My Favorite Natural Laundry Detergent

My Favorite Natural Laundry Detergent

There is nothing better than fresh laundry. Having clean clothes that smell great is important. Do you know what else is important, though? Your health. Unfortunately, commercial laundry detergent is full of chemicals and toxins. They can cause irritation of your skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and lungs. They may trigger allergic reactions and asthma. By increasing chronic inflammation, they may increase the risk of chronic symptoms and chronic health problems. Many ingredients are also carcinogenic and may increase your risk of cancer.

Choosing natural laundry detergent alternatives is important. It can be complicated though. You want something that works and is affordable. Some natural laundry detergents simply don’t do the job. And many of the ones that work even better than commercial laundry detergent options are very expensive. I have a recommendation to protect your health and your budget.

In this article, you will learn about all the chemicals in commercial laundry detergent. I will discuss the toxic bucket theory of health. You will learn about the importance of natural laundry detergent. I will debunk some myths about natural laundry detergent. I will compare some popular laundry detergents. Finally, I will share my favorite natural laundry detergent we use at home regularly.

Chemicals in Commercial Laundry Detergent

We all like clean clothes. Unfortunately, commercial laundry detergent is full of harmful chemicals. Your clothes may get clean but they may also be contaminated with harmful chemicals and toxins that can disrupt your health. Let’s look at the most common chemicals hiding in commercial laundry detergent:

• Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate/sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLS/SLES): These chemicals are the main ingredients of most commercial laundry detergents, dish liquid soap, shampoo, and liquid hand wash. SLS and SLES are foaming agents that help to remove grease and soil. They were originally created to remove grease from garage floors and now used in your laundry detergent and other household cleaning products. Yet, these chemicals can be incredibly irritating. According to a 2006 study published in Contact Dermatitis, SLS may cause skin irritation (1). It may also irritate your eyes and lungs. It may also increase chronic inflammation and consequent health issues from long-term exposure.
• Phosphates: Phosphates are another chemical found in laundry detergent that can be seriously problematic for your health. According to a 2014 research article published in Integrative Medicine (Encinitas), phosphate may increase the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and even all-cause mortality (2). It’s so problematic that it has been banned from being dumped or used in natural waterways in the Great Lakes Region to protect native marine animals from mineral poisoning and die-off (3).
• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is another toxic chemical in commercial laundry detergent and dish detergent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), it is a class B1 probable cancer-causing substance (carcinogen) that may increase your risk of cancer (4, 5).
• Chlorine bleach: You may not be surprised to hear that chlorine bleach can be an irritant to your skin and health. According to a 2016 study published in Respiratory Medicine, using household cleaning products with chlorine bleach may increase the risk of non-allergic asthma (6).
• Ammonium sulfate: Ammonium sulfate is a toxic laundry additive. According to Global Safety Management, it may cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, and indoor use is not recommended (7). According to the EPA it may be a carcinogen (8).
• Dioxane (1,4 Dioxane/Diethylene Dioxide/Diethylene Ether/Dioxane): Dioxane is a known carcinogen that can cause lung, respiratory, skin, and eye irritation and inflammation. According to a 2012 health advisory by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US), it may also increase the risk of liver, kidney, nervous system, eye, skin, and other organ damage (9).
• Optical brighteners and UV brighteners: Optician brighteners are often used in laundry detergents to treat stains. However, instead of removing stains, they simply hide them from visible light.  According to a 2019 study published in Materials (Basel), they may cause acute toxicity (10).  They may cause lung, eye, and skin irritation.
• Ammonium quaternary sanitizers (quats/synthesized cationic surfactants): This is a cleaning additive also known as ‘quat’. They may cause eye, skin, and lung issues. According to a 2014 study published in Reproductive Toxicology, it may even increase the risk of infertility (11).
• Nonylphenol ethoxylates (Nonxynol, NPEs): NPEs can be incredibly toxic to your health. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, NPEs may cause toxicity, chronic toxic inflammation, skin and eye issues, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenesis (12).
• Fragrance and perfume: Manufacturers put fragrances into commercial laundry detergents to make them smell clean and nice. However, these fragrances are generally made from toxic chemicals that can irritate your body and cause health issues. According to a 2008 study published by the University of Washington, these fragrances may be toxic and potentially carcinogenic (13).
• Dyes: Though commercial laundry detergents have dyes in them, they don’t have any cleaning power to them. They only offer color, yet, they may cause allergies, skin issues, and may be endocrine disruptors. According to the University of Maryland Medical System, dyes may cause contact dermatitis (14).
• Benzyl acetate: According to the International Peer Reviewed Chemical Safety Information (INCHEM), benzyl acetate may cause skin reactions, redness in the eye, respiratory or lung issues, and digestive problems (15). It may also damage your kidneys and affect the nervous system.
• Dichlorobenzene (P-dichlorobenzene or benzene): Benzene is another chemical in commercial laundry detergent that may harm your health. According to the Global Safety Management, it may cause eye irritation and may be a potential carcinogen (16).

Toxic Bucket Theory of Health

Toxins are everywhere in our modern world. It’s impossible to completely escape toxin exposure. Your job is to reduce toxin exposure and prevent toxins from overflowing your bucket.

Imagining your body like a bucket may help you to understand how your health works. If you are only or mostly putting unhealthy things in your bucket, it will quickly overflow and lead to health issues. Environmental toxins, including chemicals in laundry detergent, inflammatory foods, allergens, stress, and so on in high quantities can increase the risk of irritation, inflammation, pain, low energy, sleep issue, hormonal problems, skin issue, brain fog, mental health issues, musculoskeletal pain, and all kinds of other health issues.

You have to pay attention to what to put into your bucket. To reduce the risk of filling up and overflowing your toxic bucket you need to open the faucet to let the bad stuff out and slowly add healthy things into your bucket. Reduce exposure to environmental toxins, unhealthy foods, allergens, and stress.

Support your liver and other detoxification pathways to support your body cleaning out any toxins you have encountered in the past and do encounter daily. Fill up your body with good things by using organic, natural cleaning and body products, eating organic, healthy food, moving your body, reducing stress, sleeping plenty, and practicing other healthy habits.

Importance of Natural Laundry Detergent

Looking at this list of chemicals and toxins in commercial laundry detergents may make you think twice about using them again. What is the alternative though?

You can use natural laundry detergent. Don’t forget about fabric softeners and dryer sheets either. Switch to organic and natural in those too. Natural laundry detergent is free from these dangerous chemicals and toxins. They don’t cause irritation, allergies, and inflammation in most.

Natural laundry detergent keeps your clothes healthy and clean without harming your or your family’s health. Not all-natural laundry detergents are equal though. Some don’t work as well as others. Read on to learn more about natural laundry detergent and the best natural laundry detergent option I’ve found on the market.

Myths About Natural Laundry Detergent 

Some people argue that commercial laundry detergents are more effective at cleaning and are more cost-effective than natural laundry detergents. This is just simply not true.

Commercial laundry detergents were never invented to create a more effective cleaner. The truth is that during World War II, there was a shortage of vegetable and animal fat they used to use to create soap for laundry. Though the all-natural soaps used up until that point were highly effective, there was simply a shortage. Chemical-filled options came to the rescue and stayed behind after the war ended. They quickly replaced all-natural soaps in the 1950s. 

Of course, today they are advertised as superior, highly-effective cleaners. But they are not more effective. They may even be less effective. Just think about what you learn about toxic optician brighteners that don’t remove stains, but simply hide them from visible light (10). In addition to not being more effective than many all-natural options, they are filled with chemicals and toxins that may harm your health.

Now here comes the second concern: price. It’s true that mass-produce commercial laundry detergents can be cheap. This depends on the brand of course. Buying off-brand or store-brand laundry detergent can be cheap. Buying more popular brands is more pricey. 

When you think about the cost of commercial detergent, you have to think about more than just the actual price tag. You are buying heavy jugs of detergents, yet much of it is water. You may be paying more for the water than the detergent itself. Not to mention that the rest of the ingredients are toxic chemicals that can harm your health. Doctor visits, medication, and medical procedures can cost a lot. And there is no price tag on your health.

Buying new jugs all the time is also waste that leads to useless environmental harm. Choosing a natural laundry detergent without toxic chemicals, health risks, and having to buy a new plastic jug every time is a smarter option. In the end, you will likely save money by not buying new jugs and not piling up medical bills.

Natural Laundry Detergent Comparisons 

If you are looking for a new laundry detergent or other household, body, or beauty products, it’s smart to consult with the Environmental Protection Agency (EWG)’s Skin Deep Database (17). You may be surprised to find that some of your favorite brands are toxic or questionable at the least.

So what are your options? You want natural, but you need it to work. You need clean clothes and safety for your health.

• Homemade: There are many homemade and DIY laundry detergent options online you can make with borax, Fels Naptha soap, and other ingredients. Unfortunately, these don’t always work. Your whites may turn gray and dingy. You can do better. Not to mention, you may not have the time to make homemade products.
• Molly’s Suds: Unfortunately, this option is not powerful enough for really dirty clothes. You don’t want to see stains and don’t want to smell deodorant.
• Branch Basics: This is a popular option and it works well. The problem is the price. It’s quite expensive at $69 for only a starter kit.
• Seventh Generation: Seventh Generation is also a popular option. It is much more affordable than Branch Basics. Unfortunately, it’s not always the best for whites, greasy, and dirty clothes. They require you to pre-treat your clothes. If you want to save time, it’s not the best.
• Thieves Laundry Detergent by Young Living: This is another popular option made with essential oils. But again, it’s expensive at $45 to $50 a bottle. 
• Truly Free: Truly Free is the best laundry detergent I could find. It works and it’s affordable. Continue onto the next section to learn more about Truly Free.

Introducing Truly Free

Truly Free is a US company from Michigan that makes natural laundry practices better. 

It uses less packaging, which is better for the environment. It is free from toxic chemicals, including toxic fragrances, making it a better and safe option for your health. It uses completely natural ingredients, which I love to see as a functional and natural medicine doctor.

It works. It truly works. My clothes come out clean. Even my kid’s muddy, dirty clothes come out clean after soccer practice. Food stains that are also common in a family with four little ones also come out easily. Our clothes smell fresh and nice without the use of toxic fragrances. 

And it’s affordable and good for your budget. They offer a 1005 no-risk, 30-day money-back guarantee. Use the link here to get 300 loads for free!

Final Thoughts

Commercial laundry detergent is full of chemicals and toxins. It can cause irritation of your skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and lungs, allergic reactions, and asthma. It may increase the risk of chronic symptoms, chronic health issues, and cancer. Choosing a natural laundry detergent is important for your health. I recommend and personally use Truly Free. Try it to experience clean clothes without toxicity. Use the link here to get 300 loads for free!

If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach.  On our website, we offer long-distance functional health coaching programs. For further support with your health goals, just reach out and our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.

Sources in This Article Include:

1. De Jongh CM, Verberk MM, Withagen CE, Jacobs JJ, Rustemeyer T, Kezic S. Stratum corneum cytokines and skin irritation response to sodium lauryl sulfate. Contact Dermatitis. 2006 Jun;54(6):325-33. doi: 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2006.00848.x. PMID: 16787454

2. Pizzorno L. Canaries in the Phosphate-Toxicity Coal Mines. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Dec;13(6):24-32. PMID: 26770122

3. Alexander GR Jr. The rationale for a ban on detergent phosphate in the Great Lakes Basin. Ciba Found Symp. 1977 Sep 13-15;(57):269-84. doi: 10.1002/9780470720387.ch15. PMID: 249680

4. Formaldehyde EPA. Link Here

5. Formaldehyde. CDC. Link Here

6.Bobette Matulonga, Marta Rava, Valérie Siroux, Alfred Bernard, Orianne Dumas, Isabelle Pin, Jan-Paul Zock, Rachel Nadif, Bénédicte Leynaert, Nicole Le Moual, Women using bleach for home cleaning are at increased risk of non-allergic asthma, Respiratory Medicine, 2016. Link Here

7. Global Safety Management Link Here

8. EPA. Link Here

9. Wilbur S, Jones D, Risher JF, et al. Toxicological Profile for 1,4-Dioxane. Atlanta (GA): Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US); 2012 Apr. APPENDIX D, HEALTH ADVISORY. Link here

10. Salas H, Gutiérrez-Bouzán C, López-Grimau V, Vilaseca M. Respirometric Study of Optical Brighteners in Textile Wastewater. Materials (Basel). 2019 Mar 7;12(5):785. doi: 10.3390/ma12050785. PMID: 30866454

11. Melin VE, Potineni H, Hunt P, Griswold J, Siems B, Werre SR, Hrubec TC. Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice. Reprod Toxicol. 2014 Dec;50:163-70. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.07.071. Epub 2014 Aug 14. PMID: 25483128

12. US Department of Agriculture. Link Here

13. University of Washington. “Toxic Chemicals Found In Common Scented Laundry Products, Air Fresheners.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 July 2008. Link Here

14. University of Maryland Medical System. Link Here

15. International Peer Reviewed Chemical Safety Information (INCHEM). Link Here

16. Global Safety Management Link Here

17. Skin deep database EWG. Link Here