method | FAQ

our top 10 most common questions

do you have any coupons or samples?: who doesn’t love a little more method? the best way to receive the latest promotions + coupons from method is to sign up for our email newsletter. simply enter your email address on the bottom of any page on methodhome.com and you’ll start getting some sweet deals.
where is method available?: you can find method at 40 thousand retail locations in North America. not sure where your nearest store is? don't worry, we've got you covered. go to methodhome.com/find-a-store. you can use our zip code locator to find specific products in your area. if your local store doesn't carry the product or fragrance you're looking for, let the store manager know you'd like to see it on their shelves.

the best places to find method in the U.S. are Target, drug stores, grocery stores and home improvement stores. you can also find us online on sites like Amazon.com, Jet.com and Soap.com.

in Canada, you'll find us at your local Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Loblaws or Safeway. you can also order online at Well.ca.

looking for method around the world? for availability in Europe, contact [email protected]. for availability in Australia or Asia, contact [email protected].
are method’s products safe for septic tanks?: method's products are suitable for septic tanks. that's because the ingredients in our products are readily biodegradable and do not contain phosphates or other chemicals known to create issues in septic systems.
is method tested on animals?: method is 100% cruelty-free - that’s why all of our products are Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International-certified. that means we’re regularly audited to ensure both method and our suppliers comply with the comprehensive criteria of the Standard of Compassion for Animals.

we’ve never tested ingredients or finished products on animals, nor have we ever ordered third parties to conduct animal testing on our behalf. for research and development, we use alternative testing methods - like theoretical evaluation models - to determine product safety without harming creatures, big or small. PETA even named our co-founders people of the year in 2006 for their leadership in cruelty-free business practices + gave method a proggy award that same year.

for more information on our global cruelty-free mission, check out our blog post.
is method safe to use around pets?: method cleaners are safe to use around most household pets when used as directed, and are suitable to use on the surfaces with which most animals may come in contact.

if you have any questions or concerns about using cleaning products around your pet, please consult your veterinarian for recommendations.

coupons + samples

do you have any coupons or samples?: who doesn’t love a little more method? the best way to receive the latest promotions + coupons from method is to sign up for our email newsletter. simply enter your email address on the bottom of any page on methodhome.com and you’ll start getting some sweet deals.
I love your products. do you have a mailing list?: so, you love us? you really love us? well, we just want to say that we feel exactly the same way about you.

would you consider taking our relationship to the next level? sign up for our email list on the bottom of any page of our website methodhome.com. we give our fellow people against dirty first dibs on coupons, deals and inside info.

and don't forget to follow @methodhome on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more method goodness.

availability + online orders

where is method available?: you can find method at 40 thousand retail locations in North America. not sure where your nearest store is? don't worry, we've got you covered. go to methodhome.com/find-a-store. you can use our zip code locator to find specific products in your area. if your local store doesn't carry the product or fragrance you're looking for, let the store manager know you'd like to see it on their shelves.

the best places to find method in the U.S. are Target, drug stores, grocery stores and home improvement stores. you can also find us online on sites like Amazon.com, Jet.com and Soap.com.

in Canada, you'll find us at your local Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Loblaws or Safeway. you can also order online at Well.ca.

looking for method around the world? for availability in Europe, contact [email protected]. for availability in Australia or Asia, contact [email protected].
can I order method products online?: soap delivered to your doorstep is a good thing. you can order on our website, methodhome.com, or through a number of online retailers including Amazon.com, Jet.com, Soap.com and Target.com.
how much does it cost to ship my order?: let’s face it, cleaning products are heavy. and shipping can be expensive. to help keep your shipping costs in line, we suggest placing more than one item in your cart, as many of our online retailers offer free shipping with a minimum order.
I’m having trouble or ordering on your site.: if you're having trouble ordering on methodhome.com, please call our online partner Soap.com at 1-800-762-7123 or email them at [email protected] so they can lend a hand.
how can I check the status of my online order?: to check the status of your methodhome.com online order, please contact our online partner Soap.com at 1-800-762-7123 or email them at [email protected].
do you make refill sizes?: less packaging waste for the planet + a good value for you, what's not to love about refills? we offer refills across many of our most quickly used products including hand wash, dish soap, laundry detergent, daily shower spray and wood floor cleaner. if there are other products you'd like to see in a larger size, drop us a line at [email protected].
I'm interested in buying method products wholesale.: that's super. depending on the size of your business, we can put you in touch with one of our distributors or set you up with an account. for more information, please send an email with your company name, website and contact information to [email protected]. our sales team will be in touch.

