Simple Green · All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
All-purpose liquid cleaner, low PFAS risk; no coating or treatment applied.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a liquid surfactant product with no applied coatings, treatments, or inherent PFAS-prone materials. Brand does not disclose PFAS status but risk is lower concern for this product category.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
concentrated biodegradable surfactant liquid
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is made of, ingredients and materials
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a concentrated solution of biodegradable surfactants, typically d-limonene (citrus extract) and alkyl phenol ethoxylates, with water and proprietary additives. The surfactants work by breaking down oils and grease without relying on harsh organic solvents like petroleum distillates or chlorinated compounds. Biodegradability means the active ingredients break down in environmental systems rather than persisting, reducing aquatic toxicity risk compared to conventional degreasers.
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.
Skin and eye irritation (undiluted concentrate)
SDS data indicates undiluted concentrate can cause irritation; dilution per label instructions substantially reduces this risk. Not a hazard in normal use when diluted.
Respiratory irritation from spray aerosol
Inhalation of fine mist from spray application may cause temporary airway irritation in sensitive individuals, particularly in unventilated spaces. Risk is low in well-ventilated areas.
d-limonene sensitization or contact dermatitis
D-limonene, a natural component, is a known respiratory and dermal sensitizer in some individuals with fragrance sensitivity. Incidence is rare but documented; primarily a concern with repeated, prolonged skin contact.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No reported incidents of heavy metal contamination in Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Standard cleaning product chemistry does not require metal pigments or mineral colorants.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastic shedding
Liquid cleaner formulation contains no microbeads or polymeric particles; microplastic risk does not apply to this product type.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Clorox-owned Simple Green publishes safety data sheets (SDS) readily and lists ingredients on product labels, meeting standard regulatory transparency. The brand has no prominent recall history for this product line and markets itself on environmental positioning (biodegradable claims). No formal third-party certifications such as EPA Safer Choice or Green Seal appear on packaging or marketing materials, though the product meets EPA criteria for reduced toxicity.
How it compares in its category
Simple Green sits in the middle ground between petroleum-based degreasers (higher VOC and chronic toxicity concern) and plant-derived cleaners (often lower concentration and efficacy). It is less concentrated than industrial-grade surfactants but more potent than many eco-marketed alternatives, making it cost-effective per use. Compared to bleach-based or ammonia cleaners, it poses lower acute respiratory risk and no chlorine gas hazard.
If you buy it
Always dilute as directed on the label; undiluted concentrate can cause skin irritation or eye damage. Use in ventilated spaces to avoid inhalation of aerosol mist, particularly if sprayed. Keep away from children and pets; accidental ingestion requires immediate medical attention. Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight to preserve surfactant stability; check the bottle annually for leaks or crystallization that may signal degradation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Simple Green has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner?
- 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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