frequently asked questions

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Try our free of dyes + perfumes cleaning line, which is both fragrance- and dye-free.

method fragrances contain both natural essential oils and synthetic components. At method, we work closely with our fragrance houses to develop innovative aromatic experiences that exceed the strict internal health and environmental standards we have for all of our ingredients. In the development of a fragrance, like any other component of a product, the materials must be healthy in all respects - for people and pets, for the homes in which they are used, and in the environment. Any material that is used in a method fragrance must meet this minimum to even be considered as a formulation component. Specifically, all fragrance materials must be shown to be non-irritating, non-toxic and non-allergenic, and must be fully biodegradable.

Our fragrance blends contain both essential oils from natural sources and complementary components that are man-made. The essential oils are selected to best capture the essence of natural scents, while the man-made materials are selected to deliver the broadest possible palette of aromas by enhancing or complementing the natural oils. Materials from either origin are healthy, environmentally friendly and have been responsibly produced.

To support our fragrance development process, method uses an independent environmental research institute (www.epea.com) to identify the optimal fragrance materials. Additionally, all of the fragrances that method has submitted to the US EPA's Design for the Environment program have been approved as safe materials.

Looking for dye and fragrance-free products?

>>try our free of dyes + perfumes line

At method, we think cleaning should be fun, not boring. We love colors, so we use dyes that are safe and environmentally friendly. We use FD&C and D&C approved dyes, comprised of both natural and synthetic components, which have been proven to be safe and effective.

We have chosen to use these particular dyes because they have been certified as non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and safe on surfaces. In products for use on surfaces other than skin, we use polymeric dyes, which produce the vivid colors found in method products. These dyes also reduce the potential for staining and/or discoloration of sensitive surfaces by encapsulating the colors (chromaphores) in a matrix, making them non-particulate.

To certify environmental and human safety, method uses an independent, third party testing partner, the EPEA (www.epea.com & www.braungart.com). Testing includes factors such as biodegradability and non-toxicity.

No, method products are not organic.

We find that there are other more relevant terms to describe healthy cleaning products, terms that directly address both the health and environmental benefits of using them. We formulate all of our products to be non-toxic and biodegradable. We use high percentages of naturally derived ingredients and ensure that they are sourced from preferred sources whenever possible. We find that focusing on these characteristics best describes the products' traits, rather than focusing solely on the agricultural practices used to produce the ingredients.

Palm oil can no doubt have very negative effects in its sourcing. Deforestation, with the implied biodiversity losses, erosion, and loss of traditional existences is something we want to keep as far away as possible from our business, and source only ingredients from sustainable sources.

We are working to ensure the environmental quality of the palm that method sources in two ways. First, we are choosing to work only with suppliers that are part of the RSPO - the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil - all of which have assurances of their plantations and practices not contributing to deforestation. Second, we are working to source a method stock of sustainably produced palm oil from a producer in the Americas, where we have much greater awareness of the production techniques than with oil coming from largely anonymous suppliers on the other side of the world. The palm oil (or palm kernel oil or coconut oil, depending on the application) that we'd source from the sustainable producer would then be used in a variety of method products.

Accounting for the source and production processes of method's materials and ingredients is an important aspect of finding the best materials to use in our products, and to be able to fully account the effects of their production.

In this vein, method never sources GMO materials for its products, and can be confident that no GMO material makes its way into our finished products. In some instances, specifically assured GMO-free materials are impossible to find, for example in broad market commodities such as the corn used to make polylactic acid (PLA), a compostable bioplastic used in our O-mop sweeping cloths. We use materials like this without the specific assurance of GMO-free only if the upside of the usage outweighs the lack of knowledge. In the case of the PLA sweeping cloths, these are a great chance to change the game of how sweeping cloths are made from single use, disposable and synthetic materials to a renewable and compostable alternative, so the benefit outweighed the lack of assurance.

In instances such as this, the ideal solution is to obtain the specific assurances from smaller and well understood supplies. In palm and coconut oil for example (both typically non-GMO), we are working with smaller suppliers to find sources of each that can be used in the production of our surfactants. This is not to address a specific problem in the current supply, but to be able to better understand the full lifecycle implications of its production.

