Airzai Care is an independently-owned premium, all-natural disinfectant brand that has been in high demand throughout the pandemic, according to the company. Made from a layered blend of essential oils, purified water and a “trade secret” compound to protect and preserve the oils, Airzai uses patent-pending manufacturing techniques to activate the ingredients that are said to protect against germs and bacteria. 
 
Airzai Care is ideal for every room in the home as well as cars, gyms, hotel rooms and anywhere else that needs a quick freshening up. The lightly scented natural lemongrass leaves a refreshing, clean scent while eliminating germs at the same time, said the company. 
 
Muneeb Mushtaq, CEO and co-founder of the Toronto-based company, took time to chat with Happi.com about Airzai.
 
 
Happi:  How has COVID-19 impacted the household care business overall?

Mushtag: COVID-19 has disrupted almost all industries to some extent, but the household care market was one of the most significantly impacted. As panic ensued at the beginning of the pandemic, household care products were the main items to fly off the shelves at retail stores around the country and became almost impossible to find online. The extremely high demand for cleaners and disinfectants, coupled with production facilities being forced into tight restrictions or even shutting down completely, turned everyday household care items into hot commodities. As the pandemic continues and we learn to adapt to this new reality, organizations in the industry are working hard to restock both online and in stores to provide for the high demand. 
 
Happi: What are consumers looking for right now in their disinfectants, bathroom cleaners, multi-purpose sprays and other cleaning products?

Mushtaq: Research has continuously shown an increase of consumers purchasing more natural, eco-friendly and organic products and shifting away from harsh chemicals and artificial cleaning products. Since all-natural, green products have been consistently rising in popularity over the years, this trend is likely to continue for years to come due to the ever-increasing concerns for the environment.
 
In addition to the need for all-natural household cleaning products, customers are looking for a sanitization aspect in any and all items they purchase, including room sprays, air fresheners and candles, which traditionally do not include a disinfecting agent. In addition, consumers are now directing their close attention to the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV2, and products that comply with this criteria are likely to be favored.
 
Happi: What are the latest developments in household cleaners specifically? What ingredients fuel their formulations?

Mushtaq: As I mentioned, there is a worldwide shift to natural, eco-friendly cleaning products and away from artificial chemical products. An example of this is the introduction of Airzai’s natural, aromatic disinfectant spray. Natural oils like lemongrass and lavender are proven to have disinfecting elements, and are being incorporated into cleaning products more frequently than ever before. 
 
Happi: Any future trends to look out for in household cleaning products?

Mushtaq: The rising consciousness in hygiene and the spread of harmful bacteria and pathogens will continue to impact the household care industry beyond the pandemic and for years to come. We can expect to see more organizations developing household products that include a new disinfecting aspect to adhere to the importance of safety for consumers.
 
Additionally, the integration of technology will be vital as products like the Airzai Aroma, a premium smart-home fragrance diffuser, enter the market and accelerate the innovation of household cleaning and disinfecting products.