There’s a scientific review here, which explains more. I don’t like it in personal care products as it’s an irritant, but it’s fine for people and the environment in cleaning products. Note that sodium lauryl sulfate is fine in cleaning products. Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES), and Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES) are all examples of these. However, there are harsh surfactants that can cause skin irritation, and are toxic to aquatic life. Surfactants are the detergent part of the laundry detergent, and they’re an essential part of the ingredients. No one needs blue laundry liquid, and it adds unknown chemicals to our waterways. Fragrances can contain phthalates and skin irritants. Synthetic fragrances are a problem because you don’t know what’s in it – it could be any of 3,000 toxic chemicals. Until we know exactly what optical brighteners do the environment and our skin, it’s best to avoid them. Optical brighteners have also been linked to contact dermatitis and skin irritations, but the research is not conclusive, either. Studies investigating the harm that optical brighteners do to the environment haven’t been conclusive. They’re not biodegradable, so once they get into our waterways they don’t go away. Phosphates are a problem because they enhance algae growth and reduce the oxygen available for fish and plants in streams and lakes. The list of laundry products that I’ve reviewed are all in alphabetical order, below. But I did try to do as many ‘natural’ and ‘sensitive’ ones as possible. I’ve researched nearly 60 different products from different brands! I didn’t do all of the mainstream ones, because I know that they’re going to be mostly the same. There are heaps of laundry detergents available in Australia. I’ve spent months finding all the ingredients in laundry detergents, researching them and reviewing them so that I can recommend nothing but the best to you. So how do you wade through the greenwash and misinformation to find the best laundry products for your family? The ones which are truly non toxic for you and the environment? Laundry Powders Smackdown – Eco vs Mainstream Problems with Optical Brighteners (And What You Can Do About It) Shopping Guide: What To Look For In Natural Laundry Powders So many ingredients are toxic to aquatic life, not biodegradable (so they never break down and stay in our waterways and oceans), or cause algal buildup which kills fish and plants. Laundry products end up in our waterways, so we have to think of the environment when we’re choosing products, too. You have to get to the bottom of each and every ingredient.Īnd it’s not just about our health. You can’t trust the big name brands with their claims of ‘sensitive’ formulas. This makes it even harder for consumers who are trying to make informed decisions about the products they use for their families.ĭo you choose a ‘sensitive’ formula? Unfortunately, that’s no guarantee of a non toxic laundry detergent. Manufacturers aren’t required to list the specific ingredients of their products, because they are deemed to be commercially sensitive. They wouldn’t be so bad if it was just a one time exposure, but some of these ingredients are designed to stick to your clothing, which means that you can’t get away from them. It’s the same with other toxic ingredients used in laundry detergents. Laundry fragrances are designed to stay in your clothes, meaning that your skin and lungs are constantly exposed to them. That fresh laundry smell can come at a high cost. There’s nothing as nice as the smell of freshly washed clothes, is there? Unfortunately, your laundry detergent could be having a harmful effect both on your family and on the environment. First published 6 July 2018, updated 29 July 2021
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