There is no legal or standard definition of what makes a detergent “eco-friendly,” “biodegradable,” or “non-toxic”-“this ‘greenwashing’ is often just a marketing ploy,” says Swanson. Swanson adds that halogenated organic compounds are harmful to the environment as well as ethoxylated surfactants-“they can be contaminated with high levels of 1,4-dioxane, which also does not readily degrade in the environment.” There’s also quaternary ammonium (or quats), another potential aquatic toxicant that’s often found in laundry detergents that double as fabric softeners.Īnd while fragrance often leaves our clothes fresher smelling, Swanson says “certain fragrances and synthetic musks can be aquatic toxicants and can also release harmful volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere,” adding, “VOCs can deplete the ozone and directly and indirectly contribute to climate change.” If you want to avoid the harmful impact certain fragrances may have on the environment, consider purchasing fragrance-free products. But what you can do is select products that have as little of them as possible. Unfortunately, many laundry detergents contain aquatic toxicants, and it might seem impossible to avoid them. Common ingredients you might want to avoid, include methylisothiazolinone and benzothiazolinone, which are “aquatic toxicants,” according to Swanson.
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