Are Method Cleaning Products Safe?

Method cleaning products have built a reputation as eco-friendly, plant-based household cleaners that promise performance without harsh chemicals. Founded by Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, the brand markets itself as a pioneer in sustainable design and green chemistry. But how “green” and safe are Method products in reality?

Are Method Cleaning Products Safe?

On the one hand, it is laudable that when Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan launched Method in 2000, their goal was to reinvent cleaning through eco-friendly innovation — combining plant-derived surfactants, biodegradable formulas, and eye-catching packaging.

On the other hand, however, while Method highlights its plant-based ingredients, it’s important to look beyond marketing language. The term “plant-based” often refers to surfactants that begin as coconut or corn derivatives but undergo significant chemical processing. That means they may still carry impurities or lack long-term safety data — a concern for truly eco-friendly formulation claims.

Plus, the product formulation may contain other ingredients that are linked to various health risks, including allergic reactions and endocrine disruption.

In this post, we will look at the ingredients of several Method cleaning supplies (as of October 2025) so you could make informed purchasing decisions:

• Method Bathroom Cleaner
• Method All-Purpose Cleaner
• Method Laundry Detergent
• Method Dish Soap
• Method Hand Wash

Method Bathroom Cleaner

First—Method Bathroom Cleaner (Eucalyptus Mint). In my opinion, the ingredients of concern in this Method cleaning product are as follows:

• Laureth-7: a surfactant and an ethoxylated ingredient created through the process of ethoxylation involving carcinogenic ethylene oxide and potential residue of carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane.
• Benzisothiazolinone: a preservative well-known as a sensitizer and allergen.
• Methylisothiazolinone: a preservative well-known as a sensitizer and allergen; studies on mammalian brain cells indicate it may have neurotoxic effects.
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: a preservative well-known as a sensitizer and allergen.
• Octylisothiazolinone: a preservative that is also a potential sensitizer and allergen like the “zolinone” ingredients enumerated above.
• Fragrance (parfum: linalool): a blend of ingredients, many of which can contribute to the development of allergies, sensitization, endocrine disruption, negative environmental impact, and even cancer; specifically, linalool is an established allergen.

Get a list of non-toxic bathroom cleaners in my blog post on Best Bathtub Cleaners.

Method All-Purpose Cleaner

Second—Method All-Purpose Cleaner (Lime + Sea Salt). I believe the ingredients of concern in this cleaner are as follows:

• Laureth-7: a surfactant and an ethoxylated compound, produced through ethoxylation — a process that uses carcinogenic ethylene oxide and may leave behind trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen.
• Fragrance (benzyl salicylate, citral, hexyl cinnamal, limonene): a mixture of ingredients, some of which are associated with risks such as allergic reactions, skin sensitization, endocrine disruption, environmental harm, and potential carcinogenicity; notably, benzyl salicylate, citral, hexyl cinnamal, and limonene are recognized allergens.
• Polymeric Blue and Polymeric Yellow: syntheticcolorants that may contain residues of heavy metals and petroleum-based carcinogenic contaminants such as PAHs. 

It’s worth mentioning that the formula contains no added preservatives. According to the company, its high pH of 10.5–11.5 provides sufficient antimicrobial protection, making the built-in preservation system effective without additional preservatives.

Find a non-toxic, unscented all-purpose cleaner that will best work for you in the Healthy Cleaning Section of my shop.

Method Laundry Detergent

Third—Method Laundry Detergent (Free + Clear). While it is great that it has no fragrance, it still contains the following ingredients to avoid:

• Laureth-7: a surfactant and an ethoxylated ingredient, created through a process involving ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, which can result in trace contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen.
• Methylisothiazolinone: a preservative well-known for its sensitizing potential, named the 2013 Contact Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, and laboratory studies on mammalian brain cells indicate it may have neurotoxic effects.

Read my blog post about a Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent to switch to a safer option.

Method Dish Soap

Next—Method Dish Soap (Sea Minerals). From my point of view, the following ingredients prevent it from being included in the list of safe dish soaps:

• Methylisothiazolinone: a preservative known for its strong sensitizing potential; designated the 2013 Contact Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, it has also shown possible neurotoxic effects in laboratory studies on mammalian brain cells.
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: a preservative that just like methylisothiazolinone has a link to a higher risk of allergic contact dermatitis and sensitization.
• Fragrance (parfum: benzyl salicylate, citral, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, butylphenyl methylpropional, linalool): a blend of components linked to possible risks including allergic reactions, skin sensitization, endocrine disruption, environmental impact, and potential carcinogenicity; in particular, benzyl salicylate, citral, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, butylphenyl methylpropional, and linalool are known allergens.
• Polymeric Blue and Polymeric Yellow: synthetic colorants that may contain trace residues of heavy metals and petroleum-derived carcinogenic contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Take advantage of my Non-Toxic Dishwashing Soap Guide to find safe dish soap for your kitchen.

Method Hand Wash

Lastly—Method Hand Wash (Sea Minerals). I consider the following ingredients particularly risk-bearing:

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: a surfactant and foaming agent that may cause skin sensitization due to impurities such as DMAPA and amidoamine; the American Contact Dermatitis Society identified it as an allergen even at concentrations as low as 1% and named it the 2004 Allergen of the Year.
• Fragrance (parfum): a mixture of various natural and synthetic compounds added for scent, some of which can trigger allergic reactions, skin sensitization, or respiratory irritation. Certain fragrance components are also linked to endocrine disruption and environmental harm. The American Contact Dermatitis Society has frequently included fragrance among the most common allergens, highlighting its potential to cause skin and health sensitivities even at low concentrations.
• Blue 1 and External Violet 2: synthetic colorants derived from petroleum and primarily used for aesthetic purposes. These dyes may contain trace impurities, such as heavy metals or aromatic amines, which raise concerns about potential toxicity and environmental persistence. Although approved for limited use, they have been associated with skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, making them ingredients to approach with caution.

Use my Non-Toxic Hand Soap Guide to look for a safe hand wash.

Conclusion: Are Method Cleaning Supplies Safe?

Due To The Presence Of Certain Ingredients With Potential Health Risks I Cannot Call Method Cleaning Products Truly Safe Cleaning Supplies.

To sum up, while Method has made commendable progress in promoting eco-friendly cleaning and raising awareness about plant-based ingredients, its products are not entirely free from safety concerns. In fact, several formulations contain harsh preservatives, potentially health concerning surfactants, and unnecessary synthetic colorants. Additionally, most Method cleaning products include fragrances with ingredients linked to sensitization and allergic reactions.

In my opinion, despite the brand’s sustainability goals and stylish appeal, Method cleaning supplies cannot be classified as fully non-toxic or risk-free. If your priority is minimizing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, I recommend exploring safer alternatives. Thus, in the Healthy Cleaning Section of my shop, I carefully vetted every product for ingredient transparency and safety. To find out my opinions on Mrs. Meyer’s products, visit my blog post Mrs. Meyer’s Cleaning Products.