Clean Up Your Laundry!

Hey friends! Today I have been in the middle of mounds and mounds of laundry. I swear, it just multiplies itself. While I haven’t discovered any secrets to getting the laundry to actually wash itself (or fold and put itself away for that matter), I have discovered a few secrets over the years on how to clean up my laundry process.


I grew up in a Tide-washing, dryer-sheet using family… I loved the smell that came from a clean load of clothes. I grew up and bought the same products I had always known, and why would I question it - I used to think that if they were on the grocery store shelf, they were safe. However, after my daughter Kiersley began having some major eczema issues as a baby, I began really digging into everything I was putting in our bodies and on it - and that included our laundry products! 


Once I started digging in, I couldn’t believe what I found. I started really looking into what was actually in my laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I was appalled when I realized the products I was using every week to wash and dry our clothes were filled with toxic chemicals. So, what’s lurking in your laundry detergent and dryer sheets? Here are just a few things! 

Fragrance - this is a HUGE one. While I used to LOVE the smell of Tide and Dreft, what is actually making that scent? When you see the word “fragrance” listed on any product you use, you should be aware. Did you know that companies are legally allowed to hide over 3,000 chemicals under the word fragrance? They can get away with this by claiming it is a “trade secret” but that also means you have no idea what those individual chemicals are - and they don’t have to report them. Among them are phthalates. 

Phthalates are chemicals used in fragrance that help hold the scent longer. These have been known to cause cancer, are endocrine disruptors, can cause respiratory problems, birth defects, and human reproductive and developmental toxicity among other things.

Fabric Softener/Dryer Sheets: you may be surprised by the fact that fabric softener and dryer sheets can actually be one of the most toxic items in your home! They are filled with chemicals, among them Dichlorobenzene - which is used to reduce static but has been known to cause kidney and liver tumors. Numerous studies have shown that dryer sheets release more than 25 volatile air pollutants including known carcinogens. One of these is Chloroform. Yep, you read that right. Not only is a known toxic carcinogen but inhaling it may cause loss of consciousness, headache, vomiting, dizziness or drowsiness.

...and that is just the start. Now, if you really want to take this a step further to make sure that the clothes that touch both you and your children’s skin stay toxic free, I have created this FREE Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Clean Up Your Laundry. This guide will give you more info on which ingredients to avoid, an easy new routine to make sure you ditch those chemicals  plus a chemical free stain remover recipe that works on even the most stubborn stains. 


Interested in more things like this?  Head over to my free Facebook community here, where you'll find like-minded mamas living their best life, sharing free recipes, inspiration and tips on how to embrace the healthy lifestyle.

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