Method is an American cleaning products company founded in 2000 by childhood friends Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry in San Francisco, California. Ryan, a marketer, and Lowry, a chemical engineer, set out to create cleaning products that were effective, environmentally responsible, and beautifully designed, challenging the conventional wisdom that cleaning products had to be toxic to work. Method was acquired by Ecover, a Belgian green cleaning company, in 2012, and both brands are now part of SC Johnson's portfolio following its acquisition in 2017.
Method's product range includes multi-surface cleaners, hand soaps, dish soaps, laundry detergents, bathroom cleaners, and hand washes. The brand is known for its distinctive, design-forward packaging created by industrial designer Karim Rashid, which has earned it shelf space in design museums alongside retail stores. Method products are formulated with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and are never tested on animals, earning Cradle to Cradle certification and B Corp status.
Method operates the South Side Soapbox in Chicago, one of the greenest manufacturing facilities in the consumer goods industry, featuring a rooftop greenhouse, wind turbines, and solar panels. The company was a pioneer in the green cleaning movement, proving that eco-friendly products could compete on performance, design, and price with conventional alternatives. Method's success helped catalyze a broader industry shift toward sustainable formulations and recyclable packaging. The brand continues to innovate with concentrated formulas, refill systems, and 100% recycled plastic bottles, maintaining its position as a leader in the premium sustainable cleaning products category.