Zep All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser
Skip without brand PFAS disclosure or third-party testing.
Zep does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing for this multipurpose cleaner. Cleaning products can contain fluorinated surfactants; verification is absent.
The better-graded swap
Swiffer
Swiffer Power Mop Refill Solution
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
aqueous cleaning concentrate, surfactants and solvents
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Zep All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser is made of, ingredients and materials
Zep All-Purpose Cleaner is an aqueous concentrate formulated with surfactants and organic solvents designed to cut grease and soil on hard surfaces. The exact surfactant types and solvent identities are not fully disclosed on widely available product safety data sheets, limiting independent assessment of irritation or toxicity risk. Concentrates require dilution before use, which affects actual exposure during application and cleanup.
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 and solvent skin irritation
Surfactants and organic solvents in cleaner concentrates can cause dermatitis or mucous membrane irritation on contact; Zep's specific surfactant and solvent identities are not fully transparent in public materials, making individual hazard assessment incomplete.
Inhalation exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Solvent-based cleaners typically release VOCs during use and storage; no public data on Zep All-Purpose's VOC profile or limits is readily available, though volatile ingredients are standard in this product class.
Eye and respiratory irritation if misused
Undiluted concentrate or splash contact poses acute irritation risk; inhalation in poorly ventilated spaces may irritate respiratory tract, typical for surfactant and solvent blends but not specifically quantified for this product.
Ingredient transparency gap
Zep does not disclose all surfactant and solvent identities on consumer-facing labels or readily accessible SDS, a practice common in the industry but limiting consumer and independent safety verification.
What’s reassuring
Persistence or toxicity of undisclosed solvents
Without full ingredient disclosure, it is not possible to confirm whether solvents persist in the environment or bioaccumulate; this is a disclosure limitation, not a confirmed hazard.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Zep is owned by National Chemical Laboratories and has a long history as an industrial and commercial cleaner brand. The company has not published a public PFAS policy or commitment to phase-out or avoid PFAS in cleaning products, despite the Excellent PFAS grade assigned here. This silence is a red flag, a high safety score without transparent brand stance or third-party verification leaves no public assurance that the grade reflects actual formulation or that standards will be maintained across batches or future reformulations.
How it compares in its category
All-purpose cleaners typically rely on surfactants, builders, and solvent blends; many conventional products contain fragrance, dyes, or undisclosed ingredients. Zep's concentrate format is common and reduces packaging waste per use. Comparable products from brands with published PFAS policies or third-party certifications (e.g., EPA Safer Choice label, EcoLogo) offer more transparent hazard disclosure and manufacturer accountability than Zep's silent posture.
If you buy it
Always dilute according to label instructions before use; undiluted concentrate may cause skin or eye irritation. Use in well-ventilated spaces and avoid inhalation of vapors, particularly if solvents include volatile organics. Wear gloves to limit skin contact and keep away from children and pets. Store in a cool, dry place in the original labeled container to prevent accidental misuse or degradation of the formulation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Zep has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Zep All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser?
- 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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