... Laundry Soap! Is your detergent harming your family?

... Laundry Soap! Is your detergent harming your family?
_ 7 DANGERS IN YOUR LAUNDRY SOAP _

There are two kinds of people in this world… those that wash, dry, fold and put away their laundry and those that wash ...and then wash again because they forgot clothes were in the washer. Again. 

Which one do you think I am? Well as it turns out, I have clothes in the wash right now! I should probably get up and switch them to the dryer but ... I bet this time I will totally remember to do it later. 


Aaaaah laundry. Remember when we would wash our clothes in boiling water and then scrub them with wooden paddles? Of course not because we aren't 287 years old. We have come a long way. From washing in rivers, to soaking in buckets overnight, to having our underwear on clothes lines for all to see, to throwing clothes in a big 'ol machine, adding some soap and, if you remember, right into the dryer it goes! We don't even think twice about the process. 


But, maybe that is the problem. It became so easy we simply don't pay attention to what we are using... even if there are warnings that it is harmful. 

When I started to dig into the reasons my son was so sick all the time, I began doing a lot more research into what was going on his skin and what he was breathing in. He had terrible eczema and some pretty bad breathing issues so it made sense for me to start there. I researched lotions, soaps and detergents. I hadn't realized how dangerous the traditional laundry soap was for him, for all of us. I mean the chemicals that are in these detergents... their job is to stay on the fabric. The very fabric that he was surrounded by all day long, every single day. Shirts, hats, coats, pillow cases, sheets, towels, blankets. I never even considered what this could be doing to him all day long, day after day...to all of us!


The Ditch
So, what exactly are these pesky little dangers and why are they so unhealthy? Here are 7 chemicals to learn more about and avoid in your soaps:

• SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate): an emulsifier and foaming agent that has been linked to cancer, organ toxicity, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption according to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. May be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, another known carcinogen⁣

• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used to build many of our household products. Dressers, carpets, mattresses. It is found in skin care, beauty care, cleaning products and even in our water. There are studies showing the effects of long term exposure to Formaldehyde and The National Toxicology Program named it as a known human carcinogen.

• Petrochemicals: a petroleum derived chemical that can clog pores, prevent skin from releasing toxins and could even lead to skin cancer after prolonged exposure.

• Parabens: mimic estrogen + act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.⁣

• Phosphates: a major source of water pollution.

• Brightening agents: connected with skin allergies and rashes

• Fragrance: synthetic chemicals created in a lab and can contain up to 3,000 different chemicals⁣. These chemicals are linked to  linked to skin irritation, headaches, irritability, cancer, lung disease, reproductive implications and hormone imbalances.

The Switch


To avoid these harmful chemcials, we made the switch over to the amazing Thieves Laundry Soap. Thieves Laundry Soap is made of plant-based ingredients and leaves no chemical or synthetic residue. Natural enzymes and cleaning agents, alongside powerful essential oils, leave your clothes fresh and clean with a light citrus scent that everyone in the family will love. Not only does it clean well, but a little goes a long way! 


KEY INGREDIENTS
  • Plant-derived cleaning agents (Decyl glucoside)
  • Natural, non-ionic surfactants (Caprylyl/capryl glucoside)
  • Natural enzymes (Alpha-amylase, lipase, protease)
  • Thieves essential oil blend
BENEFITS & FEATURES
  • Free from SLS, dyes, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic perfumes, and optical brighteners
  • Safe and natural enough to be poured directly onto clothing
  • Compatible with high-ef ciency (HE) washing machines
  • Can be used as a stain pre-treatment
  • Contains enzymes that combat dirt and stains
  • Formulated to be a highly concentrated formula—a 32-ounce container can wash up to 64 loads

It has been about 5 years since we began ditching synthetics in our home and now, we can't even go near a synthetic chemical without having a reaction like headaches, lung tightness, or a terrible taste in our mouth. All things we were so used to years ago, we hadn't even known noticed these symptoms were happening or why. I love using Thieves Laundry Soap and using different essential oils to customize the scents throughout the year. We stretch our soap out so it lasts us 3x longer making it not just a friend of your lungs but of your wallet too! Check out my dilution recipe below and be sure to save it so you have it ready when you switch out to Thieves! 






Well, that's it friends! I hope you will be checking out the soaps you have in your home and taking that really simple step to making your home a more natural home. I'm going to crawl into bed in my nice, warm, thieves clean sheets and get some sleep! 


...I feel like there was something I was supposed to do before bed??? Ah well. Have a great night all! 


xo,
Rachael