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Comet is one of the most familiar names in the cleaning aisle, and if you're asking "is Comet cleanser safe," you probably already have a can under the sink. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning has rated Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder with Bleach, and the published grade sits at the bottom of EWG's A-to-F scale. Here is exactly what that grade covers, the specific concerns EWG flags, and the one EWG Guide Grade-A scouring powder currently in stock on Amazon that handles the same job.

What EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning Rates on Comet

EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners) rates household cleaning products A through F using a weight-of-evidence approach that combines ingredient hazard data with how completely a brand discloses those ingredients on the label. Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder with Bleach earns an F, EWG's highest concern level. The primary concern EWG flags is trichloroisocyanuric acid, a chlorine-releasing compound, which EWG's published data ties to hazard categories including developmental and reproductive toxicity and cancer-related concerns, along with flagged respiratory and skin-irritation concerns. This is EWG's independent published assessment of the ingredients Comet discloses, not a government safety finding, a recall, or a clinical result, and not a claim we make ourselves.

EWG grades individual product formulas, not entire brands, and SC Johnson or Comet's manufacturer can reformulate at any time. To check the current grade on your specific can, search "Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder with Bleach" at ewg.org/cleaners before assuming this grade still applies.

Why This Category Is Thin on Amazon Right Now

The scouring-powder category doesn't have many EWG Guide Grade-A options sold on Amazon. As of this article's publish date, Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is the one scouring powder with a confirmed EWG Guide Grade A that is currently in stock, so this article profiles that single verified pick rather than ranking several options side by side. If that changes, the guide to non-toxic scouring powder swaps covers the broader category.

The EWG Guide Grade A Alternative: Bon Ami Powder Cleanser

Price: $4.65 | Size: 1-pack can | EWG Status: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: Grade A (top rating in the category)

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser earns a Grade A from EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, the top rating available for scouring powders in EWG's database. The formula uses calcium carbonate and feldspar as mineral abrasives. No chlorine compounds, no bleach, no trichloroisocyanuric acid. Bon Ami has used this approach since 1886, and at $4.65 per can it is price-competitive with Comet at typical retail.

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser, 1 Pack on Amazon →

How the Switch Works

  • Same application, no learning curve. Bon Ami applies exactly like Comet: shake a small amount onto a damp sponge or surface, scrub, rinse. No workflow change required.
  • Surfaces it works on. Bon Ami is effective on stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic tile, glass cooktops, and bathroom fixtures. It is not recommended for uncoated aluminum or highly polished chrome, where the feldspar abrasive may scratch. Check the can for the current surface advisory.
  • No disinfection claim. Bon Ami does not contain chlorine or EPA-registered disinfecting agents, so it does not disinfect the way Comet's bleach formula does. For routine cleaning (grease, soap scum, stains, mineral deposits) it handles the job on mechanical abrasion alone. If disinfection matters for a specific surface, pair it with a separate EPA-registered disinfectant.
  • Cost comparison. Bon Ami at $4.65 is price-competitive with Comet's typical retail range.

For the broader scouring-powder category, see our full non-toxic scouring powder swap guide. For EWG-rated options across every cleaning category, browse our EWG-rated all-purpose cleaner guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Comet cleanser safe to use?
NonToxicFinder does not make an independent health or safety claim about Comet. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder with Bleach an F, EWG's highest concern level, flagging trichloroisocyanuric acid (a chlorine compound) in hazard categories including developmental and reproductive toxicity and cancer-related concerns. That grade is EWG's independent published assessment, not a government finding. For personal health guidance, consult a qualified medical professional.

Q: What does EWG rate on Comet specifically?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning indexes Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder with Bleach and rates it an F. The primary ingredient of concern is trichloroisocyanuric acid, a chlorine-releasing compound, which EWG's data ties to developmental and reproductive toxicity and cancer-related hazard categories, alongside flagged respiratory and skin-irritation concerns. Search the exact product name at ewg.org/cleaners for the full ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown.

Q: Is Bon Ami EWG VERIFIED®?
No. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is rated Grade A by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, the top rating in its category, but it does not carry the separate EWG VERIFIED® mark. EWG VERIFIED® requires a brand to formally apply, fully disclose every ingredient, and pass EWG's independent review process, a more intensive standard than a Guide to Healthy Cleaning letter grade. The Grade A here reflects EWG's ingredient hazard assessment finding minimal concern, not EWG VERIFIED® status.

Q: Does Bon Ami disinfect like Comet?
No. Bon Ami does not contain chlorine bleach or any EPA-registered disinfecting agent. It cleans mechanically through mineral abrasion, effective on grease, soap scum, stains, and mineral deposits, but it is not a disinfectant. If a specific surface needs disinfection, use an EPA-registered disinfectant product alongside it.

Q: What's the difference between EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning and the Skin Deep® database?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners) rates household cleaning products using A–F letter grades. EWG's Skin Deep® database (ewg.org/skindeep) rates personal care products using a 1–10 hazard score. These are different databases for different product categories. Scouring powders like Comet and Bon Ami belong in the Guide to Healthy Cleaning: the relevant metric is the A–F letter grade from ewg.org/cleaners, not a Skin Deep score.

EWG Disclaimer: All product ratings and grades referenced here 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.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) may earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.