Opening that fresh bottle of laundry detergent might give you a whiff of “clean” scent, but what if that smell is hiding something not so fresh? Many popular laundry detergents on store shelves today contain ingredients that might make you think twice about your next load of laundry. With New York recently banning certain detergents because they contain too much of a probable cancer-causing chemical, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s actually cleaning our clothes. Let’s talk about which popular laundry detergents you might want to skip on your next shopping trip.
Arm & Hammer detergents contain concerning levels of 1,4-dioxane
That familiar yellow box of Arm & Hammer might seem like a trusted friend in your laundry room, but recent testing has shown it contains more than 3 parts per million (PPM) of 1,4-dioxane. This chemical doesn’t show up on the ingredient list because it’s not added on purpose – it’s a byproduct that happens during manufacturing. What makes this worse is that the EPA has classified 1,4-dioxane as a probable human carcinogen, which means it might cause cancer. New York state has already banned detergents with levels over 2 PPM, and the limit is getting stricter, dropping to just 1 PPM by the end of 2023.
Even the “free and clear” versions of Arm & Hammer aren’t necessarily safer. The problem comes from ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can create 1,4-dioxane during production. These ethoxylated ingredients are common in many detergents, not just Arm & Hammer. When shopping for alternatives, look for non-toxic laundry detergent options that specifically mention being free of 1,4-dioxane, or check for detergents that don’t contain ethoxylated ingredients, which often have names ending in “-eth” or containing “PEG” in their ingredient lists.
Tide detergents exceed safe limits of harmful chemicals
Tide is probably the most recognized name in laundry detergents, but that doesn’t mean it’s the safest choice for your family. Like Arm & Hammer, Tide products were found to contain more than 3 PPM of 1,4-dioxane, which exceeds New York’s safety limit. While Tide Free & Gentle has lower levels between 0.18-0.4 PPM (which meets current guidelines), it still contains some amount of this probable carcinogen. The bright colors and strong scents of regular Tide products also hint at other potentially problematic ingredients like artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances, which can cause skin irritation for many people.
Beyond 1,4-dioxane, Tide products often contain other concerning ingredients like optical brighteners, which make clothes look whiter by tricking your eyes. These chemicals stay on your clothes after washing and can cause skin irritation. They’re also hard to remove from water during treatment and can be harmful to aquatic life. If you’ve noticed itchy skin after putting on freshly washed clothes, your fragrance free laundry detergent might not be as “free” from irritants as you thought. Consider switching to truly plant-based alternatives without optical brighteners for a gentler option.
Gain detergents prioritize fragrance over safety
Gain is famous for its strong scents that linger on clothes for days, but those powerful fragrances come with a price. Like Tide and Arm & Hammer, Gain products were found to contain over 3 PPM of 1,4-dioxane, exceeding safety limits in New York. The intense fragrances that make Gain popular can also be problematic for many people. These scented chemicals can trigger headaches, allergic reactions, and breathing problems for sensitive individuals. What’s more, the company doesn’t disclose exactly what’s in their “fragrance” since it’s considered a trade secret, meaning you have no way of knowing what chemicals you’re actually exposing yourself to.
Beyond fragrance issues, Gain doesn’t perform as well as you might expect in stain removal tests. Consumer testing has consistently ranked Gain below other detergents when it comes to actually cleaning clothes, especially for tough stains. This means you’re potentially exposing yourself to harmful chemicals without getting the cleaning power you deserve. If you’re looking for effective cleaning without the chemical concerns, consider plant based laundry soap that uses natural enzymes rather than harsh chemicals to break down stains and dirt.
Purex falls short on both safety and cleaning power
Purex often attracts shoppers with its budget-friendly price tag, but this is definitely a case of “you get what you pay for.” This brand consistently ranks among the worst performers in cleaning tests, leaving clothes looking dingy and failing to remove tough stains. The low price might seem attractive at first, but you’ll likely end up using more product to get clothes clean, or having to rewash items that didn’t get clean the first time – wasting water, energy, and your time. Despite the poor cleaning performance, Purex still contains many of the same potentially harmful ingredients found in other conventional detergents.
Like other mainstream detergents, Purex contains surfactants that can irritate skin and respiratory systems. These include ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) that can cause skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. Purex also contains synthetic fragrances and dyes that provide no cleaning benefit but may cause allergic reactions in some people. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative without the harsh chemicals, consider eco friendly laundry detergent options, which have become more reasonably priced as demand has increased.