In the case of PLA and other possibly GMO-produced materials, we have the final assurance that the production methods used to process the materials will eliminate any active genetic material. This means that no GMOs will be present in the final products, and will thus not be distributed in the environment in their usage.

This has always been a tough one for us. Compromise our minimalist design or list our full ingredients on the back of every package? Well, our best critics (you) have spoken and overwhelmingly...ingredients it is.

All of our product pages on the web have ingredient listings, and we now also list ingredients on packaging labels. As always, method is naturally derived, non-hazardous, biodegradeable and non-corrosive.

Yes, we do in fact use this particular ingredient, which is derived from coconut oil and used for its lathering and efficacy properties, in a number of our products at minute levels.

There has been some controversy over SLS being carcinogenic. SLS is a safe ingredient and has not been classified as a known, probable or even suspected carcinogen by either the International Agency for Research on Cancer (www.iarc.fr) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). The ACS has actually gone so far as to issue a statement to this effect.

While the carcinogen concern is completely unfounded, SLS can in fact be a moderate skin and eye irritant when used in high concentrations and unbuffered. method only uses SLS in our formulations at sufficiently low concentrations so that any irritation concern is irrelevant.

When deciding to use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in some of our formulations, method did a complete assessment of the environmental and health aspects of this ingredient, including tests for toxicity and biodegradability. This was done in cooperation with the EPEA, an independent environmental research institute led by Dr. Michael Braungart, author of the landmark text Cradle to Cradle. Their findings showed SLS to be altogether safe in its intended usage, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and environmentally preferable.

Because we believe in the value of transparency, we changed our product labeling to include the specific scientific names of our ingredients rather than general descriptions. Newer method ingredient lists will use terms like ‘decyl gluoside’, rather than ‘coconut oil-derived biodegradable surfactant’.

each ingredient in a method product has been rigorously assessed by the EPEA for health + environmental safety. we hope this change arms you with the ability to make more informed decisions about what you use on your body and in your home. you can find a comprehensive list of method ingredients on our ingredient page.

Um... yes (though it's never this tidy).

(photo courtesy of Sharon Risedorph and Garcia + Francica Architecture/Design)

method believes strongly in our culture of sustainability and seeks partners that share this vision and allow us to grow our positive environmental and social footprints.

We work with suppliers, partners and manufacturers in 7 countries and have key criteria for selecting which ones to work with, where they are located, and what practices must be met everywhere we work.

Our philosophies are taken from the Global Reporting Initiative and Fair Trade, which lay out standards for fair labor practices. ISO 14001 is another standard which we utilize in our approach specifically around waste, water and energy usage. We also have put in place an audit procedure with all of our overseas factories, where method representatives are free to drop in at any time to assess environmental and working conditions.

The decision to work with any partner is not taken lightly, whether they are located in the US, in China, in Mexico or in Germany. Our vision is to work with partners that allow us to maintain best practices on environmental practice and social justice, while benefiting from each partner's particular strengths - be it their specific technical proficiencies, access to unique materials, expertise in domains we are entering, ability to deliver value on innovative products - and often a compelling mix of these factors.

Achieving this vision can be a challenge. Many people have legitimate concerns about human rights and environmental practices in some of the countries in which we have partners. China particularly has attracted great scrutiny over its record of human rights violations, notable episodes of lax product health standards, and a lack of appropriate environmental regulation. Our efforts are focused on these concerns and ensuring we can avoid them.

We have designed a process to ensure that our work in the various parts of the world strives to meet our vision of sustainable production. First and foremost, we believe in working with partners that understand our vision and have the flexibility to adapt to our frequently unconventional requests. Our process of identifying partners involves dialogue on their labor standards, environmental audits of their manufacturing processes, tracing the source of materials used in the process, and rigorous investigation of quality standards.

We evaluate the regions in which we produce goods, and are performing an environmental mapping of our supply chain where we seek to locate our production according to environmental sensitivities. For example, a more water intensive process would not be located in an area of constrained water supplies.

