Do You Know These 6 Facts About Laundry Detergent?

28th July  2014

By  Dr. Edward F. Group

Guest Writer for  Wake Up World

Doing the laundry is a simple, straightforward task for most people. However, have you actually thought about the chemicals contained in most laundry detergents? Most of this stuff doesn’t wash out in the rinse and can be absorbed into your body through your skin. Knowing what we are putting on our clothes, and in our body, can be incredibly important for protecting our health. Detergents, for example, contain chemicals that can contribute to skin irritation. Not only that, many commercial detergents may mimic hormones and disrupt endocrine function, a problem that influences reproduction, mood, and metabolism.

The Dangers of Laundry Detergent

The following 6 facts about laundry detergent may help you become more aware of the many hazardous ingredients contained in these cleaning agents. These facts may also give you some insight into better options for you and your family.

1. Surfactants Cause Skin Irritation

If you take a close look at the warning label on your favorite laundry detergent, you’ll notice that it urges you to avoid direct skin contact. Detergents work by removing oils from clothes, and that includes the natural oils produced by your own skin. Among other uses, our natural oils are necessary for protection against microbes.

Surfactants are the main agents that strip away oils, an action that can seriously irritate the skin and aggravate skin issues.[1]  Rashes are common when the skin comes in direct contact with detergents, and some sensitive individuals may break out after wearing clothes that have been washed with conventional surfactant-containing detergents.[2]  Respiratory problems may also result from regular exposure to these chemicals.[3]

2. Many are Endocrine Disruptors

In today’s world where toxins run wild and the use of man-made chemicals affect practically every area of life, it’s no wonder that we’re witnessing a surge of hormone-related issues plaguing both women and men. Researchers have found that detergents can disrupt endocrine function and interfere with hormone balance.[4]

Many chemicals in common household cleaning products act as xenoestrogens, or synthetic estrogens, which increase the amount of estrogen-like activity in the human body.[5]  This can negatively affect fertility in males and increase breast cancer risk in females.[6][7]  Hormone imbalance also contributes to an extensive range of problems including heart disease, depression, and mental impairment.[8][9]

3. They’re Bad for the Environment

After the final rinse, that stuff goes down the drain… into the environment. The effect of laundry detergent on the environment is undeniable, and it’s only within the last few years that we are seeing the toll it’s taking on animal and plant life. Most detergents run into the water supply and have been shown to interfere with aquatic life. This stuff is not natural and many plants and animals cannot process the chemicals contained in these products. Producing and distributing laundry detergent already carries a heavy carbon footprint. Sodium triphosphate, which is around 50% of detergent in weight, can make its way into the water and interfere with sea life development.[10]  In fact, phosphates that make their way into the water can increase the growth of toxin-producing algae which can kill plants, fish, dolphins, and other sea creatures.[11]

4. Laundry Pods – A Higher Health Risk for Children

As a result of consumer demand for easy, concentrated forms of laundry detergent, laundry pods have been flooding the market in droves. Convenient? Yes, but they also result in more problems for children than their less-concentrated powder and liquid forms. According to a recent study, children ingest these pods at a higher rate than powdered detergents, and some of the health complaints (digestive distress, breathing difficulties, and lesions) result in ER visits.[12][13]

5. You Only Need a Little

“Well, these clothes are really dirty, better add extra detergent for good measure.” Have you ever said that? Don’t. If you put too much detergent into the wash, residue will remain on your clothes. This residue is what leads to skin irritation, rashes, endocrine disruption, and possible respiratory distress.[14]

6. Laundry Detergent Allergies are on the Rise

The stronger the detergent, the harsher the ingredients tend to be. This can create problems for people with sensitive skin or chemical sensitivity. Allergies to products containing harsh chemical ingredients are on the rise, and more and more people are turning to gentler, natural alternatives. Eco-friendly companies are slowly making their way into the detergent market, offering health-conscious users with hypoallergenic, chemical-free options. Not only are natural detergents safer in regards to allergies and skin, they may also be safer for the environment.

Finding an Alternative

Walking around in dirty clothes is obviously not an option, but that doesn’t mean a toxic, commercial detergent is the only way. There are gentle products, like Branch Basics, that don’t contain all the harsh toxins yet are fantastic for your clothes. What do you use to clean your clothes? Have you, or someone you know, had outbreaks or reactions to harsh detergents? Please leave a comment and share your experience!

