The Story Behind Our Ingredients: Why We Choose What We Do

Sea Spray Soap started because I wanted to understand what was in the products I used every day. This is how we choose ingredients, what we use, and what we leave out.

Why Ingredient Lists Matter

Standing in my kitchen, I realized I couldn't pronounce half the ingredients on my cleaning spray label. Many conventional cleaners contain synthetic fragrance, which doesn't have to list its components, and strong fumes that bother some people. I wanted something simpler that still worked.

How We Choose Ingredients

• Short ingredient lists: If an ingredient doesn't do a job, it doesn't go in.
• Essential oils only: We don't use fragrance oils in any of our products.
• Plant oils and tallow: Our bars and dish soaps are made from oils like olive, sunflower and castor, plus coconut oil or tallow depending on the formula.
• Biodegradable formulas: Soap breaks down in the drain.

What's in Our Products

Our standard solid dish soap is made from coconut oil, olive oil, stearic acid and castor oil. Our coconut-free version uses tallow, sunflower oil and castor oil. Both are scented with essential oils or left unscented. See the full list on our ingredient page.

Why each ingredient is there:

• Coconut oil: Cleansing and a fuller lather.
• Tallow: A hard, long-lasting bar with a creamy lather, and a coconut-free option.
• Olive oil: A mild, conditioning base.
• Castor oil: A stable, rich lather.
• Stearic acid: A plant-based hardener so a dish bar lasts.

Natural Doesn't Mean Weak

Soap is a surfactant. It lifts grease and dirt so water can rinse it away. A well-made soap cleans dishes, laundry and skin without synthetic detergents. For tougher jobs, an enzyme booster and a little patience do the rest.

Where to Start

1. Start with what you use most. Laundry soap and dish soap are easy swaps.
2. Read labels. Look for named ingredients rather than "fragrance" or "parfum."
3. Replace as you run out. There's no need to throw everything away.
4. Patch test if you're sensitive. Natural ingredients can still bother some people.

FAQ

Are natural cleaning products more expensive? Concentrated products like solid dish soap can last a long time, so cost per use can be lower than a liquid bottle.

Can I make my own cleaners? Simple DIY mixes work for basic jobs. A properly formulated soap will usually give you more consistent results.

Are your products safe for septic systems? Soap-based products are generally fine for septic systems, but check with your septic provider if you have questions.

Explore our natural cleaning collection or read about our ingredients.