ECOS Hypoallergenic All-Purpose Cleaner Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 8.3/10
ECOS occupies an interesting niche: they've committed to environmental manufacturing standards (carbon-neutral, water-neutral facilities) while keeping prices budget-friendly. The Hypoallergenic formula uses plant-powered surfactants without fragrances or dyes, making it suitable for sensitive families. Performance is solid if unspectacular—this is a reliable daily cleaner, not a heavy-duty powerhouse.
The Verdict: A good choice for environmentally-conscious families who want their cleaning purchases to support sustainable manufacturing without paying premium prices. The cleaning power handles everyday messes, and the hypoallergenic formula works for most sensitive skin situations. Not as potent as Branch Basics, but significantly cheaper.
What We Tested
I purchased ECOS Hypoallergenic All-Purpose Cleaner (22 oz, $4.49) and tested over 3 months across:
- Kitchen surfaces including countertops, appliances, and stovetop
- Bathroom sinks and fixtures
- General household surfaces and toys
- Comparison to Seventh Generation and other plant-based alternatives
The ECOS Story: Manufacturing Matters
ECOS (Earth Friendly Products) has been making plant-based cleaners since 1967—before "green cleaning" was a marketing term. But what distinguishes ECOS isn't just their formulas; it's their manufacturing commitments:
Carbon-Neutral Certified
ECOS facilities are certified carbon-neutral by Climate Action Reserve. This means:
- Energy sourced from renewable sources
- Carbon offsets purchased for unavoidable emissions
- Third-party verification of claims
Water-Neutral Certified
In 2016, ECOS became the first company in the world to achieve water-neutral certification for all manufacturing facilities. They:
- Recycle and reuse water in production
- Offset remaining water use through conservation projects
- Operate their own water treatment facilities
Platinum Zero Waste Certified
All ECOS facilities are certified TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum—the highest level of zero waste certification.
Why This Matters
Buying cleaning products involves both the formula and the footprint. Two identical formulas can have vastly different environmental impacts depending on how they're manufactured. ECOS has invested in certifications that prove their sustainability claims rather than just marketing them.
Safety Analysis
EWG-B Rating Breakdown
ECOS Hypoallergenic All-Purpose earns a B from the Environmental Working Group. Here's the ingredient analysis:
What's in it:
- Water: Base
- Decyl glucoside: Coconut-derived surfactant, gentle and biodegradable
- Coco glucoside: Additional plant-based cleaning agent
- Sodium citrate: Water softener from citric acid
- Sodium carbonate: Washing soda for cleaning power
- Quillaja saponaria bark extract: Natural foaming agent from soapbark tree
What's NOT in it:
- Synthetic fragrances or dyes
- Chlorine bleach
- Ammonia
- Parabens or phthalates
- Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
- Optical brighteners
- Petroleum-based ingredients
Why Not an A?
The B rating (vs. A for Seventh Generation) comes from:
- Some formulation complexity with multiple surfactants
- Certain ingredient combinations flagged for potential skin sensitivity at high concentrations
- Note: In real-world diluted use, these concerns are minimal for most users
Hypoallergenic Claim
ECOS uses "hypoallergenic" based on dermatologist testing showing minimal allergic reactions in clinical studies. The fragrance-free, dye-free formula eliminates the most common sensitizers.
Cleaning Performance
Kitchen Testing (7.5/10)
Daily cleaning: Handles countertops, tables, and light messes well. The plant-derived surfactants produce a light foam that lifts dirt effectively.
Grease performance: Moderate. Light cooking splatter cleans up fine; heavier grease requires more effort or pre-soaking. Not in the same league as Branch Basics for degreasing.
Residue: Rinses clean without streaking. No film left behind on surfaces.
Bathroom Testing (7/10)
Sink and fixtures: Adequate for daily maintenance. Toothpaste, soap residue, and water spots clean up without issue.
Soap scum: Like most plant-based cleaners, ECOS struggles with built-up soap scum. You'll need to spray, wait, and scrub for challenging areas.
Mirror and glass: Works, but not streak-free. Better to use a dedicated glass cleaner.
