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Many popular laundry detergents are full of carcinogens which are substances that can cause cancer. Some of the most common carcinogens in laundry detergent are formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide, and dioxane. Phosphates are another toxin to watch out for. What risks do these ingredients pose? Read on...

• Formaldehyde - A chemical usually associated with the preservation of dead bodies. This toxic ingredient is a known carcinogen which means it has been linked with an increased risk of cancer. Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and comes in both liquid and powder forms. There is no safe level of exposure, so even trace amounts can be harmful.
• Benzene - Another carcinogen that's often used in laundry detergents. Exposure to this ingredient can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and even tremors.
• Ethylene Oxide - is a bleaching agent used in detergent. Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma have been linked to exposure to this substance.
• Dioxane (1,4 Dioxane/ Diethylene Dioxide/ Diethylene Ether/ Dioxan) is quite possibly one of the worst additives. Dioxane is also a carcinogen and has been known to pose a combustion risk. Exposure to this toxin can damage your kidneys, lungs, central nervous system, eyes, skin and respiratory function.
• Phosphates - These toxins are particularly damaging to the marine environment when dispersed in wastewater from your wash. High phosphate detergents are known to create algal blooms which then take up the majority of the oxygen. This lack of oxygen makes it impossible for aquatic life to survive, let alone thrive. When the oxygen depletion continues over a period of time, entire aquatic ecosystems begin to die off. Phosphates are also linked to cardiovascular (heart) disease as well as osteoporosis. 

The residues left behind by laundry detergents rub off on your skin which can lead to skin inflammation, eczema, dermatitis, itching and more. Laundry detergent toxicity can also be linked to allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness and a host of other medical issues. Around 70% of your favourite liquid detergent is water, the remaining 30% is harsh chemicals and cleansers. This means that your well-intentioned use of extra detergent in a wash doesn’t mean cleaner clothes - just more exposure to chemicals and toxins.

While warning labels on packing usually only refer to the risks posed by ingestion of the substance, it's worth noting that only around 10% of health issues are a result of ingestion. The other 90% are caused by consistent inhalation of particles, vapours and skin contact. Aside from not having any of these awful chemicals, Plant-Based laundry products are gentle and more effective at cleaning your clothes because the natural enzymes break down dirt and stains which makes them easier to remove from your laundry.