When we find the right partners, we work with them to improve on the priority criteria in our vendor sustainability survey. We see these relationships as the key avenue to improving the environmental and social practices in all of the areas of our business, and focus our efforts accordingly. For example, we have mapped out the pulping process for the bamboo fiber we are using in our new O-Mop boxes, and have found a supplier for the bamboo that specifies the region and plantations from which the bamboo comes, allowing us to ensure that it isn't contributing to deforestation or other negative environmental implications. We have written into our contracts that we are permitted unannounced visits to the production facilities, and use these visits to perform internal audits to ensure that the agreed-upon labor standards and environmental standards are met.

By working with key partners to improve their environmental and social practices, we ensure that our production processes move to meet our vision for sustainable production, and crucially, also show these partners the business advantage in being able to incorporate environmental and social best practices, ultimately making them more attractive partners for other companies seeking their production capacity.

At method, we call ourselves people against dirty. That includes dirty labor practices, too.

Definitely. We have a whole group of formulators, engineers and scientists that keep method products their greenest. We call them our "greenskeepers." They:

• assess all of the ingredients in our formulations to guarantee that they are good for the environment, completely healthy for
• people and pets and are sourced responsibly.
• ensure method's final products are biodegradable, non-toxic and safe for river and marine life.
• conduct external testing based on international standards for biodegradability and non-toxicity of our products.
• constantly seek ways to make products with no compromises in environmental performance or efficacy.

If they can't find a way to make a product work well and be healthy, we won't make it. Period.

Never. method is 100% cruelty-free, has never tested its products nor their ingredients on animals and does not endorse, request nor commission any animal testing on our behalf.

method works with our suppliers to ensure that no animal testing ever be done in the development of ingredients for our products. Some suppliers of the more commonly used ingredients in cleaning and personal care products have been in production for over 50 years, and have performed animal testing in this time. method does not solicit, endorse, nor encourage animal testing from its suppliers; however, we bare no effect on testing done prior to our existence. Given that the vast majority of regulatory agencies in the world have historically preferred animal testing to gauge the safety of materials, the number of possible ingredients that have been animal tested at some point in their history is huge.

method has a forward-looking approach to making animal testing obsolete. We obtain statements from our suppliers that no testing is done on our behalf, and have lobbied to gain acceptance for our non-animal product testing protocols from various regulatory agencies, consumers, and others. For our product safety testing we use in-vitro (non-animal), simulated skin and eye irritation tests, and have been successful in arguing that various federal and state agencies should accept these test methods in the place of animal test results.

These efforts were part of the reason PETA named our two co-founders, Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, people of the year for 2006 for their leadership in cruelty-free business practices and gave method a 'proggy' award that same year.

We would love to review your donation request, please fill out our online form https://peopleagainstdirty.wufoo.com/forms/donation-sponsorship-requests/.

Our product donations are available in the form of a $50 gift basket or products for goody bags.

Keep in mind we are only able to respond to applicants that have been approved for product donations.

We look forward to reviewing your request.

Our surface cleaners no longer carry the DfE recognition mark. Most of our products are now certified to the Cradle to Cradle design standard. This certification is much broader – it reviews the formulation chemistry, packaging components, production methods and social impacts of each product. We feel that due to its depth and stringency, Cradle to Cradle is more representative of our product design process. You can find more info at c2ccertified.com. That said, we are still fans of the DfE program and support their work. Many of our products are still DfE recognized and our materials selection processes exceed the DfE standards.

There are several reasons for problems with credit card transactions:

• Your card may have expired or reached its limit. Please check with your credit card provider if you are having issues using your card.
• There may be a transaction error either on our end or your bank's. In this case, please try entering in your information again at a later time.

If you continue to have problems, you can contact someone to help by calling (800) DRUGSTORE

Yes. method is currently available in select Soriana stores.

>> visit Soriana

you can find our current selection of holiday and seasonal products here, available at retailers in the US and Canada, through our online partners, and at methodhome.com. as always, we recommend calling your local retailer to check if this product is available before making a special trip. psst…you might want to stock up as these holiday hand washes will only be available for a limited time.

method uses cocamide DEA in some of its products.

