Ingredient Glossary

A familiar organic acid associated with vinegar. In cleaning formulas, it may help lower pH and support the removal of light mineral residue or alkaline buildup on compatible surfaces.

Nonionic surfactants made by combining fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. They can help loosen oily soil, disperse residue, and improve wetting across hard surfaces and fabrics.

Amphoteric surfactants that can contribute foam, soil removal, viscosity, and formula compatibility. They are often paired with other surfactants to create balanced cleansing systems.

An enzyme that helps break starch-based soils into smaller, more removable fragments. It can be useful for food-related residues such as sauces, cereals, rice, pasta, and similar stains.

Also known as sodium bicarbonate. It may help manage pH, absorb some odors, and support the removal of light soil when used within a complete cleaning formulation.

A multifunctional aromatic alcohol that may be used as a solvent, fragrance component, or part of a preservation system depending on the product and formula design.

A group of boron-containing materials that may support buffering, water conditioning, or enzyme stability in specific cleaning systems.

A glycol ether solvent that may help dissolve greasy, oily, or water-resistant residue. Finished formulas are designed around the intended application and labeled directions.

An enzyme that acts on cellulose-based fibers. In laundry products, it may help refresh the appearance of certain cotton fabrics by removing tiny damaged surface fibers.

An organic acid commonly used for pH adjustment and mineral management. It may help reduce the effect of hard-water minerals and support the removal of light scale on suitable surfaces.

A nonionic surfactant made from glucose and fatty alcohol feedstocks. It can support gentle cleansing, soil dispersion, and formula compatibility.

An amphoteric surfactant used to support cleansing, foam quality, and mildness in rinse-off formulas. It is often blended with additional surfactants.

A nonionic surfactant derived from glucose and fatty alcohols. It may provide cleansing and wetting performance in formulas designed for hands or washable household surfaces.

Ethanol modified for non-beverage use. It may support quick drying, dissolve selected soils, and help create a streak-reduced finish in compatible hard-surface formulas.

A chelating agent that binds certain metal ions. This can help stabilize a formula and reduce interference from minerals that may affect cleansing or preservation performance.

A colorant used in small amounts to give a product a consistent visual identity or help distinguish one formula from another. Dyes do not provide the primary cleaning action.

A combination of enzymes selected to address several soil types. A blend may include protease, amylase, lipase, mannanase, cellulase, or related enzymes depending on the formula.

A volatile alcohol used to dissolve selected formula components, support quick drying, and help lift certain oily residues in products designed for compatible surfaces.

A multifunctional formula-supporting ingredient that may be used alongside preservation systems. In hand-care products, it can also contribute to the sensory profile.

A concentrated aromatic material obtained from plant sources. Essential oils may contribute scent character but are not automatically equivalent to a complete fragrance or preservative system.

Positively charged materials designed to deposit onto textile fibers during rinsing. They can reduce static, improve softness, and influence the feel of finished laundry.

Long-chain alcohols used as surfactant building blocks or as texture, stability, and conditioning components. They differ from short-chain drying alcohols such as ethanol.

A carefully composed aromatic mixture used to create a consistent scent experience. A fragrance may contain natural and synthetic aromatic materials, solvents, and stabilizing components.

A delivery system that surrounds fragrance with a protective shell. The capsules may release scent through friction, moisture, or movement after the product has been used.

A water-attracting material that can support moisture balance and improve the sensory feel of hand-cleansing products. It may also assist with formula texture.

A broad class of solvents that combine water compatibility with the ability to dissolve some oily soils. Different glycol ethers have different performance and handling profiles.

An enzyme that can help break down certain carbohydrate-based residues. It may be incorporated into multi-enzyme cleaning systems designed for complex food soils.

Salts of gluconic acid that can bind minerals and support formula stability. Sodium gluconate is a common example used in household and personal cleansing systems.

An oxidizing ingredient that can help break down selected colored soils and organic residue. Product strength, stability, packaging, and labeled use directions are especially important.

Materials that help keep surfactants, fragrance, and other components evenly dissolved in water-based products. They can improve formula clarity and consistency.

A cellulose-derived polymer used to modify viscosity and help a formula remain on a surface long enough for controlled application.

An oxidizing ingredient used in certain products for stain removal and other label-defined purposes. It must never be mixed with acids, ammonia, or other incompatible products.

An organic acid used to lower pH and support mineral residue removal in compatible formulas. It may also have label-specific functions in appropriately registered products.

An anionic surfactant widely used for strong soil removal and detergency. It is commonly balanced with builders, enzymes, polymers, and additional surfactants.

An enzyme that helps break down fats and oils. It may improve removal of food grease, body oils, cooking oils, and similar lipid-based soils.

A citrus-associated aromatic material found naturally in citrus peel oils and also used as a fragrance component or solvent. Ingredient labeling depends on product type and requirements.

Fluorescent materials that absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible blue light. This can make white or light-colored fabrics appear brighter after laundering.

A general term for peroxide-releasing cleaning systems. These systems can help break down colored stains and organic residue when used according to product directions.

An anionic surfactant that can provide cleansing and foam. It may be selected for compatibility with a product's intended soil type, water conditions, and sensory profile.

A broad family including citric, lactic, acetic, and related acids. They may adjust pH, support mineral removal, or serve other formula-specific functions.

A preservative used in water-based formulas to help protect product quality during normal storage and use. It is often combined with other preservation-supporting ingredients.

Polymers that can help keep loosened soil and minerals dispersed in wash water. This may reduce redeposition onto fabrics, dishes, or cleaned surfaces.

An enzyme that helps break down protein-based soils, including food residues, dairy, egg, grass-associated soil, and some body-related stains.

A water-compatible material used as a solvent, carrier, or moisture-supporting ingredient. It can help keep fragrance or other formula components evenly distributed.

A salt of a fatty acid created through saponification. Soap can lift oily soil and support cleansing, though its performance and residue profile may vary with water hardness.

Also called washing soda. It raises alkalinity, helps manage some water-hardness minerals, and can support the removal of greasy or acidic soils in suitable cleaning formulas.

Common salt. In selected surfactant systems, it can be used to adjust thickness and improve the dispensing characteristics of a liquid product.

A salt of citric acid used to buffer pH and manage minerals. It can support cleaning performance in hard-water conditions and improve formula consistency.

A strong alkaline material used in controlled amounts for pH adjustment or in formulas intended to address stubborn greasy soils. Product directions and surface restrictions are essential.

An anionic surfactant known for cleansing and foam. Formula design, use level, rinsing, and supporting ingredients influence the overall product experience.

Ingredients that increase viscosity and influence how a product pours, sprays, clings, or dispenses. Examples include gums, cellulose derivatives, salts, and synthetic polymers.

A multifunctional ingredient used to adjust pH, support emulsification, or interact with thickening systems. Its role depends on the total formula.

A chelating ingredient designed to bind metal ions and support cleaning performance in the presence of hard-water minerals.

Aromatic solvents associated with plant-derived terpene chemistry. They may help dissolve oily or adhesive residue and can also contribute a distinctive scent profile.

The primary carrier in many liquid cleaning products. Water helps dissolve, suspend, and distribute surfactants, builders, fragrance, polymers, and other formula components.

Ingredients used to reduce interference from calcium, magnesium, iron, and other minerals. They can help surfactants work more efficiently and reduce unwanted deposits.

Surfactants that reduce surface tension so a cleaning solution can spread across and contact a surface more evenly. Better wetting can improve access to soil.

Another name for sodium carbonate. It supports alkalinity, water conditioning, and the removal of greasy or acidic soils in compatible household cleaning applications.