Just Science

APP the cleaner — Scientific Insight Report

NOT MAGIC.
JUST SCIENCE.

Cleaning does not start with chemicals. It starts with understanding.

What does "clean" actually mean?

A fresh scent is no proof of cleanliness. Foam is no proof of cleaning power. And terms like "natural" or "green" alone do not tell you anything about what a product actually leaves behind.

We wanted to know more.

That is why we are looking into the science behind modern cleaning: ingredients, residues, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, combined effects, and the question of how cleaning can work effectively without creating unnecessary chemical exposure.

The result is APP the cleaner: a new perspective on cleaning — scientifically conceived, technologically developed, and practically applicable.

01 — What science shows

Clean doesn’t have to smell.

Cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air. A 2023 peer-reviewed study examined 30 conventional and "green"-marketed cleaning products and identified 530 different VOCs; 193 of these were classified as potentially hazardous based on the criteria used. The study also showed that products labeled as "green" and especially "fragrance-free" had, on average, lower VOC emissions than conventional products. [1]

At the same time, a 2024 study shows that "green" is not automatically synonymous with better indoor air quality: some green cleaners emitted more monoterpenes, which can undergo further chemical reactions indoors. [2]

This changes our view on cleaning:

The smell of "fresh" is no scientific proof of cleanliness.

For us, this means: cleaning should ideally focus on where it is actually needed — on the surface and the dirt, not in the indoor air.

02 — Less is not less effective

Modern cleaning doesn’t always need more chemistry. It needs better solutions.

Scientific research shows that cleaning can be a significant source of exposure to VOCs and other volatile or semi-volatile substances. An investigation under real-world household conditions and in the laboratory found higher concentrations of certain VOCs more frequently in conventional products; at the same time, some relevant emissions were also identified in green products. [3]

Application also plays a role: an experimental study with professional cleaners showed that spraying resulted in higher TVOC exposure compared to wiping. The authors therefore recommend avoiding the spraying of cleaning products whenever possible. [4]

The question shouldn't just be: "What removes the dirt?"
But also: "What is left behind — and what gets into our environment in the process?"

That is exactly where our approach starts.

03 — Water as a base

Perhaps the most underestimated cleaning substance in the world: water.

APP pursues a different technological approach.

NBF technology — Nature Boosting Filter — forms the foundation of APP the cleaner. In APP documentation, the technology is described as a special filtration process in which water is treated and activated for cleaning. The approach is described in terms of an activated or "restructured molecular structure" of the water.

The idea behind it is simple: cleaning should not rely on more and more ingredients — but on the targeted use of the properties of water.

At APP, this technological approach is combined with concentrated cleaning formulas. Depending on the product and application, the concentrate is diluted with water — typically in a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 for the respective APP products. This turns a small amount of concentrate into a ready-to-use cleaning solution.

So, NBF is not "magic." It is the technological approach behind APP: water is not just seen as a carrier, but as a central component of the cleaning process.

One liter of concentrate. Many applications.

The available company and webshop documents indicate a dilution ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 for the respective concentrates. For the final website, the specific dosage should always be cross-referenced with the currently valid TDS of the respective product. [6]

NBF is not wizardry. It is our technological approach to utilizing the properties of water for modern cleaning.

04 — We don’t believe in marketing. We believe in evidence.

"Natural," "green," "eco," or "hypoallergenic" are not scientific proofs.

Research also points out that there is no uniform official definition for "green" and that such labels do not automatically guarantee a certain composition or emission profile for consumers. [3]

This is precisely why tests, certificates, and verifiable product data are crucial for us.

That is why we do not want to simply claim that APP is better.

We want to show what we can prove.

05 — Our findings

Rethinking cleaning.

Scientific discussion is changing the view of what is "clean."

Not the strongest scent.

Not the biggest mountain of foam.

Not as many ingredients as possible.

Instead:

effective cleaning + conscious use of ingredients + as little unnecessary load as possible.

That is the philosophy behind APP the cleaner.

We want to develop products that clean efficiently, are easy to use, and follow a different path than classic cleaning systems.

