What chemical substances are in detergents?

Bleach

Today, mainly oxygen-based bleaches such as percarbonate or hydrogen peroxide are used.  These bleaches oxidize the organic colors from the dirt in the laundry and discolor them. Bleach activators such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) increase the efficacy of bleaching agents at low temperatures. Fortunately, chlorine bleach is being used less and less in the conventional detergent brands.

Fragrances

The fragrances in the detergents give the laundry a pleasant scent and cover the unpleasant odors of the wash liquor. However, various perfumes added to the detergent such as limonene or geraniol can cause allergies.

Fillers

As a filler for pulverulent detergents mainly sodium sulfates are used. They ensures a good flowability, good dosage and solubility of the product. For the actual cleaning they have no effect.

However, sodium sulphate can not be biodegraded easily and contributes to the salinity of the waters, which in turn interferes with the equilibrium of the freshwater flora and fauna. If you want to avoid fillers, you better take a liquid detergent.

Optical brighteners

What are optical brighteners in detergent?

Optical brighteners deceive our eye. During the washing process, they are drawn on the fiber of the textile and remain there. They convert the invisible ultraviolet light into visible blue light. Mixed with the complementary color yellow of the laundry, a radiant white results for the human eye: A deception without any washing effect.

Why are optical brighteners bad?

The problem with optical brighteners is that they get into the wastewater and are difficult to biodegrade. Direct skin contact is suspected to cause a hormonal effect by some classes of brighteners. Ecologically produced textiles and detergents therefore do not use optical brighteners.

What detergent does not have optical brighteners?

Here comes a list of laundry detergent brands without optical brighteners and other harsh chemicals

• Seventh Generation
  from Vermont; 0% fragrances, dyes, or artificial brighteners.
• Puracy
  from Austin, Texas; No phosphates, sulfates, petrochemicals, animal by-products, chlorine, perfumes, dyes, allergens.
• Ecos Earth friendly products
  Does Ecos have optical brighteners? No. The formula is alos Phosphate-free, chlorine-free, enzyme-free, borine-free, cocamide DEA-free, dye-free, and free of petroleum ingredients.
• Mrs. Meyers Laundry Detergent
  from Racine, WI; Free of Phthalates, Chlorine, Formaldehyde, Artificial Colors, Parabens, Animal Derived Ingredients, MEA, DEA, Optical Brighteners.
• Biokleen Free & Clear
  From Gurnee, Illinois. Biokleen uses a hypoallergenic formula. The detergent is 3 times concentrated to reduce packaging, waste and energy. Biokleen liquid laundry detergent is plant-based,with no artificial fragrances or dyes. The products are never tested on animals, use biodegradable ingredients and are manufactured in the US.
• Sun & Earth
  from King of Prussia, PA; Vegan, Kosher, Cruelty free, Phosphate free, Dye free, Perfume free, No harmful synthetics, UV brightener free.
• Grab Green
  from Camarilo, CA; Free from Phosphate, optical brighteners, chlorine and dye, non-toxic formula made of naturally-derived ingredients
• Nellie’s All Natural Laundry Soda
  from Vancouver; free from SLS, SLES, Phosphates, Fragrance and Chlorine, biodegradable

But what about well known laundry detergent brands. Are they free of optical brighteners?

Does Tide Free have optical brighteners?

According to the official website of Tide, Tide Free does contain optical brighteners. The only Tide product that does not have optical brighteners is Tide Purclean, which is a plant-based detergent that is 75% bio-based and certified by the USDA BioPreferred Program. Tide Purclean >>> also has no dyes, chlorine, phosphates, or optical brighteners. Therefore, if you are looking for a laundry detergent that is free of optical brighteners and other synthetic chemicals, Tide Purclean may be a better option than Tide Free.

Does Persil contain optical brighteners?

According to the official website of Persil, Persil Sensitive detergent contains optical brighteners. However, it is not clear if other Persil products also contain optical brighteners, as the website does not provide this information, clearly. Therefore, consumers who want to avoid optical brighteners may need to contact Henkel directly or check the product labels carefully before buying or using their detergents.

Does Arm and Hammer sensitive detergent have optical brighteners?

