The Yakult of Cleaning: OOMMI’s Japanese Probiotic-Based Cleaners Are Changing the Way We Clean in Singapore – Interview with James Thong, Director of OOMMI Singapore

In an age where wellness and sustainability intersect in every part of our lives, from diet to skincare, it’s no surprise that even our cleaning habits are under the microscope. A growing body of research is validating what many eco-conscious households have long suspected—probiotic cleaning products are not only gentler on the planet but profoundly better for the people using them. Unlike traditional cleaners, which sterilize environments with harsh chemicals, probiotic cleaners work with nature—introducing live, beneficial microbes that balance and protect.

Backed by science and embraced by communities with vulnerable family members—such as babies, elderly, or those with eczema—these products are transforming how we think about hygiene and health. And at the forefront of this revolution in Singapore is OOMMI, a brand that bridges gut health with home health through its powerful, natural, and transparent approach.

Why Probiotic Cleaning Matters Now

A 2021 study published in Viruses found that probiotic cleaners inactivate 99.99% of tested viruses within 1–2 hours, with effects that last up to 24 hours. In hospital settings, their use has shown a 52% reduction in Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), as reported in Infection and Drug Resistance. Despite this, most households and institutions still rely on petrochemical-based cleaners that may cause skin irritation, foster microbial resistance, and pollute indoor air.

For Singaporeans increasingly frustrated by “greenwashed” labels and chemically intensive products, OOMMI offers a refreshing alternative—science-backed, preservative-free, and truly sustainable cleaning. We spoke with James Thong, Director of OOMMI Singapore, to explore why probiotic cleaning is here to stay, what makes it different, and how this Japanese innovation is reshaping the Singaporean home.

Interview with James Thong, Director of OOMMI Singapore

1. Why are probiotics considered the future of cleaning in homes, and not just limited to use in hospitals?

James Thong: Singapore hospitals are still primarily relying on chemical cleaning. However, there is an increasing awareness of the potential downsides, like the risk of creating chemical-resistant bacteria.

Probiotic cleaning is seen as the future for homes because it offers a safer alternative to chemical cleaners, which are often derived from petrochemicals, which can be harsh or irritating to skin, and less eco-friendly.

Probiotic cleaners are of natural origin. They are active live products with ongoing fermentation within each bottle. Every spray releases millions of beneficial live microbes. Chemicals or any toxic ingredients/ container can eliminate the live microbes, so the survivability of live microbes are a good test for toxicity.

Probiotic cleaners are highly suitable for households, especially those with babies, pets, or individuals with sensitive skin.

Besides easily removing grease and organic stains, the live microbes clean more deeply than chemicals by penetrating fabric surfaces or going into cracks and around adjacent corners, to ‘hunt’ and eliminate bad bacteria and odours in non-easily accessible areas. They are also effective at breaking down and removing biofilm, which is a protective layer formed by bacteria that can be difficult to eliminate with traditional cleaners. Vomit or urine odours deep inside a large mattress can be removed or drastically reduced just by dry cleaning it with a probiotic fabric spray.

Every bottle of our probiotic cleaners contains plant-based food grade glycerin, which is also one of our 3 surfactants, and ‘food’ for the live microbes. Glycerin is found in most skin care products, and they moisturise and heal the skin.

While chemical cleaning has a limited safety window of a few hours, probiotic cleaners can remain effective for days, as the live microbes live on to continue cleaning and protect. Many customers have commented that the mopped floor surfaces on day 2 are as clean as, if not better than, day

2. How can probiotic cleaning significantly reduce the pathogen burden on surfaces, and what role does it play in eliminating resistant bacterial strains?

James Thong: The probiotic cleaners, with its 3 surfactants (probiotics, glycerin and natural foam) can clean away pathogens as well as other cleaners in the market. In addition, the millions of live microbes in every spray will hunt and eliminate bad bacteria (their natural enemies) with a much larger ‘army’ and continue to clean, protect against ‘regrouping’ of bad bacteria and viruses for days. They will also break down and ‘feed’ on yeast, fungus, biofilm and organic wastes to survive longer.

That makes it harder for the bad stuff to replicate. In the few hours and days after application, the live microbes are very active, spreading across surfaces, even deep into fabrics, and continuing to clean long after a traditional product would’ve stopped working. This longer-lasting effect means people don’t have to keep reapplying, which is especially helpful in areas like bedding, fabric upholstery, floor surfaces, kitchen, or pet spaces.

3. How does OOMMI bridge the concept of gut health with home health through its probiotic cleaning approach?

James Thong: OOMMI Probiotics bridges gut and home health by offering both probiotic cleaning products (for surfaces) and probiotic supplements (for human consumption). While the cleaning products are not meant for ingestion, the company also produces a separate, human supplement prebiotic + probiotic + multivitamin beverage powder (PREPRO) that is formulated for pregnant mummies (and suitable for all ages above 1 year old).

This approach emphasizes the importance of beneficial microbes both inside the body (gut health) and in the living environment (home health), promoting overall well-being through microbial balance. For those suffering from sensitive skin or eczema, they can take the PREPRO as a daily all-in-one supplement to minimise skin flare-ups, and use our probiotic cleaning products to moisturise and reduce skin inflammation.

4. How does OOMMI ensure transparency in its product offerings, and what does true label transparency look like to you? 

James Thong: We stand out because our products are preservative-free and alive with ongoing fermenting in the bottle. That’s why we emphasize to our customers, ‘Don’t buy too much of the same product at one time.’ Our product is live, so it’s still fermenting, and we’re probably one of the only brands that openly says that.

Other brands might claim their products last for years, but ours is, ‘Please try to use it within 6-9 months from purchase, so that the scent will not change much’. Even if the scent has turned to something odd, it will still be equally safe and effective for use. We are very upfront because we want customers to know what they’re getting.

We also highly encourage our customers to use the diluted waste water of our probiotic cleaner (after cleaning) to water their plants at home, as the live microbes will continue to break down the soil, and the plants can better absorb the nutrients from the soil and flourish/ flower better. Many customers had tried and told us that they were fascinated.

5. What does it take to bring a niche Japanese innovation like OOMMI into a saturated, brand heavy market like Singapore?

James Thong: The probiotic micro-biotechnology originated from Japan. With a collaboration between Japan and Penang Malaysia, OOMMI Probiotics was born.

OOMMI Probiotic has been introduced to Singapore since 2021 in the middle of COVID-19. Traditional retail by placing the products on supermarket/ shop shelves (without any sales promoter to explain the products) would not work out for this brand, as consumers then had no idea that probiotics can clean and protect.

OOMMI Probiotics started off with intense B2C interactions during retail events & fairs, and the brand got boosted when loyal customers started sharing their own user experiences in social media and Shopee (4.9 rating with over 1,900 reviews). OOMMI Probiotics has slowly, but surely, established itself as a mummy-trusted baby care brand (with long-term booth in Mummys Market Baby Fair), a natural home care brand (present in Yes Natural and other organic wellness shops), and recognised as the go-to pet brand for sensitive skin, infections & odour control (participation in almost all pet fairs & events). The human supplements have also recently grown popularity in baby fairs, with PREPRO becoming the favorite all-in-one daily supplement beverage amongst toddlers and young kids.

OOMMI Probiotics won The New Age Parents Editor’s Choice – Mum & Baby Care Awards 2023. Subsequently, we also won The New Age Parents Editor’s Choice – Family & Home Essentials Awards 2024.

OOMMI Probiotics is still a niche brand today, but fast growing with many users wanting torecommend to their circle of friends when they see positive results.

6. Looking ahead, how do you see the future of probiotic cleaning evolving in Singapore, and what role do you hope OOMMI will play in shaping healthier, more sustainable homes?

James Thong: We are currently exploring innovative ways of marketing and reaching out to consumers because
our product needs explaining.

Once a customer tries our product and solves their problems, we gain them for life. That’s why we participate in many fairs and invest in social marketing as well, but our main conversion comes from face-to-face communication at these events. If customers love the product and find it value for money, they come back for more.

We believe OOMMI Probiotics can set some new sustainability benchmarks. Our probiotic cleaners are natural, preservative-free, safe for babies & furkids, eczema friendly, effective in cleaning stains & removing odours, protect loved ones for days, and the waste-water can be recycled by watering plants. Once people are aware that probiotic cleaning can be safe, effective and truly eco-friendly, we can be The Future of Cleaning.

Highlights of OOMMI’s Product Line-Up:

In a world where hygiene and health are more important than ever, it’s time to move beyond surface-level solutions and embrace products that work in harmony with nature. OOMMI isn’t just offering another range of cleaning products—it’s pioneering a holistic, probiotic-powered lifestyle that supports both a cleaner environment and a healthier body.

By harnessing the power of live probiotics to clean, protect, and rebalance our living spaces, OOMMI transforms homes, offices, and even pet areas into ecosystems of wellness. But the care doesn’t stop at surfaces—OOMMI also offers PREPRO, a probiotic, prebiotic, and multivitamin supplement designed to support gut and immune health, as well as the Koso Enzyme, a traditional fermented Japanese botanical drink rich in nutrients that support digestion, detoxification, and overall vitality.

Whether you’re a parent seeking safer solutions for your child, a pet owner managing sensitive skin and odors, or someone looking to support your internal health while eliminating harsh chemicals from your routine, OOMMI provides a thoughtful, science-backed alternative. Their commitment to transparency, efficacy, and ecological harmony sets a powerful benchmark for what modern wellness should look like.

To explore OOMMI’s full probiotic range—including cleaners, supplements, and fermented wellness drinks—or to make a purchase, please visit their official website at https://oommi.sg/.

Your journey to a healthier, cleaner, and truly sustainable way of living starts here.