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The Hidden Dangers of Conventional Cleaning Products
Conventional cleaning products often contain a mix of potentially harmful ingredients, including dyes, phthalates, ammonia, bleach, triclosan, formaldehyde, parabens, optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances, and many petrochemicals.
But here's the shocking part:
Manufacturers aren't required to disclose all the components of their formulations. So, what's really nesting in your cupboards and creeping around your surfaces?
While many brands tout the safety and quality of their ingredients, their refusal to disclose them raises an eyebrow. If they're genuinely proud and transparent, why the secrecy?
Demystifying the 'Chemical' Debate
It's true that "everything is a chemical," from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Our world depends on chemical interactions, and many of them have clearly improved and even extended our lives. The real issue is not chemicals themselves, but figuring out which ones might harm our health or the environment.
Also, just because something is labelled "natural" or "naturally derived" does not mean it is always safer or better for the environment. Most ingredients undergo some form of chemical processing. When it comes to safety, it is not just about where an ingredient comes from; the amount used and how it is applied are important too.
Lavender and Lemon: A Transparent Promise
At Lavender and Lemon, we champion transparency. Every ingredient we use stands proudly on our website and product labels. No hidden secrets, no perplexing terms, only pure honesty. Should any ingredient pique your curiosity, we're always happy to answer any questions, so do get in touch.
Free From
Phthalates, Phenoxyethanol and synthetic fragrance.
Naturally Scented
100% pure essential oils for a calm, naturally scented home.
Plant-Based
Plant-derived, including COSMOS & Ecocert-approved ingredients.
Ethically Sourced
Suppliers chosen for their social and environmental responsibility.
Free From
Phthalates, Phenoxyethanol and synthetic fragrance.
Naturally Scented
100% pure essential oils for a calm, naturally scented home.
Plant-Based
Plant-derived, including COSMOS & Ecocert-approved ingredients.
Ethically Sourced
Suppliers chosen for their social and environmental responsibility.
Why Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, each with its own character, and they’ve been treasured for centuries for their scent. I use them in my products for one reason: fragrance. There’s no synthetic fragrance in anything I make, so every scent you notice comes from the plants themselves.
The notes below are a general introduction to each oil and what it’s traditionally known for. My products aren’t intended to have any therapeutic effect.
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Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium)
Sweet, rosy and slightly green, geranium is a favourite in natural perfumery for its rose-like scent. In aromatherapy, it’s traditionally associated with balance and a sense of calm.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender)
One of the most widely studied essential oils, with a soft, floral scent. Lavender has been used in aromatherapy for centuries and is traditionally associated with relaxation and calm, which is why so many people love it at the end of the day.
Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot)
The citrus behind the classic scent of Earl Grey tea. Bright and gently floral, bergamot is traditionally associated with a lifted mood.
Citrus Limon (Lemon)
Bright, fresh and zesty. Lemon oil is rich in limonene, a natural solvent, which is why citrus has been part of home cleaning for generations. Its scent is traditionally associated with energy and a fresh start.
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree)
Fresh, clean and herbaceous. Tea tree comes from the leaves of a tree native to Australia and has long been a staple of natural home care. It adds a crisp, clean note to the blend.
In my candles, wax melts and soaps
Chamaemelum Nobile (Roman Chamomile)
Sweet, soft and apple-like. Chamomile has been used in aromatherapy for centuries and is traditionally associated with comfort and calm. It’s part of my HOME blend.
Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage)
Earthy, herbal and gently musky. Clary sage is traditionally associated with a sense of rest, and it grounds the brighter notes in my HOME blend.
Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange)
Warm, juicy and cheerful, pressed from the peel of the fruit. It’s traditionally associated with a happy, uplifted mood and is at the heart of my festive Pomander scent.
Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove)
Rich, warm and spicy, distilled from the dried flower buds. Clove has been part of festive pomanders for centuries and adds depth to my Christmas candles, wax melts and soap.
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon Bark)
Sweet, warm and spicy. It’s traditionally associated with cosy winter evenings and is part of my Pomander blend.
Pinus Sylvestris (Scots Pine)
Fresh, green and resinous, distilled from the needles. It brings to mind forest walks and crisp winter air. You’ll find it in my Wintergreen soap and Summer Nights candle.
Mentha Spicata (Spearmint)
Sweet, soft and cooling, gentler than peppermint. It adds a fresh lift to my Wintergreen soap.
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint)
Bright, cool and invigorating. It’s traditionally associated with feeling refreshed and is the crisp top note in my Wintergreen soap.
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang)
Lemony, sweet and sherbet-like, from the small fruits of an Asian tree. It gives a bright citrus sparkle to my Citron soap and Summer Nights candle.
Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass)
Fresh, grassy and lemony. It features in my Citron soap and Summer Nights candle.
Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime)
Sharp, zesty and bright. It adds a fresh citrus edge to my Citron soap.