Arm and Hammer sensitive detergent claims to be free of optical brighteners, dyes and perfumes, making it a suitable choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies. However, some customers have reported that they still see a blue tint on their clothes after using this detergent, which suggests that it may contain some traces of optical brighteners. Therefore, it is advisable to test the detergent on a small area of fabric before using it on a large load of laundry.

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The European Agency for Food Safety (EFSA) adopted recently a new risk assessment of the substance and significantly reduced the limit for daily recommended daily intake of 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight down to only 4 micrograms.

What bottled water brands are BPA- free?

The French Food Safety Authority banned the use of the chemical BPA in food packaging all together. Across the EU the production of plastic baby bottles with Bisphenol A has been prohibited since March 2011. The FDA however has a different view:

Based on FDA’s ongoing safety review of scientific evidence, the available information continues to support the safety of BPA for the currently approved uses in food containers and packaging. Source: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm

In terms of baby bottles, in 2012 the FDA has banned the use of BPA-based Polycarbonate (PC) resins in infant feeding bottles (baby bottles) and spill-proof cups (sippy cups). A number of states in US also issued their own law to ban BPA.
If you are looking for bpa-free water bottles find the here!

What is BPA and where it is used?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is referred to as a plasticizer for plastic products. Actually, it prevents the oxidation of the plasticizer such as phthalates and acts as a kind of stabilizer. As a raw materials of plastics BPA is part of our everyday life. Polycarbonates are used for example for the production of reusable beverage bottles, CDs, toys, baby cups or pacifier shields. Epoxy resins are used in the food industry as the foundation of protective coatings and internal linings for food and beverage cans.

BPA is also used as a color developer in thermal paper, that we touch every day when handed over the receipts from the cashier. Daily contact with these materials is certain. Through packaging residues in our food and drinks it also enters the human body!

Effect on humans, animals and the environment

BPA is a combustible and a poorly water-soluble substance that is irritating to the respiratory system and can lead to dangerous eye damage. Animal studies also demonstrate that an increased BPA concentrations in blood and urine correlates with significant effects on female fertility , the development of the sexual organs; and links it to the possible vulnerability to certain types of cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and obesity.

Especially water and soil organisms are exposed to BPA-containing recycled paper products. Therefore e.g. the environmental authorities in Germany recommend not to put credit card receipts into the recycling bin.

BPA free bottled water brands

For sure, water from the tap is more environmental friendly than bottled water. But for those who like bottled water and prefer a different taste to tapped water, there are already brands that offer bpa-free plastic water bottles.

Here is a list:

VOSS from Norway

• artesian water from Southern Norway
• packaged in the highest quality BPA-free, PET bottles

Essentia

• puried drinking water through micro-filtration, UV lighting and reverse osmosis
• no chlorine
• no flouride
• electrolyte infused
• BPA and Phthalate free recyclable bottles

JUST Water

• Premium Pure Still Spring Water from Glens Falls, NY
• High 8.0 pH
• Naturally Alkaline
• The Spring Water Bottle is made from paper that comes from FSC-certified forests
• The bottled water’s cap is made of sugarcane
• Fully Recyclable Boxed Water Carton

Britewater

• contains natural caffeine (68 mg per Liter)
• purified by Reverse Osmosis, micro filtration, and UV lighting
• 100% Recyclable BPA Free Bottle
• no chlorine
• no flouride
• OUNCE WATER

Northern Chill

• Natural Alkaline Water
• Naturally Filtered
• Minerals & Electrolytes
• Created by glaciers in Wisconsin
• BPA Free Bottles

Ten Alkaline Spring Water

• Alkaline Spring Water with a pH of 8.22
• no additives or ionization
• BPA free packaging

Eternal Naturally Alkaline Spring Water

• naturally Alkaline and natural occuring electrolytes
• natural pH 7.8-8.2
• BPA-Free and Phthalate-Free Bottles

Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water

• filtered through 14,000 feet of porous volcanic rock before re-emerging at its source, located at the eastern base of the Mauna Loa volcano.
• naturally Alkaline – 8.8 PH
• BPA Free Bottles
• 100% Recycled Plastic (RPET)
• For every Liter you buy, Waiakea donates 650 Liters to those in need through our incredible partner, PumpAid.