06 — Science in Detail

Four questions we are addressing.

01

VOCs & Indoor Air

What are volatile organic compounds? Why can cleaning products influence indoor air? What role do fragrances play?

Proof: Studies 1, 2, 3, 4

02

Residues & Exposure

What happens after the cleaning process? Why is not only cleaning performance relevant, but also what remains on surfaces?

Proof: product-specific residue testing 8

03

NBF Technology

What does Nature Boosting Filter mean? How is the technology described in APP documents? How does the dilution principle work?

Proof: APP documents 5–6

04

Evidence & Testing

Which statements about APP are supported by tests, technical data, and certificates? Which proofs apply to which product?

Proof: Evidence matrix and product documentation 7–15

Sources & Evidence

These references appear as small, clickable footnotes after the respective statements. External scientific statements are linked directly to the original study where possible.

  1. [1]Temkin et al. (2023), Chemosphere. Volatile organic compounds emitted by conventional and "green" cleaning products in the U.S. market. Original source. Peer-reviewed examination of 30 cleaning products; 530 VOCs quantified, 193 classified as hazardous based on the criteria used.
  2. [2]Harding-Smith et al. (2024), Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts. Does green mean clean? Volatile organic emissions from regular versus green cleaning products. Original source. Investigation of VOC emissions and potential formation of secondary pollutants.
  3. [3]Calderon et al. (2022), Indoor Air. Air concentrations of volatile organic compounds associated with conventional and "green" cleaning products in real-world and laboratory settings. Original source. Real-world household conditions plus laboratory measurements; shows differences between product groups but also relevant emissions in green products.
  4. [4]Quinn et al. (2025), Annals of Work Exposures and Health. Respiratory quaternary ammonium and volatile organic compound exposures experienced by home care aides during residential bathroom cleaning using conventional and green products. Original source. Experimental study with 22 cleaners; spray application and complex exposure profiles.
  5. [5]APP Webshop/Product Documentation. NBF / Nature Boosting Filter: deionized water and "restructured molecular structures." The documentation explains the term but does not provide a detailed physico-chemical mechanism of action.
  6. [6]APP Company Presentation / Webshop Documentation. Dilution ratio 1:5 to 1:10. Check final dosage per product against current TDS.
  7. [7]APP Biodegradability Test Report NLRC/24-R1965-01/A-V2 and NLRC/24-R1965-02/A-V2, issued on 07/24/2025. Elite Collection: 92.2% ± 2.0%; Primary Collection: 91.6% ± 2.0%. Test method: GSO 1099:2002. Results refer only to the tested samples.
  8. [8]Residue Test — APP All-Purpose Cleaner. Report dated 01/06/2025; residue testing of the analyzed all-purpose cleaner sample. Applies only to the tested sample and the test procedure used.
  9. [9]Gold Dermatology Test / Marine Dermatology Test. September 2024; 20 healthy individuals each; no skin reactions found after the test period in the document review to date. No general safety guarantee.
  10. [10]Ethyl Alcohol & Dye — Analysis Report. Analysis report on the analyzed all-purpose cleaner sample. "Alcohol-free" or "dye-free" applies only to the specifically tested formulation.
  11. [11]IFC GLOBAL Natural Detergent Certificate. Certificate IFC-D-1003.2025. Renewal in progress; once issued, the certificate in the webshop will be replaced with the new version.
  12. [12]IFC GLOBAL Vegan Certificate. Certificate SF-IFC-V-140.2025. Renewal in progress; once issued, the certificate in the webshop will be replaced with the new version.
  13. [13]IFC GLOBAL — Natural Detergent Standard. Description of the standard and the independent certification process. Original source. The specific APP certification must be proven via the certificate itself.
  14. [14]APP the cleaner — Certificate Page. Publicly displayed certification information from APP. Supplementary manufacturer source.
  15. [15]APP the cleaner — Technology Page. Public presentation of NBF technology and other claims. Original source. Supplementary manufacturer source; continue to support product-specific claims with primary evidence.