For years, SmartPipe has been developing and testing a probiotic all-purpose cleaner that offers an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemicals. At the same time, more and more companies are exploring this field due to its commercial potential. However, one of the biggest challenges is that bacteria have traditionally been perceived as enemies of hygiene. The success of cleaning has long been measured by the number of bacteria remaining on cleaned surfaces, which can lead to misunderstandings about the benefits of probiotic cleaning. Customers’ perceptions of bacteria may also slow down decision-making—”Bacteria? How can they help with cleaning?”
SmartPipe sees bacteria differently—they are nature’s own cleaners. Probiotic cleaning relies on specific bacteria that break down dirt, clean pipelines and surfaces, and eliminate odors. The final result is simply water and carbon dioxide—a natural and effective way to maintain cleanliness.
Responsible Cleaning Without Greenwashing
Marketing probiotic cleaning products is not without challenges. The EU has set strict regulations on the environmental claims that can be made about products. Greenwashing is banned, and all claims regarding a product’s environmental impact, durability, composition, and use must be supported by verifiable evidence. Many companies still use eco-friendly terminology without concrete proof, but SmartPipe takes a different approach.
Probiotic cleaners are based on ‘beneficial bacteria,’ but merely using the term is not enough—it must be demonstrated what benefits they actually provide. Prebiotics, on the other hand, serve as food that supports the growth of probiotics. Together, they trigger a process that produces measurable results. For example, lactobacillus added to infant formula can technically be considered probiotic, but if the bacteria are dead, they function as prebiotics by stimulating the gut microbiome. A similar issue applies to cleaning products: some manufacturers claim that adding sugar accelerates the cleaning process, but in reality, the sugar also feeds harmful bacteria. Consumers are accustomed to fast-acting cleaning agents, but probiotic products always require time and the right conditions—this is a biological fact that cannot be ignored.
Effective Probiotic Cleaning Is Based on Science
SmartPipe believes that developing the best possible biotech cleaning product requires a carefully designed formulation. First, dirt is emulsified to make it biologically degradable. Then, conditions are created to support the growth of beneficial bacteria—without introducing biocidal agents that would disrupt the natural process. When bacteria function optimally, they produce enzymes that break down emulsified dirt. This not only cleans but also improves surface hygiene by reducing spaces where harmful bacteria can thrive.
Some manufacturers claim that adding sugar helps, but the truth is that bacteria are not selective—they consume everything available on a surface. SmartPipe’s BioTroop Wash cleaner uses sugar-based surfactants that do not degrade until all other sugars have been removed. This ensures a controlled and effective microbial cleaning process. Several studies support the positive effects of beneficial bacteria in maintaining cleanliness.
Valitettavasti monet probioottisten tuotteiden valmistajat luottavat siihen, ettei loppuasiakkailla ole syvällistä mikrobiologista tietoa, jolloin lupauksien myyminen on helpompaa. Markkinointi myy edelleen liian usein paremmin kuin tuotteen toiminnallisuus.
SmartPipe stands apart from competitors by offering solutions backed by long-term research and experience. Our products contain a broad and stable bacterial strain, ensuring effective and safe results. Why settle for less when you can choose a truly functional alternative?
*The writing is based on SmartPipe’s Director of R&D and Business Development Mikko Eskola’s article In the jungle of terminology, marketing promises and reality. Read Mikko’s version here.