Roll Call

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day

7 ingredients.

The roll

1 of 7

“Water?”Here!

SolventMineral

Why it’s here: It is the base that everything else is dissolved or dispersed into. In a cleaner or dish soap it carries the surfactants and other actives to the surface being cleaned; in a candle or wax melt it typically does not appear at all, since those are oil-based.

The same H2O that comes out of a tap, purified to a consistent standard for manufacturing.

What the evidence says

Water is not a subject of toxicological concern in this context. No regulatory body evaluates it for hazard in a finished product.

Context

Contact is with skin and surfaces during use, exactly as expected, and carries no separate exposure consideration of its own.

Rumors

  1. Water acts as a cleaning agent and skin conditioner in products.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
      How we know who this is
      • “Our founder Sean Busch started Puracy with a single goal: to make effective, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were gentle enough to use around his growing family.” (their page)

  2. Water is not a skin irritant or sensitizer in cleaning products.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
      How we know who this is
      • “Our founder Sean Busch started Puracy with a single goal: to make effective, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were gentle enough to use around his growing family.” (their page)

  3. The water in ready-to-use cleaning products adds to transport emissions, so cutting it out makes the product better for the planet.

    Sources unreachable — that's our end, not a finding.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Big Green Smile — a retailer: sells natural and ethical brands' products and refills
      How we know who this is
      • “At Big Green Smile, we’re here to make sustainable shopping simple.” (their page)
      • “From natural and ethical brands to hard-to-find refills, we offer options that are better for you and your home.” (their page)
Also used in personal care and as a supplement, and in 15 other products →

2 of 7

“Decyl Glucoside?”Here!

SurfactantEmulsifierPlant

Why it’s here: It lifts grease and grime and creates foam in dish soaps and cleaners, valued for being gentler on skin than many older surfactants while still cleaning effectively.

A mild surfactant made by combining a sugar (glucose, usually from corn) with a fatty alcohol derived from coconut or palm.

What the evidence says

Decyl glucoside is well established in cosmetic and cleaning formulations as one of the lower-irritation surfactant choices, with a long safety record and no significant concerns raised in regulatory reviews.

Context

Contact is mainly with hands during dishwashing or cleaning; it is generally well tolerated even with repeated skin contact compared to harsher detergent surfactants.

3 of 7

“Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil?”Here!sweet orange peel oil

FragranceConditioning agentPlant

Why it’s here: It supplies fragrance and, in cleaning products, some grease-cutting power — limonene is a mild solvent that helps dissolve oily residue on surfaces. In candles and wax melts it is purely a scent ingredient.

An essential oil pressed from the peel of sweet oranges, made up mostly of a compound called limonene. It is the same oil that gives orange zest its sharp, citrus smell.

What the evidence says

Limonene itself has low acute toxicity, but it oxidizes on exposure to air into compounds such as limonene hydroperoxide, which are recognized skin sensitizers; this is why fragrance regulators require limonene to be labeled on products when present above a threshold concentration. Separately, limonene released into indoor air can react with ozone to form fine particles and formaldehyde, a reaction studied in indoor air chemistry research. These are established mechanisms, though actual exposure from a given household product depends heavily on concentration and ventilation.

Context

Oxidized limonene is listed as one of the 26 fragrance allergens requiring disclosure on cosmetic and some household product labels under EU regulation. Indoor air studies have documented that limonene from cleaning products and air fresheners can react with ozone to generate secondary pollutants including formaldehyde.

Rumors

  1. Sweet orange peel oil is a skin allergen that causes allergic contact dermatitis.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: dermatitis patients undergoing diagnostic patch testing.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • ewg.org — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it

  2. Orange oil used in cleaning is toxic to pets, especially cats.

    Not gradedhealth and safety evidence

    Sources cited — no verdict reached.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Ariadne Hazard Communication and Engineering Services, LLC (AHCES) — a professional body or practice: hazard communication document authoring and auditing, and reactor engineering consulting
      How we know who this is
      • “Ariadne Hazard Communication and Engineering Services, LLC (AHCES), is a woman-owned, family-owned and operated consulting business based in Houston, TX.” (their page)
      • “We specialize in hazard communication document authoring and auditing, as well as reactor engineering for hydrocarbon services.” (their page)

  3. Orange oil in cleaners is antibacterial and kills disease-causing germs such as E. coli and salmonella.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • BClean — a brand: sells plant-based laundry detergents and cleaning products
      How we know who this is
      • “At BClean, we believe a cleaner world starts at home.” (their page)
      • “Since 1993, we have harnessed the power of nature to create hypoallergenic detergents that are uniquely formulated with earth’s mightiest plant-based ingredients that power through dirt and stains without the use of harsh chemicals.” (their page)

  4. Orange peel oil is a powerful natural degreaser that cleans the whole home.

    Not gradedsourcing and supply-chain evidence

    Sources cited — no verdict reached.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Green Gobbler — a brand: sells drain, septic and outdoor care products
      How we know who this is
      • “That's why the Green Gobbler is here to help (OK, I can't help with teenagers).” (their page)
      • “If you've got nasty clogs in your pipes, drains, and even septic systems, my line of clog removers, drain maintenance, and septic cleaners will take care of those problems fast.” (their page)

  5. Sweet orange peel oil is highly toxic to aquatic life.

    Sources cited — check not cleared.