NEO Water

• 9.5pH Alkaline
• BPA Free Plastic and 100% Recyclable bottles

EJU 16 SIXTEEN Bedrock Water

• Contains Vanadium and Silica
• Natural PH of 7.7
• BPA-free 100% recyclable bottle

Ave Purified

• 9.5+ pH Alkaline Charged Water
• BPA free bottles

BPA free Water Bottles

An even more environmental friendly solution is to use water from the tap and use reusable BPA-free plastic water bottles. Here are some popular brands with high ratings:

• Hydro Cell
• Cactaki
• Embrava
• Letsfit
• Opard Sports Water Bottles
• Unity-Frankford

Just use water from the tap, fill-up your bpa free water bottle and enjoy.

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There is a possibility to get them for 100% free.

You know, it can become quite costly if you shop for your newborn’s daily needs: Diapers, milk powder, body wash, body lotions, wipes and more and more stuff. All can add up to a significant sum each and every month… but you know, don’t need to tell you.

Why not get some of these things for free by just testing them and give feedback. The consumer brands are interested to obtain this valuable first hand experience from their consumers and are willing to ship their samples for free to the actual users. You know these days, data is more valuable than the actual physical stuff.

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All you need to do is first enter your Name, Email and Babies Birth or Due Date. In the next step you will be asked to enter your Address and then you are ready to receive Baby Product Samples and more for Free.

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Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

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Plastic toothbrushes are made from a mix of plastic materials that combine elements of rubber and crude oil that take centuries to biodegrade. If you thought that that was already bad enough, the manufacturing process for these toothbrushes consist as well of dangerous plastic by-products that need to be disposed.

However, several innovative manufacturers have come to grips with this problem and have brought solutions to the market that are recyclable and compostable; without any plastic.

Most of them use bamboo wood as main material. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on our planet. Since the bamboo contains natural antibacterial agents, no fertilizers and pesticides need to be used during cultivation.Bamboo naturally repels water, is antibacterial and biodegrades within months after disposal, instead of centuries as plastic.

Let us introduce you to our selection of zero waste toothbrushes:

Isshah

They sell there bamboo toothbrushes in sets of 4 which last a year for one person. So you also save transportation energy and costs.

The bamboo toothbrushes are safe, i.e. they will never splinter and are water resistant.

They come in 100% recycled biodegradable packaging. The craft paper is not polluting the environment when you throw it away.

Hello Boo

Hello Boo Toothbrushes are made from 100% natural, eco-friendly and antimicrobial Moso bamboo and have soft nylon bristles.

Moso bamboo is particularly Panda friendly as it is not a source of food for panda bears, as there is no leaf growth on the first 5 yards of the stem of the Moso bamboo.

Mother’s Vault

The Mother’s Vault toothbrushes use Beeswax coating to prevent splintering making this bamboo toothbrush smooth and long-lasting. The handles are slightly curved for a snug fit and better brush control.

For the bristles they are using BPA-free nylon, while the bristles are neither too hard, nor too soft. They are well crafted to stay in place and not fall out. The wavy design hugs tooth surfaces and gums to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
Furthermore, the cardboard of the packaging is 100% biodegradable.

GoWoo

The GoWoo Bamboo toothbrush also uses soft bristles made of BPA free nylon that is recyclable as well as light on the gums. The perfectly crafted and smooth Bamboo handles are completely biodegradable, and long lasting. Ideal for Sensitive Teeth & Gums.

Check them out! You might even enjoy a cleaner oral situation while not burdening the environment with unnecessary plastic waste.

You might also want to use your zero waste toothbrush with a biodegradable toothpaste and zero waste dental floss.

Photo by Eugenie Lai on Unsplash

Dish soap has strong chemicals to loosen baked-on food and grease. The main ingredient in most brands is sodium laurel sulfate, or SLS. This ingredient gives the sudsing action we want. It is commonly used in cleaning and hygiene products. While some companies point out that SLS comes from coconuts, it can be vulnerable to contamination by chemicals that are carcinogenic.

You may be lulled into buying a dish detergent because of its intoxicating scent. If you do some deciphering on the ingredient list, you will find that most of these scents are synthetic. It is difficult to tell what kind of questionable chemicals these companies are using for scents. The same is true for artificial coloring. These fake ingredients can cause skin irritation and other allergic reactions. Some worse side effects can include organ toxicity and even cancer.

