ingredients

we’re not all about appearances. what’s inside counts, too. find out what goes in our method bottles.

ingredients	what it does	environmental + health summary	learn more
aloe barbadensis extract	moisturizer	biodegrades readily; sourced from aloe vera plants	n/a
amylase	cleaning enzyme	biodegrades readily;naturally derived	n/a
annatto extract	colorant	biodegradable; + not accumulative in the environment; derived from the seed of the annatto plant	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
acrylate polymer	thickener	low biodegradation but not accumulative or toxic in the environment; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin or eyes	n/a
alginic acid	holds tablet together	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
benzisothiazolinone	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
benzyl alchohol	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
blue 1	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
calcium chloride	stabilizer	readily disperses in environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
canola-amidoethyl hydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate, propylene glycol	softening + anti-static agent	biodegrades readily; derived from canola oil; not irritating to skin	n/a
caprylhydroxamic acid, caprylyl glycol	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	readily biodegradable; made from synthetic materials	n/a
caprylyl/decyl glucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources	n/a
caprylyl/myristyl glucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from corn sugars, coconut or palm oil	n/a
carbomer	thickener	made from synthetic materials	n/a
carboxymethylcellulose	stabilizer	biodegrades readily; derived from plant fiber; not irritating to skin	n/a
carboxymethylinulin	disperses soils	inherently biodegradable; derived from chicory plants; not irritating to skin	n/a
cellulase	cleaning enzyme	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
citric acid	optimizes pH levels	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn	n/a
citric acid (in antibacterial products)	antimicrobial	kills 99.9% of household germs	applies to US EPA registered products
cocamide MIPA	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from corn sugars, coconut or palm oil; low skin irritation in use	n/a
cocamidopropyl betaine	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils such as coconut; low skin irritation	n/a
cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut oil	n/a
cocamidopropylamine oxide	conditions wood surface	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources; not irritating to skin	n/a
coco methyl ester ethoxylate	emulsifier	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut oil; not irritating to skin	n/a
coco methyl ester sulfonate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils such as coconut; not irritating to skin	n/a
coco/soy methyl ester	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources	n/a
coco/soy methyl ester sulfonate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils such as coconut; not irritating to skin	n/a
cocoalkyl amine oxide	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant based materials; low skin irritation	n/a
decyl glucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from corn sugars, coconut or palm oil	n/a
dehydroacetic acid	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials; low irritation for skin + eyes	n/a
dicocoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, propylene glycol	softening + anti-static agent	biodegrades readily; derived from plant based + synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
dimethicone	polishing agent	made from sand + synthetic materials; low skin irritation	n/a
disodium lauroamphodiacetate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut oil	n/a
disodium oleamido MIPA sulfosuccinate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; naturally derived; not irritating to skin	n/a
distyrylbiphenolsulfonate	optical brightener	biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
DMDM hydantoin	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
ethanol	solvent	biodegrades readily; fermented from plant sugars such as corn or sugar beets; not irritating to skin	n/a
ethyl glycerin acetal levulinate	solvent	derived from corn stalks, readily biodegradable	n/a
ethyl levulinate propylene glycol ketal	solvent	derived from corn stalks, readily biodegradable	n/a
external violet 2	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
fragrance (parfum)	fragrance	blended composition is partly essential oils + partly synthetic ingredients	free of phthalates, NPEs + other dirty ingredients; non-toxic in use; free of carcinogens; tested for skin irritation + allergies
glycerin	moisturizer (personal care) OR solvent (laundry detergent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources; not irritating to skin	n/a
glyceryl caprylate/caprate	moisturizer	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut + palm oils	n/a
glyceryl distearate, coco glucoside, glyceryl oleate/stearate	softening + anti-static agent	biodegrades readily + not accumulative in the environment; derived from plant sources	n/a
glycol distearate	skin moisturizer	biodegrades readily + not accumulative; derived from plant oils + synthetic materials	n/a
green 5	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride	thickener	biodegrades readily; derived from plant-based guar gum; not irritating to skin	n/a
hydrogenated castor oil	emulsifier	biodegrades readily; derived from castor oil	n/a
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose	conditions wood surfaces	biodegradable; derived from plant fibers; not irritating to skin	n/a
isopropyl palmitate	thickener	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils + isopropyl alcohol; not irritating to skin	n/a
lactic acid	water softener	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn	n/a
lauramine oxide	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut oil	n/a
laureth-7 (ethoxylated coconut oil)	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources	n/a
lauryl alcohol ethoxylate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from palm or coconut oil; low skin irritation	n/a
