Laundry is that necessary routine task we all love to hate, but have you ever stopped to consider what is in your laundry detergents and fabric conditioners? Here’s the low down on what to avoid. You’ll find many of these ingredients in supermarket own brands and major brands such as Ariel and Persil.
Petroleum-based surfactants
Surfactants are the key cleaning ingredient in laundry products. They can be derived from petroleum or plant-based sources such as coconut. Look out for products labelled as ‘plant-based’ to avoid petroleum-based surfactants which are cheaper, harsher cleaning agents that can remain on clothes and irritate skin. They are made up of non-biodegradable compounds which pollute waterways once they leave your home. Plus, a non-renewable resource that perpetuates the need for the oil industry.
Optical brighteners
These chemicals are added to many commercial laundry products to make clothes appear whiter and brighter. They are designed to remain on clothes after washing and can irritate skin, cause eczema flare ups and are toxic once they enter the wastewater system, bio-accumulating in rivers and the sea.
Parabens
Common preservatives and often lurking in fragrances, parabens are known endocrine disruptors. Research shows that these chemicals are contributing to a rise of hormonal cancers and have also been shown to impact on gut health. Look for products that explicitly state they are free from parabens.
Phosphates
A key chemical contributing to environmental damage, they promote algae overgrowth in waterways which depletes oxygen levels and harms aquatic ecosystems.
Plus so many single use plastic bottles!
There hasn’t been any effort from major brands and multi-national corporations to reduce the overwhelming flow of plastic pollution. It’s up to small, local business to offer real solutions that are better for you and the planet.
Reasons to love the laundry products we stock....
Our main suppliers, SESI (based in Oxfordshire) and Miniml (based in Yorkshire)
manufacture their eco-friendly laundry products here in the UK and operate a closed loop system – this means we return our bulk containers to them for cleaning and refilling.
Their products are plant-based formulas that biodegrade once they reach the wider environment. Free from preservatives and fragrance enhancers such as parabens that disrupt our hormones. They are safer alternatives for your family and the planet.
You can refill a variety of non-toxic laundry essentials with us....
- Non-bio laundry liquid – a great all rounder
- Non-bio scented laundry powder – great at higher temperatures
- Non-bio unscented powder – for the most sensitive skin
- Biological scented powder – great cleaning at low temperatures
- Fabric conditioner – a variety of scents to choose from
- White vinegar – cheap and effective odour and stain removal plus softens fabrics – especially towels and reusable nappies
- Oxygen bleach – a safe alternative to chlorine bleach that doesn’t damage fabric. Great for extra stain removal and whitening
Say goodbye to toxic chemicals and hello to healthier, non-toxic laundry cleaning. Thank you for choosing to shop small and local for your laundry products!