Switch to Safer: Laundry Detergent

This week’s safer swap is a good one because, while you may not use skincare or makeup, I sure as heck hope you do your laundry (and clean your home, but that’s a post for another day). If you are not a fan of laundry, then you are 100% in the right place. I’m not a laundry fan either! Like, I’ll do it, and I love folding it, but I don’t love dragging it down to our basement and dealing with the industrial washing machines. It’s just not for me. And that’s okay because thankfully, I don’t have to deal with it. Christian does (#blessed).

We are pretty good about dividing and conquering “chores” in our home and when it comes to laundry, C is in charge. He sorts it, uses delicates bags, turns things inside out and puts sensitive stuff on the drying rack. The whole shebang. So first I’m going to talk about why it’s important to switch to safer laundry detergent and then I’ll bring C in to answer the questions about what products he likes most and why (because let’s be honest, I just care that the clothes are clean – he’s the one with the inside scoop!).

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Why It’s Important to Switch Your Detergent

Maybe it’s just me, but I used to love the smell and feel of fresh laundry. It reminds me of snuggling into a freshly made bed, the sheets all warm, soft and clean. It’s funny how smells have so much power – and how we associate some smells with being good, comforting and safe.

Sadly, that feeling of safety is misplaced. Most conventional laundry detergents contain chemicals that range from mild irritants and allergens to more significant endocrine disruptors and cancer-causing agents. Laundry detergents (along with cleaning supplies and air fresheners) are loosely regulated by the EPA, similarly to how personal care products are loosely regulated by the FDA. Also similar? Manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on labels. But I’m getting ahead of myself! Let’s rewind a bit because the details, while explainable, are complicated.

What is a Laundry Detergent?

A detergent is a cleansing agent that removes dirt and stains, in this case, from clothes, bedding and other fabrics. Detergents do this by utilizing surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the cleaning components to penetrate fabric and loosen dirt from said fabrics. Surfactants are not inherently harmful – they are necessary – but some, like nonylphenol ethoxylates, decompose slowy and are highly toxic to aquatic life.

Other Ingredients to Avoid

Bleach and Optical Brighteners

Bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, acts as a disenfectant (not a cleaner) and can be extremely toxic. Traditional chlorine bleach can release toxic chlorine gas, but it’s important to note that both traditional and oxygen bleach are both corrosive, meaning they can cause serious chemical burns to the skin, eyes or lungs. Increased bleach exposure is associated with asthma and other respiratory problems.

Optical brighters are chemicals that make clothes appear brighter – the key is appear. Those chemicals remain on the clothes, absorb UV light & minimize yellow so that clothes seem brighter: brighteners work by coating clothing in the washing machine and sticking to fabrics even after rinsing. The EWG recommends avoiding them due to skin irritation and environmental safety concerns, and the EPA has said that these are potentially toxic. Some, like triazine-stilbenes, don’t break don’t easily, can accumulate in the enviornment and can damage aquatic life.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: When it comes to laundry, it’s best to avoid chlorine bleach entirely and only use chlorine-free alternatives when absolutely necessary. Also, these ingredients aren’t always listed, but it’s helpful to remember that if a product is labeled as biodegradable, it probably doesn’t contain optical brighteners.

Fragrance and Phthalates

I’ve talked a bit about fragrance here and here, but the term “fragrance” is an umbrella term that may consist of dozens of chemicals and substances for which there is limited safety data. For now, let’s think about it in the context of this post.

In 2011, scientists at the University of Washington studied – you guessed it – laundry. The study found that air vented from dryer machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheets contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens. In the analysis of the released air, they found “more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including seven hazardous air pollutants… Of those, two chemicals – acetaldehyde and benzene – are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, for which the agency has established no safe exposure level.” For context, the EPA defines VOCs as air contaminants that are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. You can read more about VOCs here and learn how to reduce your exposure here.

