Phenoxyethanol might not be the flashiest name on the label, but it’s one of the most important. As a gentle preservative, it plays a vital role in keeping our cleaning products fresh, effective, and safe to use over time. And yes, it’s often misunderstood. We know that people often wonder if preservatives are unnecessary or even harmful in everyday items such as cleaning products.
At Clean Habits, we don’t add ingredients lightly. Every component of our Pre + Probiotic formulas is selected to support a safer, longer-lasting clean without toxic trade-offs. Phenoxyethanol is no exception.
What Is Phenoxyethanol?
Phenoxyethanol is a globally approved, broad-spectrum preservative commonly used in skincare, cosmetics, and eco-conscious cleaning products. It prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria, mold, and yeast in water-based formulas, especially important in products that contain live microorganisms like ours.
Without a preservative like phenoxyethanol, you’d risk contamination every time you opened the bottle.
Why It’s Safe (Despite the Myths)
Some corners of the internet give phenoxyethanol a bad reputation, but here’s the truth:
- It’s approved for use in both the U.S. and Europe at low concentrations
- It’s much milder than traditional preservatives like parabens or formaldehyde releasers
- It has a long safety record in leave-on and rinse-off products, including baby wipes and lotions
We use it only as much as needed to protect the integrity of our probiotic-powered formulas—nothing more.
How It Works in Probiotic Cleaning
In Clean Habits products, phenoxyethanol stabilizes the water-based formula without harming the bacillus ferment (our probiotic strain) or interfering with Synbio Technology®. That’s because the probiotics are stored in spore form, allowing them to remain dormant until activated by dilution, keeping them safe from preservatives during storage.
The result?
- A shelf-stable, probiotic-rich formula
- Safe for daily use in your home
- Long-lasting cleaning power you can trust
Where You’ll Find It
Phenoxyethanol is in every Clean Habits product to ensure consistency, safety, and shelf life, including our:
- Multi-Purpose Spray
- Bathroom Cleaner
- Kitchen Cleaner
- Pet Stain + Odor Remover
- Laundry Detergent + Washing Machine Cleaner
- Drain Cleaner Concentrate
- Floor Cleaner Concentrate
Every formula is Green Sealâ„¢ Certified, low-VOC, and made without harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, or synthetic dyes.
Cleaning Products (And Results) That Last
Phenoxyethanol may not get much attention, but it helps ensure that every Clean Habits bottle stays fresh, safe, and ready to clean when you are. When paired with our Synbio Technology®, it protects the product without compromising the power of prebiotics and probiotics.
Shop the Clean Habits collection online and discover what a prebiotic-powered clean really feels like. We are also available through a growing list of retailers, including Walmart, Vitacost, Kroger, and Mother’s California Market.
