Seventh Generation · All-Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner - Free & Clear
Buy. Liquid cleaner with MADE SAFE certification and PFAS-free claim.
Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner is a liquid product containing water and plant-based ingredients with no applied coatings or treatments. MADE SAFE certified and brand claims PFAS-free formulation.
Brand says: “PFAS-free formulation; Seventh Generation commits to removing PFAS from product lines”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, plant-based surfactants, mineral salts
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Seventh Generation All Purpose Clear is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is formulated with water as the base, plant-derived surfactants (typically from coconut or corn), and mineral salts as cleaning agents. Seventh Generation explicitly excludes synthetic petrochemical surfactants, dyes, perfumes, and chlorine from this line. The plant-based surfactant chemistry is biodegradable and less persistent in aquatic systems than conventional detergents, reducing environmental burden on treatment facilities and water ecosystems.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Skin or eye irritation from surfactants
Plant-based surfactants are generally milder than petroleum derivatives but retain cleansing action via protein and lipid disruption. Direct contact with undiluted liquid may cause mild irritation; diluted use carries negligible risk for incidental contact.
Ingestion hazard (household use)
Like all household cleaners, ingestion in quantity poses gastrointestinal irritation. No evidence of systemic toxicity or carcinogenic compounds in published formulation, but this is a cleaning product, not a consumable.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party reports verifying this product as PFAS-free.
Mold or bacterial growth in container post-opening
No preservative system is publicly disclosed for this product. Once opened, the water base and plant-derived components could theoretically support microbial growth if stored in warm, humid conditions for extended periods. Keep sealed when not in use and discard if visible discoloration or odor develops.
Heavy metals
The brand does not disclose specific sourcing or purity testing of mineral salts used. No regulatory action or recall indicates contamination, but mineral sources can occasionally contain trace cadmium or lead depending on geological origin. MADE SAFE certification likely encompasses heavy metal screening, though specifics are not independently verified.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergen risk
This product is explicitly fragrance-free; synthetic perfumes and their undisclosed allergen constituents are absent. Risk of sensitization from this source is eliminated compared to scented cleaners.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation holds MADE SAFE certification for this product, indicating independent third-party testing for harmful chemicals. The brand maintains a public commitment to PFAS-free formulations across its range and publishes detailed ingredient lists without obscuring components under 'fragrance' or proprietary blends. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions are on record for this specific product line. The company's parent (Unilever subsidiary SC Johnson) has faced past criticism on ingredient transparency but has improved disclosure practices in recent years for this brand.
How it compares in its category
This cleaner sits in the transparent, plant-based segment of all-purpose cleaners, alongside brands like Ecos and Dreft. Most conventional all-purpose cleaners rely on synthetic surfactants (like linear alkylbenzene sulfonates) and added dyes and fragrances that do not appear here. The trade-off is typically lower disinfectant power; this product is not marketed as antimicrobial, making it unsuitable for sanitizing surfaces without separate disinfection steps. For routine household cleaning, the ingredient profile represents lower chemical exposure compared to mainstream brands.
If you buy it
Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight to preserve plant-derived surfactant stability. Use diluted as directed on the label (typically 1 part cleaner to 4-10 parts water) to maximize efficacy and reduce waste. This product is low concern for most sealed surfaces, painted wood, and laminate; test on delicate finishes first. Ensure good ventilation when using, not because of toxic fumes, but as a general household cleaning practice. Keep out of reach of children and do not ingest.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Seventh Generation has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More all-purpose cleaner grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.