Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner Review
Quick Take
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Seventh Generation Free & Clear represents the most accessible entry point into genuinely safer cleaning. While specialty brands like Branch Basics offer superior formulations, Seventh Generation delivers EWG-A rated safety in a format anyone can find: next to the Windex at your local grocery store. For families making their first step away from conventional cleaners, this is often where the journey begins.
The Verdict: An excellent transitional product for families who want safer cleaning without committing to online ordering or concentrate systems. The fragrance-free formula earns its EWG-A rating, the cleaning power handles everyday messes, and the price point makes the switch financially painless.
What We Tested
I purchased Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner (23 oz, $4.29) from my local grocery store. Over 4 months, I tested:
- Cleaning effectiveness across kitchen, bathroom, and general surfaces
- Residue and streak characteristics
- Scent profile (or lack thereof)
- Comparison to conventional cleaners and premium non-toxic alternatives
Why Seventh Generation Matters
The Accessibility Factor
Let me be direct: not everyone wants to order cleaning products online. Not everyone wants to learn dilution ratios. Not everyone has $59 for a Branch Basics starter kit. For those families, Seventh Generation Free & Clear is the answer.
I can walk into:
- Any major grocery store (Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc.)
- Target, Walmart, Costco
- CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
- Whole Foods, Sprouts, Natural Grocers
...and find this product on the shelf. That availability matters. A safer cleaner you can actually buy beats a perfect cleaner you never get around to ordering.
The B Corp Commitment
Seventh Generation became a Certified B Corporation before it was trendy. The company has advocated for ingredient disclosure legislation and sued to challenge EPA regulations they considered too lax. Their corporate activism backs up their product claims in ways that matter.
Safety Analysis
EWG-A Rating Breakdown
Seventh Generation Free & Clear earned an A from the Environmental Working Group. Here's what qualifies it:
Full Ingredient Disclosure:
- Water
- Sodium citrate (water softener, plant-derived)
- Lauryl glucoside (coconut-derived surfactant)
- Decyl glucoside (plant-based foaming agent)
- Citric acid (pH adjuster, from citrus)
- Sodium carbonate (washing soda)
- Calcium chloride (water hardness treatment)
What's NOT in the formula:
- Synthetic fragrances
- Dyes or colorants
- Chlorine bleach
- Ammonia
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
- 2-Butoxyethanol
- Parabens or phthalates
- Triclosan or triclocarban
The "Free & Clear" Difference
Seventh Generation makes scented versions (Lavender, Lemongrass, etc.) that receive lower EWG ratings due to essential oil concerns. The Free & Clear version specifically avoids these issues by eliminating all fragrance. If you're choosing Seventh Generation for safety, this is the version to buy.
EPA Safer Choice Certification
Beyond EWG, Seventh Generation Free & Clear carries EPA Safer Choice certification. This means:
- Every ingredient reviewed by EPA for human and environmental safety
- Manufacturing processes evaluated
- Packaging sustainability considered
- Third-party verification of claims
Cleaning Performance
Kitchen Testing (7.5/10)
Daily cleaning: Works well for countertop wipe-downs, table cleaning, and appliance surfaces. Removes food residue, coffee rings, and light splashes without issue.
Grease handling: This is where Seventh Generation shows its limitations compared to Branch Basics. Light stovetop splatter wipes up fine, but heavier cooking grease requires multiple passes or letting the product sit. The plant-based surfactants are gentler than petroleum-based ones, which means less grease-cutting power.
Residue: Clean. No streaks on countertops or stainless steel appliances. The formula rinses away completely.
Bathroom Testing (7/10)
Sink and mirrors: Solid performance. Toothpaste splatter, soap residue, and daily grime clean up easily.
Soap scum: Adequate but not impressive. Built-up soap scum needs dedicated bathroom cleaner (Seventh Generation makes one) or baking soda supplementation.
Toilet exterior: Works fine for porcelain surfaces. For bowl cleaning, you'll need a separate toilet cleaner.
General Surfaces (8/10)
Toys: Excellent choice for cleaning baby and toddler toys that will be mouthed.
Wood furniture: Safe on sealed wood. I've used it on our coffee table and dining chairs without issues.
Electronics: The low-residue formula works well for wiping down remote controls, game controllers, and similar items.
The Unscented Reality
Let me address the scent (or lack thereof) honestly.