There has to be an ingredient in your dish soap that keeps the mixture together. Chemical emulsifiers and stabilizers are used generously in the manufacturing process. These chemicals are not only bad for your skin and organs, but many of them can wreak havoc on the environment.

When you see a dish soap that claims it is antibacterial, you should confident in buying it—right? Many antibacterial ingredients are harmful to your health. One of the worst offenders is an antibacterial agent called triclosan. According to an article in USAToday.com, the FDA claims that there is no definite proof that triclosan kills germs. It may actually cause damage to the reproductive system. You can even find it in toothpaste.

A non toxic dish soap is the best for cleaning and keeping your family safe. They use environmentally friendly cleaning and agents, do not contain artificial ingredients, or dangerous stabilizers. They depend on the action of soap to kill germs instead of antibacterial agents like triclosan. These products are also certified for being cruelty-free. Here are some excellent brands to consider:

Better Life – If you like the scent of real lemon and mint, then you will love this non toxic dish detergent. It has no artificial colors, scents, or SLS. Instead, Better Life uses pure plant powder for cleaning power.

Seventh Generation – This popular cleaning product company makes an excellent non toxic dish detergent. There are no dyes, and you can choose from different scents that are created with pure essential oils. It is naturally hypoallergenic and safe for the environment.

Puracy – This special dish detergent was developed by doctors and is completely free of anything artificial or hazardous. It has a fresh lime scent derived from real lime juice. Puracy is safe for all of your family.

Eco-Me – Here is another earth-safe dish soap that is made from pure plant powder and essential oils. It suds naturally without all of the dangerous chemicals found in most leading brands. Eco-me safely cleans your glasses and dishes.

Sonnett –  This non toxic dish soap hails from Germany. It cleans your dishes without the offending chemicals of other brands. Its scent and color are also naturally derived.

You can have sparkling clean dishes without compromising your family’s health. Quality non toxic dish detergents can be found at most department stores at comparable prices. You will feel good about keeping your kitchen clean while being kind to the environment.

Picture Credits:  CC0 Public Domain @ Pixabay

As a parent, your number one concern is keeping your children safe. It is challenging enough to protect your children from everyday hazards you can see and hear, but what about unseen dangers that could be present without you knowing?

Flame retardants are used in numerous household items. Couches, mattresses, and kids’ pajamas all potentially contain flame retardant chemicals. Flame retardant chemicals are used to prevent and delay the spread of fire so that an escape can be made. Unfortunately, the chemicals that are supposed to help protect you are actually causing harm.

A recently published study by scientists at Duke University showed that levels of flame retardant, cancer-causing chemicals are increasing in adults and children in the U.S. Children are particularly at risk because they breathe in more of the chemicals released via dust and other small particles from furniture or other sources in relation to their body weight, versus adults.

In the United States, there had been laws in place since 1953 stating that kids’ pajamas must be made of flame resistant materials. Flame retardants were added using chemicals like PBDE, which has since been banned due to its cancer causing properties. In 1977, another chemical known as Tris was banned from being used in kids’ pajamas due to studies showing it can cause mutations in DNA. Finally, in 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission allowed kids pajamas without flame retardant chemicals as long as they were tight-fitting. But how can you know for sure if your child’s pajamas are doused in chemicals?

The key is to look for snug fitting kids pajamas without flame retardant. “Snug fitting” pajamas reduce the risk of burns because there is less space between the clothing and the skin and less oxygen to feed a fire once it starts.

Another thing parents can do is look for pajamas made from organic cotton. The Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, is a label that manufacturers can only use if their textiles meet stringent organic standards. Their product must contain a minimum of 70% organic materials.

What are some brands of flameretardant-free pajamas to look for?

• 

  Burt’s Bees uses 100% organic cotton and their pajamas are tight fitting.
• Sara’s Prints uses 55% cotton and 45% Modacrylic.
• Kirkland Signature uses 100% chemical-free organic cotton.
• New Jammies uses 100% flame retardant-free organic cotton.
• L’BkIds uses 100% cotton that is minimally processed, safety tested, and naturally flame retardant.
• Silkberry
• Bamboo
• Carter’s
• Lazy One
• Bindun
• Simply Merino
• City Threads
• Organic Home
• Babiesnature

Chemicals are unfortunately unavoidable in our modern life, but your children’s pajamas should not be something that you need to worry about. Now that you know what to look for, you can make informed, safe choices for your kids’ sleepwear.

