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Dr. Mercola
July 12 2007

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How Toxic is Your Average Laundry Detergent?

Typical laundry detergents may be imparting more on your clothing than a “fresh” scent. Most contain a toxic slew of chemicals that leave residues behind on your clothing that can potentially be absorbed by your skin or evaporated into the air for you to breathe in.

Most laundry detergents in your typical grocery store contain:

  • Petroleum distillates (aka napthas), which have been linked to cancer
  • Phenols, which can cause toxicity throughout the entire body
  • Artificial fragrances, which have been linked to various toxic effects on fish and mammals
  • Phosphates, which stimulate the growth of certain marine plants when they’re released into the environment and contribute to unbalanced ecosystems
  • Optical brighteners, which can be toxic to fish and can cause bacterial mutations and allergic reactions

SixWise.com July 10, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you pay attention to labels, you’ll find that many household products -- from lipstick to paint to shampoo -- contain potentially toxic chemicals. In one study of 40 household products such as hair coloring, lipstick and paints, 34 contained chemicals such as glycols, organic solvents and phthalates. None of these chemicals appeared on the label of the products.

Toxins are in the household products you use, and you are absorbing them through your skin and breathing them into your lungs. When most people think of pollution, they think of the outdoors -- garbage-choked streams or industrial waste. But you probably spend a large portion of your time indoors -- as much as 80 to 90 percent of your life. You work, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted. For these reasons, some experts feel that more people suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution.

Over time, these toxins can build up in your system and cause any number of unknown effects. But you can take control of your household environment.

That is one of the reasons why you will want to make certain that you have an outstanding source of ventilation in your office and home. Fortunately, newer building standards require a minimum number of air exchanges to pass the code. This is good because indoor air pollution is frequently worse than outdoor pollution.

The other sound measure you can avoid putting toxic chemicals in your home. Most people tend to discount how dangerous some of these chemicals can be and how much chronic degenerative diseases they cause like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Instead, seek out natural laundry detergents, cleaning products and toiletries from your local health food store (or use items you already have around your house, like vinegar, baking soda, salt and lemon juice), and next time you’re ready to do some housecleaning, check out these tips to do it naturally.


Related Links:

  Cleaning Products Can Harm Your Children

  Ever Wondered Where That New Car Smell Comes From?

  Alarm Over Gender-Bender Chemical in Household Cleaning Products




Comment on This Article
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Posted On Jul 11, 2007
Several years ago I revolutionized the way I ate (Maker's Diet & Metabolic Type), and who would have known where the journey would take me!  As I began to learn the truth about nutrition, it spilled over into every area of life.  I've gone organic with my soaps, shampoos, lotions, and fluoride free toothpaste.  The next area for change is my cleaning products.  I currently use Tide, but that will be changing.  I love this website and the useful, practical, healthy advice given.

Thanks to Dr. Mercola and all the faithful Vital Voters.  You all have taught me so much. 

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Posted On Jul 13, 2007
..

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Posted On Jul 26, 2007

Paleriter says she quit burning candles. I would recommend 100% beeswax candles. I heard they give off negative ions, burn clean and brighter and longer. They also smell good naturally.

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Posted On Jul 14, 2007
For 3 years I've been using my own laundry formula. Everything is biodegradable and has minimal impact on the environment (vs. traditional detergents). You can adjust the amounts to your liking or make some substitutions, but this will give you some good ideas.

For wash cycle I add 1/4th cup of baking soda, 1/4th cup borax to improve the cleansing power, allowing me to use less detergent. As for detergent I use a small amount, about 1-2 ounces of "Sal's Suds" by Dr. Bonner. It's concentrated liquid detergent (sls) without any additives. For a cheaper alternative (vs. sal's suds) , you can buy a pure laundry detergent bar (sls) and dissolve it in water for easy use in washing machines.

Natural soaps would seemingly be better (than sls) , but I have heard that they don't clean clothing well enough (for synthetic fibers at least which I must wear for work). I'll save those (natural soaps) for washing my skin and use vinegar to remove any detergent (sls) residue from my clothing.

Then add 1/4th cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Don't use apple cider vinegar or any other types as they will stain clothing. The vinegar softens the cloths, removes detergent residue, reduces static cling, and helps to normalize the ph level of the clothing making them last longer.



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Posted On Jul 14, 2007
Thank you for taking the time to share your recipe for doing laundry.  : )

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Posted On Jul 14, 2007
Oh man. I feel like an idiot. For all these years I've enjoyed the "homey" smell of Downy fabric softener on my clothes. One by one I'm replacing bad habits with good. I started with the food, then tossed the microwave, then tossed the body wash and other toxin-containing personal care products, then tossed the antiperspirant (slow learner?). NOW, finally, I've ordered Shaklee laundry products. I feel better just thinking about my good choices. I'm one of those people who just loves really nice smells, and for me it's a challenge to give up the lucious smell of clean towels bathed in fragrance. Hubby HATES the smell, and is very happy that I've come around. Thanks to this website, I'm doing a LOT more healthy things for me and my family. So don't ding me, I'm trying!!!!

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Posted On Jul 11, 2007
Proctor & Gamble controls the soap and detergent business nationally.  P&G is NO FRIEND to your health or the environment, let alone you clothes.

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Posted On Jul 11, 2007
The more folks realize the toxic nature of so many things we use--the better the informed choices can be made to eliminate them. People have headaches in the morning---could be the detergent, the weird stuff they put in the dryer to keep clothes 'cling free', the this the that---toothpaste, makeup, air fresheners. 'Scuse me--I need to go open a window...

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Posted On Jul 13, 2007
I know I did not really think about those type of things until I had children.  :)  They both were born early and were highly sensitive to detergents,soaps or any type of things with smells.  They still are.

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Posted On Jul 26, 2007

The cling free dryer sheets also have mercury in them.

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Posted On May 31, 2009

Good thing then we don't work in those plants...imagine how sick their workers are.

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