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When you wash your clothes you expect to get dirt out,
not chemicals in. The products we use to launder the
fabrics that surround us throughout the day and night are amongst
the harshest household chemicals.1
Why do you care?
- There are two main types of laundry detergents: petroleum-based
synthetic detergents and plant-based soaps.
- Many "mainstream" laundry detergents are petroleum-based,
which means they deplete a nonrenewable resource, create pollution
during manufacturing and burden wastewater.
- Laundry detergents may contain chemicals that affect the
environment and us:
- Petroleum-based synthetic surfactants such as NPE
(nonylphenol ethoxylates), optical brighteners
and synthetic fragrances.2
For a full list see Cleaning
Ingredients to Avoid.
- Liquid detergents can contain 1,4 dioxane, a known
carcinogen.
- Manufacturers of laundry detergents are not required to
disclose ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to
choose an environmentally preferable and healthier alternative.3
The Know How
- When picking detergents less is best. "People should
choose the simplest product that works well for them,"
says Philip Dickey, of the Washington Toxics Coalition. "None
of (the fragrances, dyes or brighteners) have any effect on
how clean clothing is, in terms of removing soil and stains,"
he adds.4
- Plant-based and fragrance-free or detergents
are gentlest to ourselves and environment. Look for essential
oils that provide natural scenting.
- Choose products that disclose all ingredients on
labels - look for words that indicate what's not in the cleaner,
i.e., "chlorine-free" and "no NPEs." Don't
be fooled by undefined, non-verified labels such as "non-toxic,"
"biodegradable" and "organic".
- We ask ourselves … if your laundry smells "fresh
and clean" … is it? Are the chemicals that leave
a scent residue on your clothing and bedding absorbed by your
skin or evaporated into the air for you to breathe in? We're
just asking the questions.
- Related e-bulletins - Fragrances
- Get a whiff of this and Clean -
what does it really mean?
Know and Tell
- With three young kids, Tamey does "loads" of laundry.
She has been using Nature Clean Laundry Detergent for the
last several months. See Product
Reviews.
- Tamey asked a large producer of laundry detergent for an
ingredient list. They were unable to disclose the ingredient
list due to the "competitive nature of our business",
but assured her that they were safe. Boy did she feel reassured.
- Patti also launders for 5 people each week - and some stinky
stuff makes it way to the laundry basket. (including athletic
socks that really do stand up!). In her quest to find
a detergent that really cleans she combines natural laundry
detergents with washing soda. It does the trick! Check this
and other tips in our Laundry
Basket.
- Patti has a hard time going down the laundry detergent aisle
in large grocery stores - the smells are so strong they make
the hair on her arms stand up.
P.S. Next week - we introduce Pure Blog - get ready to be a
Pure Blogger!
1 Green Clean,
Mason Hunter & Halpin 2005
2
CancerSmart Guide, Labour Environemental Alliance Society
3 In Canada all household general-purpose cleaners are classified
as consumer chemical products, which must comply with the Hazardous
Products Act and Consumer
Chemicals Containers (CCCR) 2001 Regulations.
4 Virtuous
Cycles, by Emily Main. The Green Guide, May/June 2007.
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