The best detergents are the ones that can remove common stains like body oil and dirt and can also tackle tougher ones, like grass and cooking oil. Now to answer the question – “what are the worst laundry detergents”, we can say that the ones that are not so effective with stains are the worst ones. However, the cleaning power of a detergent depends on so many other factors.
With various detergents available in the market, it is natural to get confused about how to choose the best one that will give effective cleaning.
Water hardness level & detergent performance
A common factor deciding the performance of a detergent is the water conditions in the area. The hardness level of water has a great effect on the cleaning power of a detergent. For instance, if your area’s water supply delivers mineral-rich hard water, the laundry detergent may not perform very well. As a result, your clothes may feel stiff and faded. On the other hand, detergents perform great in soft water.
Types of detergents and their performance
These days, traditional powder detergents are not the only option, as detergents are available in the following types:
- Liquid detergents
- Pods or packs
- Detergent powders
- Laundry detergent strips
A variety of options are available in the market for detergent powders. However, due to ease of use, liquid detergents are gaining popularity among consumers. Most household and commercial users are switching to liquid detergents. Reports say that liquid detergents are the most sold consumer products currently. Another detergent type gaining popularity is the pod. There has been a sudden increase in sales of pods. These offer the convenience of use as the users don’t need to measure the amount of detergent every time they pour it into their washing machine. Also, there is no wastage caused by spilling with these pre-packed pods. Plus, these are environmentally friendly products. The only drawback of pods is that they can't be used for pre-treating stains.
Talking of environmental friendliness, laundry strips are also considered better for the environment due to reduced use of plastic. However, they lack the strong ingredients or concentration levels required to clean the laundry effectively. When tested in labs, they performed so poorly that they are not recommended for use.
What laundry detergents are toxic?
Your laundry detergent may contain toxins! Don’t get surprised, as it is a well-known fact that there can be several toxic ingredients present in common laundry detergents. Unfortunately, many popular brand products have been found to contain carcinogens and other harmful compounds. The most common toxins found in laundry detergents are:
Hazardous Chemicals in Scented Laundry Detergent
Various studies have found that many laundry detergents by popular brands contain harmful toxins. In sensitive individuals, these can cause problems like skin irritation and respiratory issues. Scented laundry detergents are gaining popularity as they leave a scent in clothes. However, they contain toxic ingredients that generate the fragrance. Thus, these detergents are considered carcinogens. These products not only harm users, but also cause damage to the surroundings. They cause the spreading of hazardous chemicals through dryer vents. These scented laundry detergents may smell nice, but there can be harsh chemicals behind these scents.
Surfactants that Damage Mucus Membranes and Lungs
Surfactants are harmful chemicals like petroleum distillate or naphtha. These surfactants help boost the cleaning power of laundry detergents; however, they have certain unwanted effects. They can cause harm to the mucus membranes and lungs. This further leads to serious respiratory problems. The inflammation-causing surfactants are often linked to an increased risk of asthma and cancer. Phenol is yet another surfactant commonly found in laundry detergents. Phenol is known for causing serious allergic reactions that can prove fatal for some individuals. Through your skin, it can enter the body to impact organs, the nervous system and other critical components. 1,4-dioxane is yet another surfactant that can increase the risk of cancer. When ethoxylated surfactants are used in detergents, 1,4-dioxane carcinogen and neurotoxin, are produced as by-products. These are found to be related to increased risk of benign and malignant tumors throughout the body.
The facts discussed above can help consumers find answers to questions like “What are the worst laundry detergents?” and “What laundry detergents are toxic?”. Laundry detergents containing harmful chemicals are toxic and are not recommended for use. Whether you are searching for a chemical-free laundry detergent for home use or for commercial applications, ensuring that your detergent is toxin-free is crucial to ensure the health of all.
FAQs:
1. What ingredients should be avoided in laundry detergents?
A. Laundry detergents that contain carcinogens and surfactants like petroleum distillate or naphtha, phenol and 1,4-dioxane should be avoided. These are harsh chemicals that not just damage your fabrics, but can also cause health problems like skin allergies and environmental damage. Some of them even reach the aquatic ecosystems and harm the water animals. Products containing bleach activators or enzymes should also be avoided.
2. What type of damage can be seen on clothes due to harmful detergents?
A. Several types of damage, like fading of colored fabrics, paling of white ones, roughness or stiffness in clothes after washing, can indicate the presence of harmful chemicals in your detergent. Sometimes, strong chemical odors can also indicate the presence of harsh chemicals.
3. Are ultra-cheap generic detergents always a bad choice?
A. Ultra-cheap detergents may indicate that they contain less active cleaning agents and use fillers to cut costs. Fillers like sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate are generally added to such detergents to provide volume without cleaning power. If your detergent is generating excessive foam, has strong artificial fragrances or is not providing effective cleaning, it may indicate poor quality.
5. How do toxic detergents affect the environment?
A. Laundry detergents containing phosphates cause water pollution and boost algae blooms that damage aquatic ecosystems. Non-biodegradable surfactants persist in water systems, accumulating in the environment and potentially affecting wildlife. Detergents that come in plastic packaging or those requiring hot water for effectiveness contribute to larger carbon footprints. Detergent concentrates, pods and bulk packs are some environmentally friendly options.
