What should you buy at Grove Collaborative? I’m sharing my honest review, the best deals, things to skip and whether VIP is worth it! Read on before you buy!
When we first switched to a real food diet, reading labels was absolutely crucial. There are so many different products on the market, and not all were considered healthy or safe.
Reading labels is what inspired us to make non-food things too, like hand sanitizer, foaming hand wash and even carpet deodorizer. I can’t enough pronounce half the ingredients listed on some of those labels!
But harmful and unknown ingredients on labels are the main reasons I started shopping at Grove Collaborative. I also love it for:
- Savings over supermarket prices
- Convenience of online shopping
- Control of my budget
- Lots of freebies with the VIP membership
- And I’m never out of the products I need!
5 Reasons to Shop at Grove Collaborative
1. High Standards for the Products They Carry
One of the reasons I started shopping at Grove Collaborative is because they only sell products that are:
- Healthy
- Effective
- Sustainable
- Affordable
2. They’re a Certified B Corp Company
Grove Collaborative is a Certified B Corp, which is certification of rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. It’s like what the USDA organic certification is for food, and what the Fair Trade certification is for coffee.
3. Excellent Customer Service
As I get older, customer service has become increasingly important to me. If I have a problem, I want it resolved without any fuss.
I’ve had to Grove Collaborative contact customer service a couple times because of a discrepancy in ordering (I took something out of my cart and thought I was charged). Customer service had it resolved quickly and even sent me the item I didn’t intend to order, free of charge!
4. Ordering (and Cancelling Orders) is Really Easy
I love that I can set-up automatic orders on my own schedule – monthly, every other month, once a quarter… I set the schedule based on my own product usage.
Because of this, I never run out of what I need, nor have a bunch of products on hand that I’m not using. They email me a week before my order ships, which reminds me to double check my order against what I currently have. Adding or removing items is super simple, and I get what I need, when I need it!
5. VIP Membership Offers Free Shipping and Free Products
The VIP Membership isn’t free (but see below – you can become a VIP member for free for a limited time!), but with it comes free shipping and free products every 60-90 days. When you break down the cost of shipping your orders, OR the value of the products they send, either of these options alone pays for the membership.
Now, With all that said, going on a blind spending spree at Grove Collaborative – or anywhere for that matter – isn’t the wisest choice.
As I’ve been shopping there these past few years, I’ve learned how to spend my money wisely. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and I’d like to share with you what things are best to buy at Grove Collaborative, and which ones you can skip.
Top Things to Buy
1. Scrubbing Products
You can make your own DIY bathroom scrub using soap and baking soda, and I even have a tutorial for it right here, but too much baking soda can be harsh on certain surfaces.
Or if you’re working on built-up dirt and grime, you might need something with more oomph before switching to a DIY bathroom scrub.
- The first time I tried Mrs. Meyer’s Surface Scrub, I fell in love. We used it to scrub the years of built-up dirt in the kitchen tile grout at a previous rental house. We tried all sorts of cleaners and concoctions – homemade and store-bought – but this was the only product that actually worked!
- Mrs. Meyer’s Baking Soda Cream Cleaner is another favorite of mine. Like the kitchen grout, we tried other options too, but this was the best at taking the grime and soap scum off.
2. Refills
When you’ve fallen in love with a certain product or brand or scent, refills are your best friend. It’s like buying in bulk, but better!
- At least half of the items I buy from Grove Collaborative are available in bulk, which saves me anywhere from 20-30% off the cost of buying each individual item.
- Buying refills means less packaging and less shopping. Remember, if you’re a VIP member, shipping is always free. If you’re not a VIP member, stocking up on refills will save on shipping costs – but be sure to read below for an opportunity to try VIP for free!
3. Grove Cleaning Cloths
Grove Collaborative sometimes gives these cleaning cloths as VIP free items of the month. They’re amazing! I loved both of these items so much that I invested in a second set of each!
- Cellulose sponge cloths. They’re like reusable paper towels, except they’re super absorbent, dishwasher safe and hold up well over time to scrubbing and daily usage.
- e-Cloth general purpose cloth. This was my first time using an e-cloth and I fell in love!
- When it’s wet, you can wash almost anything with just water without leaving streaks. When it’s dry, you can use it as a dusting cloth.
- I’ve used it on splattered grease, cleaning up after dinner and scrubbing down the kitchen table. It’s gentle enough to use on painted surfaces (think cleaning doors around the door knobs – something the kids can do!) yet still tough enough to get dried on gunk off counters.
