Eco-Friendly Hand Soaps Under $5

Since it's cold season, we're going through plenty of soap trying to keep the germs at bay. But at the grocery store yesterday, we were struck by the prohibitive cost of a few ounces of hand soap that's easy on the Earth. We're very conscious of what we put down the drain and on our skin, but we're also trying to stick to a budget. So we found a few soaps that fit our budget and are available at most grocers. Jump below for the shortlist and links.

Meyers Liquid Hand Soap, at $3.99, offers a natural soap with aloe and olive oil, and comes in four different scents.

Method's hand wash comes in at $4, and they're extra-appealing because hand soap refills are available. And those refills are cheap--you get a liter for only $6.

CleanWell comes in very close--on one site, we found bottles available for $5.19. But we like that this brand also has refills, and at $13.99 for a 32-ounce refill, we're not complaining. Plus, they sell "starter packs" on their site that include two small bottles of natural hand sanitizer, and the entire package comes in at only $9.99.

Comments (8)

CleanWell is also available at Target and at Bath and Body Works. I love that their products contain all natural ingredients and contain no synthetics, and that they are toxic-free and completley biodegradable. And they use thyme - a natural antibacterial!

posted by HulaGirl on January 21st 2009 at 1:44pm
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I have extremely dry, sensitive skin. Are there any natural-ingredient liquid soaps out there which are really moisturizing and without fragrance?

posted by als1 on January 21st 2009 at 2:04pm
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I have a problem buying these soaps. Yes, they're eco-friendly, but only to a point. Why waste all that packaging (the bottle) for soap? I always go the bar in the recycled cardboard box route. Certainly less impact!

posted by iloveOrange on January 21st 2009 at 9:01pm
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I'm with iloveOrange on this one. Are you guys seriously saying that a liquid soap in a plastic bottle is eco-friendly? Go for an all-natural (and biodegradable) bar soap. You can even get them without any packaging!

@als1: Go for something with olive oil and/or oatmeal. Both are moisturizing and good for sensitive skin. Stay away from all fragrances and anything with a detergent in it if your skin in sensitive

posted by The Green Cat on January 22nd 2009 at 5:12pm
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I third iloveOrange and The Green Cat - buy liquid soaps and you're (1) using oil - what do you think those plastic bottles and refill sachets are made of?? and (2) transporting water around - which uses yet more oil.

The green choice is clearly an old-fashioned bar of soap. I buy mine from a friend, so they don't come in *any* packaging, but I'm about to try making some myself.

posted by Rebekkap on January 22nd 2009 at 8:45pm
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You use less water when you use liquid soap.

posted by ebrown on January 23rd 2009 at 8:07pm
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You can turn off the tap while you lather!! And at least the water you're transporting hasn't been shipped around in trucks in plastic bottles. Oil, oil and more oil!

posted by Rebekkap on January 28th 2009 at 1:15am
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I have used (& liked) CleanWell antibacterial liquid soap and Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Laundry Detergent. They work really well and smell nice.

There is a skin and bodycare line called Pangea Organics, which has eco-friendly packaging (luv them!) for bar soaps.
http://www.pangeaorganics.com

I buy organic bar soaps from my friend as well, but the eco-friendly packaging is definitely something I would recommend my friend to look into.

posted by sysuh on January 30th 2009 at 2:27am
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