A technology is gaining prominence in the field of cleaning and disinfection products: probiotics. Known for decades as nutritional supplements due to their positive effects on the regeneration of human microflora, they have been expanding their scope of use in the consumer goods sector. The recent European Detergent Congress (SEPAWA) held in Berlin at the end of October clearly demonstrated this. Probiotics are composed of noble bacterial germs, often of the Bacillus genus, which, in the form of spores, are included in cleaning products together with activators.

When the product is applied to a hard surface or fabric, the spores are activated upon contact with organic dirt (blood, milk, grass, sauces, etc.) and the activated bacteria begin the process of breaking it down. This is a 100% natural, biological process that can replace some common synthetic ingredients in cleaning product formulations.

Currently, probiotics are used in this business sector in both domestic and industrial applications for bathroom cleaners, food surface cleaners, laundry detergents, toilet descalers, air fresheners, etc. The use of probiotics, enzymes, and biosurfactants obtained through natural fermentation is gaining ground in the formulations of a growing number of applications. This is yet another example of biomimicry with highly relevant domestic applications.