4. Laundry Supplies
Making your own laundry supplies is one of the easier natural living DIY’s I’ve ventured upon. In fact, I’ve been using homemade laundry detergent, stain remover, and bleach alternative for years without any issues.
But that’s not the case for everyone, and there are times when I am not able to make them myself, so Grove collective offers these excellent laundry products too!
- Laundry Detergent
- Fabric Softener
- Stain Remover
5. Floor Cleaners
Grove has several options for hard floor cleaners like tile, hardwood & laminate. The best part is that they are safe for pets and kids, and they make the house smell so naturally clean!
Things I Don’t Buy
For scrubbing stuff, refills, laundry supplies & floor cleaners, I prefer to shop Grove Collaborative. But there are a few things that they think I’ll like that I almost always take out of my cart.
Note – my reasons for not buying these items from Grove Collaborative have nothing to do with quality. Everything I’ve purchased from them, or gotten for free because I’m a VIP member, has been exceptional. I simply do not buy these items for personal reasons.
1. Walnut Sponges
I’ve used their walnut scrubber sponge before, but they’re a bit out of my price range to buy on a consistent basis. However, I fully take advantage of them when they’re free for VIP members.
2. Hand Sanitizing Spray
I created my own hand sanitizer recipe that’s really easy to make. Since I already have everything on hand and we don’t use it often anyway, I prefer to just make it myself.
3. Toilet Paper
Unfortunately, my toiletry budget doesn’t include room for recycled toilet paper.
4. Paper Towels
Ever since we switched to cloth napkins, I simply don’t need to buy paper towels anymore! If you’re still using paper towels, I encourage you to make the switch. I shared a step-by-step on how we set aside money to do this in this post.
Extras to try
I have an on-going wish-list of things I’ve been wanting to add to my cart, and I give myself a budget for every time I place an order. This is how I can manage our finances AND still try out new products!
1. Reusable Bags
Grove Collaborative has reusable bags in snack, sandwich AND gallon sizes!
2. Oxygen Whitener
I currently use this homemade bleach alternative, but I’d like to try the powdered oxygen whitener sometime since it might be easier to use with my front loader.
Grove Co. Tips
- If you like all your cleaning supplies to have the same scent, I’ve only ever found whole product lines at Grove Collaborative (like soap, lotion, and body wash, in the same scent).
- Plus Grove Collaborative carries exclusive seasonal scents like Peony and Lilac in the Spring, and Orange Clove and Iowa Pine in the Fall.
- Grove Collaborative strives to offer the best price on all of their items, and they back this up. If you’re a VIP member and find an item advertised for a less price elsewhere, send their amazing customer service department an email and they’ll price match!
Exclusive for Crumbs Readers, for a limited time, new members receive a FREE VIP Membership for your first 60 days + FREE shipping and awesome gifts for joining (a Mrs. Meyers gift set & more)! Join Grove Collaborative HERE!
FAQs
I definitely think so! Between the convenience of having my cleaning products shipped to my door each month, the products from Grove Co. are also more affordable and safer than most supermarket products.
There is no monthly fee, but there is a minimum order of $29 for all orders. The VIP membership has lots of perks like free shipping and free gifts, and it is $20 a year (after a 6 month FREE trial).
If you have a 60-day free trial, just cancel it before your trial period expires by emailing customer service, or logging into your account. The same goes for your annual membership. Just cancel it before your renewal date to avoid new charges.
kristina Johnson
I really loved finding Grove. I like the products. I was happy about free stuff offered however I will never refer them again. I gave 2 friends a referral because they would get a cleaning kit and I would get$10 for referring them. Not so at all!!! Grove offered them something else free and that deletes my $10. no where was that mentioned I just never get credit for their order. I emailed them and the customer service sucked. they agree they don’t tell you that but don’t offer to fix anything. I am cancelling I would rather shop with a company that has integrity. They are liars.
Brenda Wensley
Same here. Their customer service sucks. I keep getting boxes of stuff and cannot get them to cancel my order.
HELP!
Mary
Very informative. Thank you.
Jane
I checked out the Grove several months ago and for giggles checked prices on amazon before checking out. Almost everything was cheaper on amazon. I needed fabric softener so bought a bottle of Mrs. Meyers lavender fragrance. Worst smelling stuff I’d ever used.
