FAQs About BClean Laundry Detergent
What is Prop 65 and are your products compliant?
Proposition 65 (Prop 65) is a California law formally known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, which was enacted in 1986. It is a right-to-know law requiring the public to be informed when a substance on the Prop 65 chemical list – known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm – is present above a very low threshold. The law is unique to California and is not a national standard related to health or safety. No other state has such a labeling regulation.
1908 Brands products are sold in retail stores across California, so we do take all necessary steps to comply with applicable safety and health requirements. In partnership with our sourcing and manufacturing partners, 1908 Brands tests the ingredients that go into each product, as well as finished products to ensure compliance with Prop 65. Our products all fall within FDA suggested guidelines for any/all of the chemicals listed on Proposition 65 and can be safely ingested.
About BClean
Are your products safe to use around pets and children?
Yes! We use plant-based cleaning agents to offer an impressive clean that is gentle on your home and will not harm your children or pets. None of our products contain harsh chemicals. That being said, our products are not meant to be ingested or to come into contact with eyes. If product is ingested, drink large amounts of water and contact a physician. If product comes into contact with eyes, flush with water immediately.
What does the US EPA Safer Choice label on your products mean?
Safer Choice is EPA’s label for safer chemical-based products. Every chemical, regardless of percentage, in a Safer Choice-labeled product is evaluated through EPA’s rigorous scientific process and only the safest ingredients are allowed. For over 15 years, the program has labeled products that are safer for families, pets, workplaces, neighborhoods, and the environment. The label represents leadership in safer product formulation.
The Safer Choice label empowers consumers to quickly identify and choose safer products benefits the environment and human health. When consumers see the Safer Choice label on a product, they can be confident they are protecting their families and the environment by making safer chemical choices.
Products that carry the Safer Choice label are safer for fish and other aquatic life, do not pollute air or waterways, and do not add harmful chemicals to the land.
In addition to meeting stringent safety criteria, every product with the Safer Choice label has met high standards for performance. Also, all products that carry the Safer Choice label must meet other environment-conscious criteria, such as sustainable packaging requirements and restrictions on levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Are your products vegan?
Yes. None of our detergents contain animal-based ingredients, and we absolutely do not test on animals.
Do you use synthetic fragrances?
No. We only use Safer Choice, plant-based fragrances and botanical oils.
Do you use artificial dye to color your products?
No, none of our laundry detergents use dyes.
Do your products expire?
Yes. All good things come to an end. Our products have a three year best by date.
Are your products organic?
No. It is our long-term goal to make 100% certified USDA organic cleaners, but the technology and other raw material components do not currently exist to make an organic cleaner or detergent without sacrificing cleaning capabilities. We feel that our customers expect and deserve products that work, and we deliver that with the highest quality and safest products available on the market.
Are your products gluten-free?
Yes.
Are your products safe for septic systems?
Yes! The individual ingredients in our formulas are biodegradable, septic safe and safe for gray water systems.
Where are your products made?
Our laundry care products are made in the USA.
Do your laundry detergents work for all washing machines?
Yes! Follow the directions on the label for the amount of detergent to use for HE and standard machines.
Does your laundry detergent clean as well as other traditional cleaners?
Yes! Our detergents use Citri-Lift Stain Removal Technology that cuts through grease stains sometimes even better than traditional cleaners. For those stubborn stains, rub the detergent into the stain before going through the laundry.
Is the laundry detergent free from any form of formaldehyde?
Yes.
How much laundry detergent should be used in regular vs. HE washing machines?
For regular machines, fill the cap to Line 2. For HE machines, fill the cap to Line 1.
I have lost the measuring cap for laundry detergent. How much liquid do you use per load?
1 oz per regular load and 2 oz per heavy load.
Is the cap from the jug recyclable?
The cap is polypropylene and is rated a number 5 for the recycling code.
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?
There’s been a lot of concern about sodium lauryl sulfate, and its use in laundry detergent. At BClean we follow the scientific research that supports that it is a safe and effective ingredient to use in Laundry Detergent.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant that can have a variety of uses, but in laundry detergent, it is used to break water tension and attract dirt and grime away from the fabric during the wash cycle. We use SLS that is derived from coconut oil, a plant-derived surfactant.
Why are people concerned about its use?
There has been a lot of false information propagated about this ingredient over the years. Most of this information is not supported by the scientific community, with the exception of skin and eye irritation. While it is true that SLS in its raw form can be irritating to skin or eyes, when formulated properly and mixed with other ingredients, this risk can be decreased.
