Home Cleaner Packaging: Plastic vs Glass Spray Bottles

Plastic has been the traditional packaging material for cleaning solutions, but glass spray bottles are set to take a bigger place in the industry. The negative environmental impacts of plastic packaging are well-documented, and many consumers are looking for alternatives. Thus, home cleaners packaged in glass bottles are reaching a growing audience of eco-conscious shoppers.

Keep reading as we compare glass and plastic spray bottles based on their cost, durability, appearance, and other factors for your business to consider.

Comparing Plastic and Glass Spray Bottles for Cleaning Solutions

Glass Spray Bottles Preserve Cleaning Solutions

Although plastic packaging is more common among cleaning solutions, glass bottles function better to contain and preserve the products. Plastic materials degrade and contaminate certain cleaning solutions when exposed to their ingredients. Meanwhile, glass is resilient, and its nonreactivity allows the cleaning solution to be free of contamination.

Furthermore, ingredients like essential oils and hydrogen peroxide are light-sensitive. If your cleaning solution contains these ingredients, amber glass is an ideal choice. The colored glass preserves these ingredients, blocking UV rays and preventing degradation.

Durability

Home cleaner brands must consider durability when deciding between plastic and glass spray bottles. Although plastic is resistant to shatter, it is prone to degrading, and weakening over time, especially when exposed to strong cleaning solutions. This results in cracks and leaks, which waste products or affect the functionality of the spray bottle.

Conversely, glass bottles are resistant to corrosion and deterioration. They withstand exposure to harsh cleaning solutions and frequent use — all without degrading or weakening. For the most durable packaging option, we recommend a thick glass bottle that is scratch-resistant. Glass spray bottles of this nature are reliable and long-lasting, allowing consumers to reuse the container endlessly. 

Cost

While plastic options seem initially cheap, their lack of quality and durability makes them costly in the long run. This cost is apparent on the customer’s end; most plastic options are single-use, leading to plenty of money spent on disposable materials. For brands, choosing glass packaging is a worthwhile investment as the target market is willing to pay a premium for sustainable products.

Using glass packaging, home cleaner brands appeal to an eco-conscious market that prioritizes sustainability. If your brand is looking to establish itself as environmentally responsible, consider glass and other eco-friendly packaging a necessity.

Some cleaner brands that choose glass packaging also promote refill programs, which minimize material use by selling refills of their cleaners in eco-friendly packaging. Refill programs reduce waste while saving money for both consumers and brands. Moreover, the programs reinforce the brand’s commitment to sustainability, which builds customer loyalty and increases brand awareness.

Environmental Impact

Comparing glass and plastic based on sustainability, there’s no question that glass is a favorable material. Some plastic packaging is recyclable, but most of it ends up as pollution or waste — where it takes hundreds of years to decompose. Moreover, the presence of plastic pollution is a threat to wildlife and a contaminant to the food chain.

In contrast, glass is endlessly recyclable, meaning it can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality or purity. Recycling glass also uses less energy compared to producing new glass from raw materials.

Regarding environmental impact, glass spray bottles are a clear winner over plastic. By choosing glass over plastic, you are making a conscious effort to reduce waste and protect the environment.

Product Presentation

Glass packaging has a more premium aesthetic when compared to plastic. This is especially true for cleaning solutions, as many consumers are more familiar with options that are packaged in plastic bottles.  

Since plastic is the common packaging material for cleaning solutions, brands in this industry gain attention and set themselves apart by using glass bottles. Furthermore, glass packaging indicates a high-quality product, thus leaving favorable impressions on potential customers.

See Glassnow’s selection of the best glass spray bottles in the following table:

NAME	CAPACITY	IMAGE
Apothecary Glass Bottle	4 oz.
Quad Glass Bottle	3.4 oz.
Pyramid Glass Bottle	6 oz.
Drop Glass Bottle	8 oz.
Roma Glass Bottle	8.5 oz.

Conclusion

While plastic has been the standard for cleaning solution packaging, glass spray bottles are entering the industry as the world becomes more environmentally conscious. Glass bottles are more durable and sustainable than plastic, and they’re better at preserving cleaning solutions as well. Brands using glass spray bottles are set to distinguish themselves and reach the growing eco-conscious market.

For more packaging advice, read Glassnow’s guide to picking the right color for your glass packaging.