We’ve been using Method for years here. Originally because I saw the line at Target, I liked that their soap bottles were designed by Karim Rashid (hello, I’m a design nerd), and everything smelled nice.
You might think that a green company would be annoyed with a customer like me. People are supposed to choose eco-friendly products out of concern, trying to avoid toxic chemicals with regard to their health and the environmental impact, right? I was buying it because it was pretty. But here’s the thing — Method is a company based on ideals, but they’re also weird and quirky, and they care about design too. I was in San Francisco last week to meet with the team at their headquarters, and I liked the way Eric, one of the co-founders, described themselves:
It’s like if you found out Skittles were good for you.
So sure, everything looks great, but it works and is good for you (and our planet) too. My mother-in-law likes to clip articles for people. She saves things that she wants to share with us, and gives us a stack of photocopies, newspaper clippings, and magazine pages every so often. She recently gave me a roundup of all-purpose cleaners by Cook’s Illustrated. They tested and reviewed nine of the leading cleaners, and Method came out on top as their only “highly recommended” pick. Boom.
And as I said, they were a bit quirky too… Which I dig. We were able to see the behind the scenes making of the Method Clean Happy anthem, and after spending the day with the employees and seeing how passionate and all-around good they are, I really want this video to take off. It’s pretty awesome to watch, too. By the way, those people in the white suits and glasses? Method employees. (That Katie at the birthday party can really bust a move — we saw proof in the outtakes.)
I’ll share a few more of these videos throughout the year as they become available. You’re going to want to see that guy with the guitar sing, trust me.
Method HQ
Everything about my trip to Method’s headquarters was thoughtful, welcoming, and fun. If you want a mini-summit experience for yourself, you can enter to win a trip for two to San Francisco with a visit to Method’s HQ, lunch with the co-founders, and a year’s supply of Method goodies and other surprises. Enter to win (and see the complete list of rules and eligibility) over at Method’s Facebook page.
27 comments
Kristín
Jei! Eco & pretty!
Katie
I <3 Method! I just wish they sold their stuff in bulk @ Costco! (Although I guess that is Costco's fault more than theirs.) I love love love their flat pack hand soap refills! I love that it isn't a giant plastic bottle I have to throw away. And the tiny concentrated laundry detergent? Amazing. Extra amazing for apartment dwellers with tiny spaces.
I wish they carried something similar to the Meyers Basil scent. Mmmmm…
l
i see it now. just being super honest b/c it’s in very light pink it was not noticeable at all. i felt kinda duped by that… not trying to be a jerk. like i said i’m cool with sponsored posts – and what’s nice is that i’ve been meaning to buy some method products and now i will for sure :)
l
shouldn’t this be marked as a sponsored post? i don’t have a problem with sponsored posts, but i feel a bit uncomfortable when they’re not noted as sponsored.
Making it Lovely
It is marked — the very first line.
Mo
Skittles have vitamin C!
And yes, Method is good for you too:) I’m happy I’ve even been able to find some here in the UK, but don’t always purchase as I figure shipping isn’t the best. Shall have to confirm whether they have a local producer or not…
Circa1972vs1906
I am a Sweetwater junkie. I love the stuff. Hard to find now, though I’ve found that our Lowe’s carries the full line, now that Target doesn’t. I like that they have the refills. Nicole, I was scrolling through the “Project Nursery” weekly mailer and saw the “Method Mavens” photo and thought “wow, that gal looks JUST like Nicole.” and then I kept going back to it, thinking “that HAS to be her.” And it was. Nice!
Making it Lovely
Oh, gosh. Have you seen the photo of me in a jumpsuit? It’s out there… ;)
Circa1972vs1906
Yep! That’s the one! It’s cute!
Julia
I use their dishtabs–I really like that they are bleach/toxic free. with little ones running around I don’t have a lot of harmful chemicals around. I admit too that i buy their soaps because of the bottle shape/branding :)
Jules
Am I the only one who thought that because their packaging was so slick and well designed that the products were green-washed? Nice to hear that’s not the case.
Making it Lovely
They’re way more green than just the products being non-toxic, or the bottles being recycled, too. They won’t release a product until they can devise a way to make it fit within their standards. And read what Mommy Shorts wrote about the impact of their concentrated laundry detergent. It had a ripple effect across the entire category.
laura @ hollywood housewife
I first bought method because I thought they were pretty, too! And I fell in love with the way their laundry detergent smelled (the one in the blue bottle). But then they changed everything, and now they don’t even make the laundry detergent that I first fell in love with. Boo!
I do still use their hand soap, though. And again, I first purchased it because I liked the shape of the bottle. :)
Making it Lovely
A few of us implored them to bring back some old favorites! There are some really good new scents now though — I loved the lime and sea salt one.
Courtney C.
While a mom still makes an appearance in the commercial I have to say how grateful I am that they didn’t put together one of those annoying ads that portrays moms as being so absorbed in their cleaning regimen that they tour factories and grin ear-to-ear during stain removal demos. It is a silly pet-peeve of mine that kind of turns me off to any company that advertises to me like that.
Also, thanks for taking the time to choose a sponsor that fits who you are so well! It shows a lot of respect to your readers as well as respect for what you’ve built over the years that you carefully considered these things.
Making it Lovely
Thanks, Courtney. And this is a small thing, maybe, but I was glad that the skateboarder shown was a woman. Eleanor thought it was me, because she has seen me in a helmet for roller derby!
nicolette @ momnivore's dilemma
yup.
they are one of the one brands of cleaners I’ve been buying the past 5 years or so, when we switched to green.
good choice of brand rep for your site, nicole. it fits. :)
Noelle
I heard matthew loyd, their VP of Brand Experience, speak at the How Design conference last year and he was so inspiring! Method seems like such a great company, and of course their products are awesome!
Bari
I am a totally loyal Method user for years. My only love/hate issue with Method is that the founders are both from the Detroit, MI area (love), but yet they moved out of the midwest and their cool, hip, environmental, and sucessful company is in San Fransisco, CA (hate). Mainly posting this since they are sponsering you and someone from Method may see this post and see that we here in the midwest (you, me and all your other midwestern readers) care just as much about the environment and good design.
Stef
I had no idea they’re from Detroit! (Detroit native here. Yes, I drive on 8 mile)
Nicole, I like this type of sponsored content. It’s relevant, tells a good story, fills in some of the blanks from the trip we saw on Instagram. Great stuff! Also, I’m inclined to now try out some Method products.
Making it Lovely
Thanks, Bari. They didn’t talk about why they chose San Francisco, but I’m sure they’ll see your comment. Midwest, represent.
Staci @ My Friend Staci
Those kids at the party’s reaction to “bleach-o” is the same as mine would be!!!
erin
Their bottles are pretty so its makes them more eco-friendly because I want (and do) reuse them!
Making it Lovely
Yep. We’ve been refilling the same hand soap bottle for a few years now.
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