Head-to-Head Comparison
Seventh Generation vs Method: Safety vs Style
Seventh Generation Free & Clear clearly wins on safety with its EWG-A rating and full ingredient transparency compared to Method's EWG-C rating and partial fragrance disclosure. Method offers better design and scent variety, but for health-conscious families, Seventh Generation is the better choice at similar prices.
Method
Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner
7.4
$5VS
Winner
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner
8.3
$4R3 Research Verdict
Seventh Generation Free & Clear clearly wins on safety with its EWG-A rating and full ingredient transparency compared to Method's EWG-C rating and partial fragrance disclosure. Method offers better design and scent variety, but for health-conscious families, Seventh Generation is the better choice at similar prices.
Updated Jan 29, 20266 attributes comparedBy R3 Research Team
Seventh Generation Wins on What Matters Most
Research-backed recommendation
For families prioritizing safety and ingredient transparency, Seventh Generation Free & Clear is the clear winner. The EWG-A rating and fragrance-free formula provide peace of mind that Method's EWG-C and partial disclosure cannot match. Method's beautiful bottles and creative scents have genuine appeal, but when cleaning products will be used on surfaces children touch and mouth, safety credentials matter more than aesthetics. At nearly identical prices, there's no compelling reason to choose Method over Seventh Generation for health-conscious families.
Overall Winner
Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
Method
Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner
Pros
- Better EWG Rating
- Better Fragrance Disclosure
- Better Baby Gear Safety
Cons
- Loses on Design Appeal
- Loses on Scent Options
- Loses on Price
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner
Winner
Pros
- Better Design Appeal
- Better Scent Options
- Better Price
Cons
- Loses on EWG Rating
- Loses on Fragrance Disclosure
- Loses on Baby Gear Safety
Who Wins Each Category?
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Ewg Rating
Method
Win
Significant safety difference
Fragrance Disclosure
Method
Win
Seventh Generation completely transparent
Design Appeal
Seventh Generation
Win
Method's teardrop bottles are iconic
Scent Options
Seventh Generation
Win
Method offers variety
Price
Seventh Generation
Win
Method slightly cheaper
Baby Gear Safety
Method
Win
EWG-A preferred for mouthed items
Winner
Tie
Which One Is Right For You?
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Buy Method If You...
- Families prioritizing safety over aesthetics
- Those with fragrance sensitivities needing true fragrance-free
- Baby gear and surfaces children will mouth
- Health-conscious parents reading ingredient labels
Buy Seventh Generation If You...Winner
- Those who value beautiful bottle design
- Scent seekers wanting variety beyond unscented
- Users transitioning from conventional cleaners who want familiar aesthetics
- Households where design matters and safety trade-offs are acceptable
Head-to-Head Comparison
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
Method
vs3
Seventh Generation
3
| Attribute | Method | Seventh Generation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWG Rating Significant safety difference | A | C | Method |
| Fragrance Disclosure Seventh Generation completely transparent | Full (none) | Partial | Method |
| Design Appeal Method's teardrop bottles are iconic | Functional | Beautiful bottles | Seventh Generation |
| Scent Options Method offers variety | Free & Clear only | Multiple creative scents | Seventh Generation |
| Price Method slightly cheaper | $0.19/oz | $0.17/oz | Seventh Generation |
| Baby Gear Safety EWG-A preferred for mouthed items | Excellent | Adequate | Method |
Method
3 Wins
Seventh Generation
3 Wins
EWG Rating
Method
A
C
Significant safety difference
Fragrance Disclosure
Method
Full (none)
Partial
Seventh Generation completely transparent
Design Appeal
Seventh Generation
Functional
Beautiful bottles
Method's teardrop bottles are iconic
Scent Options
Seventh Generation
Free & Clear only
Multiple creative scents
Method offers variety
Price
Seventh Generation
$0.19/oz
$0.17/oz
Method slightly cheaper
Baby Gear Safety
Method
Excellent
Adequate
EWG-A preferred for mouthed items
$Price Analysis
Seventh Generation Free & Clear: $4.29/23oz ($0.19/oz). Method: $4.79/28oz ($0.17/oz). Nearly identical pricing.
Best Time to Buy
Buy Seventh Generation if safety is your priority. Consider Method only if design and scent variety significantly impact your cleaning motivation and you accept the lower safety rating.
Create a free account to preview premium reviews
Get 3 free premium previews per week with a free account
Research-backed product recommendations
Transparent methodology and citations
No ads or affiliate influence
Already have an account? Log in
Independent Research
No sponsored placements. Data-driven verdicts.
1,000+ data points
Updated January 29, 2026
R
R3 Research Team
•Evidence-Based Review BoardOur multidisciplinary team of researchers, parents, and medical advisors dedicated to finding the safest products for your family.
Explore More Comparisons
Find the perfect product with our research-backed head-to-head showdowns.