Tiffany
Hi Jane! I’ve learned that the items with heavy fragrances – even “healthy” brands – aren’t that good for us after all. That’s why I stopped buying from Grove and switched to the essential oil products from Young Living. ♥
Stacy
I would love to gain more knowledge on how to properly use essential oils and their benefits. Where do I start?
Tiffany
Hi Stacy! You can get started right here: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/purchase-essential-oils/
Patty
Just wondering why you leave this long article up. If you have found the glowing reviews to be inaccurate why not just remove it…
Tiffany
Because it’s still an honest review. If I’m looking for people’s opinion on things, I want to hear the good and the bad. If I take it down, people will only read the good.
Val
Great article – I too used Grove but when I found the products I liked and use – cheaper at another online site – I too quit. I am a bit sad you have “drunk the kool-ade” with essential oils. They are not all safe in homes with pets and kids. I learned that the hard way. 😞 But we each take our own path. Best of luck to you!
Tiffany
Hey Val! If you choose oils that are really truly 100% essential oils (most oils on the market are NOT!! The FDA requires that a bottle of oil only contain 5% oil to be labeled “pure” and most companies dilute with chemicals so that they smell better and to increase their profits…) and use the oils correctly (CORRECTLY being the key word), essential oils are definitely safe in homes with pets and kids – and a whole lot safer than the harsh chemicals most families have under their kitchen sinks!
I’m sorry you had a bad experience. 🙁 That’s one reason why my team is so focused on education! We have classes every month and have TONS of research articles, and it breaks my heart to hear people buying oils off Amazon “because they’re cheap” but then also because they’re A) buying oils that aren’t even oils, and B) not getting the proper education on how to use them. Essential oils are plant-based and are indeed mighty, but it’s important to know how to use them the right way. One drop can go a long way!
If you decide to give oils a second try, I’d be honored to have you on my team! ♥
Tina
Thank you for speaking up about Grove Collaborative! Everyone seems to be on the Mrs. Myers bandwagon. I had the same reaction you did when I checked out their ingredients. In fact, if you check the first comment on this original post, it is from me. I completely forgot that I had commented.
Tiffany
You’re very welcome! I had to go back and re-read that comment Tina – I must have missed it!! (it happens sometimes 🙁 ). Glad I’m not alone in this though!
alan
Wife tried to place an order at grove collaborative online. Up-sales and things kept appearing in her cart. She didn’t like this so she backed out of the page after entering all her info and CC number.
Within a few minutes of aborting the transaction two mysterious I-tunes charges showed up, $17.99 twice on her CC.
This fraud could just be a coincidence with grove, but the timing of a botched sale and then unauthorized CC charges is weird. We are challenging the charges.
Tiffany
I’m glad you were able to get those unauthorized charges removed Alan!
Ann
They have great customer service until you bring their attention to their lack of healthy products. Then you won’t hear from them. They make all kinds of claims but haven’t done the homework to support it. Look at the EWG site first before making any purchases. You will see the light.
Nicki
I have been on the VIP free trial membership for three months and I am going to go ahead and pay for the VIP membership for the rest of the year. So far I have had great customer service and the product selection is amazing. In fact, I am even excited about cleaning. yes, I actually said EXCITED! Cleaning has been a pleasure with the products I have purchased and my house smells amazing!
Emily
I just ordered from them, and was glad to see your review. Thanks for posting it!
Barbara
I’m feeling some concern as well, about the negative comments I have just read. My experience had been just the opposite. I signed up for the VIP trial, and absolutely loved the products I received. I have since received two orders from them. My husband does a lot of the cleaning around our house, and he loves the Mrs. Meyers glass cleaner. He says we will never buy anything else but that now. I guess if you get right down to comparing prices and always go with the cheapest, perhaps they are not. I don’t take the time to research price on every single item I buy. I do also enjoy getting free items included in an order.
Several times I have had questions or concerns, and when e-mailing them, have received a reply within a day, sometimes within several hours. I have not been billed for the VIP status yet, as I am still in my trial period. I do enjoy free shipping, and also find it worth paying a membership fee so I don’t have to meet a large minimum when I only need a few items. So Far So Good with this company, in my experience.
Lindsay
I’m surprised to see you praise the grove collaborative so highly when their prices are high. It’s nice they will price match but you’d have to do that for every item it seems like.
Method Clementine Dish Soap Refill: Grove: 5.99 Target online 4.99. Vitacost 5.49
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Fabric Softener: Grove 7.99 Vitacost: 6.87 Jet.com 6.22
So far everything I’ve searched for I found cheaper elsewhere on sites that do not require paying for VIP status and with free shipping options at $49.00 or lower. Many of which would also provide ebates for as well.
