Method All-Purpose Cleaner Review: Scented, Plant-Based, and Surprisingly Effective

Overview

Method All-Purpose Cleaner is a ready-to-use spray cleaner designed for everyday messes on hard, nonporous surfaces. It is marketed as a plant-based, biodegradable formula in a stylish bottle with a strong focus on scent and safer ingredients compared with traditional ammonia or bleach cleaners. You will usually find it in 28 ounce spray bottles, plus larger refill sizes for topping off the sprayer.

The line comes in a wide range of fragrances, such as Pink Grapefruit, French Lavender, Clementine, Lime and Sea Salt, and seasonal scents. The formula is the same across the line, so your decision is mostly about which scent you want lingering in your kitchen or bathroom. Method also highlights that the bottle is made from recycled plastic and that the product is cruelty-free.

Price-wise, Method All-Purpose Cleaner runs a bit higher per ounce than bargain store brands but is usually in line with other eco-focused cleaners. You are paying for the scent experience, the plant-based positioning, and the design of the bottle as much as the cleaning performance. The key question is whether the performance justifies making it your primary everyday cleaner.

Who it’s for

Method All-Purpose Cleaner is best suited to people who want an everyday spray for counters, tables, and quick bathroom touchups, but who dislike the harsh chemical smell of many conventional cleaners. If you care about using products that are marketed as biodegradable and cruelty-free, Method checks those boxes while still feeling like a mainstream product you can grab at the grocery store.

If your home has lots of sealed countertops, tile, laminate, and stainless steel, this cleaner can easily cover the bulk of your day-to-day wiping. It is also a good fit for households with kids or pets where you are trying to avoid heavy fumes, as long as you still store and use it as you would any other cleaning chemical.

On the other hand, if you need a true disinfectant for frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas, Method All-Purpose Cleaner is not labeled as antibacterial or as a disinfecting product. You will still want a separate disinfectant for food safety concerns, illness, or deep cleaning. It is also not ideal for extremely fragrance-sensitive people, since scent is a central part of the Method experience.

How it feels and performs

Packaging and application

The first thing you notice is the clear, slightly tinted bottle with a curved shape that is comfortable to hold. The trigger sprayer delivers a fine, even mist that covers a decent area without drenching the surface. It feels controlled and smooth, not stiff or sputtery, which makes it easy to use for longer cleaning sessions without hand fatigue.

The liquid itself has the consistency of water, so it spreads and wipes easily. There is no sudsy foam, only a light wet sheen on the surface. It clings just enough to avoid running straight off vertical surfaces like fridge doors, but it is still thin enough to rinse or wipe away in one or two passes.

Scent and overall experience

Method leans heavily on fragrance, and it shows. Scents like Pink Grapefruit and Clementine smell bright and fruity, while French Lavender feels more spa-like and calming. When you first spray, the scent is noticeable and can fill a small kitchen or bathroom for several minutes.

For most people, this is a pleasant change from sharp chlorine or ammonia, and it can make cleaning feel less like a chore. If you or someone in your home is sensitive to fragrance, though, it may feel a bit strong at first. The scent usually fades to a softer background note within 10 to 20 minutes, rather than lingering all day.

Everyday cleaning power

For everyday grime, Method All-Purpose Cleaner performs very well. On kitchen counters, it handles coffee drips, crumbs, water rings, and fresh splatters from cooking without needing much elbow grease. A quick spray, a short wait of 10 to 20 seconds, and a wipe with a microfiber cloth usually leaves the surface looking clean and smelling fresh.

On bathroom sinks, it removes toothpaste, soap film, and light hard-water spots reliably if you let it sit for a minute before wiping. It will not dissolve thick, long-ignored mineral buildup, but for routine maintenance it keeps porcelain basins and counters presentable without needing an abrasive cleaner.

Grease and tougher messes

Method All-Purpose Cleaner is surprisingly capable with light to moderate grease. On a stovetop with a thin layer of cooking oil spatter, a generous spray and a short dwell time lifts the residue so it wipes away with a cloth. It also works well on greasy fingerprints on cabinets, fridge handles, and appliance doors.

For baked-on grease or old, sticky spills, you will need a bit more effort. Spraying and letting it sit for a couple of minutes, then coming back with a slightly damp microfiber cloth or a non-scratch scrub sponge, usually does the job. If you are dealing with truly heavy oven grease or long-neglected messes, a dedicated heavy-duty degreaser will still outperform Method.

Performance on different surfaces

On sealed laminate, quartz, and solid-surface counters, Method generally cleans without streaks when you use a good cloth. On stainless steel appliances, it removes fingerprints and smudges, but you may see some light streaking unless you buff with a dry part of the cloth after wiping.

On glass or mirrors, it can leave faint streaks or haze, especially if you overspray or use a very damp cloth. It can work in a pinch, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated glass cleaner. For natural stone like granite or marble, it is marketed as safe for sealed surfaces, but because stone finishes vary, it is wise to test on a small, inconspicuous spot first and avoid prolonged soaking.

It should not be used on unfinished wood, unsealed stone, or delicate surfaces like computer screens. As with any cleaner, checking your surface manufacturer’s care recommendations is always smart.

