Simple Green · All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner
Cleaning liquid with no known PFAS; typical formulation carries lower concern.
Simple Green is a biodegradable all-purpose cleaner without known PFAS use. The liquid formula and lack of water-repellent or stain-resistant claims suggest lower PFAS risk versus treated textiles or coated products.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous cleaning concentrate, surfactants, chelating agents
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Simple Green Ready-To-Use Cleaner is made of, ingredients and materials
Simple Green Ready-To-Use is a water-based concentrate formulated with surfactants (cleaning agents that lift dirt and grease) and chelating agents (which bind minerals and prevent spotting). The product contains no known Teflon-type coating, phenolic resins, or caustic compounds at problematic levels. As an aqueous liquid cleaner rather than a powder or aerosol, it does not present inhalation risk from particulates or propellants; the formulation is designed for dilution or direct spray application on hard surfaces, fabrics, and some sealed materials.
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.
Surfactant irritation (skin, respiratory, eyes)
Concentrated surfactants in ready-to-use cleaners can irritate skin and mucous membranes if contact occurs or product is aerosolized in poor ventilation. Simple Green labels warn against ingestion and advise rinsing after skin contact; no unusual sensitization recalls are on record, but exposure risk depends on use method and individual sensitivity.
Residue on food contact surfaces
If used on kitchen counters or cutting boards without thorough rinsing, surfactant residue may remain and contact food. Simple Green label does not explicitly restrict use on food preparation surfaces, but manufacturer recommends thorough rinsing; risk is user-dependent, not inherent to formulation.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Chelating agent toxicity or bioaccumulation
Chelating agents (typically EDTA or citrate-based) used in Simple Green are widely established as low acute toxicity and not bioaccumulative at consumer exposure levels. No health advisories or restrictions specific to this product's chelating content have been issued by regulatory bodies.
Heavy metals
No public record of lead, cadmium, or chromium in Simple Green Ready-To-Use formulation. As a liquid cleaner without colorant or pigment additives, the product does not present typical sources of heavy metal concern seen in some spray paints or dyed products.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are not documented in Simple Green Ready-To-Use ingredient profiles or safety data sheets on public record. Standard surfactant and chelating agent formulations do not require formaldehyde-based preservation.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Simple Green (Sunshine Makers Inc.) maintains no public PFAS commitment or third-party sustainability certification on record for this product line. The brand does not routinely disclose full ingredient lists beyond those required by law, though the product is not flagged in EPA or consumer databases for undisclosed hazardous substances. No significant recalls or safety controversies specific to the Ready-To-Use formulation have been documented in public records.
How it compares in its category
All-purpose cleaners typically rely on surfactants and water; Simple Green's formulation is representative of mainstream ready-to-use products and carries similar hazard profile to competitors (Windex, Lysol multipurpose, Seventh Generation). The absence of bleach, ammonia, or strong solvents makes it lower-concern than caustic or solvent-heavy cleaners. It is not marketed as antimicrobial or disinfectant, which avoids added preservatives or quaternary ammonium compounds.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from children and pets; the surfactant content can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Follow label instructions for dilution and test on inconspicuous areas of fabrics or sealed surfaces before full application. Do not mix with bleach, ammonia, or other cleaners, as incompatible surfactants or pH shifts may produce irritant byproducts. Ventilate enclosed spaces during use to avoid inhalation of aerosolized surfactant particles, especially for individuals with respiratory sensitivity.
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 Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner?
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3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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