About

Method is an American cleaning products company founded in 2000 by childhood friends Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry in San Francisco, California. Ryan, a marketer, and Lowry, a chemical engineer, set out to create cleaning products that were effective, environmentally responsible, and beautifully designed, challenging the conventional wisdom that cleaning products had to be toxic to work. Method was acquired by Ecover, a Belgian green cleaning company, in 2012, and both brands are now part of SC Johnson's portfolio following its acquisition in 2017.

Method's product range includes multi-surface cleaners, hand soaps, dish soaps, laundry detergents, bathroom cleaners, and hand washes. The brand is known for its distinctive, design-forward packaging created by industrial designer Karim Rashid, which has earned it shelf space in design museums alongside retail stores. Method products are formulated with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and are never tested on animals, earning Cradle to Cradle certification and B Corp status.

Method operates the South Side Soapbox in Chicago, one of the greenest manufacturing facilities in the consumer goods industry, featuring a rooftop greenhouse, wind turbines, and solar panels. The company was a pioneer in the green cleaning movement, proving that eco-friendly products could compete on performance, design, and price with conventional alternatives. Method's success helped catalyze a broader industry shift toward sustainable formulations and recyclable packaging. The brand continues to innovate with concentrated formulas, refill systems, and 100% recycled plastic bottles, maintaining its position as a leader in the premium sustainable cleaning products category.

Cleaning & Household Brands

Method produces plant-based, biodegradable cleaning products including multi-surface cleaners, hand soaps, dish soaps, and laundry detergents in award-winning designer packaging, pioneering the premium green cleaning category.

Brand Details

Industry Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Founded 2000
Headquarters San Francisco, California, USA
Parent Company SC Johnson
4.3
1 reviews
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
4.3/5

Method proved that environmentally responsible cleaning products could compete on design, performance, and shelf appeal, not just eco-credentials. The brand's design-forward packaging, created in collaboration with Karim Rashid, remains genuinely distinctive on store shelves and makes sustainability feel aspirational rather than sacrificial. The plant-based, biodegradable formulations deliver credible cleaning performance for everyday household tasks.

The South Side Soapbox manufacturing facility in Chicago backs the sustainability messaging with tangible infrastructure. Cradle to Cradle certification and B Corp status add third-party validation. The refill systems and recycled plastic bottles demonstrate ongoing commitment to reducing packaging waste.

The limitations are worth noting. For heavy-duty cleaning tasks, Method products can fall short of conventional chemical-based alternatives. Pricing is premium for the cleaning aisle, which limits accessibility. Under SC Johnson's ownership since 2017, some brand enthusiasts worry about the dilution of Method's independent, mission-driven identity.

Method deserves credit as a genuine pioneer in the green cleaning category, and its products remain among the best options for consumers who want effective, attractively packaged, environmentally conscious household cleaners. The brand's influence on the broader industry has been substantial.

Feb 18, 2026
Method Screenshot

Price: Mid-range

Added: Feb 16, 2026

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