Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 7.6/10
Method occupies an uncomfortable middle ground: too design-conscious to be taken seriously as a pure non-toxic brand, yet too focused on "natural" ingredients to compete on raw cleaning power with conventional products. The EWG-C rating reflects genuine concerns about fragrance ingredient disclosure. For families who prioritize safety, better options exist. For those who prioritize aesthetics, Method delivers beautiful bottles with adequate cleaning—just with some ingredient transparency trade-offs.
The Verdict: Method is a step up from conventional cleaners but falls short of truly non-toxic alternatives like Seventh Generation, Better Life, or Branch Basics. The design and scent variety have genuine appeal, and performance is adequate for everyday messes. However, families seeking the cleanest possible ingredient profiles should look elsewhere.
What We Tested
I purchased Method All-Purpose Cleaner in French Lavender (28 oz, $4.79) and Pink Grapefruit (28 oz, $4.79), testing over 3 months across:
- Kitchen surfaces and appliances
- Bathroom sinks and fixtures
- General household cleaning
- Comparison to other plant-based alternatives
The Method Phenomenon
Method disrupted the cleaning industry when they launched in 2001. At a time when cleaning products came in utilitarian packaging with harsh chemical smells, Method offered:
- Beautifully designed bottles meant to sit on counters, not hide under sinks
- Creative scent combinations (Pink Grapefruit, French Lavender, Cucumber)
- Sustainability messaging before it was mainstream
- Premium positioning without premium pricing
This design-first approach attracted millions of consumers who wanted their cleaning products to be aesthetic objects. Method proved that "green cleaning" could look good.
The 2012 Acquisition
Method merged with Ecover in 2012 and was later acquired by SC Johnson in 2017. SC Johnson also owns Windex, Pledge, Glade, and other conventional cleaning brands. This corporate context matters when evaluating claims.
Safety Analysis: Why the C Rating?
Method All-Purpose Cleaner receives an EWG-C rating—not terrible, but notably lower than Seventh Generation (A), Better Life (A/Verified), or Attitude (A/Verified). Here's why:
The Fragrance Question
Method discloses their ingredients more than Mrs. Meyer's (D-rated) but less than EWG-A brands:
What's disclosed:
- Corn-derived cleaning agents
- Soda ash (sodium carbonate)
- Potassium hydroxide (pH adjuster)
- "Fragrance" (not fully itemized)
The concern: Method lists "fragrance" on their ingredient lists and provides a general fragrance statement, but doesn't fully disclose every fragrance component. While they claim to use "fragrance with no phthalates," the complete fragrance composition remains partially opaque.
What Ingredients Are Present
- Water: Base
- Lauryl glucoside: Plant-derived surfactant (safe)
- Sodium carbonate: Washing soda (safe)
- Potassium hydroxide: pH adjuster (safe when formulated properly)
- Fragrance: Partially disclosed blend
- Colorants: Present in some varieties
The Transparency Gap
Comparing Method to EWG-A alternatives:
| Brand | Fragrance Disclosure | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Branch Basics | Full (none/minimal) | A |
| Seventh Generation F&C | Full (none) | A |
| Better Life | Full (essential oils) | A/Verified |
| Attitude | Full (citrus oil + limonene) | A/Verified |
| Method | Partial | C |
| Mrs. Meyer's | Minimal | D |
Method is better than Mrs. Meyer's but doesn't meet the transparency standard of top-tier brands.
Cleaning Performance
Kitchen Testing (7.5/10)
Daily cleaning: Works well for routine countertop wiping, table cleaning, and light messes.
Grease handling: Moderate. Light grease cleans up; heavier cooking residue requires more effort. Comparable to Seventh Generation and ECOS.
Residue: Clean. The formula rinses away without obvious streaking or film.
Bathroom Testing (7/10)
Sink and fixtures: Adequate for maintenance.
Soap scum: Struggles, like most plant-based cleaners in this category.
Mirrors: Leaves some streaking—use dedicated glass cleaner.
General Surfaces (7.5/10)
Standard household: Works fine on most surfaces.
Baby gear: I'd prefer EWG-A rated alternatives for items children will mouth.
The Design Factor: Being Honest About Appeal
I need to acknowledge something: Method products look good. The teardrop bottles are genuinely attractive. The color coordination across product lines is thoughtful. The scent names are evocative.