lauryl ethoxylate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from palm or coconut oil; low skin irritation	n/a
lauryl glucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from corn sugars, coconut or palm oil	n/a
lauryl/ myristyl glucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from corn sugars, coconut or palm oil	n/a
linear alcohol ethoxylate	fragrance emulsifier	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials	n/a
lipase	cleaning enzyme	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
mannanase	cleaning enzyme	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
methoxyisopropanol	solvent	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
methylchoroisothiazolinone	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
methylisothiazolinone	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
monoisopropylanolamine	solvent	made from synthetic materials	n/a
octylisothiazolinone	preservative - prevents bacterial growth	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; low skin + eye irritation	n/a
oleic acid	surface conditioner	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils; not irritating to skin	n/a
organic acid or organic acid salt	anti-spotting agent	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
PEG 300 monooctyl ether	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant oils such as coconuts	n/a
PEG 400 dioleate	polishing + shining agent	inherently biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
PEG/PPG monoalkyl ether	surfactant (cleaning agent) + rinse aid	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources	n/a
phenoxyethanol	antioxidant	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials	n/a
poloxamer 181	surfactant (cleaning agent)	not persistent in the environment; made from synthetic materials	n/a
polyester	prevents dirt and oils from redepositing on fabric in the wash	made from synthetic materials	n/a
polymeric blue	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polymeric green	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polymeric orange	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polymeric pink	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polymeric red	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polymeric yellow	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
polyquarternium 95	enables a clean rinse	inherently biodegradable + not toxic in aquatic systems; derived from renewable starch sources; not irritating to skin	n/a
polysorbate 20	surfactant (cleaning agent) + emulsifier	derived from plant sources	n/a
polyvinyl alcohol	packette film		n/a
potassium citrate	optimizes pH levels	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn; not irritating to skin	n/a
PPG-2 methyl ether	solvent	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
propanediol	solvent	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn; low skin and eye irritation	n/a
protease	cleaning enzyme	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
red 33	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
red 4	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
sodium alkane sulfonate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; made from synthetic materials; low skin irritation	n/a
sodium bicarbonate	optimizes pH levels	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium carbonate	optimizes pH levels, dissolves stains	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium carbonate peroxide	optimizes pH levels for better cleaning, provide gentle non-chlorine bleaching	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium chloride	thickener	derived from abundant mineral sources; the same material as table salt; safe for people (unless too much is eaten on potato chips)	n/a
sodium citrate	optimizes pH levels	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn; not irritating to skin	n/a
sodium coco sulfate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources; low skin irritation	n/a
sodium disilicate	optimizes pH levels	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium gluconate	optimizes pH (apc) and anti-spotting/anti-rusting agent (autodish)	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sugars such as corn; not irritating to skin	n/a
sodium hydroxide	optimizes pH levels	biodegrades readily; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium lauryl sulfate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	biodegrades readily; derived from coconut + palm oils; low skin irritation in use	n/a
sodium metasilicate	optimizes pH levels	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium polyaspartate	prevents dirt and oils from redepositing in the wash	biodegrades readily; naturally derived	n/a
sodium polyitaconate	prevents minerals from hard water from depositing on dishes	biodegrades readily; naturally derived; not irritating to skin	n/a
sodium sesquicarbonate	optimizes pH levels, dissolves stains	disperses safely in the environment; derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
sodium silicate	optimizes pH levels and maintains glass surface	readily disperses in environment; comes from abundant mineral sources	n/a
soy methyl ester ethoxylate	surfactant (cleaning agent)	derived from plant sources; low skin irritation	n/a
TAED (tetra-acetyl ethylene diamine)	oxidizing cleaner	biodegradable; made from synthetic materials; not irritating to skin	n/a
tetrasodium GLDA	water softener	inherently biodegradable; naturally derived; not irritating to skin	n/a
tetrasodium iminodisuccinate	water softener	biodegrades readily; derived from minerals and plant sources	n/a
tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)	moisturizer	biodegrades readily; derived from plant sources	n/a
water (aqua)	diluent + solvent	deionized for purity; extracted from abundant source	n/a
xanthan gum	thickener	inherently biodegradable; derived from plant based sugars such as corn	n/a
yellow 10	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
yellow 5	colorant	ultimately degradable + not accumulative in the environment; made from synthetic materials	free of heavy metals or other dirty ingredients
zeolite	water softener	silicate derived from abundant mineral sources	n/a
updated 12/16/14			n/a