Citronella
Fresh, lemony and grassy, the familiar scent of summer evenings outdoors. It’s the signature note of my Summer Nights Garden Candle.
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus)
Fresh, clean and airy, with a crisp, cooling scent. It brightens the top notes of my Summer Nights candle.
Harnessing the Best of Nature and Science
At Lavender and Lemon, we use gentle, ECOCERT, COSMOS and Soil Association approved plant-derived surfactants, preservatives, and mineral ingredients.
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Deionised Water
Purified water that has had contaminants removed in order to maximize shelf life of the finished product and improve cleaning power.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
A highly effective, plant-derived, biodegradable, non-ionic surfactant that has the ability to loosen and aid removal of oily residues and emulsify essential oils. It is ECOCERT Certified.
Decyl Glucoside
A mild and gentle non-ionic plant-based surfactant made from derivatives of Coconut Oil and Glucose. Non-ionic surfactants are not deactivated in hard water so this ingredient is added to boost foam and support the detergent system. It is Soil Association and ECOCERT approved.
Sodium Coco Sulfate
Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is a COSMOS-certified anionic surfactant that the Soil Association also permits. It is derived from the fatty acids found in coconut oil and . It's important to note that SCS should not be mistaken for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Unlike SLS and SLES, which go through the ethoxylation process and are often made from palm or crude oil, SCS is not ethoxylated and has a larger molecule size, so it cannot penetrate the skin and, therefore, is much less likely to cause irritation. In our washing-up liquid, Sodium Coco Sulfate is used to improve foaming and assist the detergent system. It is readily biodegradable, environmentally friendly and skin-friendly.
Denatured Alcohol & Isopropyl Alcohol
Denatured Alcohol and Isopropyl Alcohol are selected for performance and a streak-free finish. They’re the same everyday alcohols found in perfumes, hand sanitisers and skincare. The denatured alcohol is a high-grade ethanol, denatured to meet UK requirements and designed for use with essential oils. Together they evaporate cleanly, help the essential oils and preservatives stay evenly dissolved for a clear formula, and leave no residue. Both are readily biodegradable.
Sodium Carbonate
Also known as soda ash or washing soda - used as a builder in detergent powders and tablets for water softening in the washing process. It effectively tackles dirt and its abrasive nature cuts through grease and grime. Can be used to clean various items around the house.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Also known as baking soda - a very effective abrasive cleaner and deodorizer that replaces many chemical-laden, lab-derived ingredients in our daily lives. We use 100% pure, naturally sourced sodium bicarbonate that is environmentally sustainable with minimal CO2 emissions.
Sodium Percarbonate
Also known as oxygen bleach, it is made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. It is an environmentally safe bleaching agent that offers many of the same functional benefits as liquid hydrogen peroxide. It dissolves into water rapidly to release oxygen and provides powerful cleaning, bleaching, stain removal and deodorising. It has the added advantage of having no odour and is colour and fabric safe. We use 100% pure sodium percarbonate.
Vegetable Glycerin
A plant-derived humectant, used alongside our xanthan gum. The gum is blended into the glycerin first to form a smooth paste, so it disperses evenly through each formula instead of clumping. Made from soy and coconut oils, pharmaceutical-grade, and readily biodegradable.
Xanthan Gum
A naturally derived thickener that gives our liquid formulas their body and smooth, even texture. It's a plant-based polysaccharide made by fermenting plant sugars, used here in a cosmetic-grade "clear" form, finely milled for better clarity and stability than standard xanthan gum, so it thickens without clouding the formula or adding colour. It also helps keep ingredients evenly suspended. Only a small amount is needed, and it's blended into our vegetable glycerin first so it disperses smoothly. Readily biodegradable.
Citric Acid
Naturally found in citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. It is an excellent natural cleaning agent that is ideal for removing mould and mildew and is also effective at tackling limescale and calcium build-ups.
Benzyl Alcohol
A broad-spectrum preservative used in small amounts alongside sodium benzoate, so formulas stay protected across a wider pH range. Ours is sourced as a pharmaceutical grade meeting the European, British, Japanese and US pharmacopoeia standards, the highest purity benchmark for this material, from an Article 95 BPR-compliant supply chain, which is the UK standard for biocidal sourcing. It protects the product itself against bacteria, yeast and mould, keeping it fresh and effective for longer once opened. Readily biodegradable and non-formaldehyde-releasing.
Sodium Benzoate
A nature-identical preservative, COSMOS-approved and a deliberate step up from the technical-grade sodium benzoate found in many cleaning products. It's the salt form of benzoic acid, a compound that occurs naturally in fruits like cranberries and cinnamon. Only a small amount is needed to keep each formula fresh and stable against the bacteria, yeast and mould that can develop once a bottle is opened. Readily biodegradable, and free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers, unlike some older preservative systems.