Better laundry detergent: clean your clothes without using harmful ingredients - home & family - environmentally friendly laundry detergents

Natural Health, April, 2002

CLEAN LAUNDRY MAY come at a price to your health and your family's health. Detergents often use petroleum-based cleansers, chlorine or artificial dyes for brightening, and perfumes for fragrance. These leave residues on your clothing that may cause skin and respiratory reactions, according to the EPA.

Safer detergents skip petroleum-based cleaning agents for those derived from plant sources like corn or coconuts, says David Steinman, an environmental journalist in Topanga, Calif., and co-author of The Safe Shopper's Bible (Macmillan, 1995). Try Earth Rite (800-284-2023), Ecos (800-335-3267; www.ecos.com), Ecover (800-449-4925; www.ecov er.com), or Seventh Generation (802-658-3773; www.sev enthgen.com). Other brands use citrus fruits for their cleaning abilities and scents; look for Bi-O-Kleen (503-557-0216; www.bi-o-kleen.com) or Sun and Earth (800-298-7861; www.sunandearth.com). One note: Even plant fragrances can be irritating for some people, says Steinman.