06 May 2026
smol’s less chemicals cleaning cheat sheet:
- You don’t need loads of product to get a brilliant clean
- Using more doesn’t always improve performance
- Choose the right product, in the right amount
- Some ingredients don’t add cleaning power (just bubbles or scent)
- Simple habits can reduce how much you use day to day
- Concentrated products help you clean effectively with less
We might think that to clean something well, we need to use a lot of cleaning products. And therefore a lot of chemicals.
But when it comes to cleaning, more doesn’t always mean better.
Turns out, you can clean your home really effectively while actually using less.
These 7 top tips on cleaning your home with less chemicals will help you do just that:
1. Use just what’s needed.
It’s SO tempting to add a bit extra for luck. But cleaning products are formulated to work at specific doses.
If we use more than the recommended dose it:
- Doesn’t usually improve results
- Can leave residue behind
- Costs more (as you go through product more quickly)
Washing Up Liquid is a great example. Big brands use squirty lids to encourage its overuse. That’s why we put a pump on our Washing Up Liquid bottles-for-life. Accurate dosing of just 2 pumps per sink load is all you need for results that match the big brands.
Sticking to a recommended dose is one of the easiest ways to clean with less chemicals.
2. Choose concentrated products.
Some cleaning products are heavily diluted with water and pointless filler ingredients. Others are more concentrated.
That’s where chemical dry matter comes in. It's the amount of actual cleaning material in a product once the water and fragrance are removed.
At smol, we focus on concentrated formulas that deliver exceptional cleaning performance without the unnecessary chemicals.
Here’s how that looks in practice:¹
smol product | Less chemicals than big brands | Performs as well as big brands |
38% less per wash | ✅ | |
35% less per wash | ✅ | |
35% less per wash | ✅ | |
5.5% less per wash | ✅ | |
4.6% less per wash | ✅ | |
66% less per wash | ✅ | |
42% less per wash | ✅ | |
15% less per wash | ✅ | |
50% less per 500ml bottle | ✅ | |
45% less per 500ml bottle | ✅ |
3. Remember bubbles and scent aren’t what’s cleaning.
It’s easy to assume that more foam or a stronger fragrance means a product is working harder.
But that’s not always true. Bubbles may look busy and perfume may smell nice, but they aren’t anything to do with the cleaning that is taking place.
What matters is that the formula lifts dirt and grease so they can be rinsed or wiped away easily.
4. Clean little and often.
One super simple way to use less cleaning product is to not let things build up. A quick wipe:
- Stops grime from building up
- Means you don’t need heavy-duty cleaning later on
- Cuts down how much product you need to use overall
5. Use simple solutions where they work.
Some simple ingredients can be useful for lighter jobs:
- Vinegar for limescale
- Bicarbonate of soda for mild scrubbing or deodorising
- Lemon juice and salt as a mild abrasive and refresher
They won’t replace everything (especially for tougher jobs), but they can help reduce how much cleaning product you use day to day.
6. Ventilate as you clean.
Opening a window while cleaning:
- Helps bring fresh air into your home
- Reduces build-up of any indoor air pollutants
- Lowers moisture in the air which can prevent mould from forming
Using less chemicals to clean FAQs.
¹ see smol.com/our-claims for more information
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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