We are a shop, not a lab. We do not test formulas, and we do not claim that any product is free of an ingredient unless its maker says so on their own label. What we can do is tell you which ingredient families we pay attention to when we choose what to carry, and how to spot them, so you can read a label the same way we do. The maker’s full list on each product page is always the authority.
| Ingredient family | What it is | Why it is used | What to look for on a label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic fragrance | Scent blends that can contain many compounds listed under one word | Strong, inexpensive, long-lasting scent | “Fragrance” or “parfum” with no breakdown; compare with named essential oils or “fragrance-free” |
| Dyes | Colourants added to cleaners and soaps | Makes a product look like its scent | Colour names or numbers in the list (for example “Blue 1”) |
| Optical brighteners | Compounds that coat fabric so it reflects more blue light | Laundry looks whiter | “Optical brightener”, “fluorescent whitening agent” |
| Chlorine bleach | Sodium hypochlorite | Whitening and disinfecting | “Sodium hypochlorite”, “bleach”; we do not sell disinfectants and make no germ-kill claims |
| Ammonia | A caustic gas dissolved in water | Streak-free glass | “Ammonia”, “ammonium hydroxide” |
| Phthalates | Plasticisers, also used to make fragrance linger | Scent longevity; flexible plastics | Often hidden inside “fragrance”; look for “phthalate-free” stated by the maker |
| Formaldehyde releasers | Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde | Long shelf life in water-based products | DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea |
| Phosphates | Water softeners in detergents | Better performance in hard water | “Phosphate”, “sodium tripolyphosphate” |
| Paraffin wax | A petroleum-derived wax | Inexpensive candles with strong scent throw | “Paraffin” or no wax named; compare with soy, coconut or beeswax |
| Unlabelled “proprietary” blends | Ingredients grouped behind a trade name | Protects a formula | A trade name where an ingredient list should be |
Where a maker describes a product as “plant-based”, “septic-safe”, “fragrance-free” or “biodegradable”, we quote the maker. Where a maker names a certification, we repeat the name; we do not verify certifications ourselves. If someone in your home has allergies or sensitivities, read the maker’s full list and test a small area first.