Cleaning is less of a chore in today than in 1926 when the Association of American Soap and Glycerine Producers, the precursor to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), was formed. Back then, a homemaker spent hours cleaning by hand. Today, her great grandson tosses a pod, sheet or tablet into a washing machine and walks away confident that his clothes will come out clean with a scent that fits his personality like his favorite T-shirt. 

Consumers have generations of chemists to thank for ingredients that more efficiently tackle dirt, germs and malodor. Advancements in cleaning have come over decades and are now being accelerated by the use of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Improved stain removal, fabric integrity and sensorial properties are key new developments from leading suppliers that support the cleaning category. What’s more, options developed for the modern formulator’s tool kit have sustainability baked in, according to executives Happi spoke with during ACI’s annual meeting. 

In scent, dsm-firmenich’s R&D team helps brands meet consumer demands for fragrances that are long-lasting but not overpowering. Heliobliss, for example, is a new, sustainable floral-green ingredient offering high impact and biodegradability with reduced carbon footprint. Popscent Eco biodegradable fragrance capsules deliver long-lasting freshness, and are engineered for real-life consumer habits, such as overdosing and the prevalence of tumble drying. Aquozone, an upcycled, natural-origin high-performance watery ingredient, can help brands solve consumers’ desire for products that are grounded in nature yet deliver enhanced performance, according to dsm-firmenich. Additionally, formulators can turn to Clearsense for malodor control technology that neutralizes odors while adding the sensory experience that consumers expect.

BASF reports that compaction, energy savings, performance and convenience remain top priorities for cleaning—and of course, sustainability. Customers want all addressed simultaneously. To that end, BASF continues to expand its portfolio and invest in innovation, officials told Happi.

BASF continues to enhance its alkylpolyglucosides (APG) portfolio, which delivers cleaning performance that’s sustainable. These naturally derived versatile biodegradable surfactants are effective in a variety of applications from laundry to dish wash to hard surface cleaning. Glucopon 480, for example, is 1,4 dioxane-free, 100% biobased APG surfactant for laundry applications that performs well in warm and cold water and is readily biodegradable.

Late last year, BASF announced expansion of its APG footprint in Thailand. In addition, a new APG production line in Cincinnati is scheduled for completion this year, which will increase capacity in North America.

BASF also recently added Trilon G, a chelating agent that utilizes glutamic acid diacetate (GLDA) chemistry and is biobased. It aids in product performance by significantly improving surfactant efficiency through water softening, according to the company. 

Univar officials report increased interest in probiotic cleaning. Microbial products like Microvia Pro from Novonesis are “good” bacteria that can help brands tap into this trend without sacrificing performance. 

Cellulases also help brands address trends in fabric care, according to Univar. Products like Carezyme Elite, for example, help remove fuzz and pills from garments, refreshing older textiles and keeping clothes looking newer for longer. This protease-stabilized care cellulase means brands don’t have to choose between effective soil removal and fabric care, according to Univar. The company also released a new formulation kit, Performance with Purpose, which features seven new formulations designed for major trends across the cleaning space. 

The focus on performance and sustainability will continue well beyond 2026, and suppliers continue to ramp up their efforts.

At Inolex, 99% of its portfolio is verified biodegradable and 100% of new innovations are bio-based and multi-functional. With commercial centers in North and South America, Europe, India, China and Korea, Inolex is making major investments to serve customers, including a new Ingredient Design Center in the US scheduled to open in 2027. The center will be an “immersive, science-forward experiential space that brings innovation to concept under one roof,” according to officials. Inolex is also integrating AI tools to accelerate the product development cycle and bring more novel chemistries to customers.