Meliora All-Purpose Cleaning Powder

Meliora Cleaning Powder is one of a small number of household cleaners with a genuinely minimal ingredient list: sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and castile soap flakes. These three ingredients have well-documented safety profiles and have been used in household cleaning for over a century. Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is an alkaline salt that softens water and breaks down grease and grime. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) provides mild abrasive action and odor neutralization. Castile soap flakes contribute surfactant cleaning power that lifts and suspends soil for rinsing.

The Meliora B Corp certification means the company meets rigorous social and environmental performance standards across its entire operation — ingredient sourcing, manufacturing practices, labor, and environmental impact — not just the product formula. The zero-waste packaging (cardboard canister, no plastic) addresses one of the primary environmental concerns with cleaning products: single-use plastic bottles that generate significant waste even when the product itself is clean.

For use, dissolve the powder in warm water to create a cleaning solution. Typical dilution is one teaspoon per quart of water for general surface cleaning, with higher concentrations for scrubbing tasks. The powder can also be applied directly to a damp sponge for abrasive scrubbing of sinks, tubs, and tiles. It is particularly effective on soap scum, hard water staining, and general kitchen and bathroom grime. The alkaline chemistry handles grease well.

The only real trade-off with Meliora compared to ready-to-use spray cleaners is convenience — dissolving powder requires an extra step, and pre-mixing a bottle takes a few minutes. For households that are willing to accept that minor friction in exchange for the cleanest possible ingredient profile and zero-waste packaging, it is difficult to find a better mainstream all-purpose cleaning option.