Laundry detergent: switching to a natural laundry detergent just feels good--from clean clothes to a clean environment. Familiarize yourself with the ingredients behind this household staple.(MAKE THE SWITCH)

If you're using conventional laundry detergent, you may think your clothes are clean, but actually, they're saturated with chemicals--many of which aren't good for you or the environment.

Yup, those liquids and powders most of us mindlessly pour in with our laundry are chemical-based detergents (see "The Ingredients You Can't See," p. 46). Now, detergents aren't all bad. They do a better job than soap of dissolving grime and oil. The foam and bubbles they produce also help loosen dirt from clothing.

However, conventional laundry detergents are laced with all kinds of chemicals that can irritate skin, trigger allergies and asthma, and may even cause long-term health and environmental harm.

But don't worry, you can still do the wash. Just opt for natural products that contain plant-based detergents. "Plant oils were used prior to the development of synthetic surfactants-ingredients that cling to clothing to help remove soils and keep them from re-depositing onto your clothes--and they work just as well," says Martin Wolf, director of product and environmental technology for Seventh Generation. Natural enzymes are also used to help lift out stains, and scents are created with essential oils such as lavender and orange.

There's no need to worry about whether your clothes will get clean with natural detergents. They will. Sure, they may not have the same glow that synthetic products create, since natural detergents don't add chemical optical brighteners, which make clothing appear brighter in certain lights. But wouldn't you rather glow naturally?

 
the ingredients you can't see 
 
Unlike natural brands, most conventional laundry 
detergents contain the following chemicals (though 
you won't know it since the law doesn't require 
ingredient labeling on these products). 
 
PURPOSE          MASS MARKET INGREDIENT 
 
Removes          Alkyl phenoxy ethoxylate and nonyl 
grease    ...