Some concerns regarding the health of cocamide DEA result from the possible formation of nitrosamines. These nitrosamines only result from the presence of an unreacted ingredient, DEA, used during the manufacturing process. method sources the highest quality cocamide DEA to eliminate the presence of the free DEA, and then tests its products at various stages to confirm that no nitrosamines are present.

Historical testing has shown that no detectable amount (under 50 parts per billion) has ever been found in method products.

method uses FD&C and D&C approved dyes, comprised of both natural and synthetic components, which have been proven safe and effective. method's independent 3rd party testing partner, EPEA (www.epea.com & www.braungart.com), has tested each method dye for environmental & human health safety, including factors such as biodegradability & non-toxicity.

We have chosen to use these particular dyes because they have been certified as non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and safe on surfaces. In products for use on surfaces other than skin, we use polymeric dyes, which produce the vivid colors found in method 's products. These dyes also reduce the potential for staining and/or discoloration of sensitive surfaces by encapsulating the colors (chromaphores) in a matrix, making them non-particulate. The problem with other colorants, including most natural dyes, is that they promote microbial growth in formulas, have trouble stabilizing (the result being that they fade more quickly) and are often more likely to stain surfaces.

The only method product that contains any animal by-products is our moisturizing coconut cream + honey hand wash that contains a trace amount of honey. Future batches will not as we are formulating this ingredient out.

In an effort to create a moisturizing hand wash using natural and naturally-derived ingredients, we sought after some that are known for their moisturizing benefits, such as aloe and honey. This was an oversight on our end. We're sorry.

Rest assured that with this exception, all Method products are vegan and cruelty-free.

You can find a comprehensive list of all our ingredients in the Behind the Bottle section of our website. This includes the ingredient chemical name, plus an explanation about the ingredient's use. You can also click this link: http://www.methodhome.com/ingredients

No. method spray cleaners and wipes are non-toxic and safe for food prep surfaces. No rinsing required.

>> see method all purpose cleaners

Have at it. Our HE compatible laundry detergent was formulated to be used effectively in both standard and high efficiency (HE) machines. You can use the same dosing for both types.

>> learn more about method HE compatible laundry detergent

We redesigned laundry detergent so it works in a whole new way. Getting your clothes clean requires cleaning agents (aka surfactants). Surfactants bond to dirt and stains in the wash, lifting them up to be carried away by water.

Traditional detergent's cleaning agents are on the inside and water is on the outside.

• for these cleaning agents to work, they have to break open to release the surfactants
• this requires agitation and time... and is a little hit-or-miss... not all surfactants break through which means you use (and waste) more detergent than you really need

Our SmartClean Technology™ formula is designed to be inside-out with cleaning agents outside, water inside.

• this allows cleaning agents to get to work right away - once released into the wash, they're like magnets immediately drawn to dirt and stains, so there's less agitation and time required for contact
• and unlike traditional detergent, more of our cleaning agents are used, that's why you can use so much less and still get a great clean!

Great question! We put a lot of thought into this packaging, so we're glad to see it getting some attention.

First off: this pouch design is not recyclable in US recycling systems, although it is in some other countries in the world. It may seem counterintuitive that a non-recyclable package is more eco-friendly, which is the reason we thought about this option for so long.

An ecological impact calculation was performed on several packaging options by a Swiss company (Migros) that makes food products. It concluded that the pouch had one seventh the ecological impact than an equivalent-volume PET bottle even if this bottle was assumed to be recycled 80% of the time. Given that US recycling rates are far lower than this, the degree of favorability is even higher. The reason for this is that the packaging weight of the pouch is drastically lower than for the PET bottle, with the result that all of the material, water, air and energy inputs in the production, manufacturing process, transportation, usage and retail are scaled down significantly for the pouch.

The pouch is the resoundingly preferable packaging option; however, it is clearly not perfect. The ideal solution would be a version of the pouch that is recyclable. method is currently pursuing this option and hopes to eventually replace the current pouch.

Yes. You can use both the method all floor and wood floor care products safely on laminate without worry of damage.