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Article References:

1. Gerster FM, Vernez D, Wild PP, Hopf NB. Hazardous substances in frequently used professional cleaning products. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2014 Jan-Mar;20(1):46-60.
2. Robinson MK1, Kruszewski FH, Al-Atrash J, Blazka ME, Gingell R, Heitfeld FA, Mallon D, Snyder NK, Swanson JE, Casterton PL. Comparative assessment of the acute skin irritation potential of detergent formulations using a novel human 4-h patch test method. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Dec;43(12):1703-12.
3. Crawford C, Zirwas MJ. Laundry detergents and skin irritancy–a comprehensive review. Skinmed. 2014 Jan-Feb;12(1):23-31.
4. Sosa-Ferrera Z1, Mahugo-Santana C, Santana-Rodriguez JJ. Analytical methodologies for the determination of endocrine disrupting compounds in biological and environmental samples. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:674838. doi: 10.1155/2013/674838.
5. Roy JR, Chakraborty S, Chakraborty TR. Estrogen-like endocrine disrupting chemicals affecting puberty in humans–a review. Medical Science Monitor. 2009 June;15(6):RA137-45.
6. Roya Rozati, M.D., P.P. Reddy, Ph.D., P Reddanna, Ph.D., Rubina Mujtaba, Ph.D. Role of environmental estrogens in the deterioation of male factor fertility. Fertility and Sterility. Volume 78, Issue 6, Pages 1187-1194, December 2002.
7. Tonko Buterin, Caroline Koch and Hanspeter Naegeli. Convergent transcriptional profiles induced by endogenous estrogen and distinct xenoestrogens in breast cancer cells. Carcinogenesis (2006) 27 (8): 1567-1578. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgi339.
8. Machackova J, Barta J, Dhalia NS. Molecular defects in cardiac myofibrillar proteins due to thyroid hormone imbalance and diabetes. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2005 December;83(12):1071-91.
9. Rohr UD. The impact of testosterone imbalance on depression and women’s health. Marturitas. 2002 April 15;41 Suppl 1:S25-46.
10. Eduard Smulders, Wolfgang von Rybinski, Eric Sung, Wilfried Rà¤hse, Josef Steber, Frederike Wiebel, Anette Nordskog. Laundry Detergents. Ullman’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 15 July 2007. DOI: 10.1002/14356007.a08_315.pub2.
11. Torben Madsen, Helle Buchardt Boyd, Dorthe Nylen, Anne Rathmann Pedersen, Gitte I. Petersen and Flemming Simonsen. Environmental and Health Assessment of Substances in Household Detergents and Cosmetic Detergent Products. Environmental Project No. 615 2001.
12. Claudet I1, Honorat R2, Casasoprana A2, Grouteau E2, Franchitto N3. Pediatric exposures to laundry pods or capsules: More toxic than traditional laundry products?. Arch Pediatr. 2014 Jun;21(6):601-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2014.03.020.
13. Huntington S1, Heppner J, Vohra R, Mallios R, Geller RJ. Serious adverse effects from single-use detergent sacs: report from a U.S. statewide poison control system. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Mar;52(3):220-5. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2014.892122.
14. Wheeler DS, Bonny AE, Ruddy RM, Jacobs BR. Late-onset respiratory distress after inhalation of laundry detergent. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2003 April;35(4):323-5.

Previous articles by Dr. Group:

• 8 Shocking Health Effects from the Fukushima Disaster
• Ten Shocking Facts about Mercury Amalgam
• 10 Shocking Facts about the Health Dangers of Wi-Fi
• The 9 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing and Respiratory Support
• 7 Best Foods to Support Kidney Function
• How to Flush the Liver
• Lung Cleansing With Peppermint Oil
• The Benefits of Organic Hemp Milk + How to Make Your Own
• What is Azodicarbonamide? 9 Facts About This Dangerous Food Additive
• 8 Must-Know Facts About Fukushima Nuclear Radiation
• Nine Shocking Dangers of Fluoride Exposure
• 10 Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones
• 12 Shocking Facts About the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs
• Seven Facts You May Not Know About Coconut Oil

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group  (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM)  founded  Global Healing Center  in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.