How Toxic Laundry Detergents May Be Killing You
“I am really concerned about all of the chemicals. Global warming is another huge one, but the amount of chemicals being used in like laundry detergents and fertilizers is concerning.” Mason Jennings1.
Have you ever wondered what makes us sick? Why you might not be seeing your favorite cleaning detergent on the shelves anymore? Maybe wondering why some popular household names have been in the news lately and under some serious heat?
I’m concerned with something recently that has come up in the news that I feel will outrage you.
Apparently, our household laundry detergents may have major implications for our health. Products that we use every day from companies that we know and trust. Many household detergents, including the ones you’ve probably been using your whole life contain human carcinogens. This is concerning.
Read on to find out more about how your laundry detergent may be affecting your household, and if you enjoyed reading this article, I’ve linked my blog here which has other health and wellness topics.
One of My Go-to Household Laundry Detergents Is Toxic
Tobacco and asbestos. Two carcinogens that you’ve most likely heard of. Despite knowing the implications, people still smoke. While until recently, we have used asbestos for centuries to build our homes. These are common examples, but did you know that our everyday laundry detergents are now shown to contain carcinogens?
This has become such a concern that the state of New York just banned a ton of products due to them having 1,4-Dioxane, which is shown to cause cancer.
Not from New York or just don’t think this could affect you?
Here are some popular brands you may know of that contain this carcinogen and are still on the market:
Arm and Hammer Clean Burst
Tide Original
Arm and Hammer Sensitive Skin Free and Clear
Gain Original + Aroma Boost2
Personally, I use Arm and Hammer because my husband has extremely sensitive skin. I’m confused and outraged that this is causing more harm than good to his skin and is allowed on the market.
Unfortunately, carcinogens are not the only thing that is found in our detergents.
Can We Trust That Our Laundry Detergents Are Chemical-Free?
The UK and 17 US states have also banned several laundry detergents that contain phosphates. Phosphates are used to soften water and ultimately result in a better clean.
These are not necessarily toxic, but when they enter waterways, can cause drastic changes in our water systems by causing the overgrowth of algae and ultimately leading to the depletion of living organisms in the water.3
The good news is most laundry detergents are now phosphate free. It’s concerning when you're using everyday products and then years later, they’re banned because they’re causing cancer or killing our fish and causing our water systems to be out of whack.
It makes me think of what else we use all the time that later down the road we’ll find are actually terrible for our health.
In addition, ingredients in these toxic laundry products are intentionally made to stick to fabrics, mostly to keep our clothes smelling “clean.” This means that as we wear our clothes and sweat, these chemicals break down and are being absorbed through our skin. So when we use these products we are being exposed to these chemicals essentially all the time, even when we sleep. - John, Certified Holistic Health Coach 4
It’s hard to hide from toxic detergents, without going back to the old days of old plain soap and a washing board. Knowing that won’t happen, we can only hope and trust the products on the market.
Unfortunately, I only trust a few of them nowadays.
I put a list together that I think you’ll benefit from. These are the ones I believe in that are free of almost all unnatural and terrible chemicals.
So What Are Some of the Safest Laundry Detergents to Use?
Have you heard of those companies that offer household cleaner tablets that you dissolve in your own water? They promise all-natural and simple ingredients that are derived from nature and don’t contain the harmful chemicals that we find nowadays. Well, there's some good ones and some bad ones.
I’ve listed the good ones below so you don’t have to research on your own.
I’m obligated to mention that I’m not a doctor, a scientist, or a detergent expert, but based on research, feel like these brands are trustworthy and way better than the brands that are full of toxic chemicals. I’m not affiliated with these companies.
Here’s what I would recommend:
Now there are probably more brands out there that you can find as well, but these are just a few that I’ve stumbled across that I feel are worth checking out.
Unfortunately, there are other types of household products that you need to be on the lookout for.
What Other Household Items and Cleaning Products Aren’t Safe?
Before I end my article, I wanted to point out that other household cleaners contain many harmful chemicals. It’s important to read the label and do your research before trying a brand. I know it's tough sometimes to find affordable AND non-toxic options, but laundry detergent is not the only product out there with harmful chemicals that you should be on the lookout for.
Household cleaners, liquid dishwasher and cleaning detergents, shampoo and conditioners, soaps, and lotions are just a few products that also can have harmful chemicals found in them and within their packaging.
It’s important to check what you are using because I don’t know about you, but have you noticed how much cancer seems to have crept up on us throughout the years? It's the chemicals that are being added to our everyday items, including foods, that are causing us to become sick.
I’m hoping that over time, more and more companies will hop on the all-natural train and avoid harmful and nasty chemicals, but right now they’re still out there so just be mindful and be smart about what you’re putting on and in your body.
Enjoyed this article? Check out my blog for other articles on health and wellness topics.
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