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.	Nourishing manuka lip balm, toilet cleaner, fabric softener, baby moisturiser, kids bubble bath, kids foaming hand wash, kids 3-in-1 conditioning shampoo & body wash, Purifying cleanser, Gentle cleanser, Rejuvenating body moisturiser, multi-purpose kitchen cleaner, Ultra sensitive shampoo, Volumising shampoo, Ultra sensitive conditioner, Dandruff control conditioner, dish liquid, Volumising conditioner, hand wash, Normal shampoo, Dry, damaged & colour conditioner, foaming hand wash, bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, sleepytime bath, bubble bath, multi-purpose concentrate, Light moisturiser, Nourishing hand cream, Hydrating moisturiser, Dandruff control shampoo, Dry, damaged & colour shampoo, Normal conditioner, Replenishing night cream	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.	Nourishing manuka lip balm, toilet cleaner, fabric softener, baby moisturiser, kids bubble bath, kids foaming hand wash, kids 3-in-1 conditioning shampoo & body wash, Purifying cleanser, Gentle cleanser, Rejuvenating body moisturiser, multi-purpose kitchen cleaner, Ultra sensitive shampoo, Volumising shampoo, Ultra sensitive conditioner, Dandruff control conditioner, dish liquid, Volumising conditioner, hand wash, Normal shampoo, Dry, damaged & colour conditioner, foaming hand wash, bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, sleepytime bath, bubble bath, multi-purpose concentrate, Light moisturiser, Nourishing hand cream, Hydrating moisturiser, Dandruff control shampoo, Dry, damaged & colour shampoo, Normal conditioner, Replenishing night cream	1 - 1
Potassium Sorbate	Considered a low hazard to health, although we take care when using this ingredient.	Nourishing manuka lip balm, Complete care mouthwash	3 - 3
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.	liquid scourer, extra moisturising body lotion, extra moisturising hand cream, Extra Clean laundry liquid, wool & delicates, laundry liquid	4 - 4
Caprylyl Glycol	Low hazard for health. Biodegradable and suitable for greywater and septic tanks.	liquid scourer, extra moisturising body lotion, extra moisturising hand cream, Extra Clean laundry liquid, wool & delicates, 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 Benzoate		Complete care mouthwash, Glass cleaner	3 - 3
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate	Low hazard for health. Synthetic, biodegradable and suitable for Greywater and septic tanks.	baby shampoo, baby body wash, body wash	6 - 6
Limonene	Some people may be allergic to the oxidation products of Limonene. It is plant derived, biodegradable and suitable for greywater and septic tanks when used in small concentrations.	Extra Clean laundry powder, top & front loader, bathroom & shower cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, multi-purpose concentrate	6 - 6
Sodium Salicylate		Glass cleaner	1 - 1

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