This week in the lab, Connor Young and Trevor Holm have been working on a soy-based all-purpose cleaner. All-purpose cleaners are meant to remove stains, dirt, and grease without damaging surfaces. However, while surfaces may remain intact, traditional all-purpose cleaners present hazards to humans, pets, and the environment. These cleaning agents usually include harmful chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide—and even formaldehyde and butyl cellosolve (a neurotoxin). The soy-based formulation provides a green alternative. It incorporates soy methyl ester as its backbone, providing a safe, biodegradable product that can compete with the cleaning industry’s best. The Airable team is testing the cleaner’s effectiveness by applying it to different mediums coated in crayons, dirt, grease, and even permanent marker. A few tweaks are in order, but so far, so good!

For more information about Airable and our mission for sustainability, check out our website: www.airableresearchlab.com.