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Scrubbing Bubbles is one of the most recognizable bathroom-cleaner brands on U.S. store shelves, and a parent searching "is Scrubbing Bubbles safe" usually already has a bottle under the sink. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning has rated several Scrubbing Bubbles formulas, including the brand's "Nature's Source" line marketed as a gentler option, and the published grades range from D to F. Here is what EWG's data actually says about specific Scrubbing Bubbles products, what those grades flag, and where higher-rated alternatives exist for the same bathroom-cleaning tasks.
EWG grades are published by the Environmental Working Group at ewg.org/cleaners. SC Johnson, which owns the Scrubbing Bubbles 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 Scrubbing Bubbles's Formulas
| EWG Guide Grade | Product | Flagged Concerns (per EWG) |
|---|---|---|
| F | Scrubbing Bubbles Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner, Fresh Clean | Ingredient of concern: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides C12-16; some concern for asthma/respiratory and developmental & reproductive toxicity; low concern for cancer |
| F | Scrubbing Bubbles Daily Shower Soap Scum & Mildew Stain Cleaner | Disclosure and formula concerns consistent with EWG's published record for this product; see the product page for full ingredient-level detail |
| D | Scrubbing Bubbles Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner | Skin allergies & irritation, acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects; incomplete ingredient disclosure |
| F | Scrubbing Bubbles Color Power Bathroom Cleaner | Disclosure and formula concerns consistent with EWG's published record for this product; see the product page for full ingredient-level detail |
Source: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning (Antibacterial Fresh Clean record, Daily Shower record, Nature's Source record, Color Power record). Verify current grades at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing. These grades are the independent work of EWG; NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
What These Grades Flag
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 a brand discloses those ingredients on the label. A Grade F sits at the bottom of that scale; Grade D is one step up but still well short of the A or B threshold EWG requires before a product can even be considered 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 ingredients Scrubbing Bubbles disclosed and how completely it disclosed them.
For the Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner, Fresh Clean formula, EWG's published data lists alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-16) as an ingredient of concern, alongside some flagged concern for asthma and respiratory effects and for developmental and reproductive toxicity, with low flagged concern for cancer. The Daily Shower Soap Scum & Mildew Stain Cleaner and the Color Power Bathroom Cleaner also grade F on EWG's Guide. The Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner, despite its "natural" branding, grades a D: EWG's published concerns for this formula include skin allergies and irritation, acute aquatic toxicity, and respiratory effects, along with incomplete ingredient disclosure on the label. None of these four products currently carries EWG VERIFIED™ status.
Does EWG Rate the Whole Brand, or Just Specific Products?
EWG does not issue one grade for "Scrubbing Bubbles" as a brand. It rates individual product formulas, and those formulas can land anywhere on the A-to-F scale depending on the specific ingredients used and how fully they are disclosed. The four products checked for this article, the Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner Fresh Clean, the Daily Shower Soap Scum & Mildew Stain Cleaner, and the Color Power Bathroom Cleaner, all grade F, while the Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner grades D; a different Scrubbing Bubbles SKU not covered here could carry a different grade, and SC Johnson can reformulate any product at any time. EWG is an independent nonprofit. It does not certify, endorse, or partner with Scrubbing Bubbles, SC Johnson, or NonToxicFinder, and a low grade on these products is not a statement about the company as a whole. NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with EWG.
EWG-Rated Alternatives for Bathroom Cleaning
The three picks below carry a stated EWG basis, either the EWG VERIFIED™ mark or an EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning Grade A, and cover the same tub, tile, shower, and toilet-bowl tasks as Scrubbing Bubbles's bathroom cleaner line. For more options in this category, see our guide to EWG VERIFIED™ bathroom cleaner picks and our broader roundup of non-toxic all-purpose cleaners rated by EWG.
ATTITUDE Bathroom Cleaner Spray, Citrus Zest, 27 fl oz (ASIN: B001QXKG8G, $6.95): EWG VERIFIED™
ATTITUDE's ready-to-use spray targets soap scum, hard water marks, and everyday grime on tub, tile, and shower surfaces. It carries the EWG VERIFIED™ mark, EWG's strictest cleaning-product designation, and is plant-based and vegan with a citrus scent. Confirm current EWG VERIFIED™ status at ewg.org/ewgverified before purchasing.
ATTITUDE Bathroom Cleaner Spray Citrus Zest 27 fl oz: EWG VERIFIED™ , Buy on Amazon ↗
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh, 25 oz (ASIN: B004T33D3A, $15.29): EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning Grade A
Ecover's toilet bowl cleaner covers the one bathroom-cleaning task the sprays above don't reach. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades it an A, the top tier on EWG's letter scale, and it uses a pine scent similar to familiar toilet-bowl cleaners. Confirm the current grade at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing.
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner Pine Fresh 25 oz: EWG Guide Grade A , Buy on Amazon ↗
ECOS Shower Cleaner with Tea Tree Oil, 22 oz (ASIN: B0069GUUUE, $10.88): EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning Grade A
Earth Friendly Products' ECOS shower cleaner with tea tree oil is a no-rinse daily spray for shower walls, doors, and tile. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades it an A. Stock on this listing has been limited as of publication, so check current availability before relying on it as a one-time purchase. Confirm the current grade at ewg.org/cleaners before purchasing.
ECOS Shower Cleaner with Tea Tree Oil 22 oz: EWG Guide Grade A , Buy on Amazon ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Scrubbing Bubbles toxic?
NonToxicFinder does not make an independent health or safety claim about Scrubbing Bubbles. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning grades the Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner Fresh Clean, Daily Shower Soap Scum & Mildew Stain Cleaner, and Color Power Bathroom Cleaner each an F, and the Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner a D, flagging specific ingredients and disclosure gaps rather than issuing a safety verdict. Those grades are the independent work of EWG, not a government finding. For personal health guidance, consult a qualified medical professional.
Q: Does EWG rate every Scrubbing Bubbles product the same?
No. This article covers four specific Scrubbing Bubbles products with grades documented in EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning: the Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner Fresh Clean, the Daily Shower Soap Scum & Mildew Stain Cleaner, and the Color Power Bathroom Cleaner each grade F, while the Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner grades D. Scrubbing Bubbles sells additional formulas and scents, and grades can differ by product and by formula update. Verify the current grade for your specific bottle at ewg.org/cleaners.
Q: Is the "Nature's Source" line actually safer?
EWG's published grade for the Nature's Source Bathroom Cleaner is a D, one step above the Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner's F but still well below the A or B tier EWG associates with its lowest-concern cleaning products. The "Nature's Source" name is marketing language, not an EWG designation, and EWG's own data does not place this formula in its top tier.
Q: Does EWG certify or endorse Scrubbing Bubbles?
No. EWG is an independent nonprofit that rates individual product formulas against its own published criteria. It does not certify, endorse, sponsor, or partner with Scrubbing Bubbles, SC Johnson, or any brand it rates. NonToxicFinder is likewise not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with EWG; we reference EWG's published ratings only.
Q: What's a higher-rated alternative for bathroom cleaning?
ATTITUDE Bathroom Cleaner Spray, Citrus Zest carries the EWG VERIFIED™ mark, and both the Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner and the ECOS Shower Cleaner with Tea Tree Oil grade A on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. All three are detailed above, and more options are available in our EWG VERIFIED™ bathroom cleaner guide.
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.
