Is there anything better than the smell of your laundry after it's freshly washed and you pull it out of the dryer and it's warm and fresh? In our opinion, nothing comes close. But as with everything, there is a price to pay to have this experience if you're doing it the "toxic" way. So what is the toxic way? It's using mainstream laundry detergent, softener, and the worst...dryer sheets. These contain SO many chemicals and awful additives that cause so many issues. Let's get into it.
Typical laundry detergent you can buy at your local grocery store contains so many chemicals that are toxic to our health, our children's health, and our pet's health. When you add softener and dryer sheets on top of that, it's a perfect storm for illness. So what do these cleaning supplies contain? Here are just a few:
Phosphates: Not only are phosphates damaging to the earth, specifically marine life by causing algae blooms, but they have also been linked to osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, organ calcification, diarrhea and it can even block the body's ability to absorb important nutrients.
Dioxane: This is a known carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer, and it has been linked to kidney, lung, and central nervous system damage, along with respiratory issues and eye and skin irritation. On top of that, it is a known combustible and will explode at high heats....so, in the dryer? Yikes.
Fragrance: We have talked about fragrance ad nauseum on this blog. However, it really is in everything and it really is as bad as it seems. Fragrance has been linked to things like respiratory issues, organ failure, skin irritants, migraines, neurological issues, cancer, cardiovascular issues, the list goes on and on.
Nonylphenol Ethoxylate: This is a chemical that is a known endocrine disruptor, and is actually banned in several countries. It is a surfactant which has been linked to cancer, specifically breast cancer, skin irritation and organ damage.
Bleach: Obviously we're all very aware of the dangers of bleach. It's harmful effects contain skin and eye irritation, respiratory distress, cancer, organ damage, burns, and it is SUPER dangerous to wildlife.
Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and is used to preserve bodies. Is this something we really want to be washing our clothing in? It has been linked to cancer, organ damage, skin irritation, respiratory issues and even death.
The list doesn't end there, but when you combine the chemicals in laundry detergent, the chemicals in fabric softener, and the chemicals in dryer sheets...it's truly a disaster. Is the smell coming out of the warm dryer worth the possible side effects?
We think not, especially when you can get the SAME results using healthy products! Below is our favorite laundry detergent recipe that actually works.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients
1 cup Baking Soda
1 box Borax
1 bar Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap (grated)
1/3 cup Vinegar
15 drops Essential Oils (Your choice!)
Directions
Grate the Dr. Bronner's castile soap bar. (You may used a food processor for this!)
Mix together the baking soda, washing soda and grated castile soap into a glass container.
Drop in 15-20 drops of the essential oil of your choice. (We like lavender or lemon!)
Mix well.
Laundry Instructions
Place 1-2 tbsp directly onto laundry, depending on soil level.
Pour vinegar into softener compartment.
Lastly, after you put your clothes into the dryer, you can use wool dryer balls with 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil for less static and a wonderful smell!
Once you switch over to a homemade, clean ingredient laundry detergent, you can rest assured that you aren't loading yourself (or your family) up with toxic chemicals. It really is that simple of a switch. Let us know your thoughts and reach out if you have any questions! See you next week!
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