What is Meliora Cleaning Products?
Meliora Cleaning Products is all about making cleaning better — for people and the planet. Based in Chicago, IL, this woman-owned B Corp crafts home cleaning and laundry products using safer ingredients and sustainable packaging. Their mission? To help create cleaner, healthier homes without relying on those mysterious chemicals and secret formulas that often come with traditional cleaners. The name “Meliora” itself means “better,” and that’s exactly what they aim to deliver.
Main Benefits of Meliora Cleaning Products
Here’s what makes Meliora stand out:
- 100% ingredient transparency — every ingredient is listed right on the label.
- Woman-owned B Corp with a strong commitment to people and planet.
- Manufacturing happens entirely in their Chicago factory, from soap making to packaging.
- Products are fragrance-free, dye-free, SLS-free, and phthalate-free.
- Active supporters of cleaning product Right-To-Know Acts, including California’s SB-258.
- Living wage paid to all factory workers, who play a key role in product development.
- Free shipping on all US orders over $79 (note: currently no shipping to Canada due to postal strike).
- Certified MADE SAFE, part of 1% for the Planet, and aligned with WVE standards.
The Story Behind the Ingredients
Kate Jakubas, the founder and COO, started Meliora while studying Environmental Engineering. She was frustrated by the lack of ingredient transparency in household cleaners — how could anyone be sure what was safe if ingredients weren’t even listed? After creating her own vegetable soap and testing it on her laundry, she realized she could offer something better. From day one, Meliora has proudly disclosed every ingredient on every product label, making it easier for consumers to make informed, responsible choices.
Made with Care in Chicago
Every Meliora product is made in their West Side Chicago factory. They handle everything — from soap making to packaging — ensuring quality and sustainability at every step. This hands-on approach lets them carefully examine the environmental impact of each product cycle, cutting out unnecessary waste. Plus, they make sure their workers earn a living wage and are actively involved in improving processes and developing new products. It’s a true community effort.
Meet the Founders
Kate Jakubas, the visionary behind Meliora, first asked the big question: “What’s in our cleaning products?” while working on her Masters at Illinois Institute of Technology. After winning a sustainable enterprise competition, Meliora was born. Kate’s commitment to transparency and better ingredients has been the company’s foundation from the start. Alongside her is Mike Mayer, co-founder and president, who saw firsthand how effective the products were — after a tough flag football tournament, their laundry came out spotless! Mike believed in Kate’s vision and helped bring it to life.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being — safer ingredients promote healthier homes.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — living wages and fair labor practices.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — transparency and sustainable packaging.
- SDG 13: Climate Action — reducing waste and environmental impact in manufacturing.
- SDG 15: Life on Land — using natural, non-toxic ingredients that protect ecosystems.
Transparency and Advocacy
Meliora isn’t just about making better products — they’re also pushing for industry-wide change. They’ve actively lobbied for Right-To-Know laws, like California’s SB-258, which requires ingredient disclosure on cleaning products. This law is a huge step forward, making Meliora’s vision for transparency a reality for more people. By sharing their recipes and ingredients openly, they’re setting a new standard for honesty in the cleaning products world. It’s about empowering consumers to know exactly what they’re bringing into their homes.
