Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

The best household surface sprays are all about pairing cleaning power with convenience: Spritz the product with one hand and wipe up the mess with the other. Today’s Parent Approved editors and parent testers put Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner (in Lemongrass Citrus scent) to the test to see if it could rise to the challenge, and it did.

In the lab, our editors noted the surface spray powered through jam and oil smears, and did a fair job of removing crayon from a laminate counter. We also tested it on crayon doodles on a white wall, and it did a good job of removing the crayon, especially if the spray is left to sit for a little while on the crayon first.

Unsurprisingly, as is also the case with the majority of cleaning products, it did not erase permanent marker. All of our parent testers were happy with the cleansing power of the spray, and half of them said Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner performed better than similar products they had used in the past. They tried it out on soap scum, bathroom sinks, countertops and glass—and liked it.

While the scent identified on the label is Lemongrass Citrus the surface spray's active ingredient is thymol, which is a component of thyme oil and the scent heavily skews toward thyme (great if you're a fan). The spray is cruelty-free and it kills germs such as influenza A virus, salmonella enterica and salmonella enterica without using harsh chemicals.

Along with its surface-cleaning power, our parents said the value of Seventh Generation spray was also a selling point.

Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner got the nod from our entire panel for how easy it is to use. The bottle gives two simple sets of directions, one for cleaning and deodorizing (just spray and wipe clean), and one for disinfecting (spray and leave for 10 minutes before wiping away). Parents noted an entire surface was covered in one pass with this spray, without the need to spritz and wipe a second time.

Back at the lab, our editors gave the bottle the thumbs up for its easy-to-pull trigger and easy-grip design that’s not hard on the hands or arms. The lock on the nozzle worked well, and it wasn’t difficult to keep the bottle clean and stored out of the way of pets and kids.

FINAL WORD

All of our parent testers feel Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner’s care for the environment adds to its value. Many of them expressly said they appreciate that it is natural and environmentally friendly, and Seventh Generation is a brand they trust and want to support. Both our editors and parent testers found this spray to be quite strong-smelling, yet pleasant (especially if you like thyme).

None would hesitate to buy this surface spray or recommend it to other parents. All of our parent testers felt that Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner is worthy of the Today’s Parent Approved seal and our editors agreed.