Our Ingredients: Transparency You Can Trust

At Common Good, we list every ingredient because transparency matters. Our sustainably sourced, biodegradable materials meet the highest safety standards, so you can trust what’s in every product.

All our liquid soaps and cleaners are rated A by the Environmental Working Group.

SEE HOW WE RATE ON EWG →
INGREDIENT EWG RATING TYPE WHAT IS IT? WHY WE USE IT?
Aloe Barbadensis 1 Humectant Leaf juice from aloe plant Natural moisturizer
Amylase Enzyme 1 Enzyme Plant-derived enzyme Helps break down starch-based soil
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside 1 Surfactant Sugar-derived surfactant from corn, potatoes Gentle plant-based cleanser
Cetyl Betaine 1 Surfactant Mild surfactant Gentle cleansing power
Citric Acid 2 pH Adjuster Natural, non-GMO corn-derived water softener Hard water stain removal and natural preservative
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract Oil 3 Fragrance 100% pure essential oil Natural fragrance
Cocamidopropyl Betaine 2 Surfactant Coconut-derived foaming agent Boosts foam and viscosity
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine 1-2 Surfactant Coconut-based surfactant Cleansing, foaming, and thickening
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide 1-2 Surfactant Coconut-based surfactant Mild cleaning and foaming agent
Coco-Glucoside 1 Surfactant Plant-derived gentle cleanser Mild surfactant that rinses clean
Coconut Fatty Acid 1 Surfactant Coconut oil-based cleanser Water soluble and provides quick lather
Decyl Glucoside 1 Surfactant Sugar-derived surfactant Mild cleanser great for people with sensitive skin
Disodium-2 Sulfolaurate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Mild, non-drying cleanser and foaming agent
Ethoxylated Alcohol 1 Surfactant Plant-derived cleanser Cuts through grease and soils
Ethylhexylglycerin 1 Preservative Booster Preservative Paraben-free preservative
Gluconic Acid 1 pH Adjuster Plant-derived non-caustic acid Occurs naturally in fruit and dissolves mineral deposits
Glycerin 2 Humectant Vegetable-derived humectant Moisturizer
Isopropyl Alcohol 3 Solvent Alcohol Evaporation and germicide
L Lactic Acid 2 pH Adjuster Plant-derived lactic acid Good descaler and soap scum remover and natural antibacterial agent
Lauramine Oxide 1-2 Surfactant Plant-derived surfactant Mild plant-based surfactant
Lauryl Glucoside 1 Surfactant Plant-derived gentle cleanser Lifts dirt and grime without irritation
Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil 3 Fragrance 100% pure essential oil Natural fragrance
Lipase Enzyme 1 Enzyme Plant-derived enzyme Helps break down fats
Mannanase 1 Enzyme Protein-based stain remover Breaks down tough organic stains
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil 1 Fragrance 100% pure essential oil Natural plant-based fragrance
Pectate Lyase 1 Enzyme Protein-based stain remover Breaks down plant-based stains
Phenoxyethanol 2 Preservative Preservative Paraben-free preservative
Poly Glucosides 1 Surfactant Non-ionic surfactant from natural sugars Gently breaks down dirt and grease
Potassium Carbonate 1 pH Adjuster Mineral-based inorganic salt Adjusts pH
Potassium Hydroxide 3 pH Adjuster Mineral-based pH adjuster and cleaning agent pH adjuster that is safe when used in low concentrations
Potassium Sorbate 2 Preservative Food-grade preservative Prevents microbial growth
Propanediol 2 Solvent Plant-derived humectant Enhances product texture and stability
Protease Enzyme 1 Enzyme Plant-derived enzyme Helps break down proteins
Purified Water 1 Base/Carrier Mechanically filtered water Cleaned of contaminants
Sodium Benzoate 1 Preservative Synthetic preservative Well-tested, food-grade preservative
Sodium Bicarbonate 1 Alkaline agent Baking soda Natural deodorizer and gentle abrasive
Sodium Carbonate 1 Builder Salt used as a cleaning agent and water softener Enhances effectiveness of detergent
Sodium Chloride 1 Thickener Inorganic salt (table salt) Increases viscosity
Sodium Citrate 1 pH Adjuster Mineral-based salt Adjusts acidity
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Gentle coconut-based cleanser
Sodium Cocoate 1 Surfactant Coconut oil soap Traditional soap base for cleaning
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Mild cleaning agent
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate 1 Surfactant Biodegradable anionic surfactant Powerful grease-cutting action
Sodium Gluconate 1 Cleaning Agent Cleaning and chelating agent Water softener and cleaning agent
Sodium Hydroxide 3 pH Adjuster Inorganic salt Adjusts pH levels
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Gentle coconut-based cleanser
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Gentle coconut-based cleanser
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived cleanser Cuts grease, creates suds, and provides the cleaning power people expect from soap
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate 1-2 Surfactant Coconut-derived cleanser Mild cleanser with good foaming properties
Sodium Laurylglucoside Hydroxypropylsulfonate 1 Surfactant Coconut and non-GMO corn-derived surfactant Removes dirt and oils without stripping skin
Sodium methyl cocoyl Taurate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Gentle coconut-based cleanser
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate 1 Surfactant Olive oil-derived mild cleanser Gentle cleaning with low irritation
Sodium Methyl-2 Sulfolaurate 1 Surfactant Coconut-derived surfactant Mild cleanser with good foaming properties
Sodium Percarbonate 1 Cleaning Agent Salt that releases hydrogen peroxide in water Removes soil and stains, bleaches, and disinfects
Sodium Silicate 1 Builder Salt used as a detergent Dissolves oils and grease
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 1 Chelating Agent Non-EDTA water softener Improves cleaning performance by softening water
Xantham Gum 1 Thickener Safe, natural thickener produced via fermentation Provides consistency and stability to liquid products like soaps and cleaners

