Review: Method

As you make your lengthy trip down the household care aisle at the grocery store or Target, I'm sure the products from Method have stopped you in your tracks. Who can resist their attractive, mod bottles, fun, bright colors and yummy scents? Not me! And not only are they trendy, Method is environmentally-conscious as well!

If you see the word "natural" on a Method label, it means that 100% of the functional cleaning ingredients (soaps, detergents, solvents, enzymes, etc.) are found in nature or derived from renewable resources. If they can't find a natural ingredient that can effectively get they job done, they will develop a safe, green man-made version instead. But you won't see the "natural" seal if even one of the ingredients in a product doesn't come directly from nature. I don't know about you but I like a company that is honest. Especially in an industry where the term "natural" is completely unregulated and tossed around like a salad. In any case, Method conducts comprehensive green and health screens for all of their products so you can be sure they are safe for your home and to the outside world.

I've been a loyal Method user for about a year now. I have their hand soap in every bathroom (I adore their ethereal Sweet Water fragrance) and on occasion, we've also used their Baby Bubble Bath and Body Wash for Nate's bathtime. I recently purchased several of their household products to see how they stack up against the competition.

The Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner (ARV $6) is a no-wax formula that cleans and protects all wood floors. Since it's nontoxic and biodegradable, it's safe for your family and planet too! The ergonomically designed shower-nozzle spray allows you cover your floor in fewer sweeps and helps avoid puddling.

Our new house features a hardwood foyer which makes a grand entrance but can get dirty very quickly, as everyone tracks dirt from the driveway in onto the wood floor. I don't realize how dull it actually is until I sweep and mop with this A-MAZING stuff! The almond smell is fantastic, it's easy to use and it works! Just a few strokes and my floor looks so shiny and brand spankin' new, I could eat off it. The fact that this product lacks the awful chemicals pretty much seals the deal for me. I don't plan to purchase anything else for my wood floors. Just see the purdy aftermath for yourself:



The Steel For Real Stainless Steel Polish (ARV $5) is a non-abrasive, streak-free formula that cleans and polishes all stainless steel surfaces. It also leaves behind a protective layer to prevent nicks and dirt on your appliances. This is a necessity since toddler fingerprints always find their way onto my fridge and dishwasher.

I wasn't sure initially if I should buy this product, since the reviews on Amazon were lukewarm. But since this was the only eco-friendly stainless steel cleaning option when I visited our local hardware store, I took the risk. And while I was at it, I purchased their reusable microfiber cloth as a supplement. I'm so glad I did take the plunge because I've been so happy with both! Per the directions, I sprayed into the cloth and wiped clean, rather than spraying directly onto the surface, and it works just fine. The Orchard Blossom fragrance is worlds better than any overwhelming chemical stench. And it leaves my kitchen looking smudge-free and flawless. You do have to use a bit of muscle to buff out tough marks but that's the case with pretty much any cleaner. The reusable microfiber cloth really picks up lint and dirt like a magnet. And after a few uses, you can simply throw it in the washing machine and it's good as new. It works much better than a paper towel, which can leave behind more of a mess than you started with.

Method's Multi-Surface Spray is nontoxic and uses naturally-derived ingredients to get rid of dirt safely, just about anywhere. Tile, marble, sealed wood, metal - wherever you need it! And it's biodegradable so you won't have to feel guilty for flushing chemicals down your drain and into our rivers, lakes and oceans.

I had the opportunity to review the French Lavender scent as part of a testing panel on behalf of Kiwi Magazine. I'm usually not a huge fan of lavender (I would have probably chosen the spunky pink grapefruit instead) but I decided to try it out on our bedroom furniture and bathroom countertops in lieu of Clorox wipes. After all, what better places are there for a relaxing floral? The directions were as easy peasy as any all-pupose cleaner: simply spray and wipe clean. It didn't just smell pretty but it was pretty powerful too. If it could clean my husband's dreadful side of our double vanity (how he gets toothpaste in the smallest of crevices is beyond me) in just a few swipes, it was a keeper:





Bottom line: Their design may be adorable but Method's not just a pretty face. They perform just as well as, if not better than, their generic counterparts but the eco-friendly features spare me the guilt. They may be slightly more expensive but I believe they are well worth the cost.

BUY IT: You can find Method products at most grocery stores and household retailers nationwide, or online at www.methodhome.com. Use their handy dandy store locator to find the vendor nearest you and check out some of the coupons they offer on their site!

You can also stay up to date on new product offerings by following Method on Twitter or Facebook!



Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I received the French Lavender Multi-Surface Spray from Kiwi Magazine in exchange for my honest opinion. All other products were purchased by me and I was in no way obligated to write a review. The thoughts and opinions of the products expressed here are mine and mine alone. Your experience may differ.