How many toxins are hiding in your laundry products – and how to get rid of them!

Blog How Many Toxins Are Hiding In Your Laundry Products

Washing clothes is just one of those regular tasks we complete and rarely question – but have you ever stopped to consider the ingredients in your laundry products and toxins that you are exposing yourself to every day?

Modern laundry liquids and powders were developed in the 40s, when the fats and oils used to produce traditional soaps were repurposed for the production of explosives during the war. Alternatives were developed using petrochemicals, and over the decades they have been further developed to deliver bright whites and advanced stain removals.

Over the past decade, research has uncovered a wealth of negative side effects and irritations triggered by many of the ingredients in our laundry products, with the demand for natural and toxin free home cleaners growing every year.

Unfortunately, not all ‘clean or green’ products are what they claim on the label, with many containing common irritants.

Some of the common ingredients to look for on labels include:

Synthetic fragrances and unscented detergents – Fragrances don’t sound toxic but they are one of the leading triggers for asthma, lung and skin irritation, and hormonal and endocrine disruption. Fragrance-free detergents contain a masking chemical that has many of the same side effects.

Optical brighteners – These are designed to stay within the fabric and reflect light, making them appear brighter. The residue on the clothes can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs and can remain in the fabric for some time,

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS) – These ingredients deliver that lovely foam you are used to seeing, however more than 16,000 research studies on SLS have shown irritation of the skin and eyes, organ toxicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption.

Phenols – Phenol is incredibly toxic and absorbs easily into the system. Some people are hypersensitive to phenols and can have severe reactions.

When searching for your next laundry liquid and home cleaning products you want something that is free of: Allergens, Ammonia, Animal Ingredients, Animal Testing, Artificial Colours, Chlorine Bleach, Formaldehyde, Gluten, Parabens, Phosphates, Phthalates, Petroleum, Perchloroethylene, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

The easiest and most effective way to rid these toxins from your home is to make the switch – one product at a time! And while many people fear they will have to sacrifice performance for a clean cleaner, finding a brand that uses non-toxic and active ingredients will make all the difference.

Here at Butler Trading we stock the full range of The Laundress. They are open about all the ingredients in their laundry and home cleaning products, and ensure everything is non-toxic and biodegradable and concentrated to make your laundry go further.