We Tested the Method Concentrated Laundry Detergent

We bought a bottle of method detergent so we could test it out in a variety of laundry scenarios. Keep reading to find out how our writer got on with it in her home.

Finding a plant-based laundry detergent you can rely solely on for fighting tough stains isn’t always easy. But we’ve tested Method Concentrated Laundry Detergent to see if it’s worth having in your cleaning cupboard.

It’s a cleaning product that uses mostly natural ingredients in its biodegradable formula, has fully recyclable packaging, and is cruelty-free. It also has a delicious range of scents, including Ginger Mango, Peony Blush, and Beach Sage.

It all sounds rather impressive, but does this green laundry detergent have the mighty cleaning power of its competitors? Keep reading our in-depth review to find out for yourself.

A Modern Bottle With Clear and Concise Information

I liked the look of the Method bottle from first glance with its streamlined shape and clear information. It covers instructions, ingredients, safety details, and certified stickers without looking too cluttered.

The Cradle-to-Cradle Gold certified label lets you know that Method’s concentrated formula is kind to the planet. And the Leaping Bunny logo shows it’s also kind to animals.

With more people wanting to go green, I like how quick and simple it is to find this information. Ingredients of plant or mineral origins are highlighted for reference purposes.

The full list of ingredients is still pretty hard to decipher, so you will need to do more research if you want the full details of your purchase. But Method has made it as easy as possible to understand what’s in their detergent.

I won’t go into too many details, but Method uses 98% biodegradable ingredients and is:

• Vegan (free from any animal byproducts)
• Cruelty-free
• Formaldehyde, phthalate, and paraben-free
• Hypoallergenic

The label also has details on where to find loads more helpful resources online, which is a nice touch.

Worth Buying Just for the Scent

The scent is one of the biggest selling points. There’s an aroma to please every nose, from the much-loved Method Beach Sage fragrance all the way to Free + Clear unscented.

Testing Insight

I’m using the Peony Blush, and the floral notes bring the feeling of a spring day into my home every time I do a load of laundry. And one little capful is enough to leave every towel, blanket, and shirt with a delightful smell for days.

I love opening the closet and breathing in the smell of fresh air and sunshine instead of musty clothes.

I would say the scent lasts longer and is more noticeable for air-dried clothes than those put into the dryer. But I think that’s true of most laundry detergents. And I didn’t notice any sort of chemical whiff regardless of how they were dried.

Another bonus of Method is how you can shop a range of products in the same scents. I love clean washing that looks and smells amazing, so the ability to add dryer sheets and fabric softener in my favorite fragrance is a big selling point for me.

Cleaning Performance

The concentrated formula of Method means you don’t need to use loads to get your clothes clean. One capful in the detergent tray was enough for my daily washes, and I upped it a little to 1.5 capfuls for heavily soiled loads.

With a toddler and a dog, I need something that fights tough dirt stains. And I was impressed by how well Method coped, even at low temperatures.

It kept my colors bright and there wasn’t any accidental transfer to lighter clothes. I’m terrible for not separating laundry into lights and darks, so things tend to get jumbled together. But everything came out the same color it went in.

Testing Insight

And for those marks that don’t come out straight away, it’s easy to pre-treat them. Apply a little drop of the detergent to the stain and leave it for 5 minutes before popping it into the machine with similar items. This seems to do the trick, as I haven’t noticed any lingering marks.

I’d recommend testing an inconspicuous area, like the inside seam of pants to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage. Especially if you’re using any sort of delicate fabric. Although this detergent isn’t suitable for wool and silks.

Common Complaints

While I love Method, some complaints keep cropping up from other users. To help you make a balanced choice, here are the main ones I keep seeing:

Doesn’t Clean as Well as Expected

Some reviewers weren’t happy with how clean their clothes felt after using Method. Despite the scent of the detergent, their clothes didn’t smell fresh and there were still stains.

And people with animals found towels and blankets had fur left on them after going through the machine.

It’s safe to say that experiences vary though, as other reviewers were happy with how it tackled tough dirt.

Not as Concentrated as Other Method Products

Other products in the Method line, like soap, are 8x concentrated. It left some users wondering why the laundry detergent is only 4x concentrated.

It’s Not the Cheapest

Method laundry detergent isn’t the cheapest option, and the price put some people off from buying it again. Especially as you often need to bulk buy packs of 4 or more in one go.

You Need to Use More Than One Cap

If you follow care label instructions, you need to use a cap and a half at most. And even then that’s for larger and heavily soiled loads.

But there are reports of people using up to three caps and still not finding their clothes as fresh as they’d like.

The Scent Vanishes

While the scent of Method is strong at first, some users found it didn’t hang around for long. This is mentioned for the Ginger Mango scent more than any others.

Alternatives

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the other popular laundry detergents on the market right now.

Tide PODS Laundry Detergent

These convenient Tide pods pack a punch into each wash with 90% active ingredients in every capsule. The classic Spring Meadow scent smells great and is amazing for keeping whites white and colors bright.

Each pod combines detergent, stain removal power, and color protector. So you can do one big load of laundry knowing that each garment gets everything it needs, even at cooler temperatures.

Seventh Generation Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent

This unscented enzymatic cleaner is a great choice for sensitive skin with its lack of artificial brighteners and dyes. It’s Safer Choice certified and utilizes 96% plant-based stain-fighting ingredients. The recyclable packaging is also worth a mention.

The concentrated formula takes care of your clothes, your skin, and the environment at the same time. It’s one to consider if you like to use greener products.