True Patriot scrub: Six Canadian brands that are really cleaning up
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
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1. Attitude
This clean, vegan brand may have appeal in over 55 countries, but its products were created — and continue to be manufactured — in Sherbrooke, Que. Perhaps best known as a beauty brand, Attitude is also making its mark for household cleaners, especially its All Purpose Cleaner, Window & Mirror Cleaner and Bathroom Cleaner — all in the refreshing Citrus Zest scent and made with 94 per cent natural ingredients.
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2. Tru Earth
A passionate advocate for Canadian manufacturing, Tru Earth — based in Port Moody, B.C. — has made a name for itself with household cleaners featuring all the frees (fragrance, paraben, phosphate, phthalate, dye, animal cruelty and bleach), but are best known for their laundry detergent sheets. The packable pre-measured concentrated sheets get tossed into the washer, and work with either hot or cold water — making them also mess and hassle free.
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3. Nature Clean
Proudly Canadian made since 1963, Nature Clean whips up its bestselling products in a factory based in Markham, Ont. Its wide range of chlorine, phosphate, perfume, dye or animal byproduct free products includes Nature Clean Dishwasher Pods — the top-selling dish pods in the country. The 96 per cent natural pods are vegan, gluten-free, kosher and safe for septic and grey water systems.
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4. Nellie's
Instantly recognizable by its vintage-themed packaging, Nellie's (named after a real person) is a North Vancouver, B.C.-based, family owned and operated company founded 20 years ago. Nellie's thinks outside the soap box with eclectic cleaning must-haves like laundry soda, dishwashing cubes and dish butter alongside staples like toilet bowl and all purpose cleaners — all made with clean, environmentally friendly formulas.
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5. Mint Cleaning Products
You may have seen Mint Cleaning founders Robyn and Monika making a deal with Brian Scudamore on Dragons' Den. The social media savvy duo from Ucluelet, B.C., have since evolved their clean brand into an award-winning business with a flagship store and presence in more than 250 retail locations across the country. Many of the plant-based products are refillable, and bestsellers include the cleaning scrub, floor wash and glass cleaner.
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6. The Bare Home
Another successful biz to emerge from Dragons' Den, The Bare Home's biodegradable soaps, detergents and cleaners are produced in Toronto. Lavender, sage, bergamot and tea tree are among the organic essential oils used to scent its eco-friendly products. Can't decide what to try? The curated bundles are a solid place to start.
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