Ecos · Hand Soap
Earth Friendly Hand Soap Refill
Lower PFAS concern for this simple hand soap formulation, but brand makes no explicit commitment.
Ecos hand soap is a liquid soap refill with no inherent PFAS indicators, hand soaps rarely require water repellency, grease resistance, or nonstick coatings. The formulation is plant-based and aqueous, presenting lower structural risk.
Shop Ecos on Amazon →Material
aqueous soap solution (plant-derived surfactants, water, glycerin)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Ecos hand soap refills use plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut or palm-based), water, and glycerin as a humectant. This aqueous solution formulation avoids synthetic surfactants common in conventional soaps and carries no volatile organics that evaporate during use. The refill format itself reduces packaging waste, lowering cumulative exposure risk across multiple uses.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ecos is owned by Earth Friendly Products, which has been manufacturing plant-based cleaners since 1967 and maintains EPA Safer Choice certification for many products. The brand publishes ingredient lists and avoids phthalates and parabens across its line. However, Ecos does not make explicit PFAS commitments in public disclosures, leaving uncertainty about intentional use or contamination in manufacturing.
How it compares in its category
Hand soap refills are among the lowest-risk personal care products. Ecos positions itself above mass-market brands (which often contain triclosan, synthetic fragrance allergens, or antimicrobial agents) but alongside other plant-based alternatives like Mrs. Meyer's or Seventh Generation. All three avoid known endocrine disruptors; the main differentiator is packaging waste and fragrance sourcing transparency.
If you buy it
Store refills in a cool, dark place to preserve plant surfactant integrity. Hand soap does not require heating or special maintenance. Replace when product separates or develops odor (typically 12-24 months for unopened refills). For sensitive skin, test a small amount first since plant-derived fragrances can trigger contact dermatitis in rare cases.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens
Ecos products use botanical fragrance blends rather than synthetic fragrances. While generally lower-risk, plant-derived essential oils can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in individuals with fragrance intolerance, especially with repeated hand washing.
1,4-dioxane contamination
No public records of 1,4-dioxane detection in Ecos hand soap formulations. Plant-based surfactant production has lower dioxane risk than ethoxylated synthetic alternatives, though third-party testing data are not publicly available.
Heavy metals in botanical extracts
Ecos does not disclose heavy metal testing for botanical ingredients. Plant-derived surfactants and glycerin can accumulate trace metals depending on agricultural sourcing, but no recalls or reported contamination in this product line exist.
Formaldehyde releasers
Hand soap formulations do not typically require formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Ecos does not list any known releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) in disclosed ingredients.
Microplastic beads
This liquid refill format contains no exfoliating particles or microbeads. Ecos discontinued microplastic products ahead of regulatory bans and does not use them in current hand soap lines.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Hand Soap
Ecos
Orange Hand Soap
Plant-based surfactants, water, essential oils (orange)
Lower concern, solid plant-based formula with credible third-party oversight; no PFAS-prone materials.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash, Free Clean
aqueous surfactants, botanicals, water-based formula
Lower PFAS concern; buy with confidence if skin-sensitivity is a priority.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Liquid Hand Soap Free & Clean
Water-based liquid soap formulation
Lower-concern choice; no PFAS expected in liquid soap format, but verification limited to brand claims.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand soap grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.