Dirty Secrets Revealed: We’re Dishing on Laundry! Part II

Did the dirty gossip get you hooked? If so, then you’ll be pleased to know in Dirty Secrets Revealed: We’re Dishing on Laundry! Part I, we didn’t reveal all of the secrets. There’s one more… and it’s juicy!

Thanks to a gentleman by the name of David Steinman from the Green Patriot Working Group (GPWG) along with the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) , this dynamic duo began a study in 2007 to discover which consumer products were the worst offenders when it came to laundry detergent products containing 1,4-dioxane; a synthetic petrochemical carcinogen, found in many consumer products. Before you rush to grab your favorite laundry product to read the label, you might want to know that it won’t do you any good in this case. Why? 1,4-dioxane isn’t required to be listed on the ingredients label because it is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and is technically considered to be a contaminant. Nice loophole – for industry abusers – not you!

The 2010 results were shocking and 1,4-dioxane was found in most leading brands of laundry detergents tested. Here is the list of how the conventional and natural brands stacked up. *ppm = parts per million. *ND = non-detectable

Conventional brands:

1. Tide (P&G) – 55 ppm
2. Ivory Snow Gentle (P&G) – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free (P&G) – 29 ppm
4. Purex (Dial Corp.) – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra (P&G) – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent (P&G) – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra (P&G) – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra (Sun Products Corp.) – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent (Reckitt Benckiser) – 1.3 ppm
11. All laundry detergent (Unilever) – 0.6 ppm
12. Dreft powdered detergent (P&G) – (ND)
13. Sun Burst (Sun Products Corp.) – ND

“Natural” brands:

1. Planet Ultra Liquid laundry detergent – 6.1 ppm
2. Mrs. Meyers laundry detergent – 1.5 ppm
3. Clorox Green Works Natural laundry detergent – ND
4. Ecos laundry detergent (Earth Friendly Products) ND
5. Life Tree Laundry Liquid – ND
6. Method Squeaky Green laundry detergent – ND
7. Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent – ND

Remember, prudent avoidance it advised when it comes to 1,4-dioxane because it is a known carcinogen implicated in causing cancer, liver disease and other serious health issues. I realize the power we all have each time we push those wobbly wheels down the aisles and scoot up to the cashier. I personally choose to put my money with those manufacturers who had integrity before they were caught with their hand in the lint trap filter! I was thrilled to discover that Ecos, my favorite brand, was the FIRST manufacturer to eliminate 1,4 Dioxane, from all of their products and set an example for others to follow. We’ve aired out a pretty long list of dirty laundry secrets and here are few more to keep a look out for and avoid:

• Petroleum distillates (napthas) – linked to cancer, lung damage and inflammation (asthma) and damage to mucous membranes
• Phenols – linked with damage to nervous system, heart, blood vessels, lungs (asthma) and kidneys
• Optical brighteners – toxic to fish and can cause allergic reactions.

So what’s a dirty guy or gal to do? Obviously, make sure you are doing your research or relying on the Healthy Home Dream Team  and Just GREEN It! as a resource. You can also view and print out the Personal Care & Cleaning Products Safety Guide provided by the OCA HERE. If you are on a budget, you can always make your own and rest assured you will know exactly what you are exposing yourself and your family to.

Here are a few of my favorite do-it-yourself recipes that I use and swear by:

• Make your laundry brighter and whiter by adding these ingredients to your washing load:
  1⁄4 cup of borax or 1⁄2 cup of washing soda.
• Or, add 1⁄4 cup lemon juice in the rinse cycle for a bleach alternative.
• For an easy nontoxic fabric softener, add 1⁄4 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

But, the dirt isn’t just happening in the washer! Dryer sheets are often heavy on the fragrance, which means they don’t have to list any number of known toxins on their label. Look instead for wool dryer balls; not to be confused with plastic dryer balls. They not only soften your fabric, but they can reduce your drying time because they separate the clothes as they circulate. Another safe alternative is called Static Eliminator. It’s chemical-free, odor-free, reusable cloth that goes right into your dryer eliminates static, softens fabric and reduces wrinkles. It can be used over 500 times!

Finally, try hanging your clothes! I don’t know about your grandma, but mine always had the freshest, best smelling sheets and the whitest whites from hang drying! What’s more, it will make a huge impact on your energy bill (Nana’s true motivator I am sure). Did you know that the dryer is the 2nd biggest energy sucker in your home according the California Energy Commission? Dryers cost about $85 annually to run. By making the switch to line drying your clothes, you can save $40 a year; even if you hang just half of your laundry!

Lisa & Ron’s Tip: Line dry or use a dryer with moisture sensor.Dryers are the second biggest energy hog in your home, so it’s important to make the most of whatever energy saving features they offer. Look for models that have a moisture sensor in the drum, as opposed to in the exhaust vent. A drum sensor will shut off a little sooner, saving slightly more energy. However, since dryers consume so much energy, line drying or hanging your clothes on a rack is a better option.