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Frequently Asked Questions
The following items are listed in alphabetical order by their key word. For example: If your question is, “Can I mix Simple Green® with bleach?” you'll find it listed under Bleach. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us via e-mail or phone at 800-228-0709.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) and the American Cancer Society have stated that the common belief that SLES and SLS are carcinogens is an urban legend, a view confirmed by toxicology research by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). SLES, and subsequently some of the products containing it, has sometimes been found to contain parts-per-thousand to parts-per-million levels of 1,4-dioxane, with the recommendation that these levels be monitored. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers 1,4-dioxane to be a probable human carcinogen (having observed an increased incidence of cancer in controlled animal studies, but not in epidemiological studies of workers using the compound), and a known irritant (with a no-observed-adverse-effects level of 400 milligrams per cubic meter). While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to remove this contaminant, it is not currently required by federal law. The ingredients within our products have been screened to make sure that we are utilizing those that are strongly filtered so that they contain little-to-no 1,4 dioxane. We closely monitor these ingredients and constantly seek to utilize the safest alternatives available. While Laureth-6 and Laureth-7, also found within some of our Naturals products, are not part of the SLES family, they are ethoxylated ingredients with potential to contain 1,4 dioxane if not filtered. We monitor them as well to be sure that they do not carry 1,4 dioxane into our products.