Xtra detergent doesn’t deliver extra clean clothes
Another budget-friendly option that falls short is Xtra detergent. Like Purex, this brand ranks poorly when it comes to removing stains and getting clothes truly clean. In fact, in consumer testing, Xtra consistently lands near the bottom of the pack for cleaning performance. The low price point might seem attractive on a tight budget, but when your clothes aren’t getting clean, you’re not really saving money. You might find yourself using twice as much detergent to get decent results, or having to pretreat stains separately, which negates any cost savings and exposes you to even more chemicals.
Beyond its poor cleaning performance, Xtra contains many of the same problematic ingredients found in other conventional detergents. This includes potential skin irritants, artificial fragrances, and optical brighteners that can cause problems for sensitive individuals. The heavy fragrances in Xtra products can be particularly overwhelming and may trigger headaches or respiratory issues for some people. If price is your main concern but you still want effective cleaning, look for concentrated natural laundry detergent that requires smaller amounts per load, making the cost per wash comparable to budget brands while providing better cleaning power.
Era detergent doesn’t clean like it used to
Era might have been a household name years ago, but today it falls short of modern cleaning standards. This detergent consistently ranks among the worst performers in cleaning tests, especially when it comes to removing tough stains like grass, blood, or grease. Despite its marketing claims about stain-fighting power, Era simply doesn’t deliver the results that today’s busy families need. Like other low-performing detergents, you’ll likely end up using more product per load or having to rewash items that didn’t get clean the first time, wasting resources and exposing your family to more chemicals than necessary.
Beyond its poor cleaning performance, Era contains many of the same concerning ingredients found in other conventional detergents. This includes potential skin irritants, artificial fragrances, and optical brighteners. The heavy fragrance in Era products can be particularly problematic for people with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities. If you’re looking for a detergent that actually works on tough stains without the harsh chemicals, consider enzyme based laundry detergent that uses natural enzymes to break down specific types of stains rather than relying on harsh chemicals that can irritate skin and harm the environment.
Sun detergent is too weak for most laundry challenges
Sun is another budget detergent that attracts shoppers with its low price tag, but the savings come at a cost to both cleaning performance and potentially your health. In cleaning tests, Sun consistently ranks among the worst performers, especially for tough stains like grass, grease, and blood. This means you’ll likely need to use more product per load, pretreat stains separately, or rewash clothes that didn’t get clean the first time. Any initial savings quickly disappear when you consider the extra product, water, and energy you’ll use trying to get your clothes actually clean with this ineffective detergent.
Like other conventional detergents, Sun contains potentially problematic ingredients including surfactants that can irritate skin, artificial fragrances that can trigger allergic reactions, and optical brighteners that make clothes appear cleaner without actually removing dirt. The combination of poor cleaning performance and potential irritants makes Sun a detergent worth avoiding, especially for families with young children or individuals with sensitive skin. For a better alternative that’s still budget-friendly, consider fragrance free plant based detergent options, which have become more affordable as more companies enter the natural cleaning product market.
True Living detergent doesn’t give truly clean results
True Living, a discount store brand detergent, might save you money at checkout but will cost you in cleaning performance. This bargain brand consistently ranks at the bottom for stain removal and cleaning effectiveness in consumer testing. When detergent doesn’t clean well, you end up using more of it, washing at higher temperatures, or rewashing clothes – all of which negate any initial savings. Plus, poorly cleaned clothes wear out faster because dirt and grime left behind can break down fabric fibers over time, meaning you’ll need to replace your clothes more frequently.
Beyond its poor cleaning performance, True Living contains many of the same problematic ingredients found in other conventional detergents. This includes potential skin irritants, artificial fragrances, and optical brighteners that can cause problems for sensitive individuals. The heavy fragrances can trigger allergic reactions, headaches, or respiratory issues in some people. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative that actually works, consider soap nuts laundry solution, which is a natural, reusable option that works out to be very cost-effective over time while avoiding the harsh chemicals found in conventional detergents.
Next time you’re shopping for laundry detergent, take a moment to read the label and think about what’s really going into your washing machine – and onto your skin. You don’t have to sacrifice clean clothes to avoid harmful chemicals. Many effective, safer alternatives are now available at competitive prices. Your family’s health is worth the extra moment it takes to choose a better product for your laundry room.
