If you've ever taken a probiotic supplement or reached for a glass of kombucha after a heavy meal, you're already familiar with the idea that not all bacteria are bad. In fact, far from being our enemies, certain types of bacteria are essential to our bodies—and they’re also vital to the spaces we live in. This might sound surprising at first, but we've accrued a bias for decades that bacteria are something to be avoided, scrubbed away, and killed with harsh chemicals. At GoodBasics, we wholeheartedly believe that it’s time to reframe the conversation around microbes and cleaning. We’re passionate about demystifying the science behind what we use in our daily lives, especially when it comes to probiotics.
And one of the most common questions we hear is this: are the probiotics used in cleaning the same as the ones we take for gut health?
The answer, in short, is both yes and no. To really understand the connection, we need to take a deeper look into what probiotics are, how they function in the body, and how similar principles apply when we invite them into our homes.
When it comes to human health, probiotics are often celebrated as the champions of digestion and immunity. These microscopic organisms—primarily strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and others—form the foundation of a thriving gut microbiome. They help to break down complex foods, facilitate the absorption of nutrients, synthesise essential vitamins such as B12 and K2, and work in tandem with the immune system to fight off infection and maintain overall balance. Without them, our digestive processes would falter, our immune systems would weaken, and our bodies would become more vulnerable to both acute illness and chronic conditions. Such are their power, that gut-based probiotics have proven one of the most enduring aspects arising out of the broader wellness movement.
Fermented foods have long served as intrinsic parts of cultural cuisines, supporting people's health across history—such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, and miso. Many people turn to probiotic supplements especially after periods of antibiotic use, illness, stress, or poor diet; all of which can disrupt the delicate microbial balance in the gut. When our gut flora is out of sync, the effects ripple through the whole body, sometimes showing up as bloating or discomfort, but also impacting mood, energy levels, skin health, and even the ability to concentrate. This is because the gut is deeply interconnected with the brain, the immune system, and the endocrine system. Scientists are only beginning to fully grasp the extent of this connection, but what’s clear is that when your internal ecosystem is thriving, you are too.
Now, let’s take that same microbiome logic and extend it to your home. Since the advent of modern science (and our understanding of the interaction of germs with human health) mainstream cleaning products have sold us a simple promise: kill 99.9% of bacteria, and that this approach would ensure not a trace of harmful bacteria could find its way to us. The implication was clear—if we could just sterilise our environments, we’d be safer and healthier. In reality, this approach has had unintended consequences; by wiping out all bacteria, indiscriminately, we’ve also eliminated the beneficial microbes that help maintain balance on surfaces, just as they do in the gut. Worse still, this scorched-earth method can actually encourage the growth of more resilient, potentially harmful bacteria that have adapted to survive in hostile, sterile environments. Over time, this can lead to the development of resistant strains—the microbial equivalent of weeds growing back stronger after a chemical spray.
This is where probiotic cleaning steps in as a smarter, more holistic solution. At GoodBasics, our cleaning range harnesses the power of carefully selected strains of probiotics. We are at a moment in human history and science, in which we can be selective and nuanced; and we see probiotic cleaning as the next stage in our evolving understanding of health and science. These organisms are effective cleaners, and they’re also long-term protectors of the surfaces they inhabit. When applied to your counters, sinks, tiles, and more— they get to work deep beneath the grime and keep working long after you’ve walked away.
So how does it actually work?
Science is fascinating, but also incredibly intuitive once you understand the basics. When you spray a probiotic cleaner, you’re populating that surface with friendly bacteria. These beneficial microbes compete with harmful ones for space and nutrients, effectively crowding them out and preventing them from establishing dominance. In this way, probiotic cleaners support the creation of a balanced microflora on household surfaces—much like a healthy gut microbiome keeps bad bacteria and yeast at bay.
And that’s only the beginning. Probiotic cleaners also break down biofilms—those sticky, stubborn layers of gunk that bacteria often hide in. Biofilms are notoriously hard to clean with traditional methods, but probiotics can penetrate and digest them naturally, leaving surfaces genuinely clean rather than temporarily disinfected. Another incredible benefit? Natural odour control. Instead of masking bad smells with synthetic fragrances, probiotics break down the organic matter that causes the odour in the first place. The result is fresh air, over chemical perfume.
Perhaps the most compelling feature of probiotic cleaning is that it keeps working over time. Unlike traditional disinfectants, which lose their efficacy the moment they dry, probiotic cleaners remain active on surfaces for hours—even days—continuing to outcompete pathogens and clean as they go. That means less effort for you, and a more resilient, self-sustaining microbial environment in your home.
Of course, this brings us back to the original question—are these the same probiotics we eat? The answer lies in their purpose. While both gut and cleaning probiotics are live beneficial microbes, they are different strains with different functions, survival mechanisms, and specialisations. Gut probiotics are designed to survive harsh stomach acids and interact with the body’s internal immune system, while cleaning probiotics, on the other hand, are built to thrive in drier, cooler environments like kitchen countertops or bathroom tiles. They’re selected for their ability to compete with surface-dwelling microbes, break down grime, and digest organic material on hard surfaces.
Despite these differences, the underlying philosophy is the same: work with nature, not against it. Whether inside our bodies or on our kitchen counters, probiotics offer a vision of wellness that’s rooted in cooperation, balance, and long-term resilience.
One of the most important truths we can embrace is this: your home doesn’t need to be sterile to be safe. In fact, the healthiest homes are often the ones that support a thriving, balanced microbiome. This includes the surfaces we touch every day, the air we breathe indoors, and even the microbial ecosystems shared with our pets and plants. When you choose probiotic cleaning, you’re protecting your surface, protecting your skin, your respiratory health, and the overall quality of your indoor environment.
Probiotic cleaning represents a shift in thinking—from short-term sanitisation to long-term well-being. It’s a choice that supports your home’s natural balance without contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, without polluting the air with volatile organic compounds, and without compromising on effectiveness. It’s gentle where it needs to be, powerful where it counts, and rooted in a science that’s been successfully applied in agriculture, medicine, and even environmental restoration for decades.
As scientific understanding evolves, we’re moving steadily away from the outdated “kill everything” mentality. Whether it’s the soil beneath our feet, the skin on our bodies, the communities in our gut, or the spaces we inhabit—life flourishes when microbial ecosystems are nurtured and balanced. That’s the future we believe in at GoodBasics. A future in which we respect nature’s intelligence, rather than override it. A future where clean doesn’t have to mean sterile, and where sustainability and science go hand-in-hand.
We don’t use probiotics as a trendy buzzword. We use them because they work—intelligently, gently, and effectively. Our mission is to help you care for your space in a way that aligns with nature’s rhythms, not disrupts them. So the next time you reach for your probiotic cleaner, remember; you’re participating in a new way of thinking, one that’s backed by science and rooted in respect for the unseen ecosystems that shape our lives.
From gut health to home care, the story is the same—let the good microbes in, and let them thrive. A thriving micro-world is the foundation of a thriving macro-world and when we clean with life in mind, we clean with purpose, with intention, and above all; with care.