>> visit method floor care

• High contact areas (door knobs, sink, faucets, toilets, garbage cans, etc.)
• Kitchens and food prep areas (eggs, meat)
• Children’s toys, high chairs, changing tables as well as in day care facilities

two ways. first, you can look on terracycle.net to find drop-off locations near you. or you can sign up to form a brigade of your own to collect waste. visit http://terracycle.net/brigades/96-Method-Refill-Brigade?locale=en-US for more information.

a brigade is what TerraCycle calls the fundraising groups that collect waste to raise money, for example for schools and charities. you can form a brigade by organizing a drop-off location for registered waste materials (like method’s refill pouches!), and then sending them in to TerraCycle (who pay the shipping costs). You can sign up at http://terracycle.net/brigades/96-Method-Refill-Brigade?locale=en-US

and no – a brigade has nothing to do with Charlie Sheen. you’re thinking of a platoon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091763/), a smaller military unit.

to start, you can find them on http://terracycle.net. there you will also find a list of retailers selling them.

Yes, method's bathroom tub + tile cleaner is in fact safe to use on acrylic and/or fiberglass as directed on the labels.

As with all of our cleaners, the tub + tile spray is naturally derived, non-toxic and non-corrosive, meaning it will not damage, dry out or corrode common household surfaces. As a general precaution, we always recommend testing a small, inconspicuous area first when dealing with unsealed stone, painted or unfinished wood or any other surface you are particularly concerned about.

Yes, method's daily shower cleaner is in fact safe to use on granite and/or marble, provided that the stones are sealed.

As with all of our cleaners, the shower spray is naturally derived, non-toxic and non-corrosive, meaning it will not damage, dry out or corrode common household surfaces. As a general precaution, we always recommend testing a small, inconspicuous area first when dealing with unsealed stone, painted or unfinished wood or any other surface you are particularly concerned about.

Method is generally a good option for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities, although everyone's chemistry varies.

If you have chemical sensitivities, we recommend testing a very small amount of method first before using the product throughout your home. You may also be interested in trying method's line of fragrance- and dye-free products.

>> free of dyes + perfumes

method does not give off harmful vapors and should not cause or heighten the effects of asthma. If you are sensitive to fragrances, we strongly recommend testing a small amount of method before use. Or try out method's go naked line of fragrance- and dye-free products.

>> free of dyes + perfumes

Yes. Surfaces cleaned with method, including high chairs and/or bathtubs, are absolutely safe for contact by children. method does not leave behind any toxic or harmful fumes or residues, as it does not contain hazardous ingredients.

Like all cleaning formulas, method should not be ingested. Prolonged exposure to the skin may cause minor irritation and should simply be washed off with water. If method gets in the eyes, it may cause slight irritation, which should be treated by flushing the eyes thoroughly with water. If one of our products is swallowed, simply dilute with a glass of milk or water and consult your doctor. If one of our ultra concentrated products, such as method laundry detergent, fabric softener or dilutable cleaner, is swallowed, dilute with a glass of milk or water and call your doctor or a poison control center immediately.

For further questions, please contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222.

"HE" means high efficiency. It denotes a type of laundry machine that uses less water than standard washers. HE machines are typically side-loading (as opposed to top-loading), and have sealed doors.

method HE-compatible laundry detergents can be used in either standard or HE machines.

>>see method's line of HE laundry detergents

Good question! Ethylene glycol butyl ether, or EGBE, is an ingredient found in many commonly purchased household cleaners. It has no color and acts as a degreaser. There are some studies that show links between exposure to this chemical and fertility problems.

While some companies believe that your potential for hazard is only experienced by the length of time you are exposed to EGBE, method believes in not exposing you to the chemical at all. All of our products are EBGE-free.

Ok. Put on your science cap. Here goes:

Compostability is the breakdown of organic materials into usable compost. The key factors for defining compostability are the rate and completion of degradation of the materials, and the quality of the resulting compost. Compostable materials are accepted by municipal compost collection systems, along with food and green waste like lawn trimmings. Method's compostable products, such as our wipes, can be composted under industrial compost systems. In backyard compost systems, they will take longer to break down. Municipal compost facilities don't exist everywhere - if they aren't available in your area, ask why not!