The Problem with Laundry Detergent?

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  Have you ever thought about the chemicals contained in most laundry detergents? Most of this stuff doesn’t wash out in the rinse and can be absorbed into your body through your skin. Knowing what we are putting on our clothes, and in our body, can be incredibly important for protecting our health. Detergents can contain chemicals that can contribute to skin irritation. 

The following facts about laundry detergent may help you become more aware of the many hazardous ingredients contained in these cleaning agents. These facts may also give you some insight into better options for you and your family.

1. Surfactants Cause Skin Irritation

If you take a close look at the warning label on your favorite laundry detergent, you’ll notice that it urges you to avoid direct skin contact. Detergents work by removing oils from clothes, and that includes the necessary natural oils produced by your own skin. 

Surfactants strip away oil from the skin. Rashes are common when skin comes into direct contact with detergents. Some individuals with sensitive skin may break out after wearing clothes that have been washed with conventional surfactant-containing laundry detergents. 

2. They’re Bad for the Environment

It all goes down the drain…into the environment. Most detergents run into the water supply and they are taking a toll it is taking on the plant and animal life. Sodium triphosphate and trisodium phosphate can make their way into the water and can increase the growth of toxin-producing algae which can kill plants, fish, dolphins, and other sea creatures.

3. Laundry Pods – Keep away from Children

It is so convenient to toss one of those  new laundry pods into the washer. Convenient? Yes, but they also result in more problems for children than their less-concentrated powder and liquid forms. Their bright colors and odd shape fascinate the little ones. I am seeing news reports about children who have been harmed by the pods frequently.

4. More is not better

“If a little is good them more must be better.” Have you ever said that? Don’t. If you put too much detergent into the wash, residue will remain on your clothes. This residue is what leads to skin irritation, rashes.

5. Laundry Detergent Allergies are on the Rise

Natural Laundry Soap and Stain Sticks

The stronger the detergent, the harsher the ingredients tend to be. This can create problems for people with sensitive skin or chemical sensitivity. Allergies to products containing harsh chemical ingredients are on the rise, and more and more people are turning to gentler, natural alternatives. Eco-friendly companies are slowly making their way into the detergent market, offering health-conscious users with hypoallergenic, chemical-free options. Not only are natural laundry soaps safer in regards to allergies and skin, they are also safer for the environment.

What's the Alternative

There is a very simple solution, get rid of detergents. Swap our all those harsh chemicals for the gentle cleansing power of all natural laundry soaps. Laundry soaps are made with ingredients that you can recognize like; natural soap made from vegetable oil, minerals, salts and citrus. It is naturally biodegradable and rinses clean so it leaves little to no residue on your laundry. Laundry soap is concentrated so a little bit goes a long way but is is also non toxic and safe around children and pets. 

Your clothes will be softened, eliminating the need for additional fabric softener. Laundry soap does not foam so it is great for today's high efficiency machine. It also has a high pH and inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold in your washing machine. This is especially important if you have a front loading washer where water gets trapped and caused mold and musty smells.