Preservative

Role details

*What are preservatives used for?*

Preservatives are added to products to prevent spoilage by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes. They are usually added to products containing water, as water is necessary for micro-organisms such as bacteria to thrive.

Preservatives are necessary in products that are used repeatedly over a period of time, since each time the product is used there is potential to inadvertently introduce micro-organisms into the product.

*How do preservatives work?*

The type of preservatives used in household cleaning and personal care products are anti-microbial preservatives. These preservatives work by either killing micro-organisms, or by inhibiting their cellular function.

Role Ingredients

Ingredient	Health & Environment	Used in	EWG Rating
Benzyl Alcohol	Benzyl Alcohol is a synthetic chemical (no plant-based preservatives that meet our efficacy standards currently exist) that is considered to be a low hazard for health although a small percentage of people can be sensitive to this ingredient on their skin. It is biodegradable and suitable for greywater and septic tanks making it a low hazard for our environment.	toilet cleaner, fabric softener, baby moisturiser, kids bubble bath, kids foaming hand wash, kids 3-in-1 conditioning shampoo & body wash, dish liquid, hand wash, foaming hand wash, bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, sleepytime bath, bubble bath, multi-purpose concentrate	5 - 5
Dehydroacetic Acid	A synthetic chemical (no plant based preservatives that meet our efficacy standards currently exist) that is considered to be a low hazard for health. It is also biodegradable and suitable for greywater and septic tanks making it a low hazard for our environment.	toilet cleaner, fabric softener, baby moisturiser, kids bubble bath, kids foaming hand wash, kids 3-in-1 conditioning shampoo & body wash, dish liquid, hand wash, foaming hand wash, bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, sleepytime bath, bubble bath, multi-purpose concentrate	1 - 1
Phenoxyethanol	Phenoxyethanol can be an occupational hazard for those working with it in large quantities. We use it in low doses as an preservative. Greywater and Septic tank safe.	extra moisturising hand cream, extra moisturising body lotion, liquid scourer, volumising shampoo, ultra sensitive shampoo, dandruff control conditioner, body butter, dry, damaged & colour care shampoo, volumising conditioner, normal daily moisturising shampoo, normal daily moisturising conditioner, dandruff control shampoo, dry, damaged & colour care conditioner, wool & delicates, ultra sensitive conditioner, laundry liquid	4 - 4
Caprylyl Glycol	Low hazard for health. Biodegradable and suitable for greywater and septic tanks.	extra moisturising hand cream, extra moisturising body lotion, liquid scourer, volumising shampoo, ultra sensitive shampoo, dandruff control conditioner, body butter, dry, damaged & colour care shampoo, volumising conditioner, normal daily moisturising shampoo, normal daily moisturising conditioner, dandruff control shampoo, dry, damaged & colour care conditioner, wool & delicates, ultra sensitive conditioner, laundry liquid	0 - 0
Tetrasodium EDTA	Low Hazard for Health, Slow to Biodegrade.	coconut soap, grapefruit & mint soap, manuka honey & kelp soap, vanilla soap, baby soap, goat's milk soap, lemongrass soap	2 - 2
Tetrasodium Etidronate		coconut soap, grapefruit & mint soap, manuka honey & kelp soap, vanilla soap, baby soap, goat's milk soap, lemongrass soap	2 - 2
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate	Low hazard for health. Synthetic, biodegradable and suitable for Greywater and septic tanks.	baby shampoo, baby body wash, body wash	6 - 6
Sodium Benzoate		glass & surface cleaner	3 - 3
Sodium Salicylate		glass & surface cleaner	1 - 1
Limonene	Low hazard for health although some may find this product irritating on their skin. Plant derived, biodegradable and suitable for Greywater and septic tanks.	bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, multi-purpose concentrate	3 - 3

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