ingredients

does method use dirty ingredients?: method's naturally-derived cleaning products feature ingredients that come from renewable, plant-based materials, abundant minerals or water. we do a complete assessment of the environmental and health aspects - like toxicity, sustainability and biodegradability - of ingredients prior to using them in our products.
are method products biodegradable?: method follows the highest technical standard for defining biodegradability - the OECD standards - in which at least 70% of organic ingredients break down within 28 days. this means our products are suitable for greywater use on vegetation and for septic tanks, too.
are method’s products safe for septic tanks?: method's products are suitable for septic tanks. that's because the ingredients in our products are readily biodegradable and do not contain phosphates or other chemicals known to create issues in septic systems.
are method products safe for greywater use?: you'll be glad to hear that our products are non-toxic and planet-friendly, which means they - and the water you use with them - are suitable to use in your garden. as with any greywater system, it's important to appropriately dilute the water as recommended by authorities such as greywateraction.org.

thanks for keeping it green.
is method tested on animals?: method is 100% cruelty-free - that’s why all of our products are Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International-certified. that means we’re regularly audited to ensure both method and our suppliers comply with the comprehensive criteria of the Standard of Compassion for Animals.

we’ve never tested ingredients or finished products on animals, nor have we ever ordered third parties to conduct animal testing on our behalf. for research and development, we use alternative testing methods - like theoretical evaluation models - to determine product safety without harming creatures, big or small. PETA even named our co-founders people of the year in 2006 for their leadership in cruelty-free business practices + gave method a proggy award that same year.

for more information on our global cruelty-free mission, check out our blog post.
does method contain any animal by-products?: all method products are people-, pet- and planet-friendly. they contain no animal by-products and are never tested on animals.
what are the ingredients in the antibac cleaners?: the ingredients in our antibac cleaners include citric acid and surfactant from plant-based sources, along with fragrance and water. an unfortunately that's all the EPA regulations will allow us to say.

we can tell you that we're delighted to have developed a people- and planet-friendly antibacterial cleaner that kills 99.9% of household germs, and we hope you're just as happy about it as we are.
does method make antibacterial hand washes?: nope, none of our hand washes are antibacterial. why not? because they aren't any more effective than standard soap + water. that's why the FDA recently banned the marketing of hand soaps as antibacterial.

trying to decide if method hand washes are for you? you can explore all three of our hand wash lineups, fragrances and ingredients on our site here.

want to know more about antibacterial soaps? the FDA has you covered here.

want to know more about how to wash your hands + kill germs. click here for a link to the Center for Disease Control's recommendations for hand washing.
how does method select its ingredients?: method chooses never to use dirty, conventional cleaning ingredients, like phosphates or bleach, in our formulas. we use the precautionary principle, meaning that if there's a chance an ingredient isn't safe, we don't use it.

the Cradle to Cradle standard is our mantra for the design of safe, green products. every ingredient in a method product is comprehensively evaluated by an independent research institute, MBDC. as a result of this rigorous process, all method products are certified for health and environmental safety.

we also believe in authenticity and in empowering you to make fully informed decisions about the products you choose. that's why we disclose all of the ingredients in our products on our bottles and our website.
what makes method products smell so good?: we take great pride in making products that smell great. we have a balanced portfolio of scents divided into various fragrance families, all of which add up to a whopping 60 to 70 fragrances on-shelf at any given time. and we're always working with our fragrance houses to develop exciting new aromas for you to fall in love with.

