This non-toxic glass cleaner leaves a streak free shine | Homes and Gardens

Jun 12, 2025

This plant-based cleaning product gets the experts' seal of approval, too

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Since moving into my home with my allergy-prone partner, I've made it my mission to achieve streak-free cleans on my reflective surfaces without using toxic substances.

Thankfully, in 2025, there are many ways to make a home less toxic. And switching over to planet-friendly cleaning products, like Method's Mint glass cleaner, is just one of the ways.

Over the years, I've tried many different cleaning solutions. But nothing has cleaned my mirrors and windows as well as this kinder-to-allergies cleaning product. To discover more, I spoke to a non-toxic specialist and professional cleaner to find out what makes this product so brilliant to use.

From 100% recycled plastic to the plant-based solution that's been made without ammonia – everything has been thought about when it comes to this planet-friendly spray. Along with ticking these non-toxic credentials, Method's spray will also leave your surfaces gleaming and your space smelling minty fresh.

Another person who swears by Method’s glass cleaner, describing it as one of her 'core products', is Sofia Martinez, founder & CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin.

'It’s effective, smells fresh without being overpowering, and aligns with our eco-conscious approach,' the professional cleaning expert explains.

Plus, Method's glass cleaner has also been 'green-rated' as it was rated a 'B', by the non-profit, Environmental Working Group (EWG), which shines a spotlight on practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment.

'For the best available cleaning options, we recommend choosing from green-rated (A or B) or EWG VERIFIED products found in our Guide to Healthy Cleaning,' says Samara Geller, senior director of cleaning science, consumer safety science.

After discovering this Method cleaning product, available at Walmart, last year, I've been using the brand's glass cleaner religiously – and I don't see this changing anytime soon

It's worth noting, according to EWG, three ingredients out of the eight were rated a 'C' or 'D'.

This includes the fragrance, polymeric pink and polymeric blue. 'The word ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a label is an umbrella term that can mask sometimes dozens of individual chemicals,' explains Samara.

While Samara says 'Polymeric Pink' and 'Polymeric Blue' are non-specific chemical names which only reveal their function as colorants or coloring agents to the public she explains that many companies use the terms 'dyes', 'colorants', or 'colors' instead of listing the specific chemicals.

'Many ‘colorants’, including polymeric pink and polymeric blue are considered trade secrets,' the Samara explains. 'The trade secret status of chemicals masks both structural data on the molecular makeup of an ingredient or mixture as well as the toxicity data from regulators, NGOs, academics and the public.'

While I love the smell of mint and use it religiously around my home, some may prefer to have an unscented glass and mirror cleaner. If that's the case, this Citra Solv Homesolv Natural Window & Glass Cleaner from Amazon, which has received an 'A' rating from EWG, could be better suited.

With some expert tips under your belt, achieving a streak-free finish isn't out of reach

Let's face it: learning how to clean a window or how to clean a mirror without streaks might not be rocket science, but it does take a little know-how to ensure you get a sparkly, streak-free finish.

For example, there are some window cleaning mistakes you'll want to avoid. Like failing to dust first or applying too much pressure.

Luckily, cleaning whizz Sofia has shared her words of cleaning wisdom.

'I recommend a deep clean every two to three months,' Sofia says. 'If you're near construction zones, high-traffic streets, or heavy pollen, monthly is better. Dirt buildup can dull natural light and shorten the life of the window surface over time.'

Whereas when it comes to freshening up your mirrors, Sofia recommends doing so every week. 'Weekly is a good baseline, though bathroom mirrors may need a wipe-down every few days, depending on humidity and water spots.'

Method's glass and window cleaner is best suited to those who are trying to create a less toxic space, yet they still want a product that's going to be effective on smudges and smears.

'From experience, I’ve found the key ingredient that makes it work so well is the inclusion of plant-based surfactants and corn-derived alcohol,' Sofia says. 'The alcohol allows the formula to evaporate quickly, which is essential for a streak-free finish, especially on sunny days or large windows.'

Therefore, this is a great non-toxic cleaning product to shop for if you're wanting to branch out to non-toxic cleaning supplies for your home.

Overall, I don't think you can go too far wrong with this cleaning product. It does what it says it will do on the tin – which is help you achieve a sparkly streak-free shine, without costing the earth.

I love the fact that Method's glass cleaner, available at Walmart, it's been 'green-rated' by EWG, meaning it's one of the safest available cleaning options around to have in your home.

But the icing on top of the cake for me is the fact that it doesn't upset my allergy-prone household.

8/10.

Expert-approved

'My go-to tool, is a high-quality microfiber cloth like this one from E-Cloth,' Sofia says. 'It grips onto dust and grease without scratching the surface and doesn’t shed lint like paper towels or lower-quality cloths. We use them daily, and I recommend them because they reduce the need for excess product while delivering a better finish.'

Refillable

The idea is simple: you fill your 'forever bottle' with warm water, drop in the plant-based tablet that's made from planet-friendly ingredients and you're good to clean! 'The refillable format is great for reducing plastic waste, and the formula performs surprisingly well,' Sofia adds.

EWG-certified

Scoring top marks, according to EWG, this gold standard non-toxic window cleaner will leave your windows sparkling. This all-natural glass cleaner contains essential lime oil, which helps to remove stains and fast, and it can be used on mirrors, windows, chrome faucets and metal hardware.

Samara works on a number of toxic and chemical transparency issues, including food packaging, antimicrobials and cleaning products. She specializes in developing and expanding EWG’s healthy cleaning consumer guides and programs, which help to awareness and influence market change. The expert also manages EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, which reviews and rates more than 3,100 household products based on ingredient hazards and disclosure.

Sofia has more than 15 years of cleaning experience in both residential and commercial settings. She's a big believer in using eco-friendly, non-toxic home essentials and environmentally responsible practices while delivering thorough, reliable cleaning to homes and businesses in Austin, Texas.

If you’re keen on discovering more ways to make your home planet-friendly, discover eco-friendly organizing tips for a more sustainable home, and check out these seven easy eco-home improvements to incorporate when organizing any space.

Plus, learn about the eco-friendly gadgets that can save you money and make your home more sustainable.

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Rebecca was a senior digital writer at Hearst Magazines before leaving her role to go freelance in 2019. Since then, she has written extensive homes and lifestyle content for leading brands including Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Real Homes, Good Housekeeping, Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms and House Beautiful. When she's not writing, Becks is trying out the latest viral cleaning and organizing hacks to see if they actually work, decluttering her home (because less is more this spring), or color-coding her bookshelf.

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