Method All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, Sandalwood + Cedar
Low PFAS risk for typical household cleaner use.
Method all-purpose cleaners are water-based formulations with no known fluorinated additives or PFAS-based surfactants. No brand disclosure on PFAS, but formulation type presents lower concern than fabric treatments or nonstick coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based liquid cleaner in plastic spray bottle
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Method All-Purpose Cleaner Spray Cedar is made of, ingredients and materials
Method All-Purpose Cleaner is a water-based liquid concentrate in a plastic spray bottle. The active ingredients are plant-derived surfactants and botanical fragrance components (sandalwood and cedar oils), not harsh chemical solvents like ammonia or bleach. Water-based formulations carry lower volatility and acute inhalation risk than solvent-based cleaners, though fragrance compounds themselves warrant brief ventilation during use.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and respiratory irritants
Sandalwood and cedar essential oils are natural but can trigger contact dermatitis or asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. No specific recalls or adverse event reports on record for this product, but essential oil inhalation in poorly ventilated spaces poses low-to-moderate respiratory concern.
Surfactant irritation on skin/eyes
Plant-derived surfactants are generally gentler than synthetic anionic surfactants, but direct contact with concentrate can still irritate skin or cause eye stinging. Method labels advise eye contact precautions; no elevated incident reports suggest design flaw.
Aquatic toxicity from disposal
Plant surfactants degrade faster than synthetic ones, but large quantities in waterways can still harm aquatic life. This is a use-phase concern, not a consumer health hazard; proper drain disposal in municipal treatment is standard.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic bottle leachables (general)
No specific leachate contamination reported for Method spray bottles. The bottle material (likely PET or HDPE) is considered low-leach for water-based liquids at room temperature, but prolonged storage in heat or sunlight can degrade plastic and alter product composition.
Preservative and formulation additives
Method does not publicly disclose full preservative systems, but water-based cleaners typically use weak acids, citrates, or mild biocides. No 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde releasers, or heavy metal contamination has been reported in Method products.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Method is owned by SC Johnson and markets itself on plant-derived, non-toxic positioning. The company publishes ingredient transparency via its website and has avoided major safety recalls for this product line. Method has not made explicit public commitments on PFAS phase-out in cleaners, though the low PFAS grade (85/100) reflects the absence of water-repellent coatings or fluorinated surfactants typical of this category.
How it compares in its category
Water-based all-purpose cleaners with essential oil fragrance are among the lower-hazard options in household cleaning. Traditional ammonia or bleach-based cleaners pose higher acute inhalation and skin burn risk. Method's plant-surfactant formula sits in the middle-to-lower concern band compared to petroleum-derived or heavily fragranced synthetic alternatives.
If you buy it
Use in ventilated spaces; essential oils can irritate airways in sensitive individuals or pets in prolonged exposure. Keep the spray bottle away from heat and direct sunlight to prevent plastic degradation over time. Do not mix with other cleaners, especially bleach or acids, which could generate hazardous fumes regardless of Method's formulation. Replace the bottle if the spray mechanism degrades or if you notice liquid discoloration.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Method has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Method All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, Sandalwood + Cedar?
- Hypochlorous acid electrochemical solution
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Oxidizer / skin and eye irritation
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Plant-derived surfactants, water, essential oils
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Essential oil inhalation and sensitization
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- water, plant-derived surfactants, mineral salts
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Skin irritation from surfactants
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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