method's fragrances are made from naturally-derived and synthetic ingredients. we create our diverse fragrance portfolio by using blended fragrances to capture the essence of scents found in nature. all of our fragrance materials have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are non-irritating, non-toxic and fully biodegradable.

if there's anything else you, or your nose, would like to know, just ask.
do you make any unscented products?: so you're not into scents? we understand. that's why we make gel hand wash refills, laundry detergents and dishwasher tablets that are free of dyes + perfumes. look for our free + clear products in stores or online.
how does method choose its colorants?: 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.

using exclusively naturally-derived dyes can promote microbial growth, stain surfaces and fade more quickly. that's why we use both naturally-derived and synthetic dyes that are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, biodegradable and certified by Cradle to Cradle.

if color isn't your thing, we make free + clear gel hand wash refills, laundry detergents and dishwasher tablets without dyes or perfumes.

safety + allergies

is method safe to use around pregnant women?: congrats on your growing family. method cleaners are safe + non-toxic when used as directed. all of our ingredients are carefully screened to ensure that they don't contain reproductive toxins. this means that a product is unlikely to cause an adverse health effect in normal or forseeable use. it does not mean a product will not cause allergic reaction or irritation in any person; a small percentage of individuals may still have some form of allergic reaction or irritation to certain ingredients or products. people with known skin allergies or sensitive skin should consult with their doctor to choose products that are best for them.
is method safe to use around pets?: method cleaners are safe to use around most household pets when used as directed, and are suitable to use on the surfaces with which most animals may come in contact.

if you have any questions or concerns about using cleaning products around your pet, please consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
is method safe to ingest?: like all cleaning products, method should not be ingested. it's important to keep cleaning + laundry products out of reach of children.

if one of our products is swallowed, dilute with a glass of milk or water and consult your doctor. if one of our ultra concentrated products (such as method laundry detergent or fabric softener) is swallowed, dilute with a glass of milk or water and call your doctor or a poison control center immediately.
is method safe for people with nut allergies?: you'll be happy to know that all method products - including our almond-scented cleaners - are safe for use around people with nut allergies. they do not contain any nut proteins, which are typically what cause allergic reactions. please check with your doctors if you have any concerns about what's safe for you.
is method gluten free?: yep. all of method's products are 100% gluten free and safe for those with Celiac Disease.
can I use method if I have sensitive skin?: method products are tested to ensure they align against the industry standard for hypoallergenic. this means that a product is unlikely to cause an adverse health effect in normal or forseeable use.

if does not mean a product will not cause any allergic reaction or irritation in any person; a small percentage of individuals may still have some form of allergic reaction or irritation to certain ingredients or products. people with known skin allergies or sensitive skin should consult with their doctor to choose products that are best for them.
where can I find Safety Data Sheets for method products?: we're happy to send an SDS your way. just drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know which product(s) you're using.

product use

on what surfaces can I use which method products?

you can use method surface cleaners on most sealed and non-porous surfaces. have a specific surface you want to double check? drop us a line: [email protected].

we always recommend testing any new cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it's compatible with the surface. it's also a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the surface for any cleaning or surface safety instructions.

do I need to rinse after using method?

most of our surface cleaners can simply be wiped clean with a dry cloth and don't require rinsing. even our spray cleaners are safe for use in food prep areas and can be used without rinsing.

that said, if you have a specialized surface like natural stone, poured cement or a specialty metal, it's a good idea to rinse the surface after cleaning to remove residual product + check with your surface manufacturer for cleaning recommendations.

how do you use method antibac products?

our antibacterial cleaners use citric acid to break down germs. start by spraying our antibac cleaner until your surface is thoroughly wet. to sanitize, let it stand for 5 minutes before wiping with a paper towel or clean cloth. to disinfect, leave it for 10 minutes before wiping.

for heavily soiled surfaces, it's a good idea to do a pre-cleaning step first. just spray + wipe any excess dirt + grime off the surface before sanitizing or disinfecting.

