30,000 tonnes of carbon.
2. less strong chemicals for your home.
Your home is your sanctuary, and the last thing you want is to fill it with harsh chemicals and other pointless cleaning ingredients that aren’t even necessary!.
More sustainable cleaning products typically avoid the stronger chemicals like phosphates, chlorine and parabens. And brands like smol only use the ingredients that you need - you won’t find pointless fillers and foaming agents that don’t impact the cleaning process. Good to know.
3. cost-effective.
One of the great things about switching to refill systems is that you’re not paying for a brand new plastic bottle each time!
Take smol’s multi purpose spray.
Once you’ve bought your refillable bottle-for-life you only need to buy our concentrated refill tablets then with some water from your tap… hey presto! You’ve made your own cleaning spray.
Of course you’re reducing waste as well and who doesn't love fewer trips to the supermarket?
4. supporting ethical brands.
When you choose more sustainable products, you're often supporting companies that prioritise cruelty-free testing, fairer labour conditions and initiatives that work towards being carbon-neutral.
So many of the big brands are simply NOT cruelty-free. The best way to ensure your cleaning products have not been tested on animals is to look for the Leaping Bunny symbol. You’ll find it on ALL smol products (and they’re vegan too) hooray!
5. you’re part of a positive movement.
We’d call it a revolution.
Every time you choose a cleaning product that’s friendlier to the planet, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. It's a simple yet powerful way to contribute to a larger movement towards sustainability. Your choices inspire others and help drive industry change.
We’re all about changing things up here at smol. Back in 2020 we launched the world’s first child-impeding plastic-free laundry capsule pack. No small feat for such a tiny brand. And within 3 years the big brands like Ariel, Fairy and Persil followed suit.
A real smol victory for the planet!
final rinse.
Swapping to more sustainable cleaning products is about making choices that are better for the planet, your home and your wallet.
It's about ditching the greenwashing hype and embracing a more honest, impactful way of living.
Ready to make the switch? Your planet-friendlier cleaning journey starts now.