Cover Story
The Wainmans knew the mission was to create safe , allergen-free products that really worked . And , from the get-go , they knew they would have to invent something original . The only question — a big one — was , how ?
TRIAL AND ERROR
The inspiration to develop fruit-based cleaners came from knowledge of a technique in which fruits are placed in a sealed jar and left to ferment in the sun . The result was a liquid purported to be a cleaning agent , but no one was sure if this process was scientifically sound . Would the liquid really clean ? Which fruits were the best to ferment ? And how could they mass-manufacture it ?
With their work cut out for them , the team rolled up their sleeves and tested their detergents on the kinds of stains we see in commercials — the grime accrued when sliding into home base ; the spaghetti sauce that winds up on a pair of white jeans ; and coffee splatters thanks to boisterous puppies or toddling children .
A tool called a “ colorimeter ” helped the team measure how effectively Pipper Standard detergents and cleaners eliminated marks left by dirt , grass , tomato sauce , coffee , wine and more . Regardless of the origin or intensity of the stain in question , the goal remained the same : to identify a natural cleaning agent that removes even the most stubborn discoloration just as well as chemicals do , but without the potential negative side effects .
“ When we first started , we were nowhere near the market leader equivalent in terms of efficacy ,” Mr . Wainman says . Years were spent running thousands of experiments that compared versions of their fermented fruit cleaners to the leading chemical equivalents on the market .
Efficacy , while important , was just one of three factors to consider when selecting the best natural base for Pipper Standard products . The sensory impact — its look , feel and smell — also mattered , and so did the price . Finding effective formulas that ticked all the boxes was a painstaking process of trial and error . “ We tried lots of fruits and herbs : banana , tamarind , lime , roselle and pineapple ,” notes Mrs . Wainman .
In the end , pineapple proved to be the fruit that cleaned well , retained a pleasant scent after fermentation , and featured a wallet-friendly price tag . The fruit that comes with its own crown thus became the king of fruits for Pipper Standard .
In the greater Bangkok area , the rate of children suffering from allergies is an astounding 49 percent .
PIPPER STANDARD PRODUCTION
Pineapple , which grows wildly and abundantly in Thailand , is used in its entirety during production . The fruits are sourced from local farmers , and , after the fermentation process , the remaining debris is strained to become feed for animals .
While pineapple stars in all Pipper Standard products , the tropical fruit gains support from a few other key players . To start the fermentation reaction , they add lactobacillus — the same bacteria used as a starter culture for yogurt , kimchi and beer — to a solution of pineapple , sugar and water . The organic acids , enzymes , bio-surfactants , and natural preservatives produced by the lacto-fermentation process act synergistically to clean .
Depending on the product , natural ingredients are mixed in with the fermented fruit . For example , soy lecithin , a common food additive , is used in Pipper Standard ’ s fabric softener . Because their products are designed for sensitive customers , like children and those with allergies , compromising on quality is not an option . “ To make a health product like we do , we have to very careful about the product and our sources ,” Mr . Wainman says .
To choose the other natural ingredients used in the Pipper Standard line , the company looks for guidance from the Environmental
Working Group ( EWG ) in the United
States , an organization dedicated to researching how products affect the health of humans and the environment . This is one of the ways the company ensures its products can keep laundry fresh and bathrooms and kitchens sparkling , while remaining free from known allergens .
Once the certified biodegradable mixture is ready , it is poured into packaging made from HDPE recyclable plastic , which keeps the entire production process very eco-friendly .
BALANCING BUSINESS AND LIFE
As anyone who has started a business can tell you , start-ups call for vision , courage and endless perseverance . But , when your business involves the production of something brand new , it is especially overwhelming :
“ It ’ s incredibly difficult to build a business . I can ’ t overemphasize that enough ,” says Mr . Wainman . “ The research and development of completely new products are enormous
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