The Dirty Truth About Clean Laundry
We think of laundry as clean—fresh towels, crisp sheets, and that familiar “clean laundry” smell. But some of the products we use to create that freshness may also add unnecessary chemicals to our indoor environment.
The good news? You don't have to overhaul your laundry room overnight. A few simple swaps can help reduce everyday exposures while still keeping your clothes fresh and clean. 🌱
WHAT'S HIDING IN YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM?
Laundry detergents, scent boosters, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and stain sprays can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals into the air. Researchers have even found that freshly washed clothing can continue releasing VOCs as it dries indoors.
Why does this matter? Exposure to chemicals found in cleaning and fragranced products has been associated with airway irritation, wheezing, asthma, rhinitis, skin irritation, and other respiratory concerns. Some cleaning-product ingredients, including certain phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and cyclosiloxanes, have also raised concerns for their potential endocrine-disrupting effects. Children may be particularly vulnerable to household chemical exposures because their bodies and respiratory systems are still developing.
Research also shows that cleaning activities can change the levels of VOCs and other chemicals inside our homes—and those changes can linger even after we're finished cleaning.
This doesn't mean one load of laundry is going to make you sick. It's about reducing repeated, unnecessary exposure when easy alternatives are available.
7 SIMPLE LAUNDRY SWAPS
1. Ditch the dryer sheets.→ Swap them for 100% wool dryer balls.
2. Skip the scent boosters. → Clean doesn't need to smell like perfume. Try fragrance-free laundry instead.
3. Simplify your detergent. → Choose a fragrance-free detergent with simpler ingredients and use only the amount you need.
4. Rethink fabric softener. → Wool dryer balls can help soften and separate clothes naturally.
5. Go fragrance-free. → Look for products labeled fragrance-free, not simply “unscented.”
6. Ventilate your laundry space. → Open a window or improve airflow when possible, especially when drying clothing indoors.
7. Want a little natural fragrance? 🌿 → Instead of adding essential oils directly to the washer or heated dryer, try 1–2 drops of lavender essential oil on a reusable cotton sachet placed with linens after they're completely dry. Skip fragrance altogether around anyone with fragrance sensitivities.
5 BRANDS TO EXPLORE 🌱
If you're ready to make some swaps, you don't have to figure it all out yourself. Here are five brands with fragrance-free or simplified laundry options worth exploring:
Molly's Suds — Laundry powders and other laundry products, including unscented options.
Branch Basics — Fragrance-free laundry and household cleaning products.
Seventh Generation — Widely available Free & Clear laundry options, including products meeting EPA Safer Choice criteria.
ECOS — Plant-forward laundry products with Free & Clear options.
AspenClean — Laundry and household cleaning products with fragrance-free options.
Tip: Don't rely on the word “natural” alone. Look for fragrance-free options and independent certifications such as EPA Safer Choice when available.
START WITH ONE SIMPLE SWAP
Creating a healthier home doesn't have to happen overnight. When your detergent runs out, try a fragrance-free option. Replace dryer sheets with wool dryer balls. Skip the scent beads. Open a window.
One product. One habit. One load at a time. Small changes can help reduce unnecessary chemical exposures—and your laundry will still come out clean. 🌱
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