please note: our antibac cleaners are designed to be used on hard, non-porous surfaces that have been effectively sealed. some surfaces - such as natural stone, poured cement, wood and certain types of tile - are porous and difficult to seal effectively, so you'll want to avoid using our antibac products on them.

we always recommend testing any new cleaner in a small inconspicuous area first to make sure it's compatible with the surface. it's also a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the surface for any cleaning or surface safety instructions.

what is the difference between 8x and 4x laundry detergents?

we like to choose our own adventures, and we thought you might too. that's why we offer two types of laundry detergent that fight tough dirt + stains, and smell great doing it.

our 8x laundry detergent is the most concentrated laundry product on the market. it comes in a convenient pump dispenser that a lot of people enjoy. you can also pick up refill pouches to refill your 8x bottle.

we develope our 4x concentrated detergent as an option with more fragrances and a traditional pour-top dispenser for people who don't prefer the pump.

is method laundry detergent for high efficiency (HE) or standard washing machines?

all of the above. our laundry detergents are formulated to be effective in both standard and high efficiency (HE) machines. you can use the same dosing for both machine types.

can you relock the pump on your 8x laundry detergent?

yes. press the pump all the way down. while down, turn the nozzle to the right (clockwise) until the nozzle stops (~ 1.5 times). the pump should stay locked down. note: you will end up dispensing some product in the process so we recommend locking it when doing a load of laundry to avoid waste + mess.

smarty dish is leaving a white film on my dishes. what should I do?

white spotting or leftover residue is really annoying, but sometimes it happens if there is hard water where you live.

luckily we have a couple of easy fixes for you. if you're using our regular smarty dish tabs, just add a little white vinegar to the "rinse aid reservoir" in your dishwasher. it works like a rinse aid and helps the water run off, reducing spotting + filming. or you can use our smarty dish plus tablets instead. they work really well in hard water because they have rinse aid built in.

if there's a load in your dishwasher with residue on it, here are a couple ways you can remove it:

start the dishwasher again. stop the program after the pre-wash + drain, when you hear it start to refill with water. open it, dump in a cup or two of white vinegar then start it back up again.
put white vinegar on a sponge and use it to wipe the dishes, then rinse them immediately. this is only safe for stainless steel or plastic sinks, don't try it with enamel or porcelain sinks.

my smarty dish plus pod doesn't fit in the dishwasher detergent dispenser. can I still use it?

you sure can. just toss the pod into the bottom rack of your dishwasher before you run the wash cycle.

why is my dish pump leaking?

our packaging geniuses suggest this could be due to overheating if your pump sits by a window. they recommend not leaving the dispenser in the sun for extended periods of time. if your dispenser isn't exposed to the sun or if moving it out of direct sunlight doesn't solve your problem, let us know: [email protected].

my foaming hand wash isn't foaming anymore.

we're sorry to hear that our foaming hand wash hasn't been living up to its name. you might try a hot water flush of the pump. just unscrew the pump from the bottle and carefully place it in a cup of hot water. holding the cup + pump over the sink, pump the water through until you've flushed any residual soap out of the pump. return the pump to your foaming hand wash bottle to see if it helped. hopefully you'll now have a handful of fabulous foam.

if this quick fix didn't help and you're still not getting fluffy foam, we'll happily send you a replacement pump. email us at [email protected] with your mailing address and the lot code - a 6-digit code starting in a 1, stamped in black or in raised plastic on the bottom of the bottle.

my hand wash isn't working after a refill. what's the deal?

we have two types of hand wash refills: gel and foaming. they’re not interchangeable, so you’ll want to look at the bottles pictured on the front and back of the refill package to make sure you have the right one. here’s the scoop on each:

the gel hand wash refill is thicker. it’s 32 oz and has a photo of our iconic, teardrop-shaped bottle on the front. it can be used as a refill in our gel hand wash bottle or a standard decorative soap dispenser.

the foaming hand wash refill is about the consistency of water. it’s 28 oz and has a picture of the sloped foaming hand wash bottle on the front. it will only work with our special foaming dispenser to make marshmallow-y foam.