Mary Ellen
I’ve had excellent customer service and received good products from Grove Collaborative. I’ve been ordering from them for five months, I believe. I’m concerned about some of the negative responses here, wondering if I’ve just been lucky! I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, however, because I’ve been so pleased so far.
Tiffany
If it helps Mary Ellen, I’ve had excellend customer service too. One time (and only once) did I get a shipment notification w/o a heads up email (that’s usually sent 1-2 weeks before shipment). I didn’t need anything, and my last order was bigger than normal, so I emailed (on the weekend) to have the shipment cancelled. They did that, but still ended up sending me half of my previous order and didn’t charge me since it was their mistake. This is one of the reasons why I’ve partnered with them! ♥
Susan
Me too! 100% Happy with everything I’ve ordered!
Pamela Sands
Run dont walk away from this company. I cancelled the membership before auto renew for myself, my mother & daughter. I deleted everything from our online carts and also deleted our credit card info from their site. I did this due to so many issues I went through dealing with our orders. They made one account inactive but have since hand entered the credit card info I deleted from their site in order to charge 2 of us with membershii fees. They also have charged anorder to my mothers account. Seems to me that it should be illegal to hand enter CCs that were deleted. This company is not worth dealing with no matter how good their products are! I’m trying to decide whether to contact a lawyer as I cant get past the fact that they hand entered a CC that was deleted off their site.
Karen
My experience was terrible. I ordered four products – three of them were the wrong thing they charged more to my card than what I agreed to and it was for the wrong stuff! The freebies that were listed where not at all what I received was supposed to get a glass cleaning bottle and a dish scrubber, I got a box of tissues and a sponge lol. So, I emailed figuringnit was a terrible mix up, they emailed me back and told me how to edit my order in the future so it doesn’t happen again – like I placed the order or something lol. Completely blew me off, will never ever use them again.
Julie Powell
I love buying cleaning products and getting things for “free”.
My favorite so far is the Multi Purpose Cleaner by Ms. Meyers. The spray takes less than I thought to get things nice and clean.
Having pets, it’s a never ending cleaning game and with this great product, it makes it so much easier.
I ordered some Orange Clove and Peppermint items from their Christmas line and I can’t wait to try these items. Clove and Peppermint are my favorite flavors.
Another thing I like a lot is the Coconut Oil by the Dr. – my apologies, I forgot the name but it’s the Extract Virgin one. Please share a list of favorites that one might miss while shopping.
Tatia
Ordering items I like online through Grove has saved a lot of money for us. Not just on the products they sell. The only option I have in my area to get some of these products is at Target. I’ve found Grove to be a tad cheaper. The way I save money is by NOT stepping into the Target store at all. I invariably find something I “need” so it’s more cost effective for me to shop via Grove. I’m on my third month and so far haven’t had any real problems with anything. My first order was for my daughter who was getting married and wanted better, safer cleaning products. I do like the walnut sponges. I think they work better than the scotch ones I’ve bought. I love most everything Meyers that I’ve tried as well. The biggest problem I have with them is their website. No matter what computer I’m on or what browser I use it just doesn’t seem to function well and pages take forever to load and you think you’ve deleted or changed something then it’s there again.
Ashore
I had an unauthorized charge of $20 for VIP I explicitly said “no” when I did my first purchase,I have called and left messages, no response! My bank is handling it now, I even called the emergency number…I am very disappointed as I thought this company was above the classic online scams, they slipped into my email with all the countless advertisements from them that if I did not respond to this one particular email and push ” no I do no ti want VIP” that I would be charged, though I clearly stated 4 months earlier to the representative “no” when she asked me on my first purchase” I did not want VIP,”?, she was nice and it seemed fine , my advice is be aware for these first time deals, there are some disadvantages when you turn over your card information, you are now vulnerable..
Tiffany
I’m sorry you’ve had a poor experience with Grove, Ashore. I’ve had something similar happen with another company, which makes it good practice to double check your charges!
Karina
I ordered on July 6th and they took out the money already and Still haven’t received anything, I requested that they cancel my subscription which they did.but I no longer see the status of the order I placed and already paid for. They last I knew was that it is still at the west coast warehouse. This is by far the worst service I have ever received.
Tiffany
Oh gosh Karina, I’m so sorry! I’ve never had issues contacting them through email or chat. Have you tried either of these options?
