Laundry Detergents

[Tanya210]

Consider what some people choose to wear on their clothes and breathe on their pillow cases. Not to mention the fact that they are contributing to the pollution of our lakes and streams and destroying their own septic systems and don’t even realize what they are doing.  Think about what is happening when you lay your face down on your pillowcase for one third of your life?  Especially in the winter when it is cold and your warm breath breaks down the following chemicals:  

Phosphates
Phosphorus: a fertilizer that causes algae to grow and depletes oxygen out of the water.

Chlorine Bleach 
Liquid household chlorine bleaches contain approximately 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Chlorine bleach liquid and vapors are irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Dermatitis may result from direct skin contact. Ingestion can cause esophageal injury, stomach irritation, and prolonged nausea and vomiting.

Lye
Also known as caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and caustic potash, is commonly used in drain cleaner, oven cleaner, and in some non-phosphate detergents. Lye is extremely caustic. Its chemical action eats    away materials (including skin tissue). Contact with skin or mucous membranes causes burns and frequently deep ulcerations with scarring. Mists, vapors, and dust can cause small burns. Eye contact causes severe damage, including blindness.

Ammonia
A colorless gas or liquid.  Vapors and liquids can be corrosive causing severe burns and irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Vapors, even in low concentrations, can cause severe eye, lung, and skin irritation. Chronic irritation may occur if ammonia is used over long periods of time.

Phenols
Also known as carbolic acid, is flammable, corrosive, and very toxic. Phenolic compounds have a distinct odor and are used in disinfectants, deodorizers, paints, and as anesthetic for skin.

NTA’s
An assortment of toxic chemicals with un-pronounceable names like Nitrilotriacetic Acid (NTA). The Merck Index refers to NTA as a “substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen (cancer causing substance.)  Amazingly it is still allowed in our laundry compounds.  When we consider the  residue of caustic detergents, oily-film fabric softeners, and chemical perfumes and dyes, we need to ask ourselves if our clothes are really clean?  What are we wearing next to our skin and breathing on our pillowcases?

Phosphates - Why are they used in laundry detergents? The reason is because they soften the water and enhance performance.   Phosphates and other caustic ingredients contributed to the virtual death of Lake Erie in the 1970’s.  These ingredients also contributed to the ruining of Cascade Reservoir in Idaho. In the future the government will be requiring that all manufacturers must remove phosphates from their products. I have to ask the question…. why hasn’t the manufacturers taken the responsibility to remove the phosphates and other caustic ingredients without the government forcing them to do it?  We have never used phosphates and caustics for over 18 years in their home hygiene line of products!  Unfortunately in the 1980’s the general population wasn’t concerned about caustic chemicals in their homes or OUR environment.

According to David Kullberg’s new publication, House Work May Be Hazardous to Your Health, many areas of the country are requiring laundry detergents to be low-phosphate. Now manufactures replace phosphates with caustics. The misconception now is that low phosphates are safe.  They may be safer for the environment, but they are 100 times more caustic than phosphate detergents. Caustics such as Lye (sodium hydroxide or potassium hypochlorite) clean by a chemical reaction that burns or eats away other substances. Caustics also wear out your clothes faster and dull the fabric’s colors.

Why would any rational thinking individual want to use the above, when they can use a safer, more effective non-phosphate, non-caustic clothes detergent for about one half the price? Maybe it is because  “mom used it and they cannot break their habit” 

http://TanyaRonSTOnge.ToxinChecklist.com