What the product listing won't tell you
Know before you buy
It is built on sodium lauryl sulfate, an effective cleaner that can be drying or irritating on bare skin, so gloves help.
You want a strong all-purpose degreaser
Dr. Bronner's
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
Dr. Bronner's
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
$12.00
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You want a highly concentrated, low-plastic option
You like a fully disclosed plant-based formula
You have sensitive skin and clean without gloves
You want the gentlest possible surfactant
Specs the product listing doesn't explain
What your food and family come into contact with every use
Ease of use, maintenance, and longevity
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3 criteria - open any layer to see exactly what we found
“Will the sodium lauryl sulfate irritate my family, or is it safe enough?”
The scoring rationale is locked
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Criteria
Verified retailer - current pricing
Starting price
$12
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The Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner was graded against the same all purpose cleaner-specific rubric we apply to every product in this category — no brand-by-brand exceptions, no sponsored placements, no affiliate-weighted scores. The verdict above came from three pillars: safety (materials, certifications, recall history, chemical exposure pathways), efficacy (independent testing data, verified performance specs, real-world usage durability), and usability (ergonomics, cleaning, noise, parts availability over time). Every point deduction has a citation behind it. Every claim links back to a primary source. Nothing is hidden behind opaque badges.
What separates this from a typical all purpose cleaner review elsewhere on the web: we don't accept sponsorships, paid placements, or rev-share-weighted rankings. The brand of the Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner cannot pay to move up the list. The score is logic-driven (a weighted formula across safety, efficacy, and usability), not opinion-driven, so an editor's personal preference cannot override the evidence. When two products in this category are within a point of each other, the right tie-breaker is whichever pillar matters most to your household — not whichever one ranks first.
A high safety score on the Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner doesn't automatically mean “buy this.” A all purpose cleaner that's genuinely safe but loses points on efficacy may still be the wrong fit if performance is what you actually need. Conversely, a all purpose cleaner that's usability-strong but safety-flagged probably isn't the right call for a child with a known sensitivity. The score is the start of the decision, not the end.
R3 is not a medical, legal, or financial advisor. This review is general consumer-safety reporting, not personalized health guidance. If a safety concern on this page intersects with a specific allergy, sensitivity, or medical condition in your household, talk to your pediatrician or a board-certified specialist — they can weigh the evidence against your family's situation in a way no review can. We'll update this page when credible new evidence changes the picture (a recall, a new lab certification, a meaningful product redesign); the last-updated date in the byline is the source of truth on how current this analysis is.
#7 of 10 all purpose cleaners reviewed
Did the Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner pass our safety screen?
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“Will this actually cut through tough kitchen grease and grime?”
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“How long will this bottle actually last with regular daily use?”
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Criteria
