Meet Method, the Ben & Jerry’s of Cleaning Products

At first glance, it may seem that cleaning products and ice cream don’t have much in common. One is there to cut the grime of dirty dishes and soiled laundry, the other to offer a sweet and satisfying treat. But if you look under the cap, there’s one cleaning brand that has a good deal in common with a scoop of Phish Food. Meet Method, the Ben & Jerry’s of cleaning products.

Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry— two roommates with jobs in advertising and climate science— founded Method to create a cleaning product that was both non-toxic and didn’t need to be hidden under the kitchen sink. Eric and Adam were out to make quality products with a positive impact, so they started Method as B Corp (Ben & Jerry’s is a B corp too, see where this is headed?), a new type of corporation that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

But first they had to change perceptions about how a sustainable cleaner could really cut it, so the duo’s prime focus was on plant-based solutions that can tackle the dirtiest situations. And it worked. Whether it’s a week-old casserole pan or the fallout from a toddler playdate, messes don’t stand a chance against Method’s lineup of products— which as a rule, look nice enough to leave on the countertop, and smell pretty lovely, too.

A strong commitment to responsible sourcing and an efficient manufacturing, packaging and distribution infrastructure backs up the product’s performance. When you’re out of cleaning spray, for example, you don’t just have to grab another plastic bottle— Method offers refills. It’s all part of their Cradle-to-Cradle certified design and manufacturing process that maximizes output and minimizes material waste. In fact, one look at the story behind the soap tells you that these guys are actually having a blast turning the industry on its head by rethinking everything involved in cleaning products. It’s not just a brand at this point, it’s “people against dirty.”

In the end, Method’s innovation makes cleaning non-toxic and actually fun: just the sort of jovial disruption that we get out of spooning out Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in the middle of a workday. So yeah, there’s more than a little bit in common here… No wonder Method and Ben & Jerry’s are both Made to Matter brands that you can find at your local Target store.