Have you ever noticed the whiff of clothes washed with synthetic cleaning products? They smell clean, but in a very chemical way. Natural laundry detergents smell a lot pleasanter, in fact this EcoLeaf laundry liquid has scarcely any odour at all. Any scent on the clothes will be from the gorgeous fabric conditioner you use, should you choose to use it. Alternatively, if you live in a soft water region, you can just add a few drops of essential oil in the fabric conditioner dispenser, and this will distribute a lovely natural scent to your laundry. I've tried numerous natural cleaning products over the years, which have varied in effectiveness, but this laundry liquid is a powerful cleaner as well as gentle on the environment. What's wrong with standard laundry detergents? Most conventional laundry detergents are made from chemicals from the petrochemical industry. These leave residues in the fabric that can affect human health, and chemicals in the water that enters the aquatic system that is detrimental to the eco-system. What harm do standard laundry detergents to our health? Surfactants can cause Skin and lung Irritation - Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that have hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. In simple terms they “make water wetter”, and make washing detergents much more efficient than regular soap. Detergents remove oils from clothes, and that includes the natural oils produced by your own skin. Among other functions, our natural oils are necessary for protection against microbes. Surfactants are the main agents that strip away oils. Residues in clothes can seriously irritate the skin and aggravate skin issues. Rashes are common when the skin comes in direct contact with detergents, and some sensitive individuals may break out after wearing clothes that have been washed with conventional surfactant-containing detergents. Exposure to these chemicals can also cause respiratory problems. Many standard detergents contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used as a preservative to help prevent bacteria growth. It is a respiratory irritant that can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing and nose and throat irritation. It has been linked to an increased risk of asthma and allergies in children and is also recognised as a human carcinogen. Ecoleaf concentrated laundry liquid contains plant based surfactants, which are much gentler on the skin. Many are Endocrine Disruptors - Many standard laundry detergents contain chemicals that mimic hormones, which can negatively affect fertility in males and increase risk of breast cancer in females. Parabens - Parabens are widely used in cleaning products as preservatives – preventing the growth of bacteria, mould and yeast. Some studies indicate that parabens contain estrogen-mimicking properties, which are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Phthalates - These are used in numerous cleaning products, with the main benefit of increasing flexibility and softness. They are also used in synthetic fragrances. Phalates are known to be an endocrine disruptor and have also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive birth defects. Triclosan - Triclosan, which can be found in cleaning products, is used as an anti-bacterial/fungal chemical. Triclosan is known to be an endocrine disruptor – especially thyroid and reproductive hormones and as a skin irritant. As Ecoleaf concentrated laundry liquid is made from plant based ingredients it does not contain these harmful chemicals. What harm do standard laundry detergents do to the environment? Back to the surfactants again: if these are formulated from petroleum based compounds, they can take many years to biodegrade. Detergents that contain other chemical ingredients such as phosphates, phosphonates and carboxylates cause eutrophication, a process that disrupts the natural balance of rivers and streams and can cause problems for fish and other wildlife. Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication. Eutrophication is a reduction in dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients of rivers and lakes. This can lead to blooms of blue-green algae which is toxic to animals. The increase in nutrients and decrease in oxygen can be very detrimental to native wildlife. The phosphates eventually find their way into the sea where they cause harm to the marine ecosystem. By using Ecoleaf concentrated laundry liquid you will ensure that you are not contributing to the pollution that is inadvertently caused by millions of homes. How much Ecoleaf concentrated laundry liquid do I need to use? This Laundry Liquid only needs a tiny splash to be sufficient for a standard load. The instructions state one cap-full. One bottle is sufficient for 37 washes. If laundry is heavily soiled then you can put it on a rinse cycle first. And finally use your Laundry Mac™ to hang your washing outside to avoid using energy-greedy tumble driers or filling your home with damp air! Ecoleaf laundry liquid is suitable for use in septic tanks. Ecoleaf is a brand developed by Suma, who have supplied wholefoods and environmentally friendly products for decades. Suma's own Ecoleaf range features top ethical credentials: This range is produced in the UK, is Vegan – products contain nothing of animal origin and are registered with the Vegan Society. The product has not been tested on animals. All containers are recyclable, and the products are competitively priced.