    Measured as a biomarker.

    Who’s saying this

    • ewg.org — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it

4 of 7

“Tagetes Minuta Leaf Oil?”Here!marigold oil

FragrancePlant

Why it’s here: Added to candles, wax melts, or scented cleaning products to provide a natural-sourced herbal scent note.

An essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of a marigold species (Tagetes minuta), used to impart a fragrance.

What the evidence says

We haven’t found a source for this one that you can open and check, so we’re not summarizing the evidence.

Look it up yourself — starting points, not our findings: PubChem · PubMed

Context

In candles and wax melts, exposure is mainly through inhalation of the scent when heated or burned; in liquid cleaning products, brief skin contact during use is the more relevant pathway.

Rumors

  1. Tagetes oil is phototoxic, so skin exposed to it should be kept out of the sun.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Source Vitál Apothecary — a brand: sells its own natural skin care, body care and aromatherapy products
      How we know who this is
      • “That’s the approach at Source Vitál Apothecary.” (their page)
      • “Based on our naturopathic approach, we combine the highest quality organic and natural ingredients, including seaweed , plant extracts, and pure essential oils , to formulate our extraordinary skin care, body care and aromatherapy products.” (their page)

  2. Tagetes oil can cause skin sensitization and irritation.

    Sources cited — check not cleared.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Source Vitál Apothecary — a brand: sells its own natural skin care, body care and aromatherapy products
      How we know who this is
      • “That’s the approach at Source Vitál Apothecary.” (their page)
      • “Based on our naturopathic approach, we combine the highest quality organic and natural ingredients, including seaweed , plant extracts, and pure essential oils , to formulate our extraordinary skin care, body care and aromatherapy products.” (their page)

  3. Tagetes (marigold) oil disinfects household surfaces and kills germs, bacteria and viruses.

    Does not supporthealth and safety evidence

    Measured as a biomarker.

    Who’s saying this

    • Biofinest® — a brand: sells its own dietary supplements
      How we know who this is
      • “Founded in 2012 in Utah, USA, Biofinest® began with a simple belief: wellness should be inspired by nature, supported by modern formulation, and made practical for everyday life.” (their page)
      • “Whether you are looking to support energy, immunity, digestion, beauty, sleep, healthy aging, or general wellness, Biofinest® offers a wide range of supplements to help you build a routine that works for you.” (their page)

  4. Tagetes oil kills or repels household pests such as fleas, bedbugs, lice and mosquitoes.

    Sources cited — check not cleared.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Biofinest® — a brand: sells its own dietary supplements
      How we know who this is
      • “Founded in 2012 in Utah, USA, Biofinest® began with a simple belief: wellness should be inspired by nature, supported by modern formulation, and made practical for everyday life.” (their page)
      • “Whether you are looking to support energy, immunity, digestion, beauty, sleep, healthy aging, or general wellness, Biofinest® offers a wide range of supplements to help you build a routine that works for you.” (their page)

  5. Tagetes oil is toxic to pets such as cats and dogs.

    Not gradedsourcing and supply-chain evidence

    Sources cited — no verdict reached.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

5 of 7

“Citric Acid?”Here!the acid in citrus fruit

pH adjusterChelating agentExfoliantVaries by source

Why it’s here: In cleaners and dish or laundry products it dissolves mineral scale, adjusts pH so other ingredients work as intended, and binds trace metal ions that would otherwise dull cleaning performance or discolor a formula.

A weak organic acid, the same one that gives citrus fruit its sourness. Commercially it is made by fermenting sugar with a mold, not squeezed from lemons, but the resulting molecule is identical.

What the evidence says

We haven’t found a source for this one that you can open and check, so we’re not summarizing the evidence.

Look it up yourself — starting points, not our findings: PubChem · PubMed

Context

In a household cleaner it contacts skin briefly during use and rinses or wipes away from surfaces; at the low concentrations typical of dish and surface products it poses minimal irritation risk.

6 of 7

“Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate?”Here!GLDA

Chelating agentSynthetic

Why it’s here: It binds calcium, magnesium, and metal ions in hard water so that surfactants and enzymes in dish and laundry products can work without being neutralized by mineral content, and it helps prevent spotting and scale buildup.

