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What’s In Your Home? Breaking Down the Ingredients to Avoid

5 minute read

Because what you use in, on, and around your home truly matters.

You probably have laundry detergent, dish soap, an all-purpose cleaner, a glass spray, something for the bathroom… These are products we use weekly—sometimes daily—to keep our homes clean. But have you ever stopped to wonder what’s actually in them? Or what happens after you use them?

Many conventional cleaners contain ingredients that can irritate your skin, lungs, or even affect hormone systems. And when they go down the drain, they don’t just vanish—some may accumulate in the environment or impact water quality.

At ECOS, we believe your home should be a safe haven—a place to breathe, grow, and thrive. But sometimes, what we bring into our homes—often unknowingly—can undermine that sense of wellbeing. Many conventional cleaners rely on ingredients that can be harsh on both people and the planet. That’s why, as a family-owned company and leader in sustainable innovation, ECOS is here to help you make more informed choices.

Ingredients to Avoid—and How We Replace Them

To help you make smarter choices for your home, here are some ingredients to avoid—and the alternatives we use instead.

  1. Unspecified Synthetic Fragrances
    If a label simply says “fragrance” or “perfume” without disclosing the ingredients, it’s a red flag. These blends can hide hundreds of compounds, including allergens and hormone-disrupting chemicals.
  • Why avoid them: They can include hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, some linked to allergies and hormonal effects.
  • Our approach: ECOS uses scents made with essential oils and aroma compounds that meet strict safety and transparency standards. We always list what’s inside
  • ECOS example: 🔹 ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent Lavender – A soft, floral scent with clearly listed ingredients. Made without common allergens or hormone-disrupting compounds.
  1. Phthalates
    Often used to make scents last longer, phthalates have been linked to hormonal disruption. They’re hard to spot because they’re usually hidden under the word “fragrance.”
  •  Why avoid them: Used as scent fixatives, they’ve been associated with hormone disruption and developmental effects.
  • Our approach: We use fragrance systems that don’t need aggressive fixatives and maintain scent stability naturally—because protecting your family starts with the unseen.
  • ECOS example: 🔹 ECOS Dish Soap – Lavender – Powerful clean, no residue, and no synthetic fixatives. Perfect for dishes, utensils, and glasses.

  1. Chlorine Bleach
    Effective but harsh, chlorine bleach can release irritating fumes and harm your skin and lungs. Its production and disposal can create harmful byproducts.
  •  Why avoid it: It can release irritating gases, damage surfaces, and generate toxic byproducts like dioxins.
  • Our approach: We use mineral-based whiteners like sodium percarbonate—effective, safer to use at home, and designed for a lower environmental footprint.
  • ECOS example:  🔹 ECOS OxoBrite® Multi-Purpose Stain Remover – Free & Clear – Tough on stains, gentle on fabrics and safer for the planet. A great laundry booster for whites.
  1. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
    Some preservatives slowly release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, under names like DMDM hydantoin or quaternium-15.
  •  Why avoid them: They can release formaldehyde over time, which is classified as a carcinogen by the IARC.
  • Our approach: We don’t use these preservatives. Instead, we rely on carefully selected alternatives with proven safety, stability, and low allergen potential.
  • ECOS example: 🔹 ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner – Orange – Preserved with potassium sorbate and other plant-derived ingredients. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and laminated surfaces.

  1. Isothiazolinones (CMIT, BIT)
    Found in many liquid cleaners, these preservatives can trigger allergic reactions, especially with long-term exposure.
  •  Why avoid them: Linked to itching, eczema, and allergic responses, particularly in sensitive skin.
  • Our approach: Even though they’re allowed in many countries, we choose not to use them. Instead, we opt for gentler technologies like plant extracts and pH-balanced systems.
  • ECOS example: 🔹 ECOS Window Cleaner – Residue-free and fast-drying.

Radical Transparency: Our Standard, Not a Trend

Since 1967, ECOS has led by example—crafting formulas with thoughtfully chosen ingredients that perform well and carry a lighter environmental footprint. Our products are made in climate positive facilities using 100% renewable energy and zero waste practices.

Most importantly, we believe every label should tell the full story. That’s why we list every ingredient, clearly and honestly—because trust begins with transparency.

What Can You Do?

  • Read labels closely. If an ingredient isn’t specified, ask why.
  • Learn about product certifications. Certifications like the EPA’s Safer Choice can help you identify products made to rigorous standards.
  • Start small. Swapping just one product in your home for a safer alternative is already a step toward a healthier environment.

Try These ECOS Essentials

🌿 ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – Great for sensitive skin, babies, and allergy sufferers.  Made witout added fragrance, dyes, and harsh preservatives.

🛁 ECOS Bathroom Cleaner – Refreshing and powerful, with a naturally sourced tea tree scent and made without harsh ingredients.

🧽 ECOS Dishwashing Dish Soap – Soft foam, ultra-concentrated formula, and balanced pH to help protect your hands.

We Make Products for the Cleaner Good

Because every choice matters. And because we believe cleaning your home should also care for the planet we all share.

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