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smol multipurpose spray used on a marble counter, text reads: magic? nope just science!

How smol gives a great clean while using less chemicals.

19 May 2026

Less chemicals, same clean cheat sheet:

smol uses less chemical matter per clean than many big brands
Cleaning performance comes from formulation
We prioritise performance, then cut out the unnecessary
Concentrated formulas mean smaller doses, same results
Some big brand ingredients don’t add to the clean
Independent testing shows smol matches or beats big brands

Here’s a question we get asked a LOT:

“How can smol clean properly when it uses less chemicals?”

Because surely if you’re using less, you’ll get less of a clean?

Well, when it comes to cleaning, it doesn’t always work like that.

Cleaning isn’t about using more

Cleaning performance doesn’t come from how much product you use.

It comes from the ingredients in the formula and how well the whole product has been designed.

smol starts with performance.

Perhaps it’s a surprise to hear we don’t actually start by asking: “how can we use less?”

Our first concern is how to get a brilliant clean, which means using:

Effective surfactants to lift dirt and grease
Enzymes that break down stains
Formulas that work at lower temperatures

Once we’ve got the performance down, we then look at what doesn’t need to be there.

image of smol fabric conditioner next to big laundry bottle

Removing the unnecessary.

A lot of cleaning products contain things that don’t directly improve cleaning.

Excess water (dilution)
Oversized recommended doses
Ingredients that just boost bubbles or give a certain texture
Heavy loads of scent or ingredients that mask natural smells

Removing all that unnecessary stuff has no impact on cleaning.

Keep concentrating!

smol products are concentrated, so you use smaller amounts which also contain less chemical matter per clean.¹

We measure this using chemical dry matter testing which is where all water and fragrance is removed from a product to show how much actual cleaning material is in a dose.

And when you compare products this way, you see something interesting:

smol product	Less chemicals than big brand	Works as well as big brands
Bio Capsules	38% less per wash	✅
Non-Bio Capsules	35% less per wash	✅
Fragrance-Free Capsules	35% less per wash	✅
Bio Laundry Liquid	5.5% less per wash	✅
Non-Bio Laundry Liquid	4.6% less per wash	✅
Fabric Conditioner	66% less per wash	✅
Washing Up Liquid	42% less per wash	✅
Dishwasher Tablets	15% less per wash	✅
Multi Purpose Spray	50% less per 500ml bottle	✅
Floor Cleaner	45% less per 500ml bottle	✅

Independent testing shows smol products match (and sometimes outperform) the big brands.

Why using less still works.

Cleaning is all about:

Targeting dirt and grease properly
Using ingredients that actually do something
Avoiding dilution
Using the right dose (not overdosing)

And in using less chemical matter per clean, you’re using way less unnecessary product in your home and rinsing far less residue down the drain. It’s a win-win.

How smol cleans with less chemicals FAQs.

¹ see smol.com/our-claims

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