When considering the environmental and health impacts, organic or natural detergents are often considered better than traditional synthetic detergents.
Why Choose Organic or Natural Detergent?
The primary advantage highlighted by sources is that natural laundry detergent has less environmental impact. This is largely due to the ingredients they avoid compared to their synthetic counterparts. Traditional detergents can contain a range of substances that are considered unsafe for both the environment and human health upon release into waterways and exposure.
Harmful Ingredients Often Avoided
According to information regarding natural laundry detergent, many ingredients commonly found in synthetic detergents are a cause for concern. Avoiding these is a key reason why natural options are seen as better for the planet and people.
Ingredients considered unsafe for the environment and humans can include:
- Bleach: Can be harsh and harmful to aquatic life.
- Optical Brighteners: Non-biodegradable chemicals that make clothes appear brighter by reflecting light, which can be toxic to aquatic organisms.
- Phthalates (found in synthetic fragrance): Endocrine disruptors potentially harmful to human health and aquatic ecosystems.
- Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles that persist in the environment and enter the food chain.
- Synthetic Surfactants: While some are biodegradable, many can be toxic to aquatic life.
- Various Forever Chemicals (PFAS): Highly persistent chemicals that accumulate in the environment and living organisms.
- Preservatives: Some preservatives used in detergents can be harmful to the environment.
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Can contribute to air pollution and health issues.
- Dozens of others: The list of potentially harmful chemicals in traditional detergents is extensive.
Benefits of Avoiding These Ingredients
By opting for natural or organic detergents that exclude these ingredients, you can help reduce the introduction of harmful chemicals into water systems after laundry wastewater is discharged. This leads to a lessened impact on aquatic ecosystems and potentially reduces human exposure to these substances through residues on clothing or environmental contamination.
In summary, the claim that organic or natural detergent is "better" is strongly supported by the argument that they significantly reduce negative environmental and health impacts by avoiding a host of harmful synthetic chemicals.
