About Us

Nantucket Spider began as a true family effort, born from the need for a better bug repellent that parents could trust. Long before it became a company, our family faced the same challenge many others did; traditional bug sprays that smelled harsh, relied on chemicals, or simply didn’t work. Natural options were limited, and the few available often contained sticky emulsifiers, chemical dispersants, or ineffective formulas.

Wanting something safer and more effective for summer camps and outdoor adventures, we started experimenting with essential-oil blends right in our garage. What began as small batches made for family and friends quickly grew into something more. Word spread, people kept coming back for refills, and we realized we weren’t alone in wanting a natural repellent that truly worked.

In 2013, Nantucket Spider officially took shape. Those early years were as hands-on as it gets; bottling sprays in the garage with a hand-filler, placing each label by hand, and refining our blends based on real-world feedback. Over time, that first recipe expanded into a complete line of natural bug repellents, all created with the same mission we started with - providing families with safer, more effective outdoor protection.

Nantucket Spider's Original Offerings 

Nantucket Footprint Cleaning Line

By 2021, our family found ourselves frustrated again, this time in the cleaning aisle.

For people who care about their homes, their families, and the planet, finding truly eco-friendly cleaning products wasn’t easy. Many brands used words like “green” or “safe” without making meaningful changes. Most “eco” options still looked and acted like traditional cleaners. They came in plastic, relied on the same types of ingredients we preferred to avoid, and didn’t offer the level of trust we were looking for in our home.

Real sustainability comes from the product itself, not from clever branding. Existing cleaning options fell short in several ways:

1. Questionable ingredients: Many relied on artificial fragrances or contained ingredients banned in other countries.
2. Lack of transparency: Some brands used vague language or avoided ingredient disclosure entirely.
3. Hidden toxins: Even “green” cleaners often included preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone
4. Poor performance: The few products with cleaner ingredients often left streaks, smears, or grease behind.

Our family decided to create a better option ourselves. That idea became Nantucket Footprint, a line of zero-waste, people-friendly, and planet-friendly cleaning products made to meet higher standards. What started as a frustration became a new arm of the business.

From day one, our mission has extended far beyond creating effective products. This includes making choices that protect the world our families, customers, and future generations depend on.

Eco-Friendly by Design
Across both Nantucket Spider and Nantucket Footprint, sustainability is built into every detail. We prioritize:
- Biodegradable and compostable materials to minimize our footprint
- Concentrated, water-free formulas, such as our cleaning and laundry strips, which reduce shipping emissions and packaging waste
- Clear, transparent ingredient lists without hidden chemicals or harsh preservatives

Rainforest Trust Partnership
We are proud partners of Rainforest Trust, an organization that protects the world’s most threatened tropical forests and the species that depend on them. 2% of our sales goes to Rainforest Trust to:
- Safeguard endangered wildlife
- Protect biodiverse ecosystems
- Preserve critical rainforest land
- Sequester carbon by preserving old-growth rainforest

Transition CT Partnership
Closer to home, we partner with Transition CT, an organization dedicated to helping young individuals with mental disabilites prepare for their futures through student programs, vocational training, and day services.
As part of this partnership, we provide Transition CT participants with meaningful work opportunities and hands-on training, giving them valuable experience in a supportive, real-world environment.

1 Box of Nantucket Footprint Cleaning Strips = four 16 oz Bottles of Cleaner

Rainforest Trust Conservation Partner