if you know you have the right refill and are still having issues, please email us at [email protected] so we can help you out.

do your products expire?

the simple answer is that all of our products have a shelf life of about 2.5 years. after that, you may begin to see changes in the way they look, smell or work. that said, your product could be older than that and still work perfectly well. light, heat and other factors can age products faster, so if it hasn’t been exposed to them it may be just fine.

the best thing to do is give it a try. if it seems to have lost its power to fight dirty, just empty the bottle and throw it in your recycling bin. if it still cleans up a storm, then keep using it to clean happy.

packaging

I cannot get my hand wash pump to work. Help.: our hand wash pumps are a bit different than others on the market in that they do not lift up and release. for best results, first ensure that the dispenser is screwed on tightly to the bottle (otherwise the nozzle will simply spin), turn the nozzle clockwise for a quarter-spin and then press down to dispense.
I need a replacement part. what should I do?: sorry to hear something isn’t working the way it should. our packaging typically lasts through 3-5 bottle refills. if you need a replacement part, please email us at [email protected] with the product you have, the size, lot code (the 6-digit code stamped on the bottom or near the neck of the bottle) and a description of the packaging woes you’re experiencing so we can make it right.
what are your bottles made from?: method leads the industry in the use of recycled plastic in our bottles. we’re proud that we’re able to make beautiful bottles that use less energy (virgin plastic bottles take 70% more energy to make) + create less waste in landfills (our bottles are 100% recyclable). every bottle we design goes through a rigorous process to ensure it’s as green as possible, including considering carbon emissions, energy efficiency and materials used.

almost all of method’s #1 PET plastic bottles (including our gel and foam hand wash and spray cleaners) are made from 100% PCR recycled plastic (Post Consumer Resin, for those in the know). our #2 HDPE bottles range from 95% PCR recycled plastic in our toilet cleaners to 85% PCR in method premium hand wash and we continue to try to improve our PCR content in our HDPE bottles.
are your bottles recyclable?: our bottles are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. method uses primarily #1 and #2 plastics, and designs all packaging for maximum recycled content, material efficiency and recyclability.

closed loop packaging is our ultimate goal – meaning the bottles we create can be recycled and transformed back into the exact same raw material to create new bottles. we choose the materials we use based on which plastics + packaging materials actually get recycled and we design our bottles to be compatible with North American recycling systems.
are your refill pouches recyclable?: the short answer: our refill pouches are recyclable in many countries, but unfortunately not in the U.S. recycling system. you can visit terracycle.net for information on how to recycle the refill pouch material through an air care recycling program here.

the long answer (and why we chose to use pouches): as with all of our packaging, we put a great deal of thought into waste streams and how to lessen our environmental impact. since the packaging weight of the pouch is dramatically less than that of a standard bottle, the resources used to produce, transport + use the pouch are also dramatically less. the pouch has 1/7th the impact of an equivalent volume bottle (even if that bottle was recycled 80% of the time, which is well above U.S. recycling rates).

thanks for cleaning responsibly.

method as a company

what is the relationship between method and Ecover?

in 2012, method and Ecover joined forces to create the world’s largest green cleaning products company: People Against Dirty. as part of the People Against Dirty family, we’re committed to making business a force for good - building social and environmental benefits into everything we do. we also share a common goal of creating products that clean without compromise - they’re kind to people and the planet, but just as hard working as conventional cleaners.

is method a cool place to work?

um… yes.

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

if you’d like to hear more about what it’s like to be a person against dirty and see what our current job openings are, you can find everything you need to know here.

how does method measure its environmental impact?

method products are Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified at the silver or gold level. this means an independent team of scientists at the C2C Institute have assessed all ingredients, packaging materials, design, processes and social practices we use. C2C helps us make sure we’re limiting our products’ footprint rather than designing our products to go into a landfill.

