SOLANA BEACH, Calif. (July , 2022) – Gear Hugger, a brand created to preserve your favorite gear and protect the planet, today unveiled its newest sustainable home innovation, a Heavy-Duty Degreaser. Formulated with a plant- and water-based, non-toxic formula, Gear Hugger’s Heavy-Duty Degreaser sustainably breaks down grime without leaving residue on kitchen appliances and grills, engines and automotive parts, machines, gears and outdoor areas like patios and driveways. Attendees of Natural Products Expo West 2023 in Anaheim were among the first to get a peek at this inventive new product.
Similar to the Gear Hugger Multi-Purpose Lubricant, the Heavy-Duty Degreaser was formulated to bring an eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative into the market. Unlike traditional degreasers made with petroleum, its clean, plant-powered formula contains a selective mix of plant-based high-performance detergents and bio solvents that break down insoluble substances at the molecular level, leaving a shiny and moisturized finish. It is non-flammable and free of petroleum, fossil fuels and VOCs, making it safe to use around children and pets. It is currently undergoing consideration by the EPA for the Safer Choice Certification.
The Heavy-Duty Degreaser contains natural extracts from agave plants sustainably sourced from upcycled waste from tequila production in Jalisco, Mexico. The byproduct is rich in natural saponins, which produce a foam that can effectively perform as a plant-powered degreaser. Upcycling these materials cuts back on the waste of about 400,000 tons of bagasse and 300,000 tons of plant leaves, ultimately aligning with Gear Hugger’s end goal to protect the planet by reducing waste.
Additionally, Gear Hugger has boosted its credibility to customers by using Blockchain-enabled traceability to ensure transparency in plant sourcing. At each stage of the production process, participants must provide evidence of their sourcing, either through a photo with the date of plant collection, or a certificate validating the authenticity of the process. Each Gear Hugger product will come with a QR code where customers can see what the brand considers most important: the origin of the plants.
“We are thrilled to bolster our product line with our new Heavy-Duty Degreaser,” said Checo Diaz, founder of Gear Hugger. “Through this launch, we’re expanding innovation within the category to fill the gap for eco-friendly garage, home, and outdoor product options. Using upcycled waste from tequila production in Mexico aligns and furthers our mission to keep gear in play longer, reduce waste and help protect the planet.”
The Heavy-Duty Degreaser is the second product in Gear Hugger’s award-winning portfolio, joining it first product launch – the Multi-Purpose Lubricant. The Multi-Purpose Lubricant helps us all to sustainably restore, reuse and reduce through its plant-powered lubricant power. An estimated 100,000 barrels of petroleum per day are used to create lubricants used on gear, out in nature, and around the house (according to the US Energy Information Administration). Gear Hugger’s Multi-Purpose Lubricant addresses this issue by providing a plant-based, all-purpose lubricant that delivers 3x better lubricity than petroleum-based products. Gear Hugger’s Multi-Purpose Lubricant provides an earth friendly alternative to traditional, toxic lubricants.
Earlier this year, the Multi-Purpose Lubricant won a Retailer’s Choice Award at the National Hardware Show, joining only 31 wining products selected from the thousands of brands showcased on the NHS floor. In 2022, Gear Hugger took first place in the Natural Products Expo East Pitch slam against 10 emerging brands of the Naturally Affiliate regions. Earlier that year, Gear Hugger won the 2nd Annual Naturally San Diego Pitch Slam and was named finalist in the Natural Living Products category for its Multi-Purpose Lubricant in the Natural Products Expo West 2022 NEXTY Awards.
Gear Hugger products are distributed through UNFI and KeHE. The Heavy-Duty Degreaser will be available at major retailers in 2023, like Lowe’s and REI, as well as on Amazon and Gear Hugger.com with an SRP of $12.89. The Multi-Purpose Lubricant is available for purchase at regional retailers and on Amazon and GearHugger.com in 11 oz. with an SRP of $12.89 and 3 oz. with a 3-pack SRP of $19.99 and 24-pack SRP of $155.00.
About Gear Hugger
Based in Solana Beach, CA, Gear Hugger is on a mission to keep gear in play longer, reduce waste, and help protect the planet. Gear Hugger offers plant-powered, non-toxic household products that mend the gap on the market for non-toxic, safe options. Gear Hugger Multipurpose Lubricant is an all-purpose, eco-friendly, and non-toxic lubricant with 3x the lubricating power than leading petroleum brands. Available for purchase in 11 oz. single and three-pack varieties as well as 3 oz. three pack varieties through Amazon Launchpad and at www.gear-hugger.com. For more information, how-to videos, and tips, please visit GearHugger.com.