At KINN we pride ourselves on our products and their efficacy, and at times like these, it can be hard to know where to turn or what information to trust. We have already written a couple of articles on plant-based being just as effective and why we do not necessarily need to be reaching for antibacterial products, but we have also had a lot of questions from you about our products, about their effectiveness against Coronavirus and if they are even antibacterial (please note COVID-19 is a virus and not bacteria)
So we thought we would answer your questions in a little more detail and hopefully provide useful information to take forwards with you.
Q1 - Are KINN products made to kill Coronavirus.?
A: Our products have not been specifically tested against COVID-19, and it can take months for a test like this to happen, this coupled with the fact that only certain laboratories are allowed to handle the virus means that for the time being, we cannot say that our products kill the virus. However, we have researched our ingredients to see if there are any active ingredients with any indication that they can be effective at cleaning away Coronavirus. Citric Acid and Sodium Carbonate are both listed as active ingredients on the EPA ‘List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2’. As we said before, coronavirus is not a bacteria, it is a virus and as numerous sources have cited it is important to make sure our homes are clean and that some of the best ways to remove/clean the virus away are with soap and water (so you don't necessarily need to be reaching for hard chemicals or a specific product that "kill" the virus, providing you are following good hygiene and cleaning your home thoroughly) If you want to specifically disinfect your home, after cleaning it (as cleaning is just as important as disinfecting) then we recommend a product that has a high alcohol content like a disinfectant wipe, but please do not you have to clean before you can disinfect. If you or anyone in your home has coronavirus then do seek professional advice on how to make sure your home is safe for everyone.
Q2 - Are the KINN products antibacterial, can they disinfect?
A: This is a question we get asked a lot. We cannot state that our products are antibacterial because we do not use biocides (harsh chemicals) in our products. However, we do use essential oils in our products that have natural antibacterial properties. Rosemary Essential oil. Lavender essential oil. Citrus essential oil (sweet orange in our case)
Q3 - Are KINN products chemical-free?
A - This is a misnomer we have seen used countless of times by companies claiming they are chemical-free, and it's certainly a confusing part of being in the natural cleaning industry. The short answer is no, they are not chemical-free. This is because everything has a chemical compound and even lavender essential oil is a "chemical". At KINN we try to avoid using any harsh chemicals and we proudly state our natural percentage on all of our products (and we verify this natural percentage with our manufacturers and chemists to make sure it is a true reflection of what is considered natural).
Q4 - Are the KINN products safe for sensitive skin?
A - We have not yet been through the process of being dermatologically tested however we do know from many customers with sensitive skin, psoriasis and eczema that they have found our products to be gentle on their skin.
Q5 - Are the KINN products safe to use around pets?
A - As with anything cleaning related we always recommend that you follow the instructions to make sure that the products are used safely and correctly. We developed our products with our own pets in mind and we have many customers who love using the products in their pet-friendly homes.
Q6 - Are the KINN products made in the UK?
A - Yes, we manufacture all of our products in the UK and we are proud to do so. Whilst not every ingredient can come from the UK we do our best to source from ethical farms and companies and make sure our ingredients are traceable.
Q7 - Are the KINN products cruelty-free, vegan?
A - Yes, all of our products are cruelty-free, we never test on animals and we do not use any animal byproducts in our ingredients. We are applying for vegan and leaping bunny certification in order to give you more peace of mind when shopping!
Q8 - How is KINN handling coronavirus with its employees?
A - We have a very small amount of "employees" in fact it's just the three of us and we are all working from home. Our factory manufactures for more than just one company and they have taken the decision to close for the time being. Our warehouse also works with other companies supplying what is considered essential items and have a strict protocol in place to keep their employees safe, as such we are able to continue shipping our products to you during this time.
Q 9 - What makes KINN products eco-friendly, especially as you use plastic?
A - At KINN we believe that in order to be truly eco-friendly you have to make products that look at their effect on our planet holistically and not just make quick rash decisions about one area of a product without taking into account the full effect a choice has. Our packaging can be recycled and we are working on refills as we believe and from our thorough research have come to understand that the best packaging is packaging that can be re-used, regardless of its raw material. Our ingredients are also an integral part of being "eco-friendly" which is why we source plant-based ingredients from responsible and traceable sources that are created in a way that poses less of an impact on our environment. We have made sure that our ingredients are biodegradable and safe to flush into our waterways.
Q 10 - Why do some KINN products have a warning on them?
A - This is, unfortunately, part of the course of using essential oils. Essential oils all have chemical compounds that can react differently and as such, they come with their own warnings. However, these warnings are based on the overall effects of the oil and not necessarily it's diluted form. As with anything we wouldn't recommend dropping pure essential oils into your eyes. If we were using synthetic fragrances and dyes these warnings would not have to be there, however as we use real natural ingredients that appropriate warning (considered by the regulators) has to go with these. Personally, we think these need to be re-evaluated, but we have to follow the law.