If you're looking to reduce the toxic load in your home, the laundry is the perfect place to start. It’s one of the most frequently used areas in our homes, and making simple swaps here can have a significant impact on your health, the environment, and even your wallet.
Healthier for You and Your Family
Your clothes, sheets, and towels come into direct contact with your skin every day. Conventional laundry products often contain a cocktail of harsh chemicals like synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and phosphates. These can lead to skin irritations, allergic reactions, and even respiratory issues. By choosing low tox alternatives, you minimise your exposure to these harmful substances, creating a healthier environment for you and your loved ones.
Better for the Environment
Traditional laundry detergents and softeners can contribute to water pollution and harm aquatic life. The chemicals in these products often don’t break down easily, leading to long-term environmental damage. Switching to low tox laundry products means you're choosing biodegradable ingredients that are kinder to the planet, reducing your ecological footprint with every wash.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run
While some low tox products might seem more expensive upfront, they can actually save you money over time. For instance, natural laundry detergents are often more concentrated, meaning you use less per wash. Additionally, many low tox products are multi-purpose; for example, you can use baking soda or vinegar as a laundry booster, stain remover, and even a fabric softener.
Extending the Life of Your Clothes
Harsh chemicals can break down the fibres in your clothing, causing them to wear out faster. By using gentler, low tox alternatives, you help to maintain the quality and longevity of your clothes.
Ingredients to Avoid in Laundry Products
Fragrances (Synthetic Fragrances)
Often listed as "fragrance" or "parfum," these can contain a mix of hundreds of chemicals, many of which are allergens, irritants, or potential endocrine disruptors.
Phosphates
Commonly used in detergents to soften water and enhance cleaning, phosphates can cause water pollution and contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
These surfactants are used for their cleaning and foaming properties but can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation and dryness. SLES can also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
Optical Brighteners
Chemicals that make fabrics appear whiter and brighter by reflecting light. They don’t actually clean your clothes and can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and harm aquatic life when washed into waterways.
Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)
A strong disinfectant and whitener that can be harsh on fabrics, produce toxic fumes, and irritate skin and respiratory systems. It’s also harmful to the environment.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Found in fabric softeners and disinfectants, quats can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and are linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Formaldehyde
Sometimes used as a preservative or in fabric softeners to prevent wrinkles. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
1,4-Dioxane
A byproduct found in many detergents and cleaners, 1,4-dioxane is a potential carcinogen and is not easily removed by water treatment plants, leading to environmental contamination.
Ammonium Sulfate
Often used to boost cleaning power and create a thick consistency, this chemical can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, and is harmful if ingested.
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
Surfactants used in detergents that are toxic to aquatic life and have been shown to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals. They are persistent in the environment, leading to long-term ecological harm.
Dyes
Artificial dyes used to color detergents can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. They serve no cleaning purpose and can contribute to water pollution.
EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid)
A chelating agent used to soften water and improve cleaning efficiency, EDTA is not readily biodegradable and can accumulate in the environment, potentially harming aquatic life.
My Favourite Low Tox Laundry Products
Laundry Detergents:
doTERRA Clean Laundry Liquid (Australia Only - shop below)
doTERRA On Guard Laundry Liquid (Worldwide - shop below)
Kin Kin Naturals Laundry Liquid
Stain Treatments:
DIY On Guard Stain Stick
DIY Laundry Soak/Booster (recipe below)
Fabric Softener:
White Vinegar & lemon essential oil
Epsom Salts & lemon essential oil
Dryer Products:
Wool dryer balls
DIY Laundry Booster/Soaker Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach)
1 cup Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda)
1/2 cup Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
1/4 cup Sodium Citrate (OPTIONAL)
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Instructions:
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large, airtight container, combine the sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium citrate. Stir thoroughly to ensure an even distribution.
Add essential oils: Drop the lemon and eucalyptus essential oils evenly over the dry mixture. Stir again to distribute the oils throughout the powder. If there are any clumps, break them apart with a spoon.
Store: Keep the mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture per load of laundry for boosting detergent or as a soaker.
How to Use:
As a Laundry Booster: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture directly into the drum or detergent dispenser along with your regular detergent.
As a Soaker: Dissolve 1/2 cup of the mixture in warm water in a tub or basin. Soak clothes for at least an hour, or overnight for tough stains, before washing as usual.
Benefits of the Ingredients
Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach): Releases oxygen when dissolved in water, which helps to break down stains and whiten fabrics without the harshness of chlorine bleach. It's effective in removing organic stains like food, dirt, and sweat.
Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda): A strong alkaline compound that helps to soften water, which improves the effectiveness of detergents. It also helps to break down grease and grime, making it easier to remove from fabrics.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): Known for its deodorising properties, it helps neutralise odours in clothes. It also has a mild abrasive quality that aids in removing stains and keeping colours bright.
Sodium Citrate: Acts as a water softener by binding to calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from interfering with the cleaning action of detergents. It also enhances the cleaning power of the mixture and prevents soap scum formation.
Lemon Essential Oil: Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, lemon essential oil helps to further disinfect laundry while leaving a fresh, clean scent. It also has natural bleaching properties that can help brighten fabrics.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Known for its antimicrobial properties, eucalyptus essential oil adds an extra layer of disinfection. It’s also effective against dust mites, which can be beneficial for bedding and linens. The fresh, invigorating scent is an added bonus.
LOW TOX CLEANING STARTER BUNDLE | $160AUD
Includes: On Guard Cleaner Concentrate (over 16 household uses), doTERRA Clean Dish Liquid, doTERRA Clean Laundry Liquid, Lemon Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil & Purify Cleansing Essential Oil Blend
+ free shipping and wholesale membership.
Click here to shop doTERRA international (Click JOIN AND SAVE, then choose your country)
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