Cradle to Cradle certification evaluates products based on five standards for human and environmental health:

material health: every ingredient is screened for more than 30 environmental and health concerns by the EPEA, Cradle to Cradle’s independent third-party research organization
renewability + biodegradability: use of renewably derived ingredients and creation of biodegradable formulas
social fairness: commitment as a benefit corporation to provide social benefit
renewable energy + carbon: use and purchase of renewable energy
water stewardship: products and practices that emit only non-toxic and biodegradable waste

method has the world’s first line of Cradle to Cradle certified cleaning products. you can read more about our commitment to safe ingredients here.

how do I contact method outside of North America?

well hello global person against dirty. you can get the scoop on method in your corner of the world by contacting us in:

Europe
[e] [email protected]
[p] +44 (0) 207 788 7904

Asia +Australia
[e] [email protected]
[p] 1 800 069 192

where is method made?

unless otherwise noted on the label, all method branded cleaning products sold in North America are made in America. we make most of them ourselves at our LEED Platinum-certified soap factory in Chicago's Pullman District. to learn more about how we’re cleaning up the world of messy manufacturing, head here.

can I tour your south side soap box in Chicago?

we’d love to have you join the tours we run Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT. to request a tour, just email us at [email protected]. we want to make sure to roll out the red carpet for you, so we’ll need advance notice of at least a week.

it’s the coolest factory you could ever hope to visit, if we do say so ourselves.

I am interested in doing a story on method. who should I contact?

we’re flattered. please drop us a line at [email protected] and check out our press room here.

will method provide a product donation for an upcoming event?

we appreciate you thinking of us. we focus our giving back efforts on our active volunteer programs in our local communities, rather than donations or sponsorships.

you can email us at [email protected] if you’d like to let us know about volunteer opportunities or other ways to get involved with your event or organization.

what is method's policy on human trafficking?

excuse the formal speak, but this is really important. our lawyers would like us to communicate the following:

California Transparency in Supply Chains Act
statement relating to California Transparency in Supply Chains Act
method products, pbc, Ecover US and their affiliates (collectively, “the Company”) support the goals of the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act, which requires companies to disclose the efforts they have made to ensure that their supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. To that end, the Company seeks to ensure that quality and safety standards are maintained throughout our supply chain and that workers are treated fairly and in accordance with all applicable laws. We have undertaken the following efforts to help prevent slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain:

we periodically review our supply chain and supplier base to determine the level of risk associated with each supplier with respect to slavery and human trafficking based on our knowledge of their industries and their country of origin, and if we believe it is appropriate to do so, we will switch our source of supply to a supplier with a lower level of risk. Company employees and representatives conduct site visits of suppliers located outside of the United States on a periodic basis and confirm that based on their knowledge and information the supplier is not engaging in slavery or human trafficking. we have not yet begun conducting independent, unannounced audits of third party suppliers, nor have we used a third party to verify the risks in our supply chain.
in order to meet the Act’s directive relating to supplier certification, each of our direct suppliers is asked to adhere to our Company Supplier Code of Conduct,
if we have reason to believe that a supplier is not in compliance with the Company Supplier Code of Conduct as it relates to the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act, we will take appropriate steps, including the elimination of the supplier from the Company’s supplier base or, if the violation is less severe, the opportunity to remedy the non-compliance through the development and execution of a corrective action plan.
we ensure that key employees from our Procurement/Supply Chain organization are trained to identify and respond to supply chain risk issues such as forced or child labor as part of our procurement process and we will assess the need for additional or refresher training as appropriate.
Our Company Code of Conduct includes language relating to slavery and human trafficking and we require each employee to acknowledge and adhere to the Code of Conduct. failure to comply with the policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

The Company believes that the activities listed above will promote the goals of the Act and help prevent slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain.

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our top 10 most common questions

still have a question? we have answers.

coupons + samples

availability + online orders

ingredients

safety + allergies

product use

packaging

method as a company

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our top 10 most common questions

still have a question? we have answers.

coupons + samples

availability + online orders

ingredients

safety + allergies

product use

packaging

method as a company