Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day · Hand Sanitizer
Mrs. Meyer's Basil Hand Sanitizer Spray
Lower PFAS concern for this hand sanitizer spray formulation; no coatings or water-resistant treatments typical of PFAS use.
Mrs. Meyer's Basil Hand Sanitizer Spray is a liquid cosmetic with no known fluorinated coatings, nonstick treatments, or water-repellent finishes that would require PFAS. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status, but the product category and typical formulation (water, ethanol, plant extracts) present lower concern.
Shop Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day on Amazon →Material
water, alcohol, plant extracts, essential oil
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
Mrs. Meyer's Basil Hand Sanitizer Spray is a water and ethanol (or isopropanol) base blended with plant-derived extracts and basil essential oil. Hand sanitizers in this formulation class carry minimal toxicity risk because the active ingredients are volatile alcohols that evaporate quickly and do not bioaccumulate. The plant extracts and essential oils are used at low concentrations for fragrance and mild antimicrobial claims, not structural coating, this means no concerns about leaching or degradation over shelf life.
The brand's record and disclosure
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day is owned by SC Johnson and markets itself as plant-derived and cruelty-free; the brand maintains basic ingredient transparency on packaging and website. No major recalls or safety controversies have been established for this product line. The brand does not publicly emphasize PFAS avoidance in hand sanitizers, though the category itself is low-risk for intentional PFAS addition (no water-repellent or nonstick coatings needed in a spray).
How it compares in its category
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers dominate consumer preference and regulatory approval (FDA monograph for 60-95% ethanol or isopropanol). Mrs. Meyer's sits in the mainstream middle: more fragrant and plant-marketed than clinical brands like Purell, but chemically simpler than foaming or gel variants that may include thickeners or preservatives. No meaningful safety advantage or disadvantage versus generic alcohol hand sanitizer; the basil/plant angle is marketing-driven.
If you buy it
Apply as directed (small amount to hands, rub until dry) and allow full evaporation before handling food or touching face if desired. Store at room temperature away from heat and flame sources, as the alcohol base is flammable. No special maintenance needed; shelf life is typically 2-3 years. Do not ingest, and keep out of reach of children and pets.
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.”
Alcohol irritation and sensitization
Ethanol and isopropanol can cause skin irritation, drying, or contact dermatitis with repeated or prolonged exposure, especially on broken skin or sensitive individuals. Essential oils like basil may trigger allergic contact dermatitis in a small subset of users; no recalls for this specific product are on record.
Fragrance allergens (basil essential oil)
Basil essential oil contains linalool, limonene, and other volatile compounds that can trigger allergic reactions or sensitization in susceptible individuals. Prevalence of basil oil sensitivity is low but documented; Mrs. Meyer's does not provide hypoallergenic variants of this formula.
Accidental ingestion risk (children/pets)
Hand sanitizer sprays are a known poisoning vector for young children attracted to fruity or herbal scents; ethanol concentration of 60%+ poses acute CNS depression risk if swallowed in quantity. Keep this product out of reach as standard practice for all hand sanitizers.
Preservative-related microbial growth (if opened/contaminated)
Alcohol-based formulations are inherently antimicrobial and self-preserving; no documented contamination issues exist for Mrs. Meyer's hand sanitizer. Risk is negligible if container is sealed and handled normally.
Inhalation risk from spray aerosolization
Spray delivery creates fine mist inhalation exposure to ethanol vapor and essential oil compounds. Risk is very low with brief, outdoor, or well-ventilated use, but repeated heavy indoor spraying in enclosed spaces could irritate respiratory tract in sensitive individuals.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Sanitizer
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Lower-concern choice; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula reduce PFAS risk significantly.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist
Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
Lower-concern choice; hand mist format and brand transparency reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Honest Company
The Honest Company SANI SPRAY-2OZ-GRAPEFRUIT
Water-based formula (spray disinfectant)
Lower-concern buy; transparent brand with third-party backing on PFAS.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand sanitizer 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.