Hidden Chemicals in Laundry Detergent

It would be nice to think that the detergents we use have natural ingredients.  However, for the majority of detergents this is not the case.

A study done by the University of Washington on leading detergents showed that 99% of laundry detergents on the market contained cancer causing chemicals that are considered hazardous by the EPA.

However most of these ingredients in your leading laundry detergents are not even listed on the label.  Now that is scary.

Most detergent companies patent their formulas and are not legally required to disclose all the ingredients despite the fact that they are hazardous to health.  They hide these ingredients under umbrella labels such as “fragrance” or “flavorings” in the case of foods.

The deadliest of these chemicals is nonylphenol ethoxylate. It is a main ingredient in pesticides and is used to kill organisms.  It imitates the hormone estrogen within the body and is extremely harmful.  When this chemical along with others enter into your bloodstream through contact with your skin they cause serious damage to the body.  The  Journal of Pesticide Reform shows that these chemicals cause severe damage to heart and muscle function.

Another main ingredient not listed but contained in the majority of laundry detergents is formaldehyde.  The EPA has reported that formaldehyde causes cancer in both humans and animals.  Formaldehyde is the same chemical that is used to preserve dead bodies for dissection – not exactly the chemical you want to put into a living body.  In addition to this, it causes severe allergic reactions in the body and the gas can irritate your breathing and cause nausea and headaches.

Many of these ingredients are hidden under the broad label “fragrance”, not being required to list the specifics that go into it as proprietary formulas.  There was a big controversy that is still going on in food products with “the natural flavors” label for instance.  Many vegetarians are eating meat without knowing it and even aborted fetal cells and sweat glands of animals that are all hidden under the natural flavorings label.  It is quite disturbing to say the least that companies are not required to disclose all their ingredients and put the worst ones under these categories.

These chemicals from your laundry detergent absorb through your skin and accumulate in the body over time.  There are remnants of them on the clothes that you wear that get taken in daily.  If you have irritable skin from your clothes or headaches when wearing your clothes, this can be the result of the chemicals in the modern brand laundry detergents which are not disclosed on the bottle.  Over time these hidden chemcials weaken your immune system.  Skin cancer is on the rise these days and this is yet another reason why as everyone is being poisoned today from so many toxins around them and in what they take into their bodies as a result.

The next time you stop to smell the laundry detergent, don’t forget you might actually be inhaling formaldehyde and these other toxic chemicals into the body.  Removing chemicals from your daily life and that of your loved ones is essential to good health.  Knowing what goes into and on your body is fundamental to being healthy and happy.

We produce our own laundry liquid but unfortunately the postage costs are much greater than the product. So I would like to share with you our recipe so that you can make your own. Its great for everything, biodegradable easy to make, economical! Our laundry liquid is available on Kangaroo Island and some stores in Adelaide. Click here for sizes and prices.
If you are in Adelaide its available in certain stores, please contact us if you would like to know where.

You will find this and more great natural recipes in my recipe book.

We are committed to environmental sustainability, and together we can create a healthier place for you to thrive and a healthier planet for future generations.

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