Photo: Pixabay

A diaper basically consists of 3 layers. There is the inner layer touching the baby’s skin. It is often made from polypropylene (petroleum based) with some added aloe vera and vitamin E.

In the middle there is a the absorbent core. The urine is distributed and absorbent by a core from wood pulp and finally locked in the superabsorber material usually made of sodium polyacrylate. This can be observed well on a full diaper.

For the production of this superabsorbent, petroleum is used. For the 12 grams (about half an ounce) of superabsorbent in a diaper, 5 grams of petroleum are needed.

The outer layer of a diaper is often colorful with sweet motifs. The backsheet is impervious to water and ensures that the captured urine does not come through the diaper. In conventional diapers it is basically a “plastic bag” which is also made from mineral oil. Phthalates are needed to make the plastics more flexible, especially on the waterproof outer liner. Phthalates are known to be hormone disruptive.

Chlorine is used to bleach the diaper material. Chlorine is also known to emit dioxins which are highly cancerogenic. You can easily avoid that risk by buying chlorine-free diapers.

Conventional disposable diapers all use these chemicals. The sad truth is that even “natural” disposable diapers still need chemicals as there is basically no all-natural substance that can perform like a conventional product. But the “natural” brands at least try to minimize the use of chemicals in order to better protect the baby and the environment.

4 non toxic diaper brands

gDiaper

gDiaper replaces the plastic layers with soft cotton and breathable nylon. These diapers can actually be composted. The disposable inserts is Silver certified by the world leader in ecologically intelligent design – Cradle to Cradle.

BAMBO

The Bambo diapers are produced with sustainable manufacturing processes, ensuring they are free of harmful chemicals and perfumes to minimize the risk of allergies and diaper rash.
Bambo Nature diapers have earned the Danish Asthma/Allergy certification, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, are dermatologically-tested and FSC-certified.

Bambo Nature has been called the “best buy for disposable diapers” by ethicalconsumer.org

The Honest Company

These eco-friendly diapers are made from biodegradable bamboo with naturally derived, plant-based, and sustainable materials, without chlorine processing and additives like fragrances, lotions, or latex.

They are free of chlorine, alcohol, preservatives, Phthalates, PVC, TBT, or Antioxidants.

Parasol Plush disposable diapers

The Parasol Plush disposable diapers from the Czech Republic are hypoallergenic. They do not contain Latex, Chlorine, Fragrance, Chlorine, Lead, or heavy metals.

The absorbent material is wood pulp sourced from certified sustainably managed forests. They are certified by the Nordic Swan Eco-Label as well as PETA Cruelty-Free and Vegan.

The chemical industry claims that flame retardants are safe, good for the environment and they protect against fire. However, the benefits of these chemicals come with an uncalculated health risk: Flame retardants are linked to cancers, neurological deficits, and hormone disruption Source: US environmental protection agency.

Furthermore experiments show that they do not work as promised. Especially in upholstery and mattresses, the flame retardants are often only applied to the foam, not the textile that surrounds it. Experiments show that in this case as soon as the textile is ignited the flame retardants can’t protect the product to completely go on fire. They only produce a toxic smoke and carbon monoxide.

Meanwhile, the chemicals that should be locked up in the foam do show up all around the planet. They have been found in Polar bears, seals as well as waterfowls around the globe.

But not only there. The chemicals that protect us from fire have been found in the blood of fire fighters who are extremely exposed to these substances.

As the cushions age the chemicals get into the house dust which is contacted and inhaled by the everybody. No suprise that flame retardants have even been found in breast milk.But not only there. The chemicals that protect us from fire have been found in the blood of fire fighters who are extremely exposed to these substances.

As the cushions age the chemicals get into the house dust which is contacted and inhaled by the everybody. No suprise that flame retardants have even been found in breast milk.

