Is Your Laundry Detergent Safe?

Laundry is a part of our daily routine, yet many of us remain unaware of the harmful chemicals hidden in traditional detergents. From skin irritations to environmental damage, these toxic ingredients pose significant health and environmental risks. Let’s explore the harmful substances lurking in common detergents and why choosing fragrance-free, non-toxic alternatives is a healthier and safer option for you, your family, and the planet.

Check out our favorite fragrance-free and non-toxic laundry detergents covered in our post.

Why Are Laundry Detergents Toxic?

Conventional laundry detergents and fabric softeners are loaded with a cocktail of chemicals, including phthalates, sulfates, preservatives, and other hidden toxins. While these chemicals are one way to clean your clothes, they also come with serious consequences for your health and the environment. More than just irritate your skin—these chemicals can disrupt the hormonal balances of all genders, leading to long-term health complications such as reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, and even cancer.

But the dangers are not limited to your skin, as you wash, dry, and fold your laundry, many of these harmful chemicals turn into volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air. This pollution transforms your home into a toxic environment, impacting the air you breathe but also seeps into the surrounding environment, contributing to broader air quality issues. Although the laundered fragrance may seem pleasant to some, it's actually an indication of invisible phthalates contaminating the air and adhering to every surface. What’s worse is that these chemicals are exceptionally persistent, and with continuous exposure they have been show to trigger new sensitizations, allergies, exacerbate existing conditions, and cause immune deficiencies.

What Are Some Symptoms of Laundry Detergent Toxicity?

Some symptoms linked to toxin exposure from laundry detergents include:

• Skin sensitivities -  including rashes, redness, excessive dryness, eye damage, and skin burns 

• Neural issues - headaches and migraines

• Endocrine disruption - Hormone dysfunction

• Respiratory problems - Breathing difficulty, asthma

• Longer-term systemic issues: infertility, organ damage, cancer, and other health problems

What Ingredients Are Harmful and Should Be Avoided?

1. Synthetic Fragrances 

   • Why it’s harmful: Synthetic fragrances contain phthalates that boost scent, and when they rub against your skin or are expelled into the air they enter your bloodstream and interfere with the body's hormone and endocrine systems. This can lead to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and even cancer.

   • What to look out for on labels? Fragrance, perfume, parfum, aroma, essential oils, or essential oil blend.

2. Formaldehyde

   • Why it’s harmful: A known carcinogen, formaldehyde is commonly used as a preservative in detergents. Even in small amounts, it can trigger allergic reactions, dermatitis, and respiratory issues.

   • What to look out for on labels? Formalin, Formic aldehyde, Methanal, DMDM hydantoin, Dioazolidinyl urea / Imidazolidinyl urea, and Quaternium-15. 

3. 1,4-Dioxane

   • Why it’s harmful: This hidden carcinogen is a byproduct of ethoxylated surfactants and is not listed on labels, making it even more dangerous. It can lead to liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage.

   • What to look out for on labels? Polyethylene, polyethylene glycols (PEG), and Polysorbate (20, 30, 80). 

4. Optical Brighteners

   • Why it’s harmful: These chemicals don’t actually clean clothes but make them appear brighter with fluorescent whitening agents that masks the yellowing of fibers. They can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs and are harmful to aquatic life.

   • What to look out for on labels? Optical or UV brightener, Disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate (DDD), Fluorescent brightener, Fluorescent brightener #71, Fluorescent brightener 28 sodium salt, and Tinopal CBS-X.

5. Harsh Preservatives

   • Why it’s harmful: These ingredients extend shelf life by preventing mold growth and remain on washed clothing. With exposure, these preservatives can trigger migraines, breathing issues, disrupt the reproductive system, and cause neurotoxicity. 

   • What to look out for on labels? Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), Methylisothiazolinone, Octylisothiazolinone (OIT).

6. Phosphates

   • Why it's harmful: A cleaning ingredient that creates suds to break down dirt and remove stains. Human exposure can lead to gastrointestinal distress and and harsh skin irritations. Environmentally, it contributes to the depletion of aquatic life, causing significant harm to ecosystems. 

   • What to look out for on labels? Sodium tripolyphosphate, Sodium phosphate, Disodium phosphate, Tetrasodium phosphate, Phosphoric acid, Trisodium Salt, Dodecahydrate, or with the letter E followed by a number e.g. E450.

How Do Laundry Detergents Cause Environmental Harm?  

Beyond personal health, conventional detergents take a heavy toll on the environment. Toxic chemicals like phosphates and sulfates, found in many detergents, often end up in our waterways. Phosphates can lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, causing the death of marine life.

Although many take for granted the quality of their tap water, the growing presence of toxic chemicals seeping into our water sources makes it inevitable that these contaminants may find their way back into our drinking supply. Choosing biodegradable options helps reduce this environmental impact.

Why Are Greenwashing Tactics So Powerfully Deceiving? 

Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing tactic that persuades the consumers a product or company is environmentally friendly when it often isn’t. With no FDA regulations defining terms like “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” or “organic” for beauty and home products, companies are free to label their items as such without transparency.

A product may claim to be made with “natural ingredients,” but companies rarely disclose the actual ingredients or the ratio of synthetic to natural components. Worse, these “natural ingredients” are often mixed with chemical solvents to preserve the scent, introducing harmful toxics and undermining the product’s natural claims. This lack of regulation makes it difficult for consumers to trust brands, casting doubt on the safety and environmental-friendliness of their products. 

Why Choose Fragrance-Free and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent? 

Only time and additional clinical studies will show the broader impacts of these toxic chemicals. In the interim, the best option is bypassing the greenwashing with fragrance-free and clean detergents, advantages that leave your clothes fresh, clean, and most-importantly, keep you safe. 

The benefits of fragrance-free laundry detergents are: 

• Gentler Formulations: Fragrance-free, non-toxic detergents are carefully formulated to exclude harsh chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and chlorine. By doing so, they reduce common triggers for skin irritation, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions. 

• Cleaning Power: Instead of relying on harsh additives, these detergents harness the natural power of plant-based enzymes, essential oils, and mineral salts. Enzymes like protease and amylase work effectively to break down proteins, fats, and starches, making them just as effective as their chemical-laden counterparts.

• Eco-Conscious Choice: Many fragrance-free detergents are produced by brands committed to sustainability. Their formulas often feature biodegradable ingredients that break down quickly in the environment, minimizing aquatic toxicity and harm to wildlife. Additionally, the packaging is often made from recycled materials or is designed to be recyclable or refillable, further reducing plastic waste. This makes fragrance-free detergents a responsible choice for consumers concerned about their environmental footprint.

• Health and Wellness: Formulated with ingredients like coconut oil-based surfactants and baking soda, these detergents clean effectively while being mild on both your skin and your fabrics. They offer a safer option for washing clothes, towels, and linens that are in constant contact with your skin. 

• Indoor Air Quality: Clean ingredients ensures the air in your home is fragrance-free and without toxins.

For additional insights on the hidden dangers of synthetic fragrances and toxic chemicals in everyday products, explore our detailed analysis in The Perils of Fragrance blog post, which delves into recent studies on this pressing issue.

Embrace A Clean, Fragrance-Free Lifestyle

Choosing non-toxic, fragrance-free detergents is a proactive way to protect your health and the environment. By becoming aware of harmful ingredients - synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, 1,4-Dioxane, sulfates, etc., you can learn what ingredients to avoid, ensuring that you’re staying safe and contributing to a cleaner planet.   

For more curated product insights and recommendations tailored to a fragrance-free lifestyle, stay connected with us at The Fragrance Free and follow @thefragrancefree on social for updates and tips.