(NaturalHealth365)  Laundry detergent is a must if we want our clothes to be clean and fresh.  But, if we take a closer look at the liquid laundry detergent we use regularly; we will more than likely find a toxic soup that is gradually eroding our health and polluting our environment.

Let’s take a look at the top five most popular offenders.  If one of these happens to be your favorite, we have options to help you find safer alternatives.

Ultra Purex Regular Detergent, Original “Fresh”

Ultra Purex Regular Detergent, Original Fresh contains many of the most corrosive ingredients.  Some of the more active ingredients don’t even appear on the label.

Disodium diaminostilbene disulfonate and sodium polyacrylate are just two of the most toxic ingredients included in Ultra Purex.  Prolonged exposure to these non-biodegradable substances can lead to skin irritation, neurological issues, allergies, and upper respiratory problems.

Woolite Everyday Laundry Detergent, Sparkling Falls

Woolite Everyday Laundry Detergent, Sparkling Falls contains hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde and triethanolamine.  These toxic chemicals are known to cause allergies, upper respiratory issues, and even cancer.

What makes this detergent particularly damaging is that it also harms everything in the environment, including aquatic life.  It will not degrade once it is in the environment and can remain toxic for years.  It will also damage the fabrics you are trying to protect.

The toxic ingredients contained in Woolite are also harmful to our organs and body systems.

Xtra Detergent with the Softness of Escape Softener (Lavender & Vanilla)

Xtra Detergent with the Softness of Escape Softener has been listed as the 23^rd worst laundry soap for a reason.  It contains two of the most toxic chemicals included in most laundry soaps: Sodium Borate and quaternium-15.

They are known to cause cancer, a variety of hormone disruptions, and cancer.  When introduced into the environment, it has been proven to be quite destructive.  It is poisonous to aquatic life and poses several different environmental hazards.

In addition, it can damage your fabrics and will not break down once it is introduced into the environment.

Tide Plus a Touch of Downy Liquid Detergent

Tide Plus a Touch of Downy Liquid Detergent includes as many as 29 toxic chemicals.  The chemical concoction used to produce the detergent can damage our ecosystems and destroy wildlife habitats, not to mention the many health concerns it is responsible for in humans.

Tide is one of several companies that does not include a full list of its ingredients on the label.  While some of the chemical components are biodegradable, it doesn’t alter the fact that they are toxic and harmful to most forms of wildlife.

Fragrance-Free Babyganics 3x Laundry Detergent

Fragrance-Free Babyganics is meant to be used on our infants’ clothing and blankets but contains toxic chemicals that can seriously damage their developing organs.  Sodium Borate and Methylisothiazolinone are extremely toxic and known to have damaging effects, including allergies, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.

These chemicals can also disrupt our ecosystems and poison aquatic life.

Instead of relying on these toxic mashups of chemical compounds, look for safer, less toxic alternatives.  Mrs. Meyers and Seventh Generation are just two brand names that provide naturally safe cleaning solutions for almost every type of detergent and soap in your home.

Most quality brands contain plant-based soaps and cleaning agents that are truly safe for both your children and the environment.

Sources used for this article:

TheSpruce.com
Housely.com