A synthetic chelating agent made from glutamic acid, an amino acid, designed as a biodegradable alternative to older chelators like EDTA.

What the evidence says

GLDA is reviewed favorably by regulatory bodies for its improved biodegradability compared to EDTA; it has a long history of use in detergents with no significant safety concerns raised at typical use levels.

Context

Exposure is through skin contact during dishwashing or laundry handling and through residue rinsed from surfaces or fabrics; it breaks down more readily in wastewater treatment than older chelators.

Rumors

  1. Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is not a skin irritant.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
      How we know who this is
      • “Our founder Sean Busch started Puracy with a single goal: to make effective, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were gentle enough to use around his growing family.” (their page)

  2. GLDA protects fabrics and washing machines from mineral buildup.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Heritage Park Laundry Essentials — a brand: sells plant-based laundry products; family-owned
      How we know who this is
      • “At Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, we are dedicated to crafting laundry detergents that are safe, gentle, and environmentally friendly.” (their page)
      • “As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in crafting our high-quality, plant-based laundry detergents in small batches to ensure exceptional results and the utmost level of quality control.” (their page)

  3. Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate causes skin irritation and has developmental, endocrine and reproductive effects.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • ewg.org — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it

  4. Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) is readily biodegradable and is an eco-friendly, more sustainable alternative to EDTA.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Heritage Park Laundry Essentials — a brand: sells plant-based laundry products; family-owned
      How we know who this is
      • “At Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, we are dedicated to crafting laundry detergents that are safe, gentle, and environmentally friendly.” (their page)
      • “As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in crafting our high-quality, plant-based laundry detergents in small batches to ensure exceptional results and the utmost level of quality control.” (their page)

  5. GLDA makes laundry detergent clean better in hard water.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Heritage Park Laundry Essentials — a brand: sells plant-based laundry products; family-owned
      How we know who this is
      • “At Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, we are dedicated to crafting laundry detergents that are safe, gentle, and environmentally friendly.” (their page)
      • “As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in crafting our high-quality, plant-based laundry detergents in small batches to ensure exceptional results and the utmost level of quality control.” (their page)
Also used in personal care →

7 of 7

“Benzisothiazolinone?”Here!BIT

PreservativeSynthetic

Why it’s here: Many household cleaners, laundry products, and dish soaps contain water, which is hospitable to microbial growth. BIT is added in small amounts to keep the formula from spoiling between manufacture and last use.

A synthetic preservative from the isothiazolinone family, used to stop bacteria and fungi from growing inside a product while it sits on a shelf.

What the evidence says

Isothiazolinones including BIT are recognized skin sensitizers; the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and ECHA classifications flag it for allergic contact dermatitis potential, mainly from repeated or occupational-level skin contact rather than incidental household use.

Context

Exposure in a cleaning product is chiefly through skin contact during use, particularly for people who clean frequently with bare hands; rinsing and dilution reduce contact time and concentration.

Rumors

  1. Benzisothiazolinone is very toxic to aquatic life.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

  2. Benzisothiazolinone is a safe preservative for laundry detergent, approved by EPA Safer Choice and recognised by EWG.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Heritage Park Laundry Essentials — a brand: sells plant-based laundry products; family-owned
      How we know who this is
      • “At Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, we are dedicated to crafting laundry detergents that are safe, gentle, and environmentally friendly.” (their page)
      • “As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in crafting our high-quality, plant-based laundry detergents in small batches to ensure exceptional results and the utmost level of quality control.” (their page)

  3. Growing use of benzisothiazolinone in household products is driving rising rates of BIT allergy.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Alex Gazzola — an individual: earns affiliate commission (Amazon) on linked products
      How we know who this is
      • “It is edited by Alex Gazzola , a writer and author specialising in allergies, food intolerances and other sensitivities.” (their page)
      • “This site is a member of the Amazon affiliate scheme.” (their page)

  4. BIT is a sensitizing allergen: the more contact you have with it in laundry detergent, the more likely you are to develop an allergy.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Inspire — a platform — posts are by its users: health community paid by clinical trial sponsors for recruitment
      How we know who this is
      • “Inspire is the world's largest health community.” (their page)
      • “Clinical trial sponsors pay Inspire for this service.” (their page)

  5. Benzisothiazolinone in laundry detergent is a contact allergen that causes allergic skin reactions.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Force of Nature — a brand: sells an appliance that makes cleaner and disinfectant from salt, water and vinegar
      How we know who this is
      • “We launched Force of Nature in 2016 with the mission to end the compromise between cleaning and health – for people and the planet.” (their page)
      • “Meet the appliance that converts salt, water, and vinegar into an all-in-one cleaner, deodorizer and EPA-registered disinfectant.” (their page)

Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.