What to expect: The product smells like... nothing, mostly. There's a very faint "clean" smell during application that dissipates within seconds. Some users describe a slight mineral scent from the sodium carbonate.
The adjustment: If you're coming from Mrs. Meyer's or other heavily scented cleaners, Free & Clear can feel like something's missing. Your kitchen won't smell like lavender after cleaning. For some people, that scent association with "clean" takes time to unlearn.
The benefit: For families with fragrance sensitivities, allergies, or eczema, the complete absence of scent is the entire point. No headaches, no respiratory irritation, no skin reactions.
Value Assessment
Pricing:
- 23 oz spray: $4.29 (varies by retailer)
- 32 oz refill: $5.99
Cost per ounce:
- 23 oz: $0.19/oz
- 32 oz refill: $0.19/oz
Comparison to alternatives:
- Conventional cleaners (Windex, etc.): $0.15-0.20/oz
- Mrs. Meyer's: $0.28/oz
- Puracy: $0.36/oz
- Branch Basics (diluted): $0.10/oz
Seventh Generation offers EWG-A safety at essentially the same price as conventional cleaners. This is the most compelling value proposition in non-toxic cleaning—safer at no additional cost.
How It Compares
Vs. Branch Basics
Branch Basics wins on: Cleaning power (especially grease), versatility (laundry capability), long-term cost, Made Safe certification
Seventh Generation wins on: Availability (buy today at any store), lower entry cost, no learning curve
Bottom line: Branch Basics is objectively the better cleaner, but Seventh Generation is the better starting point for most families.
Vs. Blueland
Blueland wins on: Sustainability (tablet system), EWG-A rating equivalent, attractive bottles
Seventh Generation wins on: Immediate availability, lower upfront cost, no waiting for tablets to dissolve
Bottom line: Blueland offers more eco-credentials; Seventh Generation offers more convenience.
Vs. Mrs. Meyer's
Seventh Generation wins on: EWG rating (A vs. D), ingredient transparency, fragrance-free option
Mrs. Meyer's wins on: Scent variety (if you prioritize that over safety)
Bottom line: There's no scenario where I'd recommend Mrs. Meyer's over Seventh Generation Free & Clear.
Who Should Buy This
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First-timers switching to non-toxic cleaning: If you've never bought a specialty cleaner and want to start somewhere, start here.
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Families with fragrance sensitivities: The true fragrance-free formula won't trigger reactions that even "natural" essential oil scents can cause.
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Budget-conscious parents: EWG-A safety at conventional cleaner prices.
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Those who won't order online: Available literally everywhere.
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Grandparents and caregivers: Easy to find, easy to use, no explanation needed.
Who Should Skip
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Heavy-duty cleaning needs: For serious grease, soap scum, or grime, Branch Basics delivers more power.
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Those who love scented cleaners: If fragrance is important to your cleaning experience, try Puracy's Green Tea & Lime instead.
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Disinfection requirements: Like all general cleaners, this doesn't kill germs. Use Force of Nature for disinfection.
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Eco-minimalists: If reducing plastic is your priority, Blueland's tablet system produces less waste.
The Ingredient Story
Seventh Generation has been transparent about ingredients since the 1990s, before ingredient disclosure was required or trendy. They've advocated for the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act and pushed for industry-wide transparency.
This corporate commitment means something. When a company fights for regulations that would hold all brands accountable, including themselves, that's credibility that extends beyond marketing claims.
The Bottom Line
Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner is the sensible middle ground: genuinely safer than conventional cleaners, widely available, and priced to make switching painless. It won't outperform specialty brands like Branch Basics on tough jobs, but it solves the accessibility problem that keeps many families stuck with conventional products.
My recommendation: Start here. Use Seventh Generation Free & Clear for 3-6 months. If you find yourself wanting more cleaning power or ready to consolidate products, upgrade to Branch Basics. But for most families making their first move toward non-toxic cleaning, this is the right door to walk through.
My usage: I keep a bottle of Seventh Generation Free & Clear at my parents' house and recommend it to extended family who aren't ready for concentrate systems. It's my go-to gift for baby showers—something safer that new parents can immediately use.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Seventh Generation Product Ratings. Accessed January 2026.
- EPA. Safer Choice Program. Seventh Generation Certification. Accessed January 2026.
- Seventh Generation. Full Ingredient Disclosure. Accessed January 2026.
- B Lab. Seventh Generation B Corp Certification. Accessed January 2026.
