This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) earns commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.
Clorox is one of the most recognized cleaning brands in American homes. Parents searching "is Clorox safe" are typically reaching for either the Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray or Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach, and EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning rates both products at the lowest tier on its scale. Here's what EWG's published data says about those products and which alternatives rate higher.
EWG grades are published by the Environmental Working Group at ewg.org/cleaners. Verify current grades before purchasing. Ratings can change when formulations change.
What EWG Says About Clorox
| EWG Guide Grade | Product | Flagged Concerns (per EWG) |
|---|---|---|
| F | Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray | Sodium hypochlorite, synthetic fragrance |
| F | Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach, Original | Sodium hypochlorite, synthetic fragrance |
Source: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners). Grade F = highest hazard tier in EWG's A through F scale. Verify current grades at ewg.org/cleaners/brand/6441-Clorox/. These grades are the independent work of EWG; NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
What EWG's Grade F Means for Clorox Products
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning scores products A through F based on two factors: ingredient transparency (whether the full formula is disclosed) and ingredient hazard profiles (what EWG's database says about the disclosed ingredients). Grade F is EWG's lowest score. It is not a government safety designation, a recall, or a clinical finding. It signals that EWG's analysis flagged multiple ingredient concerns the brand has not addressed to EWG's standard.
For Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray and Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach, EWG's documented concerns center on two ingredient categories:
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach): The active disinfecting and whitening agent in Clorox products. EWG flags sodium hypochlorite in its Guide to Healthy Cleaning for concerns about respiratory irritation at elevated exposures, environmental impact, and the potential formation of chlorinated byproducts when bleach contacts organic matter. Sodium hypochlorite is what gives Clorox products their disinfecting and stain-removing performance, which means replacing it involves choosing between traditional bleach cleaning power and lower-concern formulas.
- Synthetic fragrance: The ingredient label "fragrance" or "parfum" can cover dozens of undisclosed chemical compounds, including potential allergens and hormone-disrupting phthalates. Because EWG cannot evaluate what is not disclosed, undisclosed fragrance consistently drives low grades across cleaning products in EWG's Guide.
These are EWG's published findings from its Guide to Healthy Cleaning. NonToxicFinder does not translate them into health outcome predictions. For guidance on individual health questions, consult a qualified medical professional.
Is Clorox Safe? The Short Answer
The question "is Clorox safe" is best framed through EWG's published data rather than a yes-or-no: EWG rates Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray and Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach at Grade F, its lowest tier, for the ingredient concerns listed above. EWG grades are not regulatory findings, government advisories, or safety certifications. They reflect EWG's independent assessment of disclosed ingredients and ingredient transparency. Families who follow EWG's guidance look for Grade A or EWG VERIFIED® products as lower-concern alternatives.
EWG VERIFIED® Alternatives to Clorox
The products below carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark, which is EWG's most rigorous designation for cleaning products. To earn EWG VERIFIED®, a product must score Grade A or B in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, pass EWG's full ingredient screening, and disclose all ingredients on its label. One important note: Clorox products are EPA-registered disinfectants with verified kill claims for specific pathogens. The alternatives below are multi-surface cleaners without EPA disinfection claims. For everyday household cleaning where EPA-certified pathogen kill rates are not required, they represent strong lower-concern options per EWG's data. Where certified disinfection matters, an EPA-registered product remains the appropriate choice.
For more options in this category, see our roundup of non-toxic all-purpose cleaners rated by EWG and our guide to EWG VERIFIED® bathroom cleaners.
ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Citrus Zest (ASIN: B00MNW4LW6, $6.75): EWG VERIFIED®
ATTITUDE's All Purpose Cleaner Spray carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark, confirmed in the product's Amazon listing title. EWG VERIFIED® reflects EWG's certification that the formula meets its strict ingredient screening and full ingredient disclosure standards. The 99% naturally derived formula works on counters, walls, floors, and sealed wood in a ready-to-use 27 fl oz spray bottle. The Citrus Zest scent uses natural fragrance ingredients rather than undisclosed synthetic fragrance blends. At $6.75, it's one of the most accessible EWG VERIFIED® multi-surface options available. EWG VERIFIED® covers ingredient safety and full disclosure standards, not EPA disinfection claims. Verify current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Citrus Zest: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
Branch Basics Surface Cleaning Kit, 33.8 oz Concentrate + Refillable Bottles (ASIN: B0D9WCQY1F, $67.00): EWG VERIFIED®
Branch Basics uses a concentrate-based approach: one 33.8 oz bottle of concentrate dilutes into multiple cleaning products by adjusting the concentrate-to-water ratio in the included refillable bottles. The manufacturer states a single 33.8 oz concentrate yields approximately 17 fill-ups of all-purpose spray cleaner, bringing the per-use cost well below that of conventional single-use spray bottles despite the higher $67.00 starter price. Branch Basics is confirmed in EWG's VERIFIED cleaning products directory at ewg.org/ewgverified/products_cleaners.php?brand=Branch+Basics. Confirm current VERIFIED status for this specific kit ASIN at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing. Not an EPA-registered disinfectant.
Branch Basics Surface Cleaning Kit, 33.8 oz Concentrate + Refillable Bottles: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I stop using Clorox bleach products around kids based on EWG's grade?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray and Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach at Grade F, flagging sodium hypochlorite and synthetic fragrance. EWG grades are not government safety findings, and NonToxicFinder makes no independent health claim about Clorox products. For families following EWG's guidance, the EWG VERIFIED® alternatives above represent lower-concern options per EWG's published data. For personal health guidance specific to your household, consult a qualified medical professional.
Q: Does Clorox make any products that rate better on EWG?
This article covers the two Clorox products with Grade F ratings documented in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Clorox markets multiple product lines and individual products may carry different EWG grades. Verify current EWG grades for any Clorox product at ewg.org/cleaners, as ratings can change when formulations change.
Q: What is the difference between EWG VERIFIED® and EWG Guide Grade A?
These are two distinct EWG assessments. EWG Guide grades (A through F) score cleaning products in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning database by ingredient transparency and hazard profile. Grade A is the top Guide score. EWG VERIFIED® is a separate, stricter mark: products must score A or B in the Guide, pass additional EWG ingredient screening, and disclose all ingredients on their labels. Both ATTITUDE and Branch Basics in this article carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark.
Q: Can an EWG VERIFIED® multi-surface cleaner replace Clorox for disinfecting?
Not equivalently. Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Cleaner Spray and Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach are EPA-registered disinfectants with verified kill claims for specific pathogens. ATTITUDE and Branch Basics are multi-surface cleaners without EPA disinfection claims, appropriate for everyday surface cleaning where EPA-certified kill rates are not required, but not a like-for-like replacement where certified disinfection is needed.
EWG Disclaimer: All product ratings, grades, and the EWG VERIFIED® mark are the independent work of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with EWG. EWG ratings reflect EWG's assessment methodology and are not government safety findings or health guarantees. Verify current ratings at ewg.org before purchasing.
