Many documented studies within the media have been circulating to inform us of the vast effects of chemicals and pollution to our environment. Toxins are polluting our waterways and putting a huge ‘strain’ on our sewage system, affecting our wildlife, soils and costing us a lot more money! One of the biggest contributors of house hold chemicals are our laundry detergents.

I’d like to delve into the house keeping and laundry department as this IS an area where like-minded parents, like yourself, can make a difference.

Is there such a thing as an environmentally friendly laundry detergent??

One would presume that if a washing powder is biodegradable or ‘natural’, we can expect that it must be “environmentally friendly” and so we are helping our Earth. Recent studies are now showing that this is not entirely true and there are many other factors to take into consideration. One example is a common ingredient in many washing powders which is Phosphorus. While being a ‘Natural’ product, “organic” and “biodegradable” it is nevertheless very detrimental to our rivers and therefore affects a whole range of ecology.

How much Phosphorus impacts on our environment depends on the type of soil you may have as some soils are able to reduce the phosphorus while other soils may build up its levels which will then leach into our waterways.

“The increasing phosphor concentrations in surface waters raise the growth of phosphate-dependant organisms, such as algae and duckweed. These organisms use great amounts of oxygen and prevent sunlight from entering the water. This makes the water fairly unliveable for other organisms. This phenomenon is commonly known as eutrophication” (1 ).

Some laundry detergents may not contain Phosphorus or it may be minimal but they many contain another harmful ingredient, again that we as consumers may believe to be ‘natural’ e.g Sodium salt used as a filler. If you have a grey water system, where your washing water goes into your garden, Sodium can effect the plants and the soil.

“No Laundry detergent should be called ‘Environmentally Friendly’’ (2) commented Rob Patterson from Lanfax Laboratories. Lanfax Labs regularly test laundry products and recently undertook a comprehensive study that shows the least environmentally damaging laundry products to look out for.

LanFax Labs tested  a total of 54 common washing powders and 41 laundry liquids.

To see the results of these tests, there is a graph. You can check the levels of Phosphorus and Sodium in you favourite laundry detergent. You many be surprised. I certainly was.

http://www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/

Even the laundry powder I had been comfortably using for nappies for the last four years turns out to be one of the higher Phosphorus products so I have now changed to using a less damaging powder. Generally laundry liquids are less damaging though these are not so suited to front loaders.

I emailed Rob at Lanfax labs and he replied with some very interesting points on rinsing.

“Amina

In your interest with young children, I don't know if you are aware
that until the new Commonwealth government legislation became law in
July 2006, there was no standard as to how well a washing machine
rinsed the clothes. Be aware that saving water could have meant
saving on rinsing (because washing was tested against an Australian
Standard) - and Standards Australia make that point.
The second point to consider it that if front loading washing
machines uses less than half the amount of water for a full wash, yet
don't change the dose of detergent, how can a front loader rinse as
efficiently. I have plenty of anecdotal evidence of skin complaints
that have been fixed by better rinsing.

regards
BobP “

This makes one wonder how many other chemicals are being absorbed through our skin.

Rob Patterson kindly sent me this email with some valuable information about the hardness or softness of water.

“Amina

 One of the considerations when choosing the dose of laundry detergent is whether the water 

is "hard" or "soft" the most simple test is to take some cold water in a porcelain (or enamel) 

hand basin and with some ordinary soap, such as sunlight laundry soap, rub into hands as 

if washing them.  If it is difficult to get a lather - the water is hard.  If a slight scum forms around 

the rim of the water in the basin the water is hard. If the water appears more cloudy than usual, 

the water is hard.

Rainwater is always soft, even when stored in concrete tanks older than a year. 

With hard water, more detergent is required to remove the calcium and magnesium from the 

water  - they form a scum with soap because the soap is trying to remove them from the water.  

Sometimes these products  of calcium and magnesium are difficult to remove from clothes and 

a good rinsing is required, or phosphates areused to remove them ("binders").  

Hence phosphates in water used for hard water supplies are desirable.  

There are other products that can be used to replace these.

Bore water supplies that come from basalt aquifers will generally be very hard.

regards

BobP”

Conclusion

As we mentioned in our last newsletter, the importance of environmental issues are now, really being addressed worldwide. That is how we can all help as a collective group, and the more caring people, like yourselves that are doing even small changes are going to make a large difference in the long run.

Most Laundry detergents look and smell similar. Often the price is taken into consideration but all up, where do we start if we are environmentally conscious.Check your ingredients and make own informed choices for your families and the future of our planet.

Research References 1. www.Lenntech.com (The Netherlands) 2. Rob Patterson : www.Lanfaxlabs.com.au

Amina Eastham-Hillier N.D