by Ava Anderson
Tide® announced that as of September 2013, they will be reducing the amount of 1,4 dioxane in two of their laundry detergents–Tide Original Scent® and Tide Free & Gentle®. Great news folks – or is it? Hold the spin cycle…reducing? Why not eliminating?!
1,4 dioxane is a byproduct of the manufacturing (ie: ethoxylation) process process, which can be stripped out for pennies. It is a known carcinogen; a cancer-causing chemical. It has been linked in animal studies to an increased risk of breast cancer. Those Tide® folks sure are smart. They responded to diligent pressure from a report released by Women’s Voices for the Earth and a Change.org petition that received over 78,000 signatures. Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tide®, also witnessed Johnson & Johnson use this playbook just a few months ago by publicly announcing that they would be removing some toxic chemicals from some of their product sometime in the future. While these offending manufacturers are taking their victory lap and being publicly lauded, even by environmentalists, we need to dig deeper into this dirty pile.
Wouldn’t we all prefer these cancer causing chemicals be removed altogether versus just being reduced? Especially when you consider that our wastewater plants are designed to remove bacteria, not toxic chemicals. The remaining dense toxic sludge that is left behind and loaded with these cancer causing chemicals is then sold to local farmers as “natural fertilizer” called “bio solids.” This is used on farms that supply produce to our grocery stores and the livestock industry. Yep, all those toxic chemicals end up back on our dinner plates.
We need to make a bigger stink and perhaps these manufacturers will really come CLEAN. Of course, what is more likely to get attention faster than a bad bleach spot on dark jeans is if their sales decline. If consumers stop rewarding companies with their hard earned money for products containing chemicals that are toxic for both humans and the environment, change will be inevitable. Imagine your children rolling around on sheets and in pajamas that have been soaked in known human carcinogens. For many, this is an agitating reality.
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AVA has the solution! You can have effective personal care products and cleaners WITHOUT 1,4 dioxane. AvaHOME Laundry Detergent Pods, launched last spring. They are biodegradable, non toxic pods that thoroughly clean; remove stains; and soften clothes. These pods are safe for septic systems, are pet-friendly and are formulated from naturally-derived ingredients; a combination of non-toxic minerals, organic enzymes and soda ash. Ava pods are hypo-allergenic and contain no dyes, no fragrance, no chlorine, no phosphates, and no optic brighteners and of course, they are not tested on animals. The Ava pods are tried and tested and enjoyed more than traditional, chemical-based detergents. Plus, proof’s in the piles of clean clothes since they work like a dream!
Check out all of AVA’s lines of home and personal care products HERE!
I LOVE Ava’s laundry detergent! Not only does it work well on my laundry, it is also safe for the planet. While the makers of Tide and other manufacturers may reduce or even eliminate carcinogens, they are likely NOT going to focus on how they affect the earth. Thank you for this great post!
Great point Beth! Yes, we love the AVA pods as well and although this change is an improvement…we’d like to put our money with quality brands that put our health first…not profits!
I have been using Ava’s Laundry Pods since they came out and am a big fan! I have 3 kids (lots of laundry here), and the pods work wonders every time! Thanks, Ava!
I agree with Ava and Ron & Lisa…reduction of carcinogens is nothing compared to elimination of them…or in the case of Ava’s Laundry Pods, never having them to begin with! Thanks to the Laundry Pods, I can get this chore done in a snap. My kids love to help me by simply tossing the Pod into the drum of our washing machine…no pouring, measuring mess to deal with. My clothes are soft so I was able to ditch toxic fabric softener both in the washing machine and in the form of dryer sheets. Now it’s Laundry Pods, felted wool dryer balls, and my clothes are good to go! And I couldn’t ask for a better environmental impact to leave behind for my children. THANK YOU, AVA!
Thank you for sharing Erin! What a great role model you are for your kiddos (and…you somehow managed to get them to ‘enjoy’ helping you with laundry?)! Special kudos to you 🙂
LOVE Ava’s new laundry pods! Thanks for sharing the information about 1,4 dioxane and a great solution too! 🙂
I LOVE avaHOME’s laundry detergent! Works great…and SAFE for my family!!!!
This is so scary! You would like to believe something labeled as free and gentle would be safe to use. And if they are taking the steps to eliminate SOME toxins, why not ALL? That doesn’t make since to me. I saw an SC Johnson commercial yesterday where it talked about them reducing toxins. The uninformed public will see/hear that and thing that their products will be safe. It is so infuriating!! Thanks Ava, Ron, and Lisa for sharing this important information. PS- I LOVE Ava Anderson Non Toxic laundry pods! They clean out all the stains on my husband’s and my baby’s clothes, and make our clothes so soft! Plus I like knowing they are safe for my family, my washing machine, and the environment.
You’re welcome Jessica! We couldn’t agree more with your points. Labeled “Free & Gentle” – even before the reduction of a cancer causing chemical? If that is not Green ‘Washing,’ I don’t know what is!
Thank you Ron & Lisa for doing this article – great information that needs to get out! Keep em coming! Ava products are safe and make me feel like I am making wonderful choices for myself and my family. :^)
Good job Alayna. Thanks for your feedback!
The Ava pods are a fantastic way to clean your clothes and also help save the environment. We also use their hair conditioner on a clean cloth in the dryer to eliminate using dryer sheets. Absolutely Fabulous!