Believe it or not, most conventional laundry products are full of toxic chemicals. But there are easy, natural swaps you can make that aren’t overly complicated.

When I started purging all of the toxic products from my household, the last thing on my mind was the laundry room. It hit me one day, thinking about how laundry detergent is part of our everyday lives because it’s on all the clothes we wear. So I did some research and learned how harmful all those fragrances, scents and cleaning chemicals are to your health, and how they can affect your skin through your clothes. 

It was a reality shock to say the least. Not only are we wearing clothes covered in these products, but we are also sleeping on the bed linen too. So, I dove deeper into the research and found some amazing natural alternatives to your average laundry products. It can be a very easy swap that doesn’t cost a fortune. In fact, some can even save you money. 

This is how I started looking at my entire laundry routine a little differently and more intentionally. It wasn’t just about getting clothes clean anymore; it was also about what was in the products I was using. 

The more I researched and learned, the more I realized how many products we use without thinking twice, like detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, “fresh scent” boosters and stain removers. They are all advertised around that crisp, clean smell, but people usually gloss over the ingredients. 

I knew I had to take a closer look at what I could do to make better, healthier swaps in my laundry room — and I’m sharing that with you today.

What’s Hiding in Laundry Products?

It’s so easy to think about ingredient labels when shopping for food at the grocery store. So when I started looking more closely at the ingredient labels on laundry products, what I saw really shocked me. 

The laundry ingredient list is full of many long words I could barely pronounce, and nothing looked like it came from nature at all. But honestly, what more can I expect if our food is so processed and full of junk? 

When you think about it, there are so many mainstream products that most people use in the laundry room. Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, scent boosters and stain removers. All of these products contain similar chemicals, so I think it’s wise to point out some of them and the effects they can have on your health, too.

• Fragrance/Parfum: “Fragrance” can often contain over 3,500 ingredients — a dangerous mixture of chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes and nose.

• 1, 4-dioxane: This ingredient is a byproduct of other toxic ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, so it’s often left off labels. But this is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.

• Phthalates: These are what make the scents last longer. It has been known to affect hormonal balance and negatively affect fertility.

• Dyes: Many colored detergents contain artificial dyes that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. 

• Optical Brighteners: Many of these brighteners contain benzene, which can increase cancer risk and cause reproductive issues.

Yikes… right? These are not things I want in my house or around my family, that’s for sure. I’m grateful that there are still companies that care about health and want to create clean laundry products for the whole family. I’m really excited to share with you all the healthy laundry swaps we’ve made around here.  

5 Clean Laundry Products

After discovering all of the dangers behind conventional laundry products, I became a little overwhelmed. Sometimes I’d wonder… Was I a bad mom for not knowing? But that’s where you have to stop yourself. 

Everyone is constantly growing and learning, so give yourself some grace and feel empowered by knowing you are learning and seeking the best for you and your family. You’ve got this, and I’ve got you covered with some fresh, clean and trustworthy laundry products. 

1. Molly’s Suds Detergent

When I was looking into a new laundry detergent, I saw so many options labeled as “natural,” but Molly’s Suds stood out to me. Their ingredients are so simple, and their Original Laundry Detergent Powder is fragrance-free, which is a huge win in my book because any artificial fragrance is toxic. This detergent gave me such peace of mind, and I truly recommend it. Plus, one bag can last a long time. 

2. Wool Dryer Balls

These laundry room favorites have become increasingly popular, and for a good reason. Grabbing a pack of organic wool dryer balls is a great natural alternative to dryer sheets and fabric softeners. They are reusable, making them a much more financially sustainable option. They don’t contain any scents, not even natural ones, making this a great option for young children, babies and those with sensitive skin. 

3. Organic Essential Oils

If you miss having a fresh scent to your load of laundry, you don’t have to compromise for harmful chemicals. Unless you’re sensitive to natural scents like essential oils or are doing your babies' laundry, there is a simple way you can spice things up a bit. I love using these Cliganic Organic 100% Pure Essential Oils by putting a drop or two on my wool dryer balls. It adds a lovely, subtle scent to your clothes without the chemical-heavy fragrance. 

4. Molly’s Suds Stain Remover

Here’s another shoutout to Molly’s Suds! Instead of using conventional stain removers, which are full of disturbing ingredients, try out this Laundry Stain Remover Spray from Molly’s Suds. Simple, clean, non-toxic and super effective. This is a great tool to have on hand in your laundry room, because some stains are just a little too stubborn. 

5. Sleep Linen Spray

This is a sweet and calming addition I like to use on my linen at night. Here at Elderberry Queen, we’ve formulated a natural soothing spray to spritz on your linen to support good sleep and relaxation. This Sleep Linen Spray has become a nightly routine for me, and I love how it helps me fall asleep and lightly freshens my linens. Nothing feels better than going to sleep in a cozy bed that smells of calming lavender and herbs.

Let’s Keep Building Healthy Homes Together

Living in the world today can be more than difficult. There are so many things you feel like you have to watch out for and avoid, because in reality, chemicals and preservatives are added to most things now just to save a buck. 

Understandably, you want to make healthy decisions for you and your family. Trust me, I get it. But you don’t have to walk this alone. Here at Elderberry Queen, we share the same wellness goals and offer many resources to support you on your health journey. 

Here are some more wellness tips for creating a healthy home:

• Here’s Your Guide to Mold Toxicity

• The Shocking Truth About Fluoride

• The Dangers of Synthetic Fragrances

• Easy Swaps for Healthier Baking

• An Essential Guide for Holistic Living

I hope these blogs are encouraging and informative for you and your family. If you want to stay up to date on our latest wellness tips, healthy recipes and product sales, click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

We love having you as a part of our family here at Elderberry Queen!