For some households, this matters. If having attractive products on your counter encourages you to clean more often or brings small joy to mundane tasks, that has value.
The trade-off: You're accepting some ingredient transparency compromises for that design appeal. Whether that trade-off works for you is a personal decision.
The Scent Experience
Method's scent game is their strength:
French Lavender: Calming, spa-like, not too sweet Pink Grapefruit: Bright, energizing, citrus-forward Cucumber: Fresh, green, unusual in cleaning products Clementine: Cheerful, orange-adjacent, crowd-pleaser
These scents are more creative and nuanced than most competitors. The fragrance does linger longer than EWG-A products with disclosed essential oils—which could be concerning or desirable depending on your perspective.
Value Assessment
Pricing:
- 28 oz spray: $4.79
- 68 oz refill: $7.99
Cost per ounce:
- 28 oz: $0.17/oz
- 68 oz refill: $0.12/oz
Comparison:
- Seventh Generation: $0.19/oz
- ECOS: $0.20/oz
- Better Life: $0.25/oz
- Puracy: $0.36/oz
Method offers competitive pricing, especially with refills. The value proposition is clear: affordable cleaning with design appeal and some natural credentials. The question is whether you want stronger safety credentials at similar prices.
How It Compares
Vs. Seventh Generation Free & Clear
Method wins on: Design, scent variety, aesthetics
Seventh Generation wins on: EWG rating (A vs. C), ingredient transparency, fragrance-free option
Bottom line: Similar prices, but Seventh Generation is genuinely safer with better disclosure.
Vs. Mrs. Meyer's
Method wins on: EWG rating (C vs. D), slightly better ingredient profile
Mrs. Meyer's wins on: Nothing significant
Bottom line: If choosing between Method and Mrs. Meyer's, Method is the better option.
Vs. Branch Basics
Branch Basics wins on: Everything safety and efficacy related
Method wins on: Lower upfront cost, design, immediate availability
Bottom line: Not a fair comparison—Branch Basics is in a different league.
Who Might Still Choose This
I want to be fair: there are legitimate reasons someone might choose Method.
-
Design matters to you: If beautiful products bring you joy and you're aware of the ingredient trade-offs, that's a valid choice.
-
Stepping up from conventional: Method is meaningfully better than Windex or Lysol. For someone currently using conventional cleaners, this is an improvement.
-
Scent seekers: Method's fragrance complexity exceeds most competitors.
-
Budget with some conscientiousness: At $0.12-0.17/oz, Method is cheap with some natural credentials.
-
Those who won't research alternatives: If Method is the "natural" brand someone recognizes and trusts, it's better than them buying nothing.
Who Should Definitely Skip
-
Safety-focused families: The EWG-C rating and partial fragrance disclosure should concern health-conscious parents.
-
Those with fragrance sensitivities: The undisclosed fragrance components could trigger reactions.
-
Baby gear cleaning: I'd use EWG-A alternatives for items children will mouth.
-
Ingredient label readers: If full transparency matters to you, Method's disclosure isn't satisfying.
The Honest Assessment
Method pioneered design-forward sustainable cleaning and deserves credit for making "green" products mainstream. Their early work opened doors for brands that now surpass them on safety.
But in 2026, with genuinely non-toxic options like Seventh Generation, Better Life, and Branch Basics widely available, Method's partial ingredient transparency and EWG-C rating make them difficult to recommend for families prioritizing safety.
Method is not a bad product. It's also not the best option available. For families who want both design appeal AND the cleanest possible ingredients, the industry has evolved beyond what Method offers.
The Bottom Line
Method All-Purpose Cleaner offers attractive design, creative scents, and adequate cleaning power at competitive prices. However, the EWG-C rating and partial fragrance disclosure place it behind genuinely non-toxic alternatives. Method represents an improvement over conventional cleaners, but for families seeking the safest possible options, Seventh Generation, Better Life, Attitude, or Branch Basics deliver better ingredient profiles without significant cost increases.
My usage: I keep a bottle of Method in our guest bathroom because visitors recognize the brand and the design looks nice. For our primary household cleaning—especially anything involving my kids—I use EWG-A rated alternatives.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Method Product Ratings. Accessed January 2026.
- Method Products. Ingredient Disclosure. Accessed January 2026.
- SC Johnson. Method Brand Information. Accessed January 2026.
