Ecos · Hand Soap
ECOS Free & Clear Hand Soap Refill
Lower-concern hand soap; transparency-forward brand with PFAS-free positioning and third-party safety certification.
ECOS Free & Clear Hand Soap is a liquid cleanser with no inherent PFAS risk, hand soaps rarely require water-repellent or grease-resistant coatings that introduce forever chemicals. The brand explicitly states no intentional PFAS use and holds MADE SAFE certification, a rigorous third-party standard.
Brand says: “ECOS products are formulated without intentionally added PFAS; Free & Clear line emphasizes gentle, transparent formulation”
Material
water-based surfactants, plant-derived cleansers, aqueous liquid
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
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 Free & Clear is a water-based liquid soap using plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut or vegetable oils) rather than synthetic petroleum-based cleansers. The aqueous formulation means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas into air like some bar soaps or concentrated cleaners. No Teflon-type coating (Teflon), ceramic coatings, or heavy metal pigments are present in a liquid hand soap, eliminating leaching risks tied to cookware or cosmetics with mineral colorants. The 'Free & Clear' designation typically signals absence of dyes, perfumes, and other common allergens or irritants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ecos is owned by Seventh Generation and has maintained a transparency-forward reputation, publishing ingredient lists and pursuing third-party certifications (e.g., EPA Safer Choice, which requires PFAS-free status). The brand has not been subject to major product recalls or undisclosed ingredient controversies in recent public records. Their 'Free & Clear' line is specifically marketed to minimize irritants, aligning with disclosed formulation practices. No known pattern of greenwashing violations or regulatory warnings on file for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Liquid hand soaps are generally lower-hazard than bar soaps (no concentrated surfactant burns if ingested by small children) and avoid the antimicrobial additive triclosan that has been phased out of many alternatives since FDA restrictions. ECOS positions itself in the 'natural/plant-based' segment, competing with brands like Mrs. Meyer's and Seventh Generation; its PFAS-free certification and lack of synthetic fragrance places it above mass-market brands that often contain undisclosed fragrance compounds and antimicrobials. Refill format reduces packaging waste, a sustainability choice rather than a safety distinction.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label; no special storage precautions needed beyond keeping out of reach of young children (standard for all soaps). Liquid hand soap does not require heat exposure or special handling. Replace when empty or if the bottle develops cracks (no leaching risk from the plastic housing itself in normal use, but physical integrity matters for hygiene). Refill bottles are designed for pump dispensers; check compatibility with your existing pump to avoid waste.
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.”
1,4-dioxane contamination
Dioxane is a byproduct of ethoxylated surfactants; 'Free & Clear' formulations and plant-derived surfactants typically avoid ethoxylation, but no independent third-party test result on file for this specific product. Brand transparency and EPA Safer Choice alignment suggest low likelihood.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed compounds
The 'Free & Clear' designation explicitly signals absence of added fragrance; no synthetic or natural fragrance allergens listed. Ecos ingredient transparency is above industry average, reducing risk of hidden fragrance components like limonene or linalool that trigger contact dermatitis.
Heavy metals in pigments or colorants
Liquid hand soap contains no pigmented coatings or ceramic glazes; the product is either uncolored or uses FDA-approved colorants. No lead, cadmium, or antimony exposure routes in this formulation type.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
Formaldehyde preservatives (like quaternium-15 or imidazolidinyl urea) are absent in plant-derived, plant-preservative formulations typical of Ecos. No preservative-related recalls or complaints in public record for this product.
Plastic housing leachables (bottle)
The refill bottle is plastic and exposed to aqueous contents; BPA or BPS leaching is possible if bottle material is polycarbonate, though low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are more common for liquid soap and carry minimal leaching risk at room temperature. Ecos does not disclose bottle material on standard labels; direct contact with manufacturer clarifies materia
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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.