How to use for best results

To get the best performance out of Method All-Purpose Cleaner, start with a good cleaning cloth. A lint-free microfiber cloth or soft cotton rag works better than paper towels, both for wiping power and to avoid streaks. Shake the bottle lightly before use to mix the ingredients evenly.

For routine messes, spray directly onto the surface until lightly damp, not soaked. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 seconds so the surfactants can loosen grime, then wipe in overlapping passes. If you see light streaks on glossy surfaces, flip the cloth to a dry side and buff quickly.

For slightly tougher messes, such as dried sauce splatters or light soap scum, spray more generously and give it one to three minutes of dwell time. During that time, you can move on to another section so you are not standing idle. Then return and wipe with a bit more pressure, using small circular motions where buildup is stronger.

If you buy the refill bottles, pour slowly into the spray bottle over a sink to avoid spills, and leave a little air space at the top so the sprayer tube seats properly. Rinsing the sprayer head with warm water now and then helps prevent clogging, especially if you store the bottle for long periods between uses.

As with any cleaner, do a quick spot test the first time you use it on a new surface. Apply a small amount, wait a minute, and wipe to confirm there is no dulling, discoloration, or residue before you commit to cleaning the whole area.

Pros and cons

Here are the trade-offs that matter most if you are deciding whether to buy Method All-Purpose Cleaner.

Pros

• Very effective on everyday kitchen and bathroom messes, especially fresh spills and light grease.
• Pleasant, non-harsh fragrances that make spaces smell clean without chemical bite.
• Plant-based, biodegradable formula and cruelty-free positioning that appeal to eco-conscious shoppers.
• Comfortable, attractive bottle with a smooth, controlled spray pattern.
• Available in convenient refills that can save money and reduce plastic waste over time.

Cons

• Not a disinfectant, so you still need a separate product for sanitizing and killing germs.
• Fragrance can be too strong for scent-sensitive people, especially in small bathrooms.
• More expensive per ounce than basic store-brand cleaners.
• Can leave light streaks on glass, mirrors, and some stainless steel unless you buff dry.
• Occasional reports of sprayer clogging or failing after long use, especially if not rinsed.

Final verdict

Method All-Purpose Cleaner is an excellent everyday cleaner for households that want to reduce harsh fumes and enjoy a more pleasant cleaning experience without sacrificing too much performance. It handles the bulk of routine messes on counters, tables, appliances, and bathroom fixtures with minimal scrubbing, and its scents are genuinely enjoyable if you like a fragrant home.

It is not a one-bottle solution, because it does not disinfect and it is not ideal for glass or very heavy grease. Think of it as your daily driver cleaner, backed up by a separate disinfectant and maybe a glass cleaner for special jobs. If that fits how you already clean, Method All-Purpose Cleaner is an easy product to recommend, and for many people it will quickly become the bottle they reach for first.

See also

If you are upgrading your cleaning toolkit, our Dyson V15 Detect vacuum review and Blueair Pure 211i Max air purifier review can help round out a low-effort, high-impact home cleaning setup.

• Read our All-Clad D5 stainless cookware review if you are refreshing both your cookware and how you care for it.
• See how we keep compact appliances spotless in our Wonder Oven review.
• Compare another hardworking kitchen upgrade in our Ninja DZ201 Foodi dual-zone air fryer review.

FAQ

Is Method All-Purpose Cleaner antibacterial or disinfecting?

No, Method All-Purpose Cleaner is not marketed or registered as an antibacterial or disinfecting product. It is designed to lift and remove dirt, grease, and grime, but it does not make claims about killing specific percentages of bacteria or viruses. For sanitizing cutting boards, bathroom high-touch areas, or surfaces after illness, you should pair it with a separate disinfectant that is labeled for that purpose.

Can I use Method All-Purpose Cleaner on quartz or granite countertops?

Method states that its all-purpose cleaners are safe for most sealed stone surfaces, which typically includes sealed quartz and granite. In practice, many homeowners use it successfully on those materials, especially for quick daily wipe downs. That said, stone finishes and sealers vary, so it is smart to test a small, hidden area first and avoid letting the cleaner pool or sit for long periods before wiping dry.

Is Method All-Purpose Cleaner safe to use around kids and pets?

Method All-Purpose Cleaner is formulated with plant-based surfactants and is marketed as non-toxic and biodegradable when used as directed. That makes it appealing to families who want to avoid harsh fumes. It still needs to be treated as a household chemical, which means keeping the bottle out of reach of children and pets, avoiding ingestion, and letting surfaces dry before kids or animals touch or lick them.

Which Method All-Purpose Cleaner scent is best if I am sensitive to fragrance?

If you are sensitive to strong scents but still want to try Method, look for lighter, cleaner fragrances rather than heavy floral or very sweet options. Many people who are scent-sensitive prefer citrus-based scents like Clementine or milder options from seasonal collections, since they tend to fade a bit faster. Whichever you choose, try a few sprays in a small, ventilated area first to see how your body reacts before using it throughout your home.

How long does a bottle of Method All-Purpose Cleaner usually last?

For most households doing daily kitchen wipe downs and occasional bathroom touchups, a 28 ounce spray bottle typically lasts one to three months. If you clean multiple bathrooms regularly or wipe large surfaces like islands and dining tables several times a day, you will go through it faster. Buying the larger refill bottles can reduce your cost per ounce if you find yourself refilling the sprayer frequently.

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