We’ve been advertised to for decades - told that a truly “clean” home is one that’s sterilised with bleach, disinfectants, and chemical sprays. But science is beginning to show the cracks in that story. Harsh cleaners don’t just kill harmful bacteria, they wipe out the good ones too, disrupting the delicate microbial balance that supports everything from immune health to allergy resilience.1
Worse still, in hospital settings, this scorched-earth approach has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections2 - making our war on germs a double-edged sword.
But what if the solution isn’t more killing, it’s more balance? What if the future of cleaning lies in probiotics?
The Hospital Trial That Changed Everything
In 2018, a group of Italian researchers led by Dr. Elisabetta Caselli ran a radical experiment in hospitals, one of the most challenging environments for hygiene and infection control.
Instead of using traditional disinfectants, they introduced a probiotic-based cleaning system, applying carefully selected Bacillus strains to hospital surfaces. These beneficial bacteria weren’t designed to kill - they were designed to outcompete harmful microbes by rebalancing the microbiome of the space.
The results were remarkable:
- Healthcare-associated infections dropped by over 50%3
- Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli were significantly reduced (average 83% surface bioburden reduction)4
- No rise in resistance: in fact, antibiotic-resistance genes on surfaces decreased by up to 100×5
- The beneficial microbes remained active, germinating and continuing to provide protection over time5
This wasn’t just a win for infection control. It was a redefinition of what it means to clean - from sterilisation to ecological restoration.
What This Means for the Future of Hospital Cleaning
The implications are profound.
Rather than endlessly disinfecting with increasingly aggressive chemicals, hospitals could shift to seeding protective microbes onto surfaces - creating living barriers that suppress pathogens, reduce chemical use, and lower the risk of resistance.6
This would mean:
- Fewer infections
- Safer environments for vulnerable patients
- Lower chemical exposure for staff and cleaners
- A fundamentally smarter, safer form of hygiene
In short: cleaning that’s biologically intelligent, not biologically aggressive.
And What About Our Homes?
Here’s the twist: the same problem exists in our homes and the same solution could apply.
Many “natural” cleaners promise safety but often lack meaningful efficacy. Essential oils and surfactants might leave your home smelling fresh, but their antimicrobial power is short-lived and largely unproven7. Worse, by wiping out all bacteria indiscriminately, they can leave surfaces vulnerable to recolonisation by harmful microbes.
Probiotic cleaning flips that model.
Just like with your gut or skin, seeding the right microbes on surfaces helps keep the wrong ones in check. Instead of sterilising your chopping board or countertop, you’re supporting a healthy microbiome that naturally resists pathogens and biofilm buildup.8
This is cleaning that continues to work after you’ve finished spraying.
It’s not just about being “natural.” It’s about being clinically informed, ecologically aligned - and effective without the chemical downside.