The crazy part about this study is that the released ingredients weren’t on the labels, but they were identified in notable quantities in the air during the drying cycle. So, the result of washing clothes in detergents and fabric softeners that contain fragrances is the release of toxic chemicals onto the skin and into the air all day long. Welp.

On top of that, according to an Environmental Working Group study, 72% of products containging fragrance also contained endocrine disruptors called phthalates. Because of their hormone mimicking properties, phthalates have been linked to diabetes, obesity, liver and breast cancer and hormone disruption that affects fertility and development. According to the CDC, phthalates are found in the blood of most Americans, especially women.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: No fragrance when possible! Products labeled “Free & Clear” are better options, though a few may contain a scent to mask the smell of other ingredients. Unfortunately “natural” or “natural fragrance” isn’t helpful either, as there is no standard criteria for what these words mean. You wouldn’t find details about this on the label, so make sure to research the company and ingredient sources!

Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

This is a tricky one! SLS and SLES are surfactants. Like we discussed above, surfactants are used to break water tension and attract dirt and grime away from the material they are cleaning. And while you’ve probably heard about SLS and SLES being ingredients of concern (they are on my list of ingredients to avoid) the details are more nuanced.

SLS and SLES are actually different ingredients. While both are found in detergents and personal care products, SLES is widely used because it’s a cheap foaming agent. The main problem with it involves how it’s made: during manufacturing a process called ethoxylation can lead to a highly toxic and carcinogenic by-product called 1,4 dioxane (more on that here) that is linked to organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption & ecotoxicology. In order to ensure zero contamination, SLES has to be vacuum stripped and, sadly, there is no way to determine whether a company does this.

SLS on the other hand, is not proven to be carcinogenic but it has been linked to skin & eye irritation with long term use and can be toxic to rats at certain levels. It’s gotten a pretty bad rep, but the EWG rates it as a 1-2 on the hazard scale depending on usage, which is reinforced by this study (but only in the context of household cleaning). It IS possible to use 1,4 dioxane free, plant-derived SLS. An example of a brand that is doing this is Seventh Generation, a certified B-Corp and leader in clean. This is why it’s so critical for consumers to do in-depth research on ingredients, their production and sourcing.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Avoid SLES and ethoxylate surfactants and look for clean SLS or SLS-free products to manage exposure levels. If you’re at all concerned and it’s easier to avoid the ingredient, then by all means go for it!

Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Another nuanced ingredient combo! Both Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone are preservatives that inhibit bacterial growth and are common in products labeled as “natural”. The first is linked to inhalation toxicity, allergies and possible neurotoxicity (more here) but that is more of a concern for immunocompromised individuals and those with allergies and sensitive skin.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: If you’re allergic, make sure to check labels and avoid products with Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and definitely avoid products with a mixture of CMIT and MIT. If you are not allergic, MIT and CMIT are among the safer preservatives with regard to long-term chronic health effects.

The Favorites

Now that we’ve gotten the science and what to avoid out of the way, let’s chat about the safer detergents we actually use and love!

Branch Basics

Branch Basics is a female owned and run company, created by three women who all dealt with various health issues in their lives. They make cleaning simple, affordable and sustainable by utilizing one concentrate that can be diluted at different ratios to clean almost anything. I truly believe that their plant- and mineral-based ingredients are the cleanest out there. On top of that, Branch Basics actually removes chemical residues from clothes that have been cleaned with harsh detergents that are toxic and can be absorbed by the skin! So, not only are the ingredients (of which there are nine) mostly organic, recognizable and effective, but they also undo damage that was done previously. We also use the oxygen boost to help with stains and keep our clothes extra fresh. *get $10 off your order with this link!

Now let’s ask C what he thinks!

THE PROS:

• You only need a small amount of liquid to get the job done
• Cleans well – really effective at removing stains!
• Comes in concentrate form so we can make it easily – and use it for other things
• No fragrance!