About Our Formulations

Enzymes: Nature’s Smart Cleaning Technology

Enzymes are proteins derived from natural sources like bacteria or fungi, designed to target specific stains. Protease breaks down proteins like blood or egg, lipase tackles grease, and amylase handles starches. Think of them as precision tools for cleaning, breaking stains into smaller pieces so they rinse away easily.

Enzymes replace harsher ingredients found in traditional cleaners, like phosphates, which harm waterways, or chlorine bleach, which is corrosive. They work effectively in cold water, saving energy, and are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues.

Preservatives: Why They’re Necessary and How We Choose Safely

Preservatives are essential for keeping water-based products like hand soap and cleaners safe to use. Without them, mold, bacteria, and yeast could grow, turning a product meant to clean into a potential health hazard.

We carefully select preservatives that are proven to be safe and effective at low concentrations. Ingredients like phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate are food-grade or widely used in personal care, ensuring they meet rigorous safety standards. These preservatives work well at concentrations far below regulatory limits, reducing any risk of irritation while keeping products stable.

Many brands, even those labeled “natural,” have adopted isothiazolinones (like MIT/BIT), which are inexpensive but highly sensitizing and potentially harmful. These chemicals are linked to skin irritation, allergies, and, in some cases, are banned or limited in the EU. We refuse to compromise your safety with shortcuts like these. By using gentle, well-tested preservatives, we ensure our products stay fresh without posing unnecessary risks.

Enzymes: Nature’s Smart Cleaning Technology

Surfactants are the active ingredients in cleaners that allow water to mix with oils and grease. They work by surrounding and breaking apart oil and dirt molecules, forming tiny droplets (micelles) that can be suspended and washed away with water. This is how surfactants enable effective cleaning on surfaces, fabrics, dishes, hands, etc.

In conventional products, many surfactants are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. These synthetic surfactants often take much longer to biodegrade and can leave harmful residues in waterways, posing risks to aquatic life.

We use plant-based surfactants derived from renewable sources like coconut, sugar, and corn. While older plant-based surfactants didn’t match the cleaning performance of synthetic ones, advancements in green chemistry have changed that. Modern plant-based surfactants are just as effective and break down quickly and completely in the environment. By choosing these alternatives, we avoid the environmental impact of petroleum-derived chemicals and ensure our products are safe for you and your home.

Fragrance: Why We Use Only 100% Pure Essential Oils

Fragrance is a key part of the cleaning experience, but it’s also an area where conventional products can introduce hidden risks. Synthetic fragrances, often labeled simply as “fragrance” or "perfume," can contain a mix of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates and other hormone-disrupting compounds. And don't be fooled by products that use a mix of essentials oils and fragrance. Even a small amount of these chemicals can still cause irritation and long-term health concerns.

At Common Good, we exclusively use 100% pure essential oils to scent our products. Sourced from plants, these oils provide a natural, fresh scent without the synthetic additives. While essential oils can sometimes irritate skin at high concentrations, we use them sparingly and carefully to ensure safety while maintaining the uplifting scents you love.

By choosing essential oils, we prioritize transparency and safety, offering scents that are better for your home and the environment.

No Harmful VOCs: Clean Air, Safe Cleaning

Enzymes are proteins derived from natural sources like bacteria or fungi, designed to target specific stains. Protease breaks down proteins like blood or egg, lipase tackles grease, and amylase handles starches. Think of them as precision tools for cleaning, breaking stains into smaller pieces so they rinse away easily.

Enzymes replace harsher ingredients found in traditional cleaners, like phosphates, which harm waterways, or chlorine bleach, which is corrosive. They work effectively in cold water, saving energy, and are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues.