As the household, industrial and institutional cleaning landscape continues to evolve, we take a look at the top 3 trends impacting formulations and ingredients in 2026, covering sustainability, smart cleaning technology and the growing popularity of wellness inspired scent profiles.
Trend 1: Sustainability, Environmental & Efficiency
Sustainability has become a baseline requirement rather than a differentiator. Brands are being asked to deliver products that are environmentally responsible while maintaining the performance buyers expect.
Plant-derived ingredients are in demand, offering a strong biodegradability profile without compromising on efficacy. Waterless and ultra-concentrated formats such as powders, solid tablets and pods are also increasing in popularity, with benefits for transport, packaging and storage. Many brands are aligning to established certifications such as EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan and ISO 16128.
Example Formulations
Natural Laundry Liquid
A high-RCI laundry liquid with strong renewable credentials, delivering powerful detergency with low foaming.
Glass Cleaner
A VOC-free, minimal-ingredient cleaner that leaves glass streak-free. Easily adapted into a concentrate for a more cost-effective production route.
Multi-Surface Cleaner
A biodegradable degreaser-based formulation effective on oily and carbonaceous soils, with no CLP hazard classification required.
Full formulations, ingredients and methods available in our full HI&I Trends Report – download it here
Trend 2: Tech-Enhanced Cleaning – Smart, Automated & Data-Driven
The future of cleaning is automated, data-led and highly efficient. In both commercial and residential spaces, AI-powered robotics, smart sensors and app-connected systems are transforming how cleaning is carried out, and that has real implications for the products used within them.
Autonomous systems require products that are low-foaming, non-corrosive and non-viscous. IoT sensors track hygiene levels and optimise product usage, which is particularly valuable in regulated environments. As hybrid working patterns between machines and people become standard practice, formulation compatibility with equipment is increasingly a development priority.
Example Formulations
Low Foam Neutral Floor Cleaner
A neutral, low-foaming floor cleaner built around a degreasing surfactant derived partly from Beta-Pinene, with a chelating agent to maintain performance in hard water conditions.
Encapsulating Carpet Shampoo
Uses ICT’s carpet cleaning polymers to trap soil particles within carpet fibres so they can be vacuumed away cleanly, without leaving a sticky residue.
Fabric Pre-Spotter
Formulated to loosen stubborn stains ahead of washing without damaging fibres. Contains a sustainably sourced ingredient that chemically binds to malodours and stops them being volatile.
Full formulations, ingredients and methods available in our full HI&I Trends Report – download it here
Trend 3: Scent, Sensory Appeal & Self-Care
Cleaning in 2026 is about more than hygiene. From homes to hotels, hospitals to office buildings, scent is becoming a powerful tool in shaping mood, enhancing wellbeing and adding emotional value to a product.
Encapsulation technology is an exciting development in this area and allows for controlled, gradual release of fragrance, triggered by movement, time or friction. The same approach can be used with functional actives such as antimicrobial or odour-neutralising ingredients, delivering them at the point of use for a more targeted effect.
Example Formulations
Ultra Mild Deo Pet Shampoo
A pH-adjusted shampoo using mild surfactants and a naturally derived deodorising ingredient, with a cationic conditioning agent to to leave fur soft and manageable.
Calming Room Freshener
A two-in-one fabric safe room freshener with odour absorber. The formulation features a naturally derived base for use on fabrics and carpets.
Full formulations, ingredients and methods available in our full HI&I Trends Report – download it here
Find Out More
The full HI&I Trends 2026 brochure is available to download here and includes complete ingredient lists and methods for all the formulations featured. If you would like to discuss any of the ingredients, request samples or get technical support on a formulation you are working on, please get in touch.
