A novel type of detergents used for both household and commercial applications contains living microorganism as active ingredients. These products are supposed to be particularly effective e.g. in odour control and are claimed to be more environmentally sound than conventional chemical products.

A comprehensive compilation of information related to technology, active agents, relevance and prospects, ways and fields of application of these types of products was conducted. Health and environmental risks, as well as environmental benefits were investigated and the possibilities and difficulties to apply existing EU legislation to microbial cleaners were analysed.