The Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products We Use (and Why We Picked Them)

People ask us this all the time, usually right after they notice their place doesn't smell like bleach after a clean. So here's the full answer: what we use, where we use it, and why we picked these brands over everything else on the shelf.

What we were looking for

When we started Sano, we tested a lot of products. We had a short list of must-haves:

• It has to actually clean. Kitchen grease, soap scum, and hard water spots don't care about good intentions.
• Readable ingredients. We wanted brands that publish what's in their products.
• No harsh smell left behind. If a client walks in and their eyes sting, we did it wrong.
• Safe to use around kids and pets, because a lot of the homes we clean have both.
• Gentle on our team. Our cleaners use these products all day. That matters to us as much as it matters to clients.

Three brands made the cut.

Branch Basics

Branch Basics is built around one plant- and mineral-based concentrate that you dilute differently depending on the job. More concentrate for bathrooms and tough spots, less for glass and everyday surfaces.

Where we use it: all-purpose surfaces, bathrooms, glass and mirrors.

Why we like it: it's simple. One formula covers a lot of ground, which means fewer bottles and fewer chances of using the wrong thing in the wrong place. It's also unscented, which is great for clients who are sensitive to smells.

Koala Eco

Koala Eco is an Australian brand that uses plant-based ingredients and pure essential oils. Their multi-purpose kitchen cleaner, for example, is scented with lemon myrtle and mandarin essential oil.

Where we use it: kitchens, especially counters, stovetops, and appliance exteriors.

Why we like it: it cuts through kitchen grime well, and when you finish, the kitchen smells fresh without that heavy, fake-lemon smell. Clients notice it in a good way.

Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation has been making plant-based household products for decades. The name comes from the idea of considering how today's decisions affect people seven generations from now.

Where we use it: floors, dish and kitchen jobs, and as a dependable backup across the house.

Why we like it: it's consistent, widely trusted, and the company has been open about ingredients for a long time. When we need something that just works, every time, this is it.

What else is in our kit

Products are only part of a good clean. We also bring:

• Color-coded microfiber cloths, so the cloth that cleaned your toilet never touches your kitchen.
• Scrub brushes and pads for grout, tubs, and stovetops.
• Professional steam cleaners. Steam lifts built-up grime with just heat and water, so it does a lot of work without adding any product.
• A vacuum and mop, so you don't need to provide anything.

You don't have to buy or store any of it. That's part of the point. Nothing harsh needs to live under your sink.

What we don't use

Our standard kit skips chlorine bleach, ammonia-based glass cleaners, aerosol air fresheners, and heavily perfumed sprays. If you have a specific concern, like a cat that's sensitive to essential oils or a family member with a scent allergy, tell us when you book and we'll plan around it.

Want to try it?

Every Sano clean uses this same setup, in every home, on every visit. We clean across San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, and the surrounding Bay Area. If you want the bigger picture on why this matters, read how cleaning products affect the air in your home.