Mattresses without flame retardants

As of 2007, all mattresses sold in the US are required to contain enough Fire Retardants to withstand a 2 foot wide blowtorch open flame for 70 seconds. Most brands use a highly controversial fire retardant chemicals, such as PBDE, TDCPP or TCEP in order to get approved.

The national flameproof mattress regulation has been in effect in California since 2005 and is now effective nationwide. All mattresses, sofa beds, futons, cribs and fold out beds are included under the regulation.

But there are alternatives on the market, for instance Kevlar, a material that is also used in bulletproof vests. Here are a few mattress brands that do not use fire retardant chemicals:

• Brentwood Home Bamboo Mattress
  uses hydrated-silica sand. Hydrated silica is crushed quartz and opal gemstones. They also line their mattresses with New Zealand wool, which is a natural fire barrier.
• My Green Mattress Pure Echo Organic Cotton Natural Mattress
  made from all natural wool and organic cotton fabric. The wool acts as a natural flame barrier so this mattress passes flammability testing required by law without the use of toxic chemical flame retardants.
• Signature Sleep Contour
  made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants, ozone depleters, mercury, lead and heavy metals.
• Tuft & Needle Mattress
  a fabric blend that fits on the mattress like a sock, underneath the cover, and is comprised of a blend of mostly rayon, with small amounts of polyester and fine-grained silica.
• Englaender

Baby Mattresses without flame retardants

• DaVinci Crib Mattresses
• Babyletto Pure Core Crib Mattress
• Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress
• Dream On Me Full Size Firm Foam Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress

Among the chemicals are a number of substances that are harmful to the environment and the health of babies and toddlers, even in the smallest quantities. However, most substances are not an immediate threat to your child, but the manufacturing process is often a massive problem for the environment and the workers who come into contact with these substances. Above all, the precious resource water is polluted with the toxic substances from the textile factories.

This may be a problem for the countries of production, but the pollutants from textile production in China, Bangladesh, Indonesia or Mexico are spread around the world by watercourses and air currents. Through food, air and drinking water, they also reach the human organism in our latitudes.

In this article, we will present you the most harmful substances you should look out for when buying baby clothing and provide you with a list of brands that guarantee a harmless production of baby clothes with minimal impact on the environment.

Within the framework of its detox campaign, Greenpeace has defined 11 pollutant groups for textiles, which must be abolished. This also affects baby clothing. Greenpeace examines the entire production cycle and not just what is in the fibers of the textiles. Here is a selection:

Alkylphenols
They are used in textile production, for example during washing and dyeing. In the water, the alkylphenols cleave and are hormonally active.

Azo dyes
They can split off substances that are suspected of causing cancer in skin contact. In the EU legislation for instance, they are no longer allowed for textiles that are worn directly on the skin.

Brominated flame retardants
They are used for fire protection and are also used in textiles. They are hormonally effective and can damage growth and development of the genital organs.

Phtlalates
The plasticizers are used in the textile industry mainly in plastisol or printing inks. They are hormonally effective in humans and animals. According to EU chemicals legislation, a number of phthalates have been banned since 2015.

Formaldehyde
They are often used in children’s clothing to make prints elastic and long-lasting. If a garment contains more than 0.15% free formaldehyde, it must be labeled accordingly: “Contains formaldehyde. It is recommended to wash the garment for better skin tolerance before first wearing. ” in some countries.

PFC (Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals)
They make textile and leather products water- and dirt-repellent. Therefore, they are widely used mainly in outdoor clothing. They accumulate in the human tissue and blood, can damage the liver function and affect the body’s own hormone system.

Heavy metals,
such as Cadmium, Lead and Copper are found in dyes. They can accumulate in the body and damage organs as well as the nervous system.

Organotin compounds
They are used in the textile industry in socks, shoes and sportswear to prevent the formation of odors.

There are over 400 substances worldwide that are used in the textile industry and are harmful to humans and the environment. In the “Roadmap To Zero” program, renowned textile manufacturers have committed themselves to eliminate these substances from their production processes. A complete listing can be found here: Download PDF

When buying organic cotton clothing, make sure the company has a third-party certification to back up their claim. Very strict standards are GOTS and IVN Best.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

GOTS certifies the entire textile production chain from the cultivation to the finished textile. The individual processing stages are independently certified. Chemical management is part of the Standard and includes a positive and negative list of substances.

