OUR CLEANING SYSTEM INGREDIENT GLOSSARY
No greenwashing. Just ingredients with a purpose.
We believe you should know what is in the products you use throughout your home.
The Tried + True cleaning system combines plant-based surfactants, mineral-based builders, oxygen-based cleaning ingredients, carefully selected preservation systems, and fragrance and essential oils.
Every ingredient has a job. Here is what we use, what it does, and why we use it.
ALLANTOIN
Skin-Conditioning Ingredient
A skin-conditioning ingredient used in our Foaming Hand Soap to help soothe and condition the skin.
Why we use it: Helps make frequent hand washing feel gentler on your hands.
BORAX
Mineral-Based Laundry Booster
A naturally occurring mineral compound with a long history of use in laundry and household cleaning.
Why we use it: Helps boost cleaning performance and supports the effectiveness of our laundry system.
CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE
Plant-Derived Surfactant + Solubilizer
A plant-derived cleansing ingredient that also helps disperse fragrance and oils into water-based formulas.
Why we use it: Supports cleaning performance while helping ingredients stay properly incorporated.
CITRIC ACID
pH Adjuster + Mineral-Binding Ingredient
An organic acid that helps control pH and is particularly useful when dealing with minerals found in water.
Why we use it: Helps us bring formulas to the pH range where they are designed to perform.
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
Natural-Based Mild Surfactant
A natural-based, mild surfactant that helps create rich foam while supporting effective cleansing. It also contributes to a creamier, softer lather.
Why we use it: Helps lift oils and soils, supports rich foam, and helps create a milder overall cleansing system.
DECYL GLUCOSIDE
Plant-Based, Naturally Derived Surfactant
A gentle cleansing ingredient made from plant-derived glucose and fatty alcohols derived from coconut oil. The Decyl Glucoside we use is biodegradable.
Why we use it: Provides effective cleaning and foaming while helping us create a milder surfactant system.
DISTILLED WATER
Purified Formula Base
Water purified through distillation to remove minerals and other impurities.
Why we use it: Gives our water-based products a clean, consistent starting point without introducing the variable minerals found in tap water.
FRAGRANCE + ESSENTIAL OILS
Phthalate-Free Fragrance + Essential Oils
We use high-quality fragrance oils and essential oils to create the signature scents found throughout the Tried + True collection.
Our fragrance oils are selected to meet our standards and are phthalate-free, paraben-free, vegan, cruelty-free, mutagen-free, and formulated without ingredients listed under California Proposition 65.
Why we use them: Because we believe an effective cleaning product can also make your home smell incredible.
GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Naturally Derived, Plant-Based Thickener + Conditioner
Derived from guar beans, this plant-based ingredient helps build viscosity and improve the texture and feel of select formulas.
Why we use it: Helps thicken and stabilize select surfactant formulas while improving their overall feel and consistency.
PRESERVATION SYSTEM
Broad-Spectrum Product Protection
Water-based products need protection against bacteria, yeast, and mold. We use carefully selected broad-spectrum preservation systems to help keep our products safe and stable throughout their intended shelf life and normal use.
Our preservation systems are carefully selected, including options approved for use in COSMOS and ECOCERT formulations.
Why we use it: Proper preservation protects the integrity of water-based products. We use preservation intentionally and at appropriate levels for each formula.
PROPANEDIOL
Naturally Derived Humectant + Solvent
A 100% plant-based ingredient derived from fermented, non-GMO corn sugar. Used in our Foaming Hand Soap, it helps retain moisture and supports the performance and feel of the formula.
Why we use it: Helps improve skin feel while supporting the overall formula.
SD ALCOHOL 40-B
Fast-Evaporating Alcohol Carrier
A specially denatured form of ethyl alcohol used in select Tried + True sprays. It helps dissolve and evenly disperse fragrance and evaporates quickly after application.
Why we use it: Helps fragrance disperse evenly and allows our sprays to dry quickly without leaving a heavy or oily residue.
SODIUM BICARBONATE
Mineral-Based Cleaning + Deodorizing Ingredient
Commonly known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate has a long history of use in household cleaning and deodorizing.
Why we use it: Helps neutralize odors and supports the overall cleaning system.
SODIUM CARBONATE
Mineral-Based Cleaning + Water-Softening Builder
Commonly known as washing soda, sodium carbonate is an alkaline mineral-based ingredient widely used in laundry and household cleaning.
Why we use it: Helps soften water and boosts cleaning performance against soils and buildup.
SODIUM CHLORIDE
Mineral-Based Processing Ingredient
Common salt used in a small amount in our dishwasher detergent.
Why we use it: Helps support the consistency and performance of the powdered formula.
SODIUM CITRATE
Mineral-Based Cleaning + Water-Softening Builder
A citrate salt that helps bind minerals such as calcium and magnesium found in hard water.
Why we use it: Hard-water minerals can interfere with cleaning performance. Sodium citrate helps reduce that interference so the rest of the cleaning system can work more effectively.
SODIUM COCO SULFATE
100% Coconut-Derived Surfactant
Sodium Coco Sulfate is a cleansing surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids. It provides effective cleaning and rich foam, helping lift oils, soils, and everyday grime.
Not all sulfates are the same. The Sodium Coco Sulfate we use is 100% coconut-derived and is not ethoxylated. Our formulas do not use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). The Sodium Coco Sulfate we source is also biodegradable and ECOCERT-approved.
Why we use it: Gives us strong cleaning performance and excellent foam while meeting the ingredient standards we have established for Tried + True.
SODIUM GLUCONATE
Mineral-Binding Ingredient
A chelating ingredient that helps bind metal ions and minerals that can interfere with cleaning performance.
Why we use it: Helps our formulas work more consistently, particularly when hard-water minerals are present.
SODIUM METASILICATE
Mineral-Based Cleaning Builder
An alkaline cleaning ingredient used in automatic dishwashing formulas. It helps break down grease, oils, and stubborn food soils while also helping manage minerals and metal ions in water.
Why we use it: Provides powerful cleaning performance and helps improve the effectiveness of our automatic dishwashing system.
SODIUM PERCARBONATE
Mineral-Based Oxygen Cleaner
A powdered cleaning ingredient that releases hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water, providing oxygen-powered cleaning.
Why we use it: Helps lift stains, break down soils, brighten laundry, and tackle odors without chlorine bleach.
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN
Plant-Derived Humectant
A plant-derived ingredient that attracts and holds moisture.
Why we use it: Helps improve feel and supports the performance of select formulas.
WHY EVERY INGREDIENT HAS A PURPOSE
We do not choose ingredients because they sound good on a label.
We choose them because they have a job to do.
Some clean. Some soften water. Some bind minerals. Some lift stains. Some improve the feel of a product. Some protect a water-based formula from microbial growth. And some simply make cleaning your home a little more enjoyable.
No unnecessary fillers. No mystery ingredients. No greenwashing.
Just thoughtfully formulated products made with ingredients selected for a purpose.
Clean home. Clear purpose. Tried + True.