Eileen
I have had similar issues with them, and although they seem like a great concept, I believe they are still working out their glitches…
For example, they recently sent out a preorder of Mint Mrs. Meyer’s products…I bit on the offer…as I was clicking through my selection I was told it was to be added to my cart, then it would be shipped with my next order. BUT they charged me immediately (without my approval or any indication that I was paying NOW, for something that was to ship in weeks)…But when my order came, those items weren’t in the box…I had forgotten about them at all by then, until they sent an email asking why I hadn’t scheduled shipment of the items with a link to do so…except the link didn’t work…and why would I have to schedule the shipment when I already paid for the items AND they told me that they were added to my cart….
I have had, over the past year, enough small glitches like that, that I’m over them…luckily I live in an area where I can easily obtain the majority of items they sell within my local travels.
Kathy DeFrancisco
My order arrived today, I am super excited $24 for everything tons of freebies. We switched to all natural after my brother was diagnosed with Cancer and I fell ill with several autoimmune issues. I can not thank you enough for showing me where to go for this.
Tiffany
You’re so welcome Kathy! It really is a great place to shop – I love that Grove Co makes it so easy to buy non-toxic items!!
Dee
my daughter had breast cancer and I switched all her household products to Young Living, all natural plant based. Grove predicts aren’t all natural. they say they all are but I know several are not, like the method wood floor cleaner, it had cancer causing agents in it. look it up on EWG.
Michel Le
Thanks for letting me know. I thought about subscribing bit now i won’t.
Penny Thatcher
Please beware! I thought all the products were all natural as well. I do think they have some good things. Like you, when I got my order I was super excited. When I used the fabric softener, my body broke out. I don’t even have sensitive skin. And I had gotten Pine cleaner. I wanted to know what a real Pine smelled like and not a car air freshener. Unfortunately it really did smell like a car air freshener. When I checked everything out it clearly says on the label after the oils that it is “scented”. Also all the cleaning properties in it are big words that the typical person has to look up. They’re all chemicals. But Grove Co has really great customer service and I definitely think they have good points. Just don’t think that they’re all natural. They are not.
JoAnna
I fell into the Young Living seed to seal rouse too. The more I educate myself the less great that company actually is.
Deborah
Sounds like a great company, but until they ship to Canada, it’s not going to work for me!
Tina
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for such an informative post. I do agree that Grove Collaborative has great customer service. You do have to be careful about assuming that everything they sell is really all natural. They sell Mrs. Myers products which contain synthetic fragrances. They are listed right on the Mrs. Myers website. I unfortunately invested in a large number of their products when Grove Collaborative was having a special. I noticed right away that the fragrances were very strong and had a chemical smell which gave me a headache. Just a heads up to anyone looking for all natural products. Don’t assume that just because Grove Collaborative sells them that they are indeed all natural. The Seventh Generation Products seem to be a good choice.
Ileia
I agree! not only that, for those who care. Mrs. Myers and Method both are owned by a company and test on animals. But Grove states they do not sell products that test on animals!
Val
Mrs meyers actually does not test on animals.
This comment made me curious, and so I searched. I don’t know if they maybe did 10 years ago, but there are things going back many many years showing they are cruelty free. 🙂
Lesley
Mrs meyers parent company is sc johnson, which is not cruelty-free.
Jess Williams
Grove collaborative started out on the right foot. I was with them for 2 years. Earth friendly products with decent prices, while planting trees to help the environment. Yearly VIP price, with free shipping. Free product’s. Which now, is all a lie. Even with VIP, you must order 40$ to get free shipping. What??? Then, if they don’t have what you put in your cart, you won’t know till the package arrives. Plus, I wouldn’t have placed the order knowing the items weren’t in stock! So you pay 40$ for items you need. It arrives & your items are not in package. They expect you to pay another 40$ to reorder the items you need, when They get the items in stock. Shocked! I screenshot the VIP free shipping & contacted customer support. Why are customers being lied to? Needless to say, they refunded my 20$ for yearly subscription. I deactivated my account. Loyal & dedicated customers get punished, not rewarded! Awful!
Kalliope jakubik
I would like to delay my grove package for the next few months. Till end of February. My name is Kalliope jakubik I love your products but I am overflowing. So pls. Stop till end of February or beginning of March. Thank you. My phone no is 262 ***-**** if u have questions.
Kyare - Team Crumbs
Kalliope, you will have to goto the grove website and your account to do that. We are not the same company this is just a post about that company.