Dr. Jim: "One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is around ‘100% plant-based’ claims. Many companies boast about using Alkyl Poly Glucosides (APGs)- a surfactant that comes from plants- but they only use a tiny percentage in their formulas to make the claim.

Even though APGs are plant-derived, they go through several synthetic processing steps before they become usable in a cleaner. The carbohydrate part comes from sources like sugar, while the alkyl part comes from coconut or palm oil- but both require intensive processing and multiple chemical modifications to turn them into a usable surfactant.

So in reality, plant-based APGs aren’t much different from standard synthetic surfactants, and the land used to grow these plant-based ingredients could have been used for food production instead. That’s why I chose not to use APGs in Bumboo’s cleaning products - they don’t clean particularly well, and the sustainability claims around them are dubious at best.

Dr. Jim: "It’s easy to assume that a cleaning product with warning labels is more dangerous than one without- but that’s not always the case. As a product is diluted from a concentrate to the ready to use form, and then often again diluted with rinse water hazards decrease. Also, remember even natural ingredients, like essential oils, are classified as hazardous because they can be corrosive in high concentrations or have allergenic properties.

At Bumboo, we’ve taken a different approach. Instead of shipping large, diluted bottles of cleaner, we provide compact, concentrated pods that you dissolve in water at home. This means that in their undiluted form, they appear more hazardous on labels compared to traditional cleaners. However, at the point of use- when mixed with water- our products are no longer classified as hazardous under CLP regulations.

So, if you see a warning label on our pod packaging, don’t panic! It’s just because they’re concentrated- once diluted, they’re just as safe (if not safer) than many cleaners without classification labels. And remember, because the detergent is inside a sealed sachet, you are never exposed to it.”

Dr. Jim: "A lot of brands claim they never use petroleum-based ingredients or that their surfactants are 100% plant-derived- but in reality, that’s almost impossible to guarantee.

The chemical production industry is a massive, integrated global operation. A surfactant that’s labeled as ‘made in the UK’ may have been blended here, but its precursor ingredients could have come from all over the world- passing through multiple processing steps along the way.

At Bumboo, we prioritise plant-derived surfactants wherever possible, but only if they don’t compromise performance. We also acknowledge that supply chain disruptions can impact sourcing- if plant-based materials become unavailable, manufacturers often have to switch to alternatives to maintain production.

Some companies won’t admit this, but the reality is that chemical supply chains are fluid, and guarantees are difficult. What we can promise is that whenever possible, we’ll use plant-derived materials, and if we ever have to make a switch, we’ll do our best to keep our customers informed.”

Dr. Jim: "My priority was to create a cleaning range that was genuinely effective while minimising environmental impact- without falling into the traps of eco-marketing gimmicks. There are so many products that claim to be ‘natural’ or ‘plant-based,’ but when you look under the hood, the story isn’t quite as clean as they make it seem.

With Bumboo, we focus on:

Cutting carbon emissions by removing bulky water from our products.

Avoiding unnecessary ‘plant-based’ claims when they don’t actually add value.

Using the best ingredients for the job- whether they’re plant-derived or lab-created- without compromising on performance.

A lot of eco-brands sell a nice story, but I wanted to make sure Bumboo’s cleaning products were actually better for the planet, not just marketed that way.”

Dr. Jim: "I think the key thing is to be skeptical of greenwashing. Just because something says ‘natural’ or ‘plant-based’ or even '100% plant based' doesn’t mean it’s actually better for the planet. It’s important to look beyond the labels and marketing claims to understand what’s really going on.

At Bumboo, we’re committed to genuine sustainability- not just ticking greenwashing boxes. That means no pointless ‘eco’ claims, no ineffective ingredients, and no unnecessary waste. Just simple, effective, and honestly sustainable cleaning products to give you a sage, healthy environment to live and work in.”