A reason for people are concerned about SLS or SLES has to do with contamination with the carcinogen, 1,4 dioxane. BClean Laundry Sheets do not use petroleum based ethoxylated surfactants which are commonly contaminated with this concerning chemical. BClean uses dioxane free, plant-derived SLS has an excellent environmental profile as its renewable carbon index is 100%. It’s also biodegradable, and does not bioaccumulate in water or land.
What is Methylisothiazolinone?
Otherwise known as MIT, it is a synthetic preservative that keeps the various enzymes and surfactants from going bad. It is approved by the EPA Safer Choice program and is really the only known preservative that works.
Do your products contain phthalates?
No. Phthalates are tiny particles that we are exposed to through our use of certain plastics which may result in endocrine disruption and other health effects. Our plastics do not contain phthalates.
Do your products contain bleach?
No. We prefer to not use bleach in our products, but it is safe to use bleach in combination with our products.
Do your products contain triclosan?
No.
Do your products contain ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE?
No.
Do your products contain casein?
No.
Do your products contain ammonia?
No.
Do your products contain dioxane?
Our laundry detergent contains a minute level of 1,4 dioxane. This is a by-product that occurs in the blending or development of SLES and is not an added ingredient. The raw material has a limit of 20 parts per million (think of a shot glass in an Olympic-sized swimming pool). OSHA set a limit of 100 parts 1,4 dioxane per 1 million parts of air (100 ppm) in the workplace. One bottle of our laundry detergent contains 1 ppm in the entire bottle and in dilution or wash is reduced to 4 parts per billion.
Do your products contain any genetically modified ingredients?
Yes. In some products, we use GMO-derived cleaning agents. Currently, there aren’t any channels dedicated to creating organic versions of all the ingredients we use. We are constantly looking to innovate and create the best products for you and our long-term goal is to eliminate any GMO-derived ingredients without compromising cleaning power.
Do any of your products use any corn products or corn derivatives at any point during the processing?
We do use surfactants derived from multiple plant derived sources, which could include corn.
Where can I find material safety data sheets?
SDS forms can be found on each of our product pages. Click to see ‘Ingredients and How They Work’ and you will find a link to the SDS sheet.
Laundry Detergent Sheets
How many Laundry Detergent Sheets do I use?
- For normal loads, use 1/2 strip (1 sheet).
- For large or heavily soiled loads, use 1 strip (2 sheets).
Do your sheets work in both top loading and front loaders?
Yes! Our sheets are specially formulated to have great performance in all laundry machines. For top loaders, put your clothes in first, then add the detergent sheet on top. For front loaders, put that sheet in first, then add your clothes last. Select preferred cycle and wash as normal. Always refer to garment care instructions.
Can these be used in HE washing machines?
Yes, our laundry sheets are HE compatible. We recommend putting them directly in the washing drum and then adding your clothes.
Can I use Laundry Detergent Sheets to hand wash laundry?
Absolutely! Simply dissolve the sheet with water in a sink or basin, and then add clothes. For best results, soak clothing 20 minutes before rinsing.
Do the sheets work in cold or hard water?
They do! We formulated them to dissolve in cold water and also work well in hard water.
Are your sheets gluten free?
Yes, our sheets are gluten free! Our sheets do include coconut oil derivatives. Please take care, if you are allergic to coconut oil or its components.
Are your sheets vegan?
They are not tested on animals and we do not use animal ingredients, making them cruelty free and Vegan friendly.
Are your sheets septic safe?
Yes. They will not harm your septic tank.
Is there fragrance in the Free & Clear scent?
The Free & Clear detergent sheets do not contain any fragrance.
Are Laundry Detergent Sheets safe for all fabrics?
Sheets are safe to use on all washable fabrics. Always refer to garment care instructions.
What is the shelf life for Laundry Detergent Sheets?
They will start to lose their efficacy 2 years after the date of manufacturing which can be found on the back of the box.
Are these laundry sheets and their ingredients eco-friendly?
Non-toxicity is at the top of our list of criteria in the products we offer at BClean. But we don’t stop there. We value safety, transparency, sustainability, and social welfare. We create formulas that use plant-based ingredients and provide total transparency around exactly what’s in each product. We list all the ingredients in our products so that you can make the most informed choices for you and your household.
What is PVA?
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, PVOH, PVAL) is a biodegradable polymer that’s used as a binding agent, creating a detergent, neither liquid nor solid that keeps the laundry detergent sheets together.
Does Polyvinyl Alcohol contain microplastics?
PVA dissolves into a non-harmful monomer; it does not turn into a MicroPlastic. The scientific studies prove that the monomers eventually decompose into reusable nutrients over time. These non-toxic monomers are a whole lot better for our environment than the single-use plastics that wind up in our oceans and landfills.