Cleaning our homes is an essential part of our daily routine, but it's important to be mindful of the products we use to do so. Many traditional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Fortunately, more eco-friendly options are now available, such as Zemea® 1,3-propanediol, for use in home care cleaning formulations.This article will explore the benefits of using 1,3-propanediol in home care cleaning formulations.
What is Zemea®?
Zemea®, 1,3-propanediol, is a clear, odorless liquid that is derived from renewable corn feedstock. It is a biodegradable and non-toxic alternative to traditional petroleum-based solvents. Zemea® is used in a variety of applications, including cleaning products.
Benefits of using Zemea in home care cleaning formulations
1. Sustainable and renewable
Zemea® is a 100% biobased solvent derived from renewable corn sugar. The fermentation process used to manufacture Zemea® is believed to produce up to 40% less greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime than other similar operations using petroleum-based chemistries (Primient Covation, LLC, 2022). This means that it is a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based solvents. It is also biodegradable, which means that it won't harm the environment once it has been disposed of.
2. Non-toxic and biodegradable
One of the biggest benefits of using Zemea® in home care cleaning formulations is that it is non-toxic and biodegradable. Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our health and the environment. Zemea® is a safer and more eco-friendly alternative that can be used with peace of mind.
3. Effective cleaning power
Zemea® is an effective cleaning agent that can help remove dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces. It is particularly useful for cleaning hard surfaces such as floors and countertops. When used in combination with other cleaning agents, such as surfactants, Zemea® can enhance their cleaning power and efficacy.
4. Versatile
Zemea® is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cleaning formulations. It can be used as a solvent, a viscosity-building aid, or a humectant. This makes it an ideal ingredient for a wide range of cleaning products, including all-purpose cleaners, carpet cleaners, manual & auto dish wash, liquid laundry detergents, floor cleaners, glass cleaners and more. No alt text provided for this image Zemea® is a highly versatile solvent that can be incorporated in a wide range of HI&I applications.
5. Low odor
Traditional cleaning products often have a strong odor that can be overwhelming. Zemea® is odorless, making it a great alternative for those who are sensitive to strong smells. It also means that it won't leave behind any unwanted odors on surfaces after cleaning.
6. It boosts stability
Zemea® has excellent freeze/thaw and heat stability. Plus, Zemea® can be used with or without enzymes, but if you use it with enzymes, there is potential to help boost the stability of the enzymes and you, in fact, increase the efficacy. We’ve seen this happen in laundry detergents and dish wash formulations that have enzymes.
7. It can help preservation efficacy
Zemea® can be formulated with more natural preservatives or phenoxyethanol-based preservatives for a synergistic effect. It’s hypothesized that depending on the formulations, it can demonstrate a boost in preservation in your formulations. In a recent study, Zemea® was shown to increase the preservation efficacy to protect against bacteria in liquid laundry detergent (Primient Covation, LLC, 2022).
Using Zemea® in home care cleaning formulations has many benefits. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, effective, versatile, low odor, and sustainable. As we become more conscious of our impact on the environment, it's important to consider using eco-friendly alternatives like Zemea®. By making small changes in our daily lives, such as choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, we can all do our part to protect the planet.