less toxic lifestyle

Here's a great review of method products, by Tammy Gowans.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than levels found outdoors. The use of harsh cleaning products can temporarily increase indoor pollution levels up to one-hundred times higher than outdoor pollution levels, resulting in both short-term and long-term health problems. Acute short term ailments such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue and exacerbated asthma are especially notable during the winter months when people spend more time indoors with fewer ventilation opportunities. Method's naturally-derived and environmentally-friendly household cleaners can help rid your home of excess and unnatural pollutants caused by toxic cleaning products.

Method is a company that sells green products ranging from all-purpose cleaners to eco-friendly laundry detergent. Method's cleaners are 100% non-toxic, biodegradable, naturally derived, and are never tested on animals.

Refusing to believe that allergies come with age, and fed up with my perpetually itchy nose this winter season, I decided to purchase some essential cleaning products from Method to give them a test drive. When people think of organic products, many assume green equals a lesser-quality product, or something that won't live up to the effectiveness of its popular commercial counterpart. I'm pleased to say my expectations were exceeded when I tried these products out in my home.

Method All Purpose Surface Cleaner:
My first impression of this cleaner had me doing a little dance in my kitchen. While there were many scents to choose from, I went with cucumber as it seemed to have the best reviews. The scent was heavenly and unique. While some people complained about the intensity of the fragrance, I thought it wasn't too strong at all, especially because I loved the airy, clean scent so much.

The all-purpose cleaner cut through grease without waiting and left all of my kitchen surfaces clean and shiny. The only difference I noticed had to do with the drying time, because this cleaner does not contain alcohols or other chemicals that evaporate quickly. The counter tops weren't drenched by any means, but five minutes later I noticed a few damp spots left, which was a non-issue for me considering its benefits. I would rate this cleaner a 5 out of 5 stars.

Method Window Wash in mint:
Annoyed by cheap window cleaners that leave streaks, I was more skeptical about this product than any of the other cleaners. Again, the smell was very pleasant (a refreshing mint scent) and to my surprise, this product didn't leave any streaks on my bathroom mirror. The only down side, much like the all-purpose cleaner, was how you had to spend a little more time drying it due to the lack of harsh evaporants. After fully drying the mirror, no streaks were left. Only then did I read how this cleaner was specifically made to be natural yet streak free. 5/5 stars for this one!

Method All-Floor-One lemon-ginger floor cleaner:
Method's floor cleaner is meant to be sold in a set similar to the Swiffer WetJet or Clorox Ready Mop called the Omop, however I purchased the floor cleaner by itself. The bottle said to sprinkle the cleaner onto the floor and mop it up in long strokes. Since it is non-toxic, it didn't need to be rinsed.

At first I was worried it would be too soapy, but it was perfectly designed for this type of use. While mopping it quickly cleaned up stains on our tile floor in the kitchen and it didn't leave a bubbly mess to clean up. I used the cleaner with a traditional sponge mop rinsed in hot water squeezed as dry as possible as not to dilute the cleanser. After so many strokes I rinsed the mop off and continued on. In the future, I will use it in my Clorox Ready Mop by refilling the bottle with Method's floor cleaner. It's the perfect consistency for it anyway.

This floor cleaner worked beautifully! The floor dried quickly and didn't feel filmy or sticky - just clean. This no-wax floor cleaner smelled no different than other lemon-scented commercial floor cleaners. I give this product 4 stars.

Method Tub and Tile spray and flushable cloths:
This is my least favorite of all the products I tested. I was quite pleased with the flushable wipes for quick cleanups (they weren't too flimsy or shreddy), but the spray itself was kind of a pain. First of all, it's not meant to be a mold cleaner, so if you have mold or mildew in your bathroom expect to do some extra scrubbing. While the natural surfactant lightened the mold on our tiles slightly, it did not totally kill it. I had to take a scrub brush to it to remove it, which isn't something I'm used to.

Another downside was the spray nozzle. When sprayed fast and furiously, it leaked a little from the underside and kind of ran down my hand. None of the other cleaners did this, so it could have been a rare faulty nozzle. While it was slightly annoying, I wasn't worried about a layer or two of my skin peeling off unlike other harsh bathroom cleaners.

It did, however, remove the soap scum and left our tub and tiles looking like new. The best part was not having to don a gas mask for the task. It was the first time I had ever cleaned my bathtub without needing extra ventilation. Since we live in a humid area prone to mold growth, I might try out Method's Daily Shower Cleaner, which is supposed to ward off mildew. Method's regular tub cleaner is great for regular cleanings.

A big fan of eucalyptus trees, I'm always excited when I come across a eucalyptus-scented product, however the mint added to the eucalyptus in the tub and tile spray was a little disappointing. It could have done without it for sure. The mint fragrance was akin to one of those chalky antacid liquids. It would have been fine with just the relaxing eucalyptus scent. For those who didn't grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area (or other areas with these native trees), the eucalyptus scent isn't shocking like the scent of Vicks VapoRub. A true eucalyptus scent is soft and quite calming.

Overall, I only give this product 3/5 stars because of the spray nozzle issue, the difficulty removing mold growth, and the iffy scent. The flushable tub and tile wipes get 4 stars, not that I would use them on the tub itself. They worked great on my sink and toilet.

Method Foaming Hand Wash in eucalyptus mint and Hand Wash in sweet water:
Method's hand washes are notoriously good for septic tanks. Up until recently, I had no idea that hand and body soaps could be harmful to sensitive septic tanks. The original hand soap in Sweet Water is my favorite. It cleans well and has a beautiful scent. The foaming soap in eucalyptus mint has a great fragrance unlike the supposedly similar scent in the tub and tile wash.

Despite both soaps containing aloe and vitamin E, they are quite drying if you wash your hands frequently. I've heard from friends that their creamy hand wash is much better if you are prone to dryness. I give these soaps 4/5 stars.

Method is a company that advocates a greener and less toxic lifestyle, and from what I've experienced, their products really do live up to all of the hype. Their generous-sized packaging dwarfs the pictures on their website and you get great value for your money, plus these products help protect both your indoor and outdoor environments.


Would you like to submit a product review to method lust? If so, just send me an email, with the review, to artist@nathanaaron.com Thanks!