SUNDAY SWAP : HOW TO DETOX YOUR LAUNDRY ROUTINE
Laundry detergent is another product that we come in such close contact with that is toxic to health and the environment. It is literally on our bodies , in our beds, on our towels. Every bit of laundry you pull out of the washing machine contains toxic residues from detergents, stays in the fabric and rubs off on your skin. Each load of laundry releases more than 25 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are hazardous air pollutants into the air in your home and outside.
What’s Hiding in your Laundry Detergent?
Common laundry detergent brands like Tide, Gain, Downy, Arm and Hammer contain highly toxic chemicals that are detremental to our health an the environment. Detergents are a toxic cocktail of fragrances, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins, and carcinogens. Nothing that you want anywhere near your body!
The most common Chemicals to AVOID
Fragrance- “Natural” or Synthetic
Fragrance is a label that can act as a cover for over 100 synthetic chemicals, including phthalates. Synthetic Fragrance or even those labeled as “natural Fragrance” can be a disguises for hundreds of chemicals. Phthalates are a large group of chemicals found in fragrance that is a known hormone disruptor impacting fetal development and fertility. Phthalates are also known obesigens.
Bleach
Bleach is highly poisonous and reacts with fragrances and surfactants in detergent to create VOCs that are toxic and known carcinogens. Bleach creates these chlorinated compounds that are known endocrine disruptor, neurotoxin, and is carcinogenic. It also degrades synthetic and natural fibers in clothing.
SULFATES- Surfactants
Sulfates act as emulsifiers making detergents foam. They are commonly found in laundry detergents and are linked to skin and eye irritation, organ toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, cancer, endocrine disruption and cause cellular changes.
1,4-Dioxane
Dioxane is the chemical result of companies utilizing a shortcut process that makes detergents softer and foamier. It is a byproduct ingredient that is found in about 2/3 of detergents and does not have to be listed on the ingredient labels as a result. It is carcinogenic, linked to brain and central nervous system, liver, kidney and respiratory toxicity. The National institute of Health considers trace amounts toxic and the EPA has classified it as a possible carcinogen. It is not biodegradable.
Common ingredients that are linked to dioxanes : laureate, oleth, and any other ingredient ending in “-eth”, propylene glycol, polyethylene, oxynol, sodium laurel sulfate
Phosphates
Phosphates are the main cleaning agent in detergents because they break down dirt particles and remove stains. Phosphates are known to cause digestive system issues and skin irritation. They are persistent in the environment and are “toxic fertilizers” that increase algae growth and kill fish by depleting their oxygen supply.
Brighteners
Toxic chemicals that leave a residue on clothes that make them appear brighter. They are linked to skin irritation and make the skin more vulnerable to sun exposure.
HOw to shop for laundry detergents:
1. Avoid Fragrances, Brighteners, Phosphates, Bleach, Sulfates, 1, 4-Dioxane (chemicals that end in -eth)
2. The Environmental Working Group is a great resource to use when searching for Laundry detergents. They have an App that you can download and scan items while shopping. Only purchase products that are EWG Certified or Graded A.
3. Avoid Detergents that have a caution label attached- anything that comes with a warning label that it can cause skin or eye irritation should not be purchased.
Laundry Detergents I recommend:
Branch Basics
Branch Basics sells their Concentrate which can be diluted to use as laundry detergent and their oxygen boost is a non-toxic “oxyclean” that works amazing to remove stains and brighten whites!
9 Elements
Vinegar based detergent that has 9 ingredients and uses essential oils as fragrance. It is available at Target!