General Surfaces (8/10)
Toys and baby gear: Excellent choice for items that will be mouthed or handled extensively.
Wood and sealed surfaces: Safe and effective on most household surfaces.
Electronics: Low-residue formula works well for cleaning remotes, keyboards, and similar items.
The Scent Reality
The Hypoallergenic version is truly unscented—no fragrance of any kind, synthetic or natural.
What to expect: A very faint mineral smell during application (from the sodium compounds) that disappears immediately. Some users describe it as "water with a hint of clean."
For fragrance-seekers: ECOS makes scented versions (Lavender, Orange, etc.) but those receive lower safety ratings. If fragrance matters, consider Puracy instead.
Value Assessment
Pricing:
- 22 oz spray: $4.49
- 128 oz refill: $11.99
Cost per ounce:
- 22 oz: $0.20/oz
- 128 oz refill: $0.09/oz
Comparison:
- Seventh Generation: $0.19/oz
- Mrs. Meyer's: $0.28/oz
- Puracy: $0.36/oz
- Branch Basics (diluted): $0.10/oz
The 128 oz refill represents exceptional value at $0.09/oz—competitive with Branch Basics diluted concentrate and significantly cheaper than any ready-to-use competitor.
The Environmental Calculation
When evaluating cleaning products, I consider both formula safety and environmental footprint. ECOS delivers on both:
Formula: Plant-derived, biodegradable, no petroleum ingredients Manufacturing: Carbon-neutral, water-neutral, zero-waste certified Packaging: Recyclable bottles made from recycled content
For families who prioritize their ecological impact alongside personal health, ECOS offers verified sustainability that most competitors merely claim.
How It Compares
Vs. Seventh Generation Free & Clear
ECOS wins on: Refill pricing, manufacturing sustainability certifications
Seventh Generation wins on: EWG rating (A vs. B), wider retail availability
Bottom line: Similar products; ECOS for eco-manufacturing priority, Seventh Generation for highest safety rating.
Vs. Branch Basics
Branch Basics wins on: Cleaning power, versatility, Made Safe certification
ECOS wins on: Price, immediate availability, no learning curve
Bottom line: Branch Basics outperforms, but ECOS is a fraction of the cost.
Who Should Buy This
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Environmentally-focused families: If manufacturing footprint matters as much as formula safety, ECOS delivers verified sustainability.
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Budget-conscious parents: The refill pricing ($0.09/oz) makes ongoing use extremely affordable.
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Sensitive skin households: Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dye-free formula minimizes reaction risk.
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Those buying in bulk: The gallon refill format suits families who go through cleaner quickly.
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Values-aligned shoppers: B Corp certification, cruelty-free, vegan, made in USA.
Who Should Skip
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Heavy-duty cleaning needs: ECOS won't tackle serious grease or grime as effectively as Branch Basics.
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Those wanting EWG-A rating: If the highest safety rating matters most, Seventh Generation or Branch Basics rank higher.
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Disinfection requirements: This cleans but doesn't kill germs.
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Scent lovers: The hypoallergenic version offers no scent satisfaction.
The Bottom Line
ECOS Hypoallergenic All-Purpose Cleaner delivers plant-based cleaning at budget-friendly prices from a manufacturer with verified environmental commitments. The cleaning power handles everyday messes (not heavy-duty challenges), and the hypoallergenic formula works for most sensitive families. For environmentally-conscious households who want their purchases to support sustainable manufacturing without premium pricing, ECOS offers genuine value.
My usage: I keep ECOS refills for the bathroom spray bottle where heavy-duty cleaning rarely happens. The price makes it practical for high-frequency light cleaning without guilt about overusing product.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Healthy Cleaning. ECOS Product Ratings. Accessed January 2026.
- Climate Action Reserve. ECOS Carbon-Neutral Certification. Accessed January 2026.
- TRUE Zero Waste. ECOS Platinum Certification. Accessed January 2026.
- ECOS. Full Ingredient Disclosure and Manufacturing Certifications. Accessed January 2026.
