How Safe is the detergent you use to wash your clothes? Have you taken time to really look at the safety of this material you use?
Or are you like Mama Tolu who is in love with the detergent she washes her family members’ cloths with?
Each time she places the cloths close to her nose, her love for it grows stronger.
As she picks them from the line, her satisfaction is often glaring.
The fragrance is like perfume and it sticks for days after washing the cloths.
She loves the fact that the detergent takes care of the stains in the cloths.
Her wrist burns (irritation) each time she has so much cloths to wash. Yet, the last question on her mind is; “how safe are detergents”?
She has been using detergents to wash cloths for some time now. She loves the fact that they make her washing easier.
All she needs to do is soak the cloths in water with detergent for some minuets before she begins to wash.
Sadly, Mama Tolu is not alone on this table.
The table is very full, with so many persons that are ignorant of the troubles with detergents.
The love for the fragrance has kept their minds away from asking questions about the safety.
How Safe Is Your Detergent?
In 2011, some researchers in Nigeria examined the toxicity of detergents and made interesting findings.
They identified the compounds in the majority of the detergents you use to include surfactants, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, optical brighteners, phosphate, poly-carboxylates and enzymes (1).
In the study, 20 mice (about 30 days old) ingested different degrees of detergent solutions.
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The mice were grouped into five sets, comprising of five mice each.
The control group (group 1) was given ordinary water while groups 2 to 5 were given 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the detergent solutions, respectively as the only sources of water.
At the end of the study, researchers found a remarkable reduction in the growth rate of the mice exposed to the detergent.
Also, the mean weight of the mice exposed to the detergent was significantly different.
According to the study, “the hematology analysis of the exposed mice showed marked reduction in the packed cell volume, hemoglobin, white blood cells, red blood cells and total protein”.
Also, among other things, the study found that the internal organs (heart, kidney, liver and reproductive organs) of the exposed mice showed marked histological changes compared to the control mice.
Some of the chemicals the study says pose this danger are sodium silicate and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (surfactant).
Also, the extent of the injuries increased with the concentrations of the detergent solutions.
Can Toxins In Detergent Enter Your Body?
Indeed, we do not expect that an individual will ingest detergent.
But we also know that there are other sources toxins can find their way into the body.
The skin is another way humans get toxins.
Unfortunately, these chemicals in detergents that are dangerous to health go through the skin without being noticed.
This occurs through a process – dermal absorption (2). Here, chemicals from the outer surface of our skin go into the skin and into the body.
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Sometimes, the skin represents the most significant pathway for these chemicals.
Already, there are different studies on the effect of detergent on the skin. It could cause irritation and or contact dermatitis.
But beyond this, it could also penetrate the skin and cause a more delicate issue as identified in the earlier cited study.
Did you know that some toxins – endocrine disruptors – could also cause hormonal imbalance? (3)
These endocrine disruptors are in detergents and the fact that the fragrance remains in the cloths means the detergent is still there.
Our concern is on the fact that toxins in the body are never friendly to the body.
They constitute antibodies that supress your immune system and trigger other chronic diseases.
For instance, when you sweat, the cloth come in contact with your body and your skin will absorb the toxin.
For this reason, it is advisable that you reduce the amount of toxins that stay on the cloths you wash with detergents.
How To Reduce Exposure To Toxins In Detergent
Fortunately, this is a simple process really.
All you have to do is to add some amount of alum in the water you rinse with.
That way, the amount of toxin in the cloths is degraded and washed out.
This helps keep you and your family safe.
Of a truth, we know that it is difficult to do away with these detergents, especially because they help save washing time and also are affordable. The small sachet packs.
However, if you use detergents because of the fragrance, you should switch to natural oils that will further keep toxins away.
Basically, lavender oil is a good one to add to the water you rinse your cloths with. you can also apply it after sunning the cloths.
One of the best things you can do for your body system is to reduce the amount of toxins that you are exposed to.
If you find the article helpful, kindly share with your friends and loved ones to help them know the right way to use detergents for washing.