Simple Green · All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner - Lemon Scent
Lower concern; liquid cleaner formulation unlikely to contain PFAS.
Simple Green is a plant-based aqueous cleaner with no known PFAS use in typical formulations. No brand disclosure on PFAS, but the product category and ingredients suggest lower risk than coatings or treated textiles.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous cleaning concentrate, surfactants, citrus extract
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Simple Green Ready-To-Use Lemon Scent is made of, ingredients and materials
Simple Green Ready-To-Use is a water-based formulation containing surfactants (detergents that break down oils and dirt) and citrus extract as the fragrance source. Unlike solvent-based cleaners, the aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typical of petroleum-distillate cleaners. The citrus component is a natural degreaser; no reported synthetic fragrances or known allergen triggers are disclosed on the product label or safety data sheets.
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 irritancy (skin and eyes)
All-purpose cleaners contain anionic surfactants that are mild irritants at product concentration. Direct eye contact or prolonged skin contact may cause redness or drying; no severe caustic burn risk at label-recommended dilution.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from citrus extract
Citrus extract (limonene) is a volatile fragrance component that can off-gas, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Exposure is typically minimal during normal use (spray and wipe), but prolonged inhalation in enclosed areas may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Ingestion toxicity (accidental, especially children)
Surfactant ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; no deaths recorded for this specific product at label concentrations, but cases exist for similar cleaners. Product is labeled as harmful if swallowed and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Container integrity and leakage
No widespread reports of container degradation, seal failure, or leaching from Simple Green Ready-To-Use bottles. The aqueous formulation is unlikely to degrade plastic containers as severely as solvent-based cleaners would.
Heavy metals
All-purpose cleaners of this type do not typically require pigments or colorants; Simple Green's formulation contains no reported lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals. Safety data sheets for this product do not list these contaminants.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Simple Green (owned by Spectrum Brands) publishes Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for its products and has not faced major recalls or regulatory actions for this particular all-purpose formula. The brand does not formally certify products as hypoallergenic or allergen-free, but no established pattern of undisclosed harmful additives has emerged in consumer or regulatory records. The company's environmental claims (biodegradable surfactants) are not independently verified by third-party certifiers like EPA Safer Choice, though the formulation does not contradict those claims.
How it compares in its category
Aqueous all-purpose cleaners like this are generally lower-concern than solvent-based alternatives (which emit VOCs and hydrocarbon solvents). Simple Green Ready-To-Use sits in the middle of the mainstream market, not certified green (like Seventh Generation or Ecos products bearing EPA Safer Choice), but also not a heavy-duty degreaser relying on d-limonene or petroleum distillates at high concentrations. Most competitors in the all-purpose category carry similar risk profiles for the hazards below.
If you buy it
Use the product as directed on the label; do not ingest or spray directly into eyes. For sensitive skin, wear gloves during prolonged contact, as even mild surfactants can irritate or dry skin with repeated exposure. Store in a cool, dry location away from extremes of heat or sunlight to prevent container degradation; do not transfer to unmarked containers. If used on food-contact surfaces (counters, cutting boards), rinse thoroughly with water after application and before food preparation.
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 - Lemon Scent?
- Hypochlorous acid electrochemical solution
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- 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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