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The Chemistry of a Closed System

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:48:02 GMT

Why What We Don’t Use Matters

I don't know if its age, the current state of the world or just a shift in my behaviour and thinking but of late I've been consuming a lot of content about the the universe, the Earth and its resources. Trying to understand the connection between finite resources and the eco friendly cleaning and care products in our Johannesburg store.

I find it fascinating that every drop of water (with the exception of the odd icy comet) has been on Earth since inception, in fact, theres a very high probability that the water i boiled this morning to make my coffee once passed through a Brachiosaurus. In the grander scale of the universe, Earth is a "closed system", this means that we don't get new water or new air, the molecules we have are the only ones we’ll ever have.

At the Clean shop we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that "closed system" beyond the "Chemical-Free" Myth. Let’s be honest: "Chemical-free" is a marketing myth, water is a chemical, air is a chemical, the universe is built on chemistry. The real question isn’t whether a product has chemicals, it’s whether those chemicals are compatible with a healthy planet and a healthy home. I'm not here to sell a "magic green leaf" story but to rather, where possible, offer cleaner Chemistry.

To protect our "closed system," we’ve identified a list of "Legacy Pollutants", ingredients that were common in 20th-century cleaning but simply don't belong in a modern home. By stripping these out, we’ve created a high-performance clean that respects the finite resources of our Earth, we pride ourselves on offering non-toxic cleaning products for South Africa.

We have intentionally formulated our range to be free from:

• Ammonia: A harsh respiratory irritant that is notoriously difficult for aquatic ecosystems to process once it leaves your drain.

• Phthalates: Often hidden in synthetic fragrances, these are "persistent" chemicals that stay in the environment (and our bodies) much longer than they should.

• Parabens: Used as cheap preservatives, these can disrupt the natural biological balance of our water systems.

Why This Matters

Every time we clean a floor or wash a dish, we are participating in the Earth’s cycle. When you remove these specific toxins from your routine, you aren’t just cleaning your house, you are ensuring that what you "give back" to the water system is safer for the universe we all share. Ideally we should be using products that are grey water safe.

Cleaning shouldn't come with a "chemical debt" that the planet has to pay later. It’s about being smarter with the molecules we choose today.

The price of doing nada...

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:42:08 GMT

Talk is cheap and so is air...

I guess we all have good intentions, or at least i would like to think so, but life doesn't always support our intentions and many just never materialise. I'm guilty, recycling bins are at the top of my list but i just don't get to it, its not an immediate pressing must do issue so it sadly remains a well intentioned "to do". Microplastics scare me so I'm drinking from metal bottles but then articles around mouth bacteria if not washed and scrubbed daily have me second guessing. I drive around with a car full of money bags (Woolworths reusable bags) remnants of better days but sadly the next time i remember to take one into the shop will probably be the first time so i either end up offloading the contents of the trolly into the boot of my gas guzzler or saying a silent prayer for the turtles and buying a plastic one.

I'm a well intentioned environmental warrior trapped in an exhausted entrepreneurial, busy parents body. So what can we do to make a difference?

For me the clean shop is a way to make a living (well eventually) and to tick a box in terms of doing something positive, not only for the environment but for my family and for other well intentioned, exhausted eco conscious human beings. Our products are eco friendly, biodegradable, affordable and effective. We have possibly the largest range of eco cleaning and care products and the logic is that no matter how busy you are you can still make a small difference by simply using these products. The products are rated sceptic tank safe so its a must for eco lodges, small holdings, farms just anywhere using French drains.

But Its more than eco awareness, the products are paraben, phthalate and ammonia free. Harsh chemicals not only damage the environment and the waterways but are also harmful to humans. These chemicals get absorbed through the skin and into our blood streams so from a health perspective its has to be the way to go.

The prices are fantastic so there is absolutely NO reason why you wouldn't use them, you're either currently buying the harsh alternatives already or over paying for eco friendly product because Retailers realise its an emotive purchase and price the products accordingly.

At the clean shop Gauteng, it doesn't cost the Earth

Cant wait to see you instore

Mark

Be the change

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:48:35 GMT

Eco living insights

Nestled in the the heart of the Parks, a collection of leafy Johannesburg suburbs, lies the Dunkeld West shopping centre. Its home to the Clean shop Gauteng, a new funky, vibrant, owner run business selling Eco friendly Biodegradable cleaning and care products. The Clean shop has been around since 1996 with representatives around the Country, the Clean Shop Gauteng is the first official Retail outlet in the Gauteng Province.

We brought the brand to Gauteng because we believe theres a desperate need for products of this nature. Eco awareness is no longer the domain of long haired, bare foot, forest dwelling activists but is now a movement that's sweeping the suburbs. As more and more information comes to the fore highlighting the negative impact of certain foods and chemicals on the body so more and more people are switching to eco friendly alternatives. Awareness around sustainability and longevity is on the rise and its no longer a nice to do but rather a need to do.

Some alarming environmental statistics

Projections are that 99% of the worlds population breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits
A conservative estimate puts annual premature deaths as a result of air pollution at 5 million
A significant portion of "human-caused" excess heat is stored in the oceans causing ice sheets to shrink.
Climate change also exacerbates food and water crises, with significant portions of the population lacking safe drinking water and experiencing food insecurity.
Approximately one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction due to human activities like habitat destruction and pollution.
Biodiversity is declining faster now than at any other point in human history.

We can no loner simply ignore the impact our actions are having on the Planet and ultimately on ourselves, its not about us but about future generations. Its also not about sweeping lifestyle shifts simply exercise more, watch what you eat, reduce alcohol intake, recycle and choose products that are less damaging to the environment.

Our products are

Eco friendly
Biodegradable
Phthalate and paraben free
Affordable
Effective
Locally manufactured

The Earth moves in cycles but our actions speed up the process, whatever you do, do something because doing nothing simply isn't an option.

At The Clean Shop Gauteng it doesn't cost the Earth...