Let’s make a comparison between conventional commercially available all-purpose cleaners and Dr Hermann’s Essentials all-purpose cleaner.
All of the common all-purpose cleaner, either in liquid, sprays or wipes formulations, contain soap-like substances (surfactants, detergents) and additives such as builders, to add efficiency, softening, buffering, and emulsifying enhancer, and other ingredients such as dyes, fragrances, preservatives, skin protecting agents, and water. Although these cleaners have cleaning properties, all ingredients are chemicals, created in a laboratory and the cleaning effect of all-purpose cleaners is achieved by surfactants. The composition and major ingredients of conventional all-purpose cleaners is shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Composition of Common All-Purpose Cleaners
| Ingredient(s) | Concentration1 | Nature Class |
| Surfactant | ||
| Sodium stearate | 1 to 10 | Chemical |
| Cetylpyridinium chloride | 1 to 10 | Chemical |
| Fatty alcohol ethoxylate | 1 to 5 | Chemical |
| Additives | ||
| Dyes | <0.1 | Chemical |
| Fragrances | <1 | Chemical |
| Preservatives | <0.5 | Chemical |
| Skin protecting agents | <2 | Chemical |
| Water | 75 to 85 | |
1Concentrations are expressed in percent weight by weight.
In contrast, Dr. Hermann’s Essentials all-purpose cleaner is void of all the chemical surfactants and additives. Instead, a natural plant-derived, soap-like material is used. It is a highly potent, natural surfactant with extraordinary cleaning power comparable to or exceeding chemical surfactants. In addition, natural acid in lemon is part of the cleaner, assisting the removal of calcium and magnesium deposits, and an essential oil with antimicrobial properties, effective against bacteria and fungi, and another essential oil with antimicrobial properties and scent improvement. The composition of Dr. Hermann’s Essentials all-purpose cleaner is shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Composition of Dr Hermann’s Essentials All-Purpose Cleaner
| Ingredient(s) | Concentration1 | Nature Class |
| Surfactant | ||
| Natural soap-like substance | 2.5 | Natural product |
| Additives | ||
| Natural acid in lemon | 1.0 | Natural product |
| Antimicrobials | ||
| Essential oil with antimicrobial properties | 0.05 | Natural product |
| Essential oil with antimicrobial properties and scent improvement | 0.05 | Natural product |
| Water | 96.4 | Nature product |
1Concentrations are expressed in percent weight
The extraordinary cleaning power of Dr Hermann’s Essentials all-purpose cleaner over time is demonstrated in Figures 1 to 4.
The photos were taken from a deck exposed to elements close to 2 years. Figure 1 shows the deck covered with dirt, algae, mold, and probably several unidentified species. Figure 2 was taken immediately after the use of Dr Hermann’s Essentials all-purpose cleaner. Figures 3 and 4 show the deck 16 and 66 days after the initial cleaning but still no visible dirt or any microbials.
Figure 1: Before Cleaning
Figure 2: After Cleaning
Figure 3: 16 Days Later
Figure 4: 66 Days After
