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Pine-Sol has been in the cleaning aisle for decades, and most parents searching "is Pine-Sol safe" are holding either the pine-scented Original formula or one of its many Multi-Surface Cleaner scent variants. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning has rated several of these products, and the grades aren't the same across the lineup. Here's what EWG's published data says about specific Pine-Sol formulas and where higher-rated alternatives exist in the same category.
EWG grades are published by the Environmental Working Group at ewg.org/cleaners. Clorox, which owns the Pine-Sol brand, updates formulas over time, so verify the current grade for your specific bottle before assuming an older or newer rating still applies.
What EWG Rates About Pine-Sol's Formulas
| EWG Guide Grade | Product | Flagged Concerns (per EWG) |
|---|---|---|
| D | Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner, Original | Undisclosed fragrance and named fragrance allergens (Hexyl Cinnamal, d-Limonene, Acetophenone); some concern for asthma/respiratory and skin allergies & irritation |
| C | Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Lavender | Fragrance ingredients; moderate hazard tier overall |
| C | Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Garden Fresh | Fragrance ingredients; moderate hazard tier overall |
Source: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning (ewg.org/cleaners). The Original formula's EWG record was last updated May 29, 2026 and additionally shows some concern for developmental & reproductive toxicity, with low concern for cancer and environmental impact. Verify current grades at ewg.org/cleaners/brand/6546-PineSol/ before purchasing. These grades are the independent work of EWG; NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
What a Grade D or C 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 much of the formula is disclosed on the label. Grade D sits in the lower half of that scale; Grade C is a step above it but still short of the A or B threshold EWG requires for its EWG VERIFIED® mark. Neither grade is a government safety finding, a recall, or a clinical result. It reflects EWG's analysis of the disclosed ingredients and how completely the brand disclosed them.
For the Original formula, the main driver behind the D grade is the ingredient label's undisclosed "Fragrance" entry alongside four named fragrance components: Hexyl Cinnamal, d-Limonene, Acetophenone, and Myrcene. The first three are recognized fragrance allergens. An ingredient label listing "fragrance" as a single word can conceal dozens of additional compounds that EWG has no way to individually assess, which is one of the most common reasons cleaning products score low across EWG's entire database, not just for this brand.
The Lavender and Garden Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaners score a full letter grade higher at C, though EWG's public data still attributes that gap mainly to differences in the specific fragrance blend rather than a fundamentally different base formula. None of the three products currently carries EWG VERIFIED® status, which would require a Grade A or B along with full ingredient disclosure and passing EWG's additional ingredient screening.
Is Pine-Sol Safe? What the Data Shows
There isn't a single yes-or-no answer, because the grade depends on which bottle is on the shelf. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning rates Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner, Original at Grade D, and the Lavender and Garden Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaners at Grade C. Both grades reflect EWG's independent assessment of disclosed ingredients, not a regulatory finding or a health guarantee. Families following EWG's guidance typically look for Grade A, Grade B, or EWG VERIFIED® products across any cleaning category, and none of the Pine-Sol formulas checked here currently reach that tier.
EWG VERIFIED® Alternatives for Floor and Multi-Surface Cleaning
The products below carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark, EWG's strictest cleaning-product designation. To earn it, a product must score Grade A or B in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, pass EWG's additional ingredient screening, and disclose every ingredient on the label, including individual fragrance components. These are non-disinfecting multi-surface and floor cleaners, the same category as Pine-Sol's Original and Multi-Surface lines; if a task calls for an EPA-registered disinfecting product, check the label of any cleaner, including Pine-Sol's own disinfecting line, for an EPA registration number.
For more options in this category, see our guide to EWG VERIFIED® floor cleaners and our broader roundup of non-toxic cleaning products rated by EWG.
AspenClean Floor Cleaner Spray, 22 oz, Pack of 2 (ASIN: B0GQF25C7J, $29.99): EWG VERIFIED®
AspenClean's ready-to-use floor spray works on hardwood, laminate, tile, ceramic, and stone without rinsing. The fragrance-free, organic-ingredient formula carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark, and the two-bottle pack suits households replacing an everyday cleaner like Pine-Sol's Original at a similar use frequency. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
AspenClean Floor Cleaner Spray 22oz 2-Pack: EWG VERIFIED® , Buy on Amazon ↗
ATTITUDE Floor Cleaner, Citrus Zest, 35 fl oz (ASIN: B00514DCJ6, $8.33): EWG VERIFIED®
ATTITUDE's ready-to-use floor cleaner is the closest price match to a bottle of Pine-Sol, and it's the scented option among the alternatives here if a citrus scent is preferred over a fragrance-free formula. It works on tile, hardwood, and laminate and is plant-based and vegan. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
ATTITUDE Floor Cleaner Citrus Zest 35 fl oz: EWG VERIFIED® , Buy on Amazon ↗
AspenClean Floor Cleaner Concentrate, 18 fl oz (ASIN: B07PTBRG8V, $39.99): EWG VERIFIED®
For households that go through a bottle of Pine-Sol every few weeks, AspenClean's concentrate dilutes into roughly 18 ready-to-use bottles from a single 18 fl oz container, which lowers the cost per wash and cuts down on plastic waste over time. Same EWG VERIFIED® formula as AspenClean's spray, just diluted before use. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED® status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
AspenClean Floor Cleaner Concentrate 18 fl oz: EWG VERIFIED® , Buy on Amazon ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I stop using Pine-Sol around kids based on EWG's grade?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner, Original at a D and its Lavender and Garden Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaners at a C, flagging fragrance ingredients as the main driver. EWG grades are not government safety findings, and NonToxicFinder makes no independent health claim about Pine-Sol. Families following EWG's guidance can look to the EWG VERIFIED® alternatives above as lower-concern options per EWG's published data. For personal health guidance, consult a qualified medical professional.
Q: Does every Pine-Sol scent get the same EWG grade?
No. This article covers three specific Pine-Sol products with grades documented in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning: the Original formula at Grade D, and the Lavender and Garden Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaners at Grade C. Pine-Sol sells additional scents and formats, and grades can differ by scent and by formula update. Verify the current grade for your specific bottle at ewg.org/cleaners/brand/6546-PineSol/.
Q: What is the difference between an EWG Guide grade and EWG VERIFIED®?
These are two distinct EWG assessments. Guide grades (A through F) score a product in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning database by ingredient hazard and disclosure completeness. EWG VERIFIED® is a separate, stricter mark: a product must score A or B in the Guide, pass additional EWG ingredient screening, and disclose every ingredient, including individual fragrance components, on its label. AspenClean and ATTITUDE in this article carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark; none of the Pine-Sol products checked here do.
Q: Are Pine-Sol's disinfecting formulas covered by these grades?
This article covers Pine-Sol's standard all-purpose and multi-surface cleaning formulas, not any EPA-registered disinfecting product the brand may sell separately. If a cleaning task requires an EPA-registered disinfectant with a verified pathogen kill claim, check the product label for an EPA registration number; the alternatives listed here are multi-surface cleaners without that claim.
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.
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.
