We encounter countless numbers of toxins and environmental chemicals everyday. For some of these unwanted toxins we have little control over how much we are exposed to. However, there are a few key areas in our lives that we can directly control and limit exposure to harmful chemicals. Reducing our toxic load can have a profound effect on how we feel and function through our lives.
To have the most profound impact on health it is important to identify where most of our exposure comes from. We spend at least two thirds of the day covered in clothing and the other one third of the day under the covers with our heads against the pillow. Therefore, there is no better place to start eliminating toxins than with clothing and bedding.
There are a number of hazardous chemicals and toxins in conventional laundry detergent that turns clothing and bedding into chemical delivery systems. Many of these chemicals contribute to skin and respiratory diseases, and leads to an increased toxic load in the body. Increasing the body’s toxic load creates a burden on the liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and other organs of elimination and contributes to degeneration and disease processes.
Chlorine is a common ingredient in many bleach detergents because it is effective for killing microbes. Unfortunately, chlorine does not discriminate between good bugs on your body and bad bugs in your dirty laundry. When we are exposed to chlorine the delicate balance of good bacterial species on our skin and in our bodies is altered, which leads to the overgrowth of anti-bacterial resistant bad bacteria. Artificial dyes and fragrances are also commonly used in many laundry detergents. These chemicals may help make the laundry look and smell better but they often irritate the skin and get absorbed into the body.
Conventional laundry detergents are harmful to the environment by adding millions of pounds of bleach, dyes, fragrances, phosphates and other chemicals into the water system. Many of these chemicals end up in rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies. Reducing the use of toxic chemicals in laundry detergent will decrease your exposure and the planet’s exposure.
The good alternatives to conventional laundry detergents are not only effective at cleaning they are also free of unwanted toxic chemicals. Natural laundry detergents are every bit as effective as conventional detergents for general purpose cleaning of laundry. Natural ingredients derived from botanicals are very effective cleaners as are ionized water and hydrogen peroxide.
What is not in a product is probably more important than what is in a laundry detergent product. Look for products that are chemical free, fragrance free, dye free, phosphate free, fully biodegradable, and contain only natural ingredients. It is also very important to use detergents that don’t irritate your skin. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. When switching to a new detergent watch for skin rashes and other signs of irritation. There are two possible reasons for skin changes when you change detergents. Either the new detergent is irritating your skin or the new detergent has decreased your toxic load and your body is now relieving itself of previously acquired chemicals and toxins. It is important to follow this up with your naturopathic doctor or another qualified health care practitioner if you have any concerns before or after making the switch to a natural laundry detergent.