formulation

we follow the precautionary principle: if there’s a chance an ingredient isn’t safe, we don’t use it. period.

health + eco screening

we use the precautionary principle, meaning that if there’s a chance that an ingredient isn’t safe, we don’t use it.

the dirty ingredient list

method chooses never to use dirty, conventional cleaning ingredients, like phosphates or bleach, in our formulas.

3rd party assessment

all method ingredients are rigorously evaluated by an independent material research agency for health and environmental safety.

the highest standard

Cradle to Cradle® is our mantra for the design of safe, green products.

smart science

our formulators use advanced green chemistry technologies to create powerful and safe formulations.

external validation

the world’s first line of cleaning products to be Cradle to Cradle® certified for their responsible manufacturing, green package design and safe + effective formulation.

dirty ingredients list

we don’t do dirty. here’s a list of some ingredients we don’t ever use (and why).

chemical	typically found in	environmental + health summary
chlorine bleach	surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners, laundry detergent	very toxic, irritant/harmful
triclosan	hand wash, body wash	very toxic, corrosive, dangerous for the environment
EDTA	hand wash, body wash	dangerous for the environment
phosphates	dishwasher detergent	dangerous for the environment
2-butoxyethanol	floor cleaners	very toxic
phthalates	fragrance in cleaning + body products	very toxic
paraben	hand wash, body wash	very toxic
ammonia	glass cleaners, surface cleaners	very toxic, irritant/harmful, dangerous for the environment
MEA (ethanolamine)	laundry detergent	very toxic, irritant/harmful
want to learn more about the ingredients we do and don't use in our products? email us at contactus@methodhome.com.sg

fragrances

we take pride in developing delightful fragrances that are easy on your nose.

people friendly + planet friendly

in a world where cleaning products smell at best bland and boring, and at worst noxious and offensive (fake pine, anyone?), we take pride in making products that smell great. so we make sure that we put the right attention into developing fragrances that don't pose a threat to people and the environment.

dirty fragrance ingredients list

our front-end design screen is known as the dirty fragrance ingredients list. it is an array of materials that are frequently used to make conventional fragrances, like phthalates, but that we specify never be used in method's fragrances.

material safety assessment

all method fragrance ingredients are reviewed by our greenskeeping and toxicology groups. additionally, all of our finished products are clinically tested for irritation and allergy concerns.

colorants

we believe vibrant colors make cleaning more fun, so we use colorants that are safe for people + the planet.

vibrant color

vibrant color is a pillar of great design. we believe sustainability should be beautiful, lively and appealing. so we design our products that way. we do this by using safe, environmentally compatible colorants that are effective at ultra-low concentrations, that are non-toxic and will not accumulate in the environment.

responsible colorants

we use only colorants that are safe for people and the environment. some are made from natural materials, but the majority of the most effective ones are made synthetically. in either case, we find the safe ones by partnering with our colorant suppliers to complete detailed health + environmental material assessments.

preservatives

effective, safe + biodegradable. our preservatives are necessary for a clean you can count on.

effective

method formulas are predominantly made from naturally derived ingredients, so effective preservatives are required to keep them from spoiling and to maintain their effectiveness and safety over time. by choosing effective preservatives, we can use them at ultra-low concentrations (under 0.1% for most of our cleaners).

comprehensive assessment

all of the preservatives used in method products have been comprehensively assessed by the material scientists at MBDC, so we can be certain of their full health + environmental profile. this research allows us to be sure that our formulations remain non-toxic and biodegradable.

biodegradable

all of our core products are Cradle to Cradle certified. more than 75% of our portfolio is certified at the gold level, and the remaining products are certified silver.

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