Best natural alternative to harmful chemical-based laundry detergent

Do you know laundry detergents were invented in 1916 in Germany due to a shortage of laundry soaps caused by world war I. And later post-world war II, in the 1950's it got popularized because of the increase in the use of washing machines.

Since then the original formula for detergent has been reviewed many times, however, the use of harmful chemicals continues to be prevalent. This poses health hazards and environmental risks too.

Let’s look at some of the harmful chemicals present in today's synthetic laundry detergent and their harmful effects. Also, let’s know about the Soapnuts and it’s properties and how this harmful chemical-free natural laundry detergent could be used as a substitute for these chemical-based detergents. Also lets look at how natural detergent could be used to prevent the hazardous effects of synthetic detergents on the skin and environment.

Here, are some common chemicals found in the synthetic detergents

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate/ Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLS/ SLES): This is the most common ingredient found in synthetic laundry detergent as it is the foaming agent for the detergents. It could damage the internal organs and research has found that this toxic detergent is harmful to the environment too.

Phosphates: Exposing to phosphates could lead to cardiovascular diseases also, phosphates affect marine life dramatically.

Formaldehyde: According to the CDC Exposure to formaldehyde even in the low levels such as breathing or smelling could increase the risk of cancer.

Chlorine Bleach: Bleach is very common in laundry detergents and it causes skin irritation such as burning the skin and eyes, blindness, or respiratory failure. For sensitive skin people, they must avoid bleach in their laundry detergents and it’s not even safe for toddlers and children.

With these certain laundry detergent manufacturers use Ammonium sulfate and Dioxane, Ammonium Quaternary sanitizers, Nonylphenol Ethoxylates to increase cleaning properties of the detergent But, it eventually leads to polluting the water and affects kidney, central nervous system, liver, and skin. Dichlorobenzene is another chemical compound that is highly toxic for aquatic marine life.

Also, manufacturers use few chemical compounds to create an artificial smell that has no cleaning properties but only gives a false impression of smell. These chemical compounds are generally culprits of skin allergic reactions and rashes.

Similarly, dyes are used to make liquid detergent available in different colors which also leads to skin sensitivity and rashes.

Now, as we have seen the hazardous effects of the laundry detergents, let's see about the soap nuts which are the best natural laundry detergent agents our mother earth has given us for cleaning purposes.

About Soapnuts-

Soap nuts or Reetha are the fruit of a singular tree species and they are generally found in the deep forest. The shells of the soap nuts have an essence called saponin that produces a soaping effect. Soapnuts are 100 percent organic and could be used as an alternative to synthetic laundry detergents and cleansers. It can be used as a natural detergent which prevents which is harmful chemical free and non-hazardous for the skin and environment.

Soap nuts have been used since ancient times as a detergent and a cleanser. It's most often utilized in India, China, and parts of Europe.

Recently, Soapnut-based detergents gained popularity in the market and people have started using natural laundry detergent products. Let’s see the key benefits of the Soapnut-based natural detergent.

Key Benefits:

Gentle on clothes: The life of clothes is prolonged as the fabric is least damaged.
Anti-microbial: Removes microorganisms from the laundry.
Eco-friendly: After wash water is fully biodegradable and non-toxic, and can be used to water plants
Saves water: Does not leave much detergent residue so less water is required to rinse clothes
Suitable for every type of skin