Here are the 5 most TOXIC laundry detergents you should avoid

By arseniotoledo // 2021-11-17

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It can be difficult to avoid coming into contact with toxic chemicals, especially if people unknowingly wash their clothes with laundry detergents that contain some of the most toxic chemicals known to man. Here are five of the most toxic laundry detergents that can wreak havoc on people's health.

Woolite Everyday Laundry Detergent, Sparkling Falls

Woolite Everyday Laundry Detergent, Sparkling Falls is not safe for use in laundry. The detergent's formula contains many harmful ingredients, including formaldehyde and formaldehyde solution. Formaldehyde is commonly used as an embalming agent. Studies have found that embalmers and medical professionals have an increased risk of leukemia. Industrial workers who are regularly exposed to formaldehyde also have a high risk of developing leukemia. Other dangerous ingredients in this laundry detergent include triethanolamine, methylisothiazolinone and dodecyl benzenesulfonate. These chemicals can also cause cancer, along with irritation, allergies and respiratory conditions. This detergent is also particularly damaging to the environment, especially to aquatic life. Once this product enters the ocean, it can remain toxic for years.

Babyganics 3X Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent

Babyganics 3X is a laundry detergent formulated for use on the clothing of infants. However, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Babyganics 3X contains harmful ingredients like sodium borate and methylisothiazolinone. These are extremely toxic and known to cause allergies, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Like Woolite Everyday, Babyganics 3X is also known to disrupt aquatic ecosystems and poison sea life.

Tide Plus a Touch of Downy Laundry Detergent

According to the EWG, Tide Plus a Touch of Downy contains at least 29 toxic ingredients. There are possibly more dangerous chemicals in this laundry detergent, but analysts are unsure because the company has a poor rating for ingredient disclosure. Some of the ingredients listed by Tide for this laundry detergent include sodium borate, disodium diaminostilbene disulfonate and ethanolamine. These ingredients can cause endocrine, reproductive and respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure to ethanolamine, in particular, can result in injuries to the liver, kidney or nervous system. While some of its ingredients are biodegradable, that does not change the fact that the product as a whole is harmful to humans and animals, especially aquatic life. (Related: Health Ranger lab analysis exposes 700+ chemicals in Tide laundry pods… many are extremely TOXIC to human health and aquatic life.)

Ultra Purex Regular Laundry Detergent, Original Fresh

Ultra Purex Regular Laundry Detergent contains many corrosive chemicals. Like Tide, Purex is also notorious for not acknowledging all of the ingredients it uses on product labels. Disodium diaminostilbene disulfonate and sodium polyacrylate are just two of the most toxic ingredients in Ultra Purex. The former is known to cause eye irritation and eye damage, while the latter can cause eye, skin and airway irritation and lung damage. Prolonged exposure can even cause severe allergic reactions and neurological issues. Some of Ultra Purex's ingredients are non-biodegradable and are toxic to aquatic life.

Xtra Lavender and Vanilla Scented Detergent with the Softness of Escape Softener

Xtra Detergent with the Softness of Escape Softener is the 23rd worst laundry soap, according to the EWG's rankings. Some of this detergent's most toxic ingredients include sodium borate and quaternium-15. Sodium borate, more commonly known as borax, is used in laundry detergents because of its ability to whiten and get rid of dirt. But exposure to borax has been associated with several adverse effects, including skin, eye and airway irritation, vomiting and nausea. High exposure to borax can also cause hormone problems by reducing sperm count and libido. Ingestion and inhalation, especially in children, can cause death. Quaternium-15 is commonly used as a formaldehyde release. While it does have antimicrobial properties that can be used to clean fabrics, its toxic effects on humans are far too dangerous. It is so dangerous that quaternium-15 is banned by the European Union. It can cause allergies, skin, eye and airway irritation, developmental and reproductive problems, organ damage and cancer. Instead of relying on laundry detergents based on toxic ingredients, experts recommend looking for alternatives that are friendlier to the environment. A shopper's best bet is to look for products that are labeled organic or bio-based and to take a good look at the ingredients list for any toxic substances like formaldehyde, phosphates, dyes or any of the chemicals listed above. Learn more about the harmful chemicals found in cleaning items like laundry detergent by reading the latest articles at Chemicals.news. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com Housely.com Cancer.org EWG.org 1 AnnMarieGianni.com Healthline.com EWG.org 2 GoingZeroWaste.com