Method cleaners are safer than many conventional cleaning products, but calling them “non-toxic” oversimplifies things. Their ingredients are largely plant-derived and biodegradable, which puts them well ahead of bleach-based or ammonia-heavy alternatives. However, Method has faced a regulatory violation over volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, and some of their ingredients can still irritate skin and eyes. The honest answer is that Method is a lower-risk option, not a zero-risk one.
What’s Actually in Method Cleaners
Method markets its ingredients as derived from corn and coconut, and the label on their popular All-Purpose Surface Cleaner lists “corn and coconut derived biodegradable surfactants, corn-based cleaning salt, soda ash, potassium hydrate, fragrance oil, color, purified water.” That sounds reassuringly simple, but the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has identified the specific chemical compounds behind those friendly descriptions.
The surfactants (the ingredients that actually lift grease and dirt) include laureth-7, decyl glucoside, and lauryl glucoside. The last two are sugar-based surfactants considered gentle and low-hazard. Laureth-7 is a slightly more processed compound, though still rated as low concern by most safety databases. The cleaner also contains sodium carbonate (soda ash) and potassium hydroxide, both alkaline substances that help dissolve grime. Potassium hydroxide is caustic in concentrated form, but at the dilution used in a spray cleaner, it’s far less concerning. Citric acid, sodium gluconate, botanical oil, fragrance, and coloring round out the formula.
None of these are the harsh chemicals people typically worry about. Method cleaners don’t contain chlorine bleach, ammonia, phthalates, or parabens. That’s a genuine advantage over many conventional cleaners sitting on the same store shelf.
The VOC Problem
Here’s where Method’s clean image takes a hit. The California Air Resources Board found that Method sold a general purpose cleaner with volatile organic compound concentrations exceeding California’s legal limits. The violation resulted in an estimated 4.55 tons of excess VOC emissions and led to a settlement with the state.
VOCs are chemicals that evaporate into indoor air and can cause headaches, respiratory irritation, and reduced air quality, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. California sets some of the strictest VOC limits for consumer products in the country, so exceeding those standards is notable. The violation doesn’t mean Method cleaners are dangerous to breathe in a well-ventilated kitchen, but it does undermine the brand’s positioning as a thoroughly vetted, eco-friendly choice. A truly “non-toxic” product shouldn’t be failing air quality regulations.
What “Non-Toxic” Actually Means
There’s no single legal standard that defines “non-toxic” for cleaning products in the United States. The term isn’t regulated the way “organic” is for food. Brands can use it loosely in marketing without meeting a specific threshold. This is a problem across the green cleaning industry, not just for Method.
What does exist is a patchwork of third-party certifications. Method has pursued Cradle to Cradle certification for many of its products, which evaluates material health, recyclability, and manufacturing practices. That certification carries more weight than a vague “non-toxic” label on the bottle, because it involves an outside review of ingredient safety. Still, certification tiers vary, and no certification guarantees that a product is completely harmless in every scenario.
The practical reality is that almost any cleaning product can cause irritation if misused. Method’s safety guidance follows the same pattern as most cleaners: rinse eyes thoroughly with water if the product splashes in them, wash skin with soap and water if irritation develops, and never induce vomiting if swallowed. These precautions exist because the alkaline and surfactant ingredients, while mild, are still designed to break down organic matter. That’s what makes them effective cleaners, and it’s why no cleaner is truly inert.
How Method Compares to Conventional Cleaners
The useful comparison isn’t whether Method is perfectly non-toxic. It’s whether it’s meaningfully safer than the alternatives. On that score, Method does well. Conventional all-purpose cleaners often rely on synthetic surfactants derived from petroleum, include artificial preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (a known skin sensitizer), and may contain ammonia or bleach compounds that produce irritating fumes. Method avoids all of these.
The plant-based surfactants in Method’s formula biodegrade more readily than their petroleum-based counterparts, which matters for waterways after the product goes down your drain. The cleaning salts and soda ash are simple mineral compounds with long safety track records. For someone switching from a conventional cleaner like Lysol or 409, Method represents a real reduction in chemical exposure.
Where Method falls short of the cleanest options is fragrance. The ingredient list includes “fragrance,” which is a catch-all term that can encompass dozens of undisclosed compounds. Fragrance formulations are considered trade secrets, so companies aren’t required to list every component. Some fragrance chemicals are associated with allergic reactions and respiratory sensitivity. If you’re looking for the absolute lowest-risk cleaner, unscented products or brands that fully disclose every fragrance component are a step further in that direction.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Feel Comfortable Using Method
For most households, Method cleaners are a solid, lower-toxicity choice for everyday surfaces like countertops, sinks, and glass. The ingredients are mild enough for routine use without gloves, and the biodegradable formula is a genuine improvement over conventional options for people concerned about environmental impact.
If you have chemical sensitivities, fragrance allergies, or respiratory conditions like asthma, proceed with more caution. The undisclosed fragrance components and the documented VOC issue suggest that sensitive individuals might react to Method sprays, particularly in small or poorly ventilated rooms. In that case, look for cleaners labeled both fragrance-free and independently certified by organizations like the EPA’s Safer Choice program, which reviews every ingredient including fragrance compounds.
For homes with small children or pets, Method is a reasonable upgrade from harsher cleaners. The plant-based surfactants and absence of bleach or ammonia reduce the risk of serious harm from incidental contact. But keep the bottles stored out of reach regardless. Ingesting any cleaner, even a mild one, can cause nausea and stomach irritation.