Clean Alternative to Method — 5 Independent Brands

Method arrived in 2001 as the cleaning brand for people who wanted their products to look as good as they worked. Co-founders Adam Lowry (a climate scientist) and Eric Ryan (a designer) put plant-based formulas in architecturally designed bottles and made household cleaning aesthetically appealing. Method became a Whole Foods staple and a Target darling simultaneously.

Then SC Johnson — the company that makes Windex, Raid insecticide, Pledge, and Glade air fresheners — acquired Method in 2017. The brand that was founded to challenge conventional household chemicals is now owned by one of the largest conventional household chemical companies in the world.

Why People Are Switching

• SC Johnson ownership: The Windex company owns Method. The Raid company owns Method. SC Johnson is a $10 billion conventional household products manufacturer — one of the largest in the world. Method was founded to be the antidote to these products
• Synthetic fragrance persists: Despite plant-based surfactants, Method products still contain synthetic fragrance. "Plant-based" applies to the cleaning agents, not to every ingredient in the bottle. The fragrance component is petrochemical-derived
• "Better than Windex" is a low bar: Method was genuinely innovative in 2001. But in 2026, the clean-cleaning market has evolved far beyond where Method sits. Being cleaner than Raid's parent company's other products isn't the same as being clean

The Best Clean Alternatives

Blueland

• What they make: Tablet-based cleaners with reusable bottles — hand soap, surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner
• Why they're better: EPA Safer Choice certified. Eliminated the plastic bottle entirely — you reuse forever and just add tablets. Climate Neutral and B Corp certified. Beautiful design that rivals Method's aesthetic without the synthetic fragrance
• Ownership: Independently owned and founder-led since 2019
• Price range: $$

Branch Basics

• What they make: One plant-and-mineral-based concentrate for all cleaning needs
• Why they're better: EWG Verified and MADE SAFE certified. Radically simpler than Method's approach — one concentrate replaces everything. No synthetic fragrances, no dyes, no preservatives. Three female founders, all still actively involved
• Ownership: 100% independently owned since 2012
• Price range: $$

Common Good

• What they make: Refillable plant-based dish soap, hand soap, laundry detergent, and surface cleaners
• Why they're better: Beautiful refillable bottles that match Method's design appeal. Truly plant-based formulas without synthetic fragrance. Refill stations in stores reduce packaging waste. The aesthetic appeal without the ingredient compromise
• Ownership: Independently owned
• Price range: $$

Green Llama

• What they make: Non-toxic cleaning sprays and reusable microfiber systems
• Why they're better: Combines effective plant-based cleaners with reusable microfiber cloths designed for specific surfaces. No synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals. Playful branding that makes clean cleaning fun without relying on corporate-owned "cool"
• Ownership: Independently owned
• Price range: $$

MamaSuds

• What they make: Castile soap-based cleaning products, laundry soap, and dish soap
• Why they're better: Built around Dr. Bronner's-style castile soap as the base for everything. Extremely simple ingredients — most products have five or fewer components. Mom-founded for families who need genuinely safe products around children
• Ownership: Independently owned
• Price range: $

What to Look For

When choosing a Method alternative:

• Design appeal with substance — Method proved that clean products can look good. Several alternatives have matched or exceeded that aesthetic while using cleaner formulas
• No synthetic fragrance — Method's biggest ingredient compromise. Look for products scented with essential oils only, or unscented options
• Refill or zero-waste systems — Method pioneered refill options. Several independent brands have gone further with tablets, concentrates, or full refill systems

The Bottom Line

Method deserves credit for making clean cleaning mainstream. But SC Johnson's acquisition means the brand now serves corporate priorities first. The independent alternatives listed here deliver everything Method promised — beautiful design, effective cleaning, environmental responsibility — without the Windex-company ownership or synthetic fragrance.

Method is a registered trademark of SC Johnson. Clean Lifestyle Directory is not affiliated with Method or SC Johnson.