We get it. Lavender sounds like a spa day in a bottle. Eucalyptus feels fresh. Tea tree sounds tough on germs. So people are sometimes surprised that our sheets have none of them.

The reason is small, furry and probably sitting on your laundry right now.

Quick answer: many essential oils are a concern for cats, and some for dogs too. Since we make every sheet with pets in mind, we skip essential oils completely, lavender included.^†

Natural doesn't mean pet-friendly

Essential oils start as concentrated plant extracts, which makes them feel gentle. But they're also highly concentrated, which is the whole point. A few drops can carry a lot of a plant's strongest compounds.

Poison ivy is natural too. Nature is not always your friend.

The cat problem

Veterinary sources note that cats process some compounds differently from people and dogs, because they lack certain liver enzymes. That makes them more sensitive to some essential oils.^†

Cats also groom themselves constantly. So whatever ends up on their favorite blanket can end up on their tongue.

Oils commonly cautioned about for cats include:

• Lavender
• Tea tree
• Eucalyptus
• Citrus oils
• Peppermint
• Pine

^†

Our rule: none, ever

We could have picked a safer-sounding oil and called it a day. We didn't. Our rule is simple:

1. No essential oils in any Just formula.
2. No fragrance in our gentle sheet, Just 7 or Just 9.
3. Nothing with musk, synthetic or otherwise.

When we launch seasonal scents later, they'll follow the same pet-first rules.^†

So what does clean smell like?

Honestly? Like nothing. That's the goal.

A clean towel shouldn't smell like a candle shop. It should smell like a towel that isn't dirty. If you miss a little freshness, line-dry outside on a sunny day. It's free, it's lovely and the cat approves.

FAQ

Is lavender safe for cats? Lavender essential oil is one of the oils veterinary sources caution about for cats.^†

Are essential oils in laundry detergent bad for dogs? Dogs are generally less sensitive than cats, but some oils can still bother them. Fragrance-free is the simplest choice for any pet home.

Will Just 7 smell like anything? Not really. It's fragrance-free, so your laundry smells clean, not perfumed.

Will you ever add scents? We're planning seasonal options, and they'll be made with pets in mind. No essential oils that pet experts warn about.