Conventional detergents are not only damaging your clothes and your washing machine—but also the planet.
From their chemical ingredients to their packaging, conventional detergents are not designed with a modern, environmentally friendly approach.
Here are the most important reasons:
1. Phosphates and Eutrophication
One of the main problems associated with conventional detergents is the use of phosphates , a key component that helps soften water and improve cleaning effectiveness.
However, when phosphates reach bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and oceans through wastewater, they trigger a process known as eutrophication .
Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae in bodies of water, caused by an abundance of nutrients such as phosphates.
This uncontrolled growth of algae can deprive the water of oxygen, leading to the death of fish and other marine life.
The imbalance in these ecosystems can have knock-on effects, affecting biodiversity and water quality.
2. Surfactants and their Toxic Impact
The Surfactants are a type of cleaning agent, there are natural and chemical ones.
The vast majority of conventional detergents use chemical surfactants, which do not easily degrade in the environment.
These chemical surfactants are not only toxic to humans, but can also be toxic to marine life, damaging the cell membranes of fish and other organisms.
3. Microplastics and Detergent Capsules
Capsule detergents, which have gained popularity for their convenience, contain plastic wrappers that dissolve in water.
However, these wrappers often do not fully decompose, releasing microplastics into the environment.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that do not biodegrade and end up accumulating in oceans, rivers, and soil.
These microplastics are ingested by fish and other marine organisms, which can cause health problems in wildlife and eventually affect the human food chain.
Furthermore, microplastics can also act as sponges, absorbing other chemical pollutants and further exacerbating the negative impact on the ecosystem.
4. Persistent Chemical Compounds
Conventional detergents often contain a variety of chemicals such as bleaches and preservatives .
Many of these chemicals, in addition to being highly harmful to the environment, can also be carcinogenic or have disruptive effects on the endocrine system, both in humans and animals.
For example, chlorine-based bleaches are particularly dangerous because they release toxic compounds such as dioxins and furans, which are highly polluting.
These chemicals not only affect aquatic life, but can also leach into drinking water sources.
5. The Problem of Plastic Packaging
Did you know that every year our oceans are flooded with billions of plastic detergent bottles?
And although plastic is recyclable, the vast majority of detergents in this format use various types of plastic that cannot be separated and therefore cannot be recycled.
Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, and in the process, it releases toxic substances into the environment.
Plastic not only contributes to visual and physical pollution of the environment, but can also be devastating for marine wildlife.
6. Energy and Transportation Costs
Conventional detergents, especially liquid and powder detergents, are bulky and heavy, meaning they require a considerable amount of energy for their production, packaging, and transportation.
This energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, exacerbating the problem of climate change.
7. Sustainable Alternatives
Fortunately, there are more eco-friendly alternatives that allow us to take care of our clothes without harming the planet.
Detergent sheets , biodegradable detergents, and products based on natural ingredients are gaining popularity as sustainable options.
These products are typically formulated without phosphates or toxic surfactants, come in minimal packaging, and are much safer for the environment.
Additionally, choosing detergents that use natural ingredients and are plastic-free is an important step toward reducing our ecological footprint.
Every small change in our daily decisions can make a big difference.
It's time to rethink how we wash our clothes!