At GOTS, textiles made from regenerated fibers can be certified. Regenerate fibers are fibers which are produced from a natural product by a chemical process, e.g. Viscose id made from cellulose. A maximum of 30 percent artificial fibers may be added to the natural fibers.

The List of GOTS certified Baby Clothes Brands include:

• Babiesnature
• Bonamy
• Burt’s Bees Baby
• Cat & Dogma
• Colored Organics
• Dordor & Gorgor
• Kate Quinn Organics
• LANACare
• L’ovedbaby
• Maple Clothing
• Niteo
• Penguin Organics
• Polarn O. Pyret
• Woolino

The safest way to find non-toxic baby clothes is to look for clothes made of organic cotton or wool that are also GOTS certified. Products that apply these standards are not only safe for your child they also consider the workers who made them and the environment surrounding the factories.

Photo: CC0 Public Domain @Pixabay.com

Everyone wants to keep their house clean, but if you use the type of regular household cleaners that you buy in the supermarket, you could actually be doing more harm than good. These popular cleaners contain problematic ingredients such as ammonia, which could be harmful to your children and pets. Ammonia is irritating to their lungs, and because of their small size they receive a greater exposure than adults. These cleaners also get into the environment. Therefore, it is safer to use chemical-free cleaning products.

In fact, regular cleaning products contain a number of harmful ingredients that are best avoided. Yet we use these products without even thinking about it. Look at the ingredients list on your shampoo, cleaning products, and laundry detergent, or dish soap and you will find many that give cause for concern. They are extremely common, yet are often a problem for the environment and for us.

These are the key ingredients to check for:

Sulfates (SLS, SLES, ALS) are used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents and other cleaning products for their foaming qualities. However, they can cause irritation. They are also believed to be harmful to the environment.

Ammonia is, as mentioned above, irritating to children, pets and possibly adults as well. It is used in cleaning products.

Dyes are used in textile manufacture and pollute the environment during the manufacturing process. They may also irritate delicate skin when clothing containing them is worn.

Phthalates are very difficult to avoid. feature in cleaning products, cosmetics and toiletries. They are especially risky for pregnant women and children, as they may affect birth weight and the timing of puberty.

Colourants are dyes or pigments. They appear in many toiletries and cosmetic products. Artificial colourants may be absorbed into your skin and some are linked with irritation. There are also suggestions of a cancer risk, although that is not yet proven.

Chlorine (Bleach) is a toxic chemical that can affect breathing. It is frequently used in household cleaners.

Fortunately, there are many Chemical Free Household Cleaner Brands that are just as effective as regular versions, and much less harmful to you and the environment.

These are the chemical free cleaning products brands to look for:

Seventh Generation

Seventh Generationoffer cleaning products, detergent, baby products (nappies/diapers, shampoo, lotion), and feminine products (the safety of tampons and towels is something that most menstruating women don’t even consider). Their products are plant-based and avoid toxic chemicals.

Puracy

Puracy products contain only ingredients derived from plants or minerals, and use natural fragrances. Their household cleaners, baby products and toiletries are safe for children and pets.

Biokleen

Biokleen manufactures detergents and cleaning products that are non-toxic and use plantbased ingredients. They are not tested on animals and are free of chemical ingredients like chlorine and ammonia.

Greensentials

Greensentials produce a natural cleaner that uses plant-based ingredients and essential oils. It is free from sulfates, ammonia, dyes, and toxic ingredients.

Eco-me

Eco-me makes detergents, cleaning products and pet products that are chemical-free, not tested on animals, and contain no sulfates, phthalates, or preservatives such as Methylisothiazolinone, which often causes an allergic reaction.

Update

No. 6 Better Life:

Plant-derived ingredients and scents, non toxic, biodegradable, dye free, never tested on animals. As seen on Shark Tank

While there is not always a proven link between chemicals in household products and health problems, it is nevertheless known that some are problematic. Besides, do you really want to take risks with your family’s health? The safest option is to remove as many chemical products from your home, and opt for non-toxic, chemical-free detergents, cleaning products and toiletries instead. Fortunately, there are many such products on the market, meaning that your home can be clean without harm. Plus, when you choose chemical-free cleaning products, you know you are helping do your little bit to help the environment!