2.07.2008 - 06:00am ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - February 7, 2008 - Today CleanWell, a San Francisco-based startup, provides consumers with a way to finally clean with confidence and without compromising their health and safety. CleanWell's new hand washes and hand sanitizers are based on a patented blend of pure botanicals that replaces toxic chemicals normally found in popular antibacterial hand hygiene products with powerful, all-natural germ-killing ingredients that have been proven to kill 99.99 percent of germs such as Staph, MRSA (drug-resistant Staph), E. coli and Salmonella.

According to the American Journal of Infection Control, nearly 100 percent of antibacterial liquid hand soaps found in U.S. stores contain the toxic ingredient Triclosan. Bar soaps contain a similar ingredient called Triclocarban. Once these toxic ingredients are disposed down the drain (due to hand washing), they pose an immediate threat to the environment by polluting the water supply and, thus, compromising public safety.

"Products with ingredients such as Triclosan or Triclocarban have been known to combine with sunlight and trace chlorine in tap water to form dangerous carcinogens," said Ann Blake, Ph.D., a leading environmental and public health consultant. "As a community, we need to take public health into our own hands and take the necessary steps to eliminate the use of these toxic ingredients in our personal care products."

Before CleanWell, none of the many antibacterial products or solutions on the market had the proven germ-killing effectiveness necessary to prevent illness without exposing consumers to dangerous chemicals that might compromise either their health and safety or the environment. Through a patented blend of pure botanicals, CleanWell is lab-proven to kill 99.99 percent of the germs that make us sick. Even more remarkable, recent lab studies conducted by the highly respected FDA-certified independent laboratory, ATS Labs, found that CleanWell products also kill over 99.99 percent of MRSA bacteria on contact, vastly exceeding FDA requirements for products making these claims. Considering the recent emergence of MRSA as a major public health problem with widespread outbreaks in schools, athletic teams, gyms and the military, CleanWell represents a major infection control breakthrough. For the first time, consumers have a completely safe and natural antibacterial proven powerful enough to help prevent the spread of this harmful illness.

"The most effective step that you can take to protect yourself and your family from infection is to pay increased attention to your own personal hygiene practices — such as washing your hands," said Dr. Larry Weiss, physician and Chief Scientist at CleanWell. "It is equally important to be aware that there are certain high-risk situations in which you are more likely to come into contact with harmful bacteria like MRSA, and to act accordingly. We have formulated CleanWell with Ingenium™ to give people a better, safer choice of antibacterial products that have all the benefits with none of the risk."

CleanWell's hand sanitizers and hand soaps are available across the nation in all Target retail stores, most Whole Foods Markets and a growing number of specialty retailers.

Dr. Weiss' Guide to Cleaning with Confidence!

"Protecting Yourself"- Dr. Larry Weiss on how to reduce your risk

"Untouchable Ingredients"- What to avoid when choosing a safer antibacterial

"CW Products"- CleanWell products available at Target stores nation-wide

For more information please contact: