Cottage cheese nachos, yoghurt-based smoothies, pickles… No, these aren’t just random cravings. The link? Probiotics.

I’m sure you’ve waddled into a pharmacy, knees pressed together, complaining about stomach issues, only to be handed a probiotic. Or maybe you were around when gut health started gaining popularity in the wellness scene – again, probiotics.

Now, if you’ve been part of the Evolve family for a while, or you really do your research, you may have noticed that Evolve Biodegradable products often make mention to containing probiotics. I’m not about to tell you to drizzle our cleaning products over your breakfast. But I will tell you why they’re in our products in the first place.

Probiotics — What are they, really?

Welcome to another Biology lesson with Jade! I wish I could say I revisited my books, but this one required a bit deeper digging on the world wide web.

Probiotics are good microorganisms that are made up of bacteria and yeast (which is part of the Fungi kingdom).

Still with me? Because I lost myself a couple of times trying to break that down.

But cleaning products? Are these the same probiotics we eat?

If I still need to convince you not to eat Evolve Biodegradable cleaning products, I’m mildly worried. While some of the same bacteria are used in both food and cleaning products, their role is completely different.

So, what probiotics do we use in our products? Well, there are a lot of them and trying to read the names made me question my ability to speak English. I am going to narrow it down to three key bacteria and two yeasts.

Probiotic Bacteria

Bacillus subtilis (Common name: ‘Hay bacillus’ or ‘Grass bacillus’)

·        What it does: It assists in odour control and prevents harmful bacteria growth by producing enzymes that break down organic waste, grease and dirt.

Lactobacillus plantarum (No common name, but found in fermented foods)

·        What it does: By breaking down organic matter and suppressing bad bacteria, it collectively reduces odours and keeps surfaces cleaner for longer.

Bacillus megaterium (Common name: ‘Big Beast’ — yes, honestly — due to its size.)

·        What it does: Big Beast produces enzymes that degrade oils, fats and cellulose while assisting in breaking down organic residues in drains and sewage systems.

Probiotic Yeast

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Common name: ‘Brewer’s yeast’ or ‘Baker’s yeast’)

• What it does: Brewer’s yeast produces enzymes that break down fats and proteins, helping to clean surfaces and control bad odours. (Yes, a lot of them assist in odour control but let’s not be quick to judge – there are a lot of weird odours out there.)

Saccharomyces boulardii (No common name)

• What it does: Often used in eco-friendly cleaning solutions, it outcompetes harmful microbes, reducing bacterial growth and improving surface hygiene.

Though, that’s not all! Probiotics in cleaning products are like confectionery cakes - designed for one main purpose but with extra benefits. Just like a confectionary cake is made to be eaten but also looks amazing, probiotic cleaners break down dirt and grime while also being eco-friendly, helping the environment long after you’ve finished cleaning.

What other functions are probiotics keeping secret?

·        Soil and water enrichment: Probiotics enhance soil health and aid in plant growth. This doesn’t mean that all our products can be used in the garden, but here are two that can make a difference:

·        Energy efficiency in waste treatment: When probiotic biodegradable products enter sewage systems, they can assist in breaking down organic materials, reducing the load on waste treatment plants. (It might not end load-shedding, but hey, every bit helps!)

·        Mould prevention: Probiotics can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, helping to keep surfaces mould-free.

Now you know why confectionery cakes — I mean, probiotics — are in our products!

‘Too much of anything isn’t good,’ as the saying goes … Not all microorganisms are friendly and you shouldn’t go out looking to pick them up. But it’s always good to check if your cleaning products contain probiotics — or you can just shop Evolve Biodegradable. It’s that easy. 😉