Concentrated household cleaning products are a rapidly growing segment of the homecare and industrial cleaning market. Consumers are seeking more sustainable and/or cost-effective cleaning solutions, so items like concentrated laundry detergent, tea tree essential oils, or plant-based hard surface cleaning solutions are increasing in demand.

In addition to environmental impact reduction and cost-savings, this market segment is also driven by the convenience of concentrated cleaning effectiveness in smaller packaging, which is just as appealing for manufacturers as it is for shoppers.  

'Ready-to-use' cleaning products are sold pre-diluted to the correct strength and ready for immediate use in cleaning applications such as a liquid spray surface cleaner. The purchaser only needs to open the container and apply the product. However, water is typically the most abundant ingredient. In comparison, concentrated cleaning products contain similar active ingredients but use significantly less water than their traditional counterparts and require substantially less packaging per unit dose.

For example, a ready-to-use regular detergent might use up to 80% water per load. In contrast, concentrated laundry products may use only 40% – much more eco-friendly and affordable from a modern consumer perspective. Concentrated cleaning supplies benefits include:

Environmental sustainability

Concentrated household cleaning products typically use smaller packaging sizes and require less water for dilution. Concentrated formulas contribute to plastic waste reduction, less landfill waste, and carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Additionally, the concentrated nature of these products minimizes the volume of chemicals entering wastewater and mitigates the ecological impact on aquatic ecosystems. 

Cost-effectiveness

One of the most compelling arguments for adopting concentrated household products is the potential for substantial cost savings. According to a Mintel report entitled "Sustainability in Household Care – UK – 2023," this is an economic climate where 43% of consumers describe their finances as "just okay," so any form of financial relief is a vital benefit among shoppers. With concentrated formulations reducing the cost per load compared to traditional formulas, they are growing in importance for European households.

Furthermore, the reduced packaging size and lighter weight of concentrated products result in lower shipping costs for manufacturers, which can be extended to consumers. Over time, these savings accumulate, offering households a tangible financial benefit while also promoting budget-conscious consumption.

Concentrated cleaner impacts on current and future consumers

The good news for brands, producers, and – of course – the planet is that consumers are embracing concentrated household cleaning and laundry products, demonstrating a pivotal step towards a more sustainable and economically viable future. Through their enhanced efficacy, reduced environmental impacts, and cost-saving potential, concentrated formulations offer a compelling value proposition for manufacturers, consumers, and regulatory bodies alike.

By advancing household cleaning innovation and prioritizing sustainability in the space, Univar Solutions collaborates with global brands and manufacturers to find the best ingredient solutions to create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable concentrated household cleaning and laundry products.

Connect with our homecare and industrial cleaning team of ingredient specialists to learn how we can work together to discover the best formulations for your concentrated cleaning products.

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imperdiet proin fermentum leo vel orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna etiam tempor orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc non blandit massa enim nec dui nunc mattis enim ut tellus elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa id neque aliquam vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risus at ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla malesuada pellentesque elit eget gravida cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus vel facilisis volutpat est velit egestas dui id ornare arcu odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est ultricies integer quis auctor elit sed vulputate mi sit amet mauris commodo quis imperdiet massa tincidunt nunc pulvinar sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada 

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