Underwhelmed with the quality of her everyday laundry detergent, mom-of-four Kristin Fracassi began to dive deeper into household products.

When she learned most ingredients in these cleaning items were toxic, she was motivated to formulate her own. By 2020, she had launched Root and Spendor, her own plant-based, nontoxic natural products.

“My only intention was to formulate for my family but as I went on in my research and the more I learned, the more I realized there’s nothing like this on the market,” said Fracassi, who with lives with her husband, Eric, and their sons in rural Vista. “I knew there would be other moms out there who would want products that are safe for their kiddos and work great.”

It took five years of trial and error, plus the help of a chemist, to develop the nontoxic, cruelty-free home and body products made from natural ingredients and packaged in sustainable wrapping.

From room sprays and bug shields to laundry soap and a stain-remover spray, Root and Splendor has a mission of providing products safe for people and the environment.

Fracassi eliminated the water in her laundry detergent, making it a concentrate that is more sustainable to ship across the country. She uses natural, plant-based enzymes in her detergents. Eco-friendly packaging is also a must.

Root and Splendor sells its products online and in bulk to over 100 retail partners all across the country, as well as in Guam and Canada.

Everything is packaged at the Root and Splendor warehouse and sustainable marketplace at 1175 Park Center Drive, Suite A, in Vista. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Reusable packaging is available for those who want to refill their Root and Splendor favorites. Products from other natural brands also carried on site.

Roxana Becerril is a freelance writer.

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