How to Choose Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent?

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The climate has been changing, and we can all feel it. If we continue using harmful materials in the environment, we will suffer from the consequences. Some of us might be unaware that the common things we use in our household may cause harm to the environment, like laundry detergent.

What’s more alarming is laundry detergents are not only used in every household, commercial laundry businesses are also using them. If you are a laundry shop owner who is motivated to cut your carbon footprint, here is a guide on how you can choose an eco-friendly laundry detergent.

Check for Keywords

It is impossible to check every potentially toxic chemical on the product packaging. More so, these chemicals are in generic names, making it difficult for you to identify them quickly. That’s why, instead of checking those generic or formula names, check on these keywords instead:

  1. Biodegradable
  2. Chlorine-free
  3. Dye-free
  4. No VOC or synthetic fragrance
  5. Non-toxic
  6. Enzyme-powered, minerals, or mineral-based ingredients
  7. Official seals or certificates

Do not easily believe in products with the word “natural” on its label without any supporting information on the back. The eco-friendly description may refer to how the ingredients were processed or which ingredients were left out during the product manufacturing.

What are the Official Seals or Certificates?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States founded a program to help consumers know which products live up to their claims as eco-friendly. It is a program called Design for the Environment, and one of the selected products for the program is laundry detergent.

EPA asks manufacturers to provide a complete list of ingredients. If it has been proven that the company uses the safest chemical for its ingredients, its product receives a special designation. 

Since EPA handles thousands of diverse products, branding and labels were changed to the Safer Choice program. Thus, if you are looking for eco-friendly laundry detergent, look for products with the Safer Choice label. 

Product Packaging

We are all concerned about the product ingredients. Where in fact, it is not only the concern in choosing an eco-friendly laundry detergent. You also have to consider the impact of product packaging. Most major manufacturers use plastic containers for their products. However, most plastic containers can be recycled. It is safer to go for laundry detergents that do not use plastics for their product packaging.

It is truly an effort to look at and purchasing eco-friendly laundry detergent. It is best to do a research laundry detergent brands to know which companies or manufacturers have committed to reducing their environmental impact, including their effects on oceans or the number of hazardous chemicals they use for their products. 

Final Thoughts

It is challenging to check every laundry detergent and its ingredients on the grocery shelf. Some contain hundreds of chemical ingredients that are harmful to the environment. That’s why check the product packaging for the keywords to limit the use of toxic chemicals during your laundry. Moreover, it makes your grocery run quick.

Sophie Turner
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