Are you washing your clothes in toxins?

Generally people know that what we breathe, drink, eat affects our health.  But if you think about it, what is the quickest way to get anything into the body?  Through our skin.

Pharmaceutical companies know this.  How many prescriptions are now in a patch form? 

When thinking about your purchases for laundry products, ask yourself:

1. When you wash your clothes, what do you use? 
2. Do you look at the ingredients?
3. Is price important?
4. Powder or liquid?
5. Fragrance?
6. Do you use fabric softener?
7. Do you use a separate laundry detergent for your baby/children?

Let's look at these questions and provide some answers.

1. Store bought products have name brands and generic.  Price may be a concern to you and whether you are on a septic field or sewer can determine your decision.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is not good for anyone.  Ingredients are listed in order of how much is in the product.
3. Look at how much each load requires to get your clothes clean.  Just because a container is larger than another brand, doesn't mean you will get more loads washed.
4. People use liquid because it typically doesn't back up piping or septic fields.  There are non toxic and biodegradable laundry products so you have the flexibility of using either.  Well known brands such as All and Tide actually have each granule coated with plastic to make clothes whiter and brighter, which is not good for piping and septic fields.
5. Clean doesn't have a smell.  I realize it is good to put clothes on that smell like the outdoors, and you can still have that smell if you want to hang them on a clothesline.  Fragrances have a negative impact on all of us, especially those with allergies and asthma.
6. Fabric softeners are good to prevent static cling and yes can make clothes smell nice.  Fragrances are toxic.
7. If you feel you should use a separate laundry detergent for your baby/children than the adults, think about this....those chemicals are still lingering in the washer and dryer.  Why not use a laundry detergent and fabric softener that is safe for everyone in the family?

Home is and should be the safest place on earth.

Happy laundering.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net