Other sustainability initiatives (low-waste packaging, give-back programs, refillable options, etc.). ![]() Your personal preferences (do you like liquid, powder, tablets, pods, or sheets the best?).In addition to safe ingredients, you may want to consider other factors, such as: What Else To Consider When Shopping for Natural Laundry Detergent Artificial Colors, Dyes, and Preservatives.Other potentially problematic ingredients to watch out for are: These brighteners can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs, and can harm aquatic life as well. They’re also used to treat (read: hide) stains by coating fabric with a substance that reflects light. UV/Optical Brightenersīrighteners are used to make fabrics look whiter and brighter. The EPA states that NPEs have been linked to hormonal problems, cancer, and infertility, and can also cause severe harm to aquatic life when it reaches waterways. It can cause skin, eye, and lung inflammation. This has been a known carcinogen since 1988. Chlorine bleach can cause burns, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), respiratory failure, and other health conditions. It’s often found in laundry detergents, especially ones meant for white loads. Most of us know that bleach is toxic, but many don’t know just how dangerous it can be. (Although formaldehyde occurs naturally in our bodies and environments, its problems arise when included in products at high amounts.) Chlorine Bleach According to the EPA, formaldehyde is a class B1 probable carcinogen, which means it can probably cause cancer. Most of us know about formaldehyde because it’s used to preserve dead bodies, but it’s also commonly found in many laundry detergents. Not only that, but when they end up in our wastewater systems, phosphates can interfere with the ecosystems necessary for aquatic life health and survival. Some evidence links phosphates to illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Although ethoxylated ingredients are practically impossible to avoid completely, it’s something to consider reducing your exposure to when possible. Ethylene oxide is known to cause multiple types of cancer and infertility, and 1,4-dioxane is a carcinogen. While SLES is less irritating than SLS, it can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane due to the way it’s made. SLS and SLES have been found to irritate and inflame the skin, eyes, and lungs. SLS and SLES were originally developed to degrease garage floors! As foaming agents and dirt removers, these are some of the most commonly used ingredients in laundry detergents as well as shampoos, dishwashing liquid, and other kinds of soaps. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Phthalates can be endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with hormone functioning and lead to things like infertility and cancer. They may or may not be listed under the ingredients because they can sneak in under the “fragrance” label. Phthalates are chemicals that are often used in laundry detergents to make the scents last longer. You can learn more about this issue right here. Some of these chemicals are safe, while others (like phthalates and VOCs) are known toxins. In the U.S., companies are legally allowed to hide almost 4,000 different chemicals under the word “fragrance” or “parfum,” without actually disclosing the ingredients to consumers. Even the brands that are marketed as “clean” or “green” can contain mystery fragrances that can potentially cause problems. ![]() This is a big one when it comes to laundry detergents. ![]() ![]() Toxins in Laundry Detergent: Chemicals to Avoidīefore we dive into our recommended brands, let’s review some of the most common ingredients in laundry detergents that have been linked to health problems: Mystery Fragrances Those who are extra sensitive or have chronic health concerns may be more likely to react negatively to the ingredients in common laundry detergents compared to those who are healthier and more equipped to process certain toxins and get them out of their bodies.Ĭommon ingredients found in conventional laundry detergents have been linked to issues like:Įven those individuals who don’t have strong or immediate reactions to specific brands of detergents would do well to consider switching to a safer alternative since these chemicals, especially when used in small quantities, tend to show the most damage over long periods of time (both to our bodies and to our ecosystems!). Whether or not your laundry detergent will actually cause issues depends on a lot of different factors, including age, total toxic burden, other health concerns, and more.
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