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Most parents searching "is Mr. Clean safe" already have a specific bottle in the cabinet, usually the Multi Surface Cleaner liquid, the brand's flagship all-purpose spray, after seeing something online about chemicals in household cleaners. They want a sourced answer about that exact bottle, not a broad verdict on the Mr. Clean brand. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning has rated the Multi Surface Cleaner formula, and here's what that published data actually says, along with EWG-rated alternatives if the grade gives you pause.
EWG grades are published by the Environmental Working Group at ewg.org/cleaners. Mr. Clean's parent company updates formulas over time and sells more products than this article covers, so verify the current grade for your specific bottle before assuming this rating still applies.
What EWG Rates for Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner
| EWG Guide Grade | Product | Flagged Concerns (per EWG) |
|---|---|---|
| F | Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh | Some concern for asthma/respiratory, some concern for skin allergies & irritation, some environmental concern; flagged ingredients fragrance, prenyl acetate, and hexyl cinnamal |
Source: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners). Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh: ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5561-MrCleanMultiSurfaceCleanerLiquidwithGainOriginalFresh. EWG's data for this product is dated November 8, 2022: formulas can change since a rating was last updated, so verify the current grade for your specific bottle at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing. Mr. Clean sells other products, including Magic Eraser sponges and bathroom-specific sprays, which carry their own separate EWG database entries and are not covered by this article's grade. These grades are the independent work of EWG; NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
What an F Grade Means on EWG's Scale
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning scores products A through F using a weight-of-evidence approach that combines ingredient hazard data with how completely the brand discloses its formula on the label. An F sits at the bottom of that scale. It is not a government safety finding, a recall, or a clinical result: it reflects EWG's analysis of the disclosed ingredients against its own hazard criteria.
For Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh, EWG's record flags some concern for asthma and respiratory effects, some concern for skin allergies and irritation, and some environmental concern, tied to three named ingredients: fragrance, prenyl acetate, and hexyl cinnamal. EWG notes good ingredient disclosure on this formula, meaning the F grade reflects the hazard profile of what's disclosed, not a lack of transparency. No data is listed for developmental, reproductive, or cancer-related concerns on this specific formula.
This Mr. Clean formula does not carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark, which requires a Grade A or B in the Guide, passing EWG's additional ingredient screening, and full ingredient disclosure including individual fragrance components.
Is Mr. Clean Safe? What the Data Shows
There isn't a single yes-or-no answer, because the grade is specific to one formula, not the whole Mr. Clean lineup. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning rates Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh at Grade F, citing fragrance, prenyl acetate, and hexyl cinnamal as flagged ingredients. That grade reflects EWG's independent assessment of disclosed ingredients, not a regulatory finding or a health guarantee, and it doesn't extend to Magic Eraser sponges, bathroom sprays, or any other Mr. Clean product, each of which has its own separate EWG entry. Families following EWG's guidance typically look for Grade A, Grade B, or EWG VERIFIED® products in this category, and the Mr. Clean formula checked here does not currently reach that tier.
EWG-Rated Alternatives for All-Purpose Cleaning
The products below carry either the EWG VERIFIED® mark or a Grade A in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. EWG VERIFIED® is the stricter designation: a product must score Grade A or B in the Guide, pass EWG's additional ingredient screening, and disclose every ingredient on the label, including individual fragrance components. Grade A alone reflects EWG's database assessment of publicly available ingredient information without that same direct-disclosure requirement.
For more EWG-rated picks in this category, see our EWG-rated all-purpose cleaner guide, and for the bathroom specifically, our EWG VERIFIED® bathroom cleaner picks cover tub, tile, and shower.
ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Unscented, 27 fl oz (ASIN: B08T32QLNY, $6.95): EWG VERIFIED®
ATTITUDE's unscented all-purpose spray carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark and is formulated with 94%+ naturally derived ingredients, making it one of the closest direct swaps for a Mr. Clean spray bottle. The unscented formula avoids added fragrance entirely. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
ATTITUDE All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Unscented, 27 fl oz: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
AspenClean All Purpose Cleaner Spray, 22 oz, Pack of 2 (ASIN: B0GFXP3K5W, $29.99): EWG VERIFIED®
AspenClean's all-purpose cleaner is plant-derived and Canadian-made, and the brand's full line of 21 rated products all hold EWG VERIFIED® status. The two-pack suits households replacing an everyday cleaner at a similar use frequency to Mr. Clean, with a refill subscription available for regular users.
AspenClean All Purpose Cleaner Spray, 22 oz, Pack of 2: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
SQUEAK All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Tea Tree & Citrus, 16 oz (ASIN: B07PGK4T7Q, $13.95): EWG VERIFIED®
SQUEAK's all-purpose spray is EWG VERIFIED® and formulated almost entirely from certified organic essential oils and water, including tea tree leaf oil, orange peel oil, and lemon fruit oil. We note that EWG VERIFIED® status reflects ingredient transparency and hazard standards, not disinfection efficacy claims.
SQUEAK All Purpose Cleaner Spray, Tea Tree & Citrus, 16 oz: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
Branch Basics Concentrate Refill, 2-Pack (33.8 oz), Fragrance-Free (ASIN: B0H7SZP94J, $92.87): EWG VERIFIED®
Branch Basics Concentrate is EWG VERIFIED® and fragrance-free, and dilutes into all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent, and more from a single concentrate. This refill two-pack is the better value for households that have already committed to Branch Basics' reusable spray bottles.
Branch Basics Concentrate Refill, 2-Pack (33.8 oz), Fragrance-Free: EWG VERIFIED® : Buy on Amazon ↗
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner, Fir & Spruce, 32 oz (ASIN: B00016QTYO, $14.99), EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: Grade A
Sal Suds is a concentrated surfactant cleaner, not a soap, that works on counters, floors, dishes, and laundry once diluted, and it carries a Grade A in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. It's the lowest-priced pick here and a little goes a long way once diluted per the label.
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner, Fir & Spruce, 32 oz: EWG Guide Grade A : Buy on Amazon ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mr. Clean toxic?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh an F, citing fragrance, prenyl acetate, and hexyl cinnamal as flagged ingredients tied to some concern for asthma/respiratory and skin allergy effects. That's EWG's independent assessment, not a government safety finding, and NonToxicFinder makes no separate health claim about this or any other Mr. Clean product. Families following EWG's guidance can look to the EWG-rated alternatives above as lower-concern options per EWG's published data.
Q: What does an EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning F grade mean?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning scores products A through F using a weight-of-evidence approach combining ingredient hazard data with disclosure completeness. An F sits at the bottom of that scale. For the Mr. Clean formula checked here, EWG notes good ingredient disclosure, so the F reflects the hazard profile of the disclosed ingredients rather than a lack of transparency.
Q: Does EWG rate every Mr. Clean product the same way?
No. This article covers one specific, corroborated formula: Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner Liquid with Gain, Original Fresh, at Grade F. Mr. Clean sells other products under the same brand, and each one has its own separate EWG database entry with its own grade. This article doesn't speak to those other products one way or another.
Q: Is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser the same as the Multi Surface Cleaner?
No. Magic Eraser sponges are a different product line from the Multi Surface Cleaner liquid covered in this article, with their own separate EWG entry and grade (if rated). Nothing in this article's Grade F applies to Magic Eraser or to any other Mr. Clean product.
Q: What's a safer all-purpose cleaner EWG rates highly?
The EWG-rated alternatives section above lists five options, four carrying the EWG VERIFIED® mark (ATTITUDE, AspenClean, SQUEAK, and Branch Basics) and one carrying a Grade A in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning (Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds). Our EWG-rated all-purpose cleaner guide covers additional picks in the same category.
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.
EWG Disclaimer: All EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades and EWG VERIFIED® statuses cited in this article are published by the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with EWG. EWG's ratings reflect its own assessment methodology and are not government safety findings or health guarantees. Verify current grades at ewg.org/cleaners and ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
