Why We Exist
We believe in a better way
Kids deserve clean hands without harmful chemicals. Our planet deserves better than wasted water and toxic runoff.
As parents, we saw a problem. Sanitizers left chemicals on our kids' hands. Regular soap wasted gallons of water. Wipes created mountains of trash.
We refused to accept this trade-off between cleanliness and responsibility. So we created NOWATA™.
Our Story
From parents to inventors
Our babies were born during the pandemic—a time when hand hygiene took center stage. As new parents with scientific backgrounds, we (Dr. Ruslan and Dr. Yalda) found ourselves constantly using sanitizers but grew concerned about the harsh chemicals.
"Every time our babies touched their faces after we used sanitizer, they absorbed those chemicals," we realized. This created a dilemma: use products with ingredients we weren't comfortable with, or find something better.
Founders Dr. Ruslan Maidans & Dr. Yalda Shahriari
We're avid hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Our adventures highlighted a challenge: how do you keep hands clean on trails when water is scarce? Our outdoor lifestyle made us determined to find a solution that works anywhere.
After two years of development, we created a plant-based soap that cleans without water or wiping. Each use saves up to 2 gallons. It's gentle for our little ones yet effective for everyday cleaning.
Our name, NOWATA™, means "NO WAter" needed. It also comes from our New England roots, where locals say "wata." Born when hand cleanliness became crucial, our solution helps families save thousands of gallons yearly—a positive change for our children's future.
How It Works
Simple but effective
We solved problems all parents face. No sink at the playground? Worried about chemical sanitizers? Teaching kids to care for the planet?
Our solution is simple:
- 100% plant-based ingredients safe for sensitive skin
- Works without water or wiping for clean hands anywhere
- Fully biodegradable for zero ecological impact
Kids love using NOWATA™. The peeling action feels like a game. You'll hear "Can I clean my hands?" instead of battles at wash time.
What We Believe
Values that guide everything we do
Family First
If it's not safe for our kids, it's not safe for yours. No compromises on health or safety.
Every Drop Counts
Each bottle saves about 100 gallons of water. Small actions create big change for our children's future.
Nature Knows Best
Plants clean effectively without harsh chemicals. No toxic residues where kids play.
Keep It Simple
Busy moms need solutions that work anywhere—at playgrounds, on road trips, or hiking trails.
Show, Don't Tell
Kids learn by watching. Choose products that show them how to care for our world.
These aren't just words on a page—they're the principles we live by. Every NOWATA™ product reflects these commitments.
What Makes Us Different
A new way to think about clean
Beyond Sanitizer
Unlike sanitizers that just kill germs and leave residue, NOWATA™ physically removes dirt and bacteria. No sticky feeling, no chemical smell, no dry skin—just clean hands your kids won't complain about.
The Magic Peel
Kids are fascinated by how NOWATA™ works. The soap grabs dirt and forms particles they can brush away. This turns clean-up into a fun activity. No more battles at wash time. Just giggles and clean hands.
Mom-Approved Safety
Our 100% plant-based formula contains nothing artificial. Safe for sensitive skin and gentle enough for babies. We've done the worrying so you don't have to—it's the peace of mind every parent deserves.
World-Changing Impact
Each family using NOWATA™ saves thousands of gallons of water yearly. Our biodegradable formula breaks down naturally. Your daily choice creates lasting change for our planet.
NOWATA™ isn't just another product. It's a new way of thinking about cleanliness that puts your family's health and our planet first.
AS SEEN IN
The media can’t stop talking about the soap that doesn’t need water—and moms can’t stop using it.
🔊 Click to unmute and watch the full WFSB 3 feature.
“A mom-made invention that’s solving a sticky problem.”
– WFSB 3 News
“Cleans without water. Grows from garage startup to mom essential.”
– The Boston Globe
“Invented by a Connecticut couple—this soap might change everything about clean.”
– Hartford Courant
“Born in New England. Built for every messy moment.”
– The Westerly Sun
Let customers speak for us
Nowata has been a game-changer for my family! My wife, my child, and I all love it, and we never leave the house without it. Public bathrooms are often unhygienic, but having this antibacterial hand sanitizer on hand has been a lifesaver. It’s gentle, free of harsh chemicals! Plus, knowing it’s environmentally friendly gives us extra peace of mind. Highly recommend!
I’ve been using NOWATA and it’s a game-changer! It’s incredibly convenient, especially for quick clean-ups or when water isn’t readily available. The formula feels gentle on the skin, leaves no sticky residue, and has a fresh, clean scent. Perfect for travel, camping, or even keeping in the car for emergencies. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a hassle-free hygiene solution!
I bought 2 soaps for my son who has 3 small kids, a soap and shampoo for my daughter who travels, a soap for a friend who can't use hand sanitizer, and a shampoo for my sister who travels a lot. All of the items came securely packaged and in a timely manner. It's great to have holiday gifts ready to share.
I recently started using NOWATA dry soap, and it's been such a life saver for my busy mom lifestyle. The best part is that it doesn't require any water,which is perfect for those chaotic days when I'm juggling endless tasks outside with the kids. It is small enough to carry around everywhere,so I always have it handy, whether I'm running errands or at the park with the kids. Knowing it is made from natural ingredients and is biodegradable gives me peace of mind too. It's so convenient and straightforward,genuinely making my hectic days just a little bit easier.
I am extremely delighted to have used this biodegradable product, since I have a love of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and mountaineering it is so convenient for me to carry NOWATA in my backpack instead of water for cleaning my hands,it is more practical and easy to have clean hands while eating outdoors.
I can’t say enough, I always use this for outdoor activities with kids.
Life changer to replace it with a hand sanitizer.
My kids love it too and snack times are much easier and cleaner now .
I am very happy with my purchase. It was well worth it. Highly recommend especially during outdoor activities.
This soap is magical! Can’t believe how easily I can rub the germs off my hands! My skin feels incredibly soft and moisturized after using it..
This is great for hikes and travel and I love that it’s eco-friendly and safe. My skin feels clean and soft after using. It can be a reliable addition to your back-pack!
This is the best and easiest way to clean hands when you reach the top of a mountain and have a wonderful lunch with your family!! Smells great too!
I tried this soap out of curiosity and fell in love with it! It cleans very well and my skin feels much better compared to alcohol based hand sanitizers that dries my skin. It is also very safe to use as it is made out of organic materials. Definitely best substitute to hand sanitizer. You try it once and you don’t use other alcohol based products anymore.
Try it and you will find out what Im talking about! Super cool product. I use it instead of hand sanitizers, it cleans A LOT better and makes my skin so soft and smooth. Definitely a must try.
I trialed this product on a camping trip and loved how easy to use this was. Hand sanitizer just dries my hands out, but this waterless soap also moisturizes so I never had that gritty dry feeling. It’s a must for outdoor enthusiasts.
I've never seen anything like this soap before. I love the idea of having a waterless soap. My family enjoys hiking, and sometimes we can’t access a bathroom to wash our hands. This soap will be great for situations like that. After using the soap, my hands feel incredibly soft and moisturized.
We love the soap! It’s very lightweight and really gets that dirty feeling off of our hands. Easy to bring with us on our outside adventures, too. Definitely a game changer for those who love the outdoors or kids!