Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 6.6/10
Mrs. Meyer's is the definition of greenwashing in the cleaning aisle. The charming farmhouse branding, the "aromatherapeutic" scents, the "garden-inspired" marketing—it all suggests a natural, safe product. But EWG rates their Multi-Surface Cleaner a D, and when you examine the ingredients, you understand why. There are genuinely safer options at the same price point.
The Verdict: I cannot recommend Mrs. Meyer's for families seeking truly non-toxic cleaning. The fragrance disclosure issues alone are disqualifying for health-conscious parents. If you're currently using Mrs. Meyer's thinking it's a safer alternative, consider switching to Puracy, Blueland, or Branch Basics.
Why the D Rating? A Deep Dive
The Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning rates Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner a D. Here's what that means:
The Fragrance Problem
Mrs. Meyer's is known for its strong, distinctive scents—Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Basil. These scents are why many people buy the product. But "fragrance" on a cleaning label is a regulatory loophole.
What "fragrance" can hide:
- Synthetic musks (potential endocrine disruptors)
- Phthalates (linked to hormone disruption)
- Undisclosed allergens
- Any of 3,000+ chemicals the industry uses in fragrance formulations
Mrs. Meyer's does not fully disclose their fragrance ingredients. They claim to use "essential oils," but the intensity and staying power of their scents suggest synthetic fragrance components as well. EWG flags this as a "moderate concern" for respiratory effects and skin sensitization.
Compare to Branch Basics: Full ingredient disclosure, including every component of their (minimal) fragrance.
Compare to Puracy: Uses disclosed essential oils with transparent sourcing.
Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
Some Mrs. Meyer's products contain methylisothiazolinone, a preservative that:
- Has been restricted in leave-on cosmetics in the EU since 2015 due to contact allergy concerns
- Is a known skin sensitizer that can cause allergic contact dermatitis
- Has been identified by dermatologists as a growing cause of allergic reactions
The American Contact Dermatitis Society named methylisothiazolinone "Allergen of the Year" in 2013. While Mrs. Meyer's may argue it's safe in rinse-off products, the presence of this ingredient contradicts their "clean" positioning.
The Ingredient List Reality
Here's what's actually in Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner:
- Water: Fine
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: Can be irritating to sensitive individuals
- Lauramine oxide: Surfactant, generally considered safe
- Glycerin: Safe moisturizing agent
- Polyglucose: Plant-derived surfactant, safe
- Fragrance: Undisclosed ingredients, concern
- Methylisothiazolinone: Preservative of concern
- Various dyes: Unnecessary, potential sensitizers
Compared to EWG-A rated alternatives, this ingredient list has multiple red flags.
The Performance Reality
Cleaning Effectiveness (7.5/10)
I'll give credit where it's due: Mrs. Meyer's does clean adequately. The surfactant system handles everyday messes, and the product is widely available and reasonably priced.
But "it cleans" isn't a distinguishing feature. Every cleaner on this list cleans. The question is whether it cleans while being safe—and Mrs. Meyer's fails that test.
The Scent Experience
Many Mrs. Meyer's fans love the scent. I understand the appeal—Lavender and Basil are pleasant aromatherapy notes. But:
- The scent lingers for hours, suggesting staying agents that may include synthetic components
- The intensity can trigger headaches and respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals
- Children and pets are exposed to undisclosed fragrance chemicals through the air and residue on surfaces
The Greenwashing Pattern
Mrs. Meyer's represents a common greenwashing strategy:
- Farmhouse aesthetics: Vintage-style labels, garden imagery, "Clean Day" branding
- Plant-based claims: Highlighting plant-derived ingredients while downplaying synthetic ones
- "Made with essential oils": True but misleading—essential oils may be a small percentage of the fragrance blend
- Mainstream availability: Presence in Target and grocery stores creates perception of safety through familiarity
The result: consumers believe they're choosing a safer option when the ingredient profile doesn't support that belief.
Value Assessment
Pricing:
- 16 oz spray: $4.49
- 32 oz refill: $7.99
Cost per ounce:
- 16 oz: $0.28/oz
- 32 oz: $0.25/oz
Comparison:
- Puracy (safer, EWG-B): $0.36/oz
- Blueland tablet (safer, EWG-A): ~$0.08/oz after initial bottle
- Branch Basics (safer, EWG-A): ~$0.10/oz diluted
Mrs. Meyer's isn't even the budget option. For similar or less money, you can buy genuinely safer products.
Who Might Still Choose This
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Scent prioritizers: If the specific Mrs. Meyer's scents bring you joy and you're not concerned about fragrance ingredient disclosure, that's a personal choice I respect.
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Convenience shoppers: Mrs. Meyer's is available everywhere. If you're at Target and won't order online, it's better than Lysol or Windex.
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Those unaware of alternatives: Many people simply don't know that Branch Basics, Blueland, and Puracy exist. Now you do.
Better Alternatives at Similar Prices
| Product | EWG Rating | Price | Why It's Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puracy | B | $9/25oz | Full fragrance disclosure, hypoallergenic |
| Blueland | A | $2/tablet | No fragrance concerns, no plastic waste |
| Branch Basics | A | $59/concentrate | One product replaces all, Made Safe certified |
| Seventh Generation | B | $4/26oz | No synthetic fragrance, widely available |
Every alternative above has better ingredient transparency than Mrs. Meyer's.
The Bottom Line
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day represents what happens when marketing outpaces ingredient safety. The charming branding convinced millions of families they were making a healthier choice, but the EWG-D rating tells a different story. Undisclosed fragrance ingredients, preservatives of concern, and unnecessary dyes don't belong in products marketed to health-conscious families.
If you're currently using Mrs. Meyer's, I'd encourage switching to Puracy (similar convenience, better safety) or Blueland (better value, better safety). Your family deserves ingredients you can actually verify.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Mrs. Meyer's Product Ratings. Accessed January 2026.
- European Commission. Opinion on Methylisothiazolinone. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. 2013.
- American Contact Dermatitis Society. Allergen of the Year 2013: Methylisothiazolinone. Accessed January 2026.
- Steinemann, A. "Fragranced Consumer Products: Exposures and Effects from Emissions." Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 9.8 (2016): 861-866.