THE CONS:

• The price. At $49.00/33oz this is not cheap. That being said, you dilute it depending on usage and you really don’t need a lot to get the job done. One bottle lasts us awhile and is the equivalent of 64 loads.
• It’s very watery. I still have a hard time believing it’s cleaning our clothes and often use two caps because it makes me more comfortable (but increases cost per load). We use industrial washers so I also always put it in last instead of first.
• No fragrance! I like my clothes smellin’ fresh and this does not smell like anything. That being said, I’ve learned this is not necessarily a bad thing and I’m kind of getting used to it!

The Laundress

The Laundress is also a female owned and run company, started by two women who were tired of sending all of their clothes to the toxic dry cleaner. Their frustration, plus backgrounds in fabrics and textiles, led them to determine that over 90% of clothes that are labeled “dry clean only” are actually washable when you use the right detergent. So they created a line of eco-friendly products focused on sustainability. Their specialized, limited ingredient detergents and cleaners allow people to clean almost everything from home, which is better for clothes, the enviornment and human health. We use the Signature Detergent for our colors and whites (they have individual detergents for each, too), plus almost all of their specialized cleaners. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to treat stains properly and wash a lot of my sweaters, delicates and swimwear myself (I don’t separate my activewear though). I also love their tub basin for delicates and masks – it’s super helpful in small spaces! *use this link to snag a welcome kit with your order!

Now let’s ask C what he thinks!

THE PROS:

• The smell is so nice. So fresh and so clean… clean.
• Substantial weight and consistency makes me more comfortable in its cleaning abilities
• Comes in a variety of categories: delicates, sport, wool and cashmere and chlorine-free oxygen bleach for emergencies

THE CONS:  

• The price. At $20.50/32oz, this option is a bit pricey but again, a little goes a long way (64 loads).
• Fragrance. Nora here. I did reach out to The Laundress because their ingredient list includes both essential oils and fragrance. Here was their response: All of our fragrances and essential oils are a physical mixture of essential oils, resins (materials pulled from plants, flowers, stems, roots, and seeds), absolutes (essences extracted with solvents), and naturally identical molecules. The Laundress products uses a combination of essential oils and naturally identical molecules to provide a light, fresh scent to our products while maintaining the safest, most stable scent structure. The essential oils that we use also have cleaning and antibacterial properties to enhance our products. With that said our scents use both high-quality naturals and synthetics to serve the purpose of creating amazing smells that follow the strictest rules in fabric care, in the US, in Europe and in Japan. So, it’s not ideal. That being said I personally believe in and appreciate the brand and their belief in clothing wearability and sustainability. I use their specialized products religiously and, as a result, do less dry cleaning and drying which is a huge plus for my wallet, my health and the planet. There are tradeoffs, but it’s also about management. If I can reduce my overall fragrance exposure in other areas, I am less concerned about the impact here. You gotta do what’s right for you!

Honorable Mentions

Thieves Laundry Soap by Young Living

This is an excellent option if you want a lovely scent and a small ingredient list! You can also use regular Thieves Cleaner for an added boost. It’s on the expensive side but less so if you’re a member – $40.46/32 oz. vs $30.75/32 oz or 64 loads.

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Powder, Free & Clear

This is a different type of formula (a powder) and actually unscented, which is huge. Note that you can always add your own essential oils if you want a little more oomph. Also note that not all detergents by this brand are as clean, but I do like the brand and this product is on my list to try. It’s also far more cost effective than the others, at $28.00/112 oz or 70 loads on Amazon.

Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder

Another great and cost effective brand that is on our list to try once we run out of what we have! Molly’s Suds is a powder (but also comes in a liquid) comprised of only five earth-derived ingredients and formulated especially for sensitive skin – and this one is unscented. You only need one TBS per load and this one works in HE machines, too. You can snag it for $10.79/47 oz or 70 loads at Thrive Market (use this link for 25% off your first order!).

Stay tuned for our coverage of how we use specialty soaps, treat spots and wrinkles, reduce static and more in another post!