“Why should you care about greening your laundry? For starters, many of the chemicals found in common laundry products are hazardous to both humans and the environment (and many more have not been thoroughly tested for safety). Any product that clothing is exposed to – including detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets – coats the fabrics in residues that inevitably come in contact with skin. Effects of direct or airborