The average household contains sround 62 TOXIC chemicals.
From the most obvious (oven cleaners) to the not-so-obvious (sensitive laundry detergent), research shows that these chemicals are as bad for our lungs as smoking cigarettes. So, lets have a real good look at what’s inside.
What’s Actually Inside?
Fabric softeners, with their cute animals and snuggly baby blankets on the packaging, are hiding some shocking ingredients.
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are not required by law to list all their ingredients on the label, so here’s a list of what you could find:
- Chloroform
- A-Terpineol
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Benzyl Acetate
- Ethanol
- Pentane
- Ethyl Acetate
- Camphor
- Linalool
- Phthalates
- Limonene
Together, these chemicals can cause a host of health problems, including respiratory problems, central nervous system problems, eye irritation, dizziness, headaches and nausea.
Also, several of these ingredients are on the EPA’s hazardous waste list.
So, when you take a long sniff of your fresh laundry, you are probably inhaling a cocktail of toxic chemicals. Not to mention what is being absorbed through your skin when wearing your clothes.
Now that you’re shocked, horrified, and eager to switch up your laundry routine – where do you start?
Luckily, I’ve done the hard work for you! I’ve tried a lot of different ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘natural’ laundry products for me and the rest of my family of four (which includes two teens!).
Eco Alternatives
Instead of pouring that bright green/blue/pink/purple liquid in the washer drawer or grabbing the liquid tabs, take a look at Laundry Detergent Sheets!
Each laundry strip packs ultra-concentrated, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly cleaning power into a tiny, pre-measured strip of liquidless laundry detergent that you just toss in the wash. Its low-sudsing formula works in all types of washing machines, including high-efficiency machines.
They also cut down on the clutter under the sink with ultra-efficient packaging. No bigger than a large letter envelope in size and thickness, you can fit over 400 loads worth of Simple living Eco Laundry Detergent Strips in the same space as a single 100-load jug of traditional detergent. The cardboard packaging is more widely and easily recycled than the plastic bottles and tubs that are dumped into landfills or are floating in our precious oceans, affecting land and marine life.
As well as the sheets, Simple Living Eco offer a Natural Stain Remover Bar for those tough-to-remove stains. Find all of their products here, and use the code JODIC5 at checkout.
Homemade Softener
Swap your chemical-filled plastic bottles for this greener and cheaper alternative – white vinegar! Vinegar is mildly acidic and this acid helps to soften fabric fibres as well as remove odours and prevent that musty smell from mildew-y washing machines. The vinegar also helps remove any detergent and dirt that is clinging to the fabric.
Add a drop of essential oil to white vinegar for a natural toxic-free scent boost!
