The Nasties: Our Never-Ever List
After over 50 years of research and testing, these are the 500+ nasty ingredients you need to know about. We’re committed to never, ever using them, and we want to make it easy for you to make that commitment too.

Testing and transparency in traditional cleaning products is virtually nonexistent.
In fact, many household cleaners don’t even list their ingredients, leaving you blind to the nasty chemicals you could be inviting into your home. We’ve made it our job to go above and beyond the minimum requirements and provide you with the knowledge you need to make safer, healthier choices.
Harmful ingredients in conventional cleaners
From laundry detergents to dish soaps and disinfectants, these are the Nasties you need to be aware of.
Synthetic Color/Petrochemical, Persistence And Bioaccumulation
Why is it Nasty?
The production and use of dyes have both environmental and human health consequences. Many dyes commonly found in goods sold in the U.S. are banned in other countries due to health concerns, and many that are currently in use are under review. Commercial dyes contain compounds such as benzidine that are known to be carcinogenic. In addition to their potential cancer-causing properties, dyes have been linked to mood disorders and hyperactivity. Dyes are almost never necessary for the function of a product and are simply added for aesthetic appeal.
How do I find it?
Most dyes are listed by their color name, such as “FD&C Blue” or “Yellow-5.”

Toxic, Carcinogen
Why is it Nasty?
Formaldehyde is a very toxic chemical and at high enough levels, can even be lethal. When humans are repeatedly exposed to formaldehyde at low levels the chemical can cause irratation and have toxic or carcinogenic effects. It may suprise you to learn that formaldehyde is present in many common household products even though it is not listed anywhere on the product label. There are many common preservatives that work by releasing formaldehyde over time which is a very potent biocide. Without reasearching each ingredient indepth, it is impossible to recognize these formaldehyde releasing preservatives by their chemical name.
How do I find it?
Formladehyde releasing preservatives are tricky to spot, as they can come from a variety of chemical classes and their chemical names are diverse. The easiest way to avoid these toxic chemicals is to watch out for some of the most commonly used nasties in this class: Bronopol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Disteardimonium Hectoride, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylene Glycol, Nitromethylidynetrimethanol, and Quaternium-15. Another way to spot safer options is to look for the “formaldehyde free” claim on a product.

Endocrine disruptor
Why is it Nasty?
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that are typically found in fragrances. They disrupt our hormones, which are essential for almost every biological process in our body. Phthalates are also reproductive toxins and have been shown to cause birth defects.
How do I find it?
Some phthalates are easy to spot in ingredient lists, such as DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEHP (di-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate), BEHP (bis [2-ethylhexyl] phthalate), BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) and DMP (dimethyl phthalate). Unfortunately, phthalates are often a component of fragrances, so they’re not directly listed on the label. Look for products with a “phthalate-free” claim. Another common phthalate to avoid is BPA (bisphenol-A) in plastic packaging, so look for “BPA-free” products.

Carcinogen, neurotoxin
Why is it Nasty?
1,4-dioxane is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin that is always present in trace amounts when ethoxylated surfactants are used. Ethoxylated surfactants are made by a chemical process called ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide reacts with other chemicals to create a surfactant. The problem with ethoxylation is that it can create the harmful byproduct 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane can also show up in the supply chain through cross-contamination.
How do I find it?
While 1,4-dioxane is never listed on labels because it’s not an intentionally listed ingredient, there are some easy tricks to avoid it. Ethoxylated surfactants usually follow a few naming conventions. If the ingredient ends in “-eth”, such as laureth-6 or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), ceteareth or steareth, it’s ethoxylated.

Oxidizer, Skin And Eye Corrosion, Toxic If Inhaled, Respiratory Irritation, Very Toxic To Aquatic Life
Why is it Nasty?
Chlorine gas is a highly reactive chemical that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. When common household chlorine bleach is mixed with other chemicals, it can produce toxic chlorine fumes. Even in small amounts, bleach can damage lungs and cause irritation and burns to skin and eyes. When bleach is used in industrial purposes, such as whitening paper, the process creates dangerous organochlorine byproducts, which have negative effects on ecosystems.
How do I find it?
Chlorine bleach is listed by it’s chemical name “Sodium hypochlorite” on labels

Endocrine disruptor
Why is it Nasty?
Parabens are a class of synthetic preservatives regularly found in many commercial products. Studies have shown that parabens mimic estrogen in the body, which can have potentially harmful effects, such as harming fertility and increasing cancer risk. They can also cause skin irritation.
How do I find it?
Common paraben preservatives have names like methylparaben, butylparaben and polyparaben.

Carcinogen, toxic
Why is it Nasty?
PEG stands for Polyethylene glycol. PEGs increase the absorption of chemicals through the skin, especially those PEGs with a lower molecular weight. This is of concern as many products contain a mixture of chemicals, not all of which are completely benign. Moreover, the manufacturing process of PEG leaves an impurity in the ingredient called 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen. PEG can facilitate the absorption of 1,4-dioxane into the skin causing potentially negative health side effects.
How do I find it?
Typically, you will see PEG listed with a number such as PEG20 or PEG100; these numbers represent molecular weight.

Contribute To Asthma And Breathing Problems, Irritates Skin, Reduces Fertility, Birth Defects, Quat and Antibiotic Resistent Microbs
Why is it Nasty?
Quats (quaternary ammonium cations) are widely used as an active ingredient in most household disinfectants but are also found in everything from shampoo to laundry softeners. The positive charge on a quat molecule is what makes it disruptive to microbes as a disinfectant, but it’s also what is irritating to skin and lungs. Research shows wide-ranging health concerns for quats, from allergies, dermatitis and asthma to reproductive toxicity.
How do I find it?
Avoid any ingredients listed as “cationic surfactants” and commonly used quats such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride and hydroxyethyl methylammonium methylsulfate.

Bioaccumulation, irritants
Why is it Nasty?
Optical brighteners represent a prime example of chemicals added to a formula to “over-engineer” performance. These pollutants, most often found in laundry detergents, are similar to fluorescent dye. In the wash, they do not contribute to cleansing at all. In fact, they do precisely what their name hints: they coat fabric with this “fluorescence.” so that whites and colors appear brigther by refecting more light. The problem is that optical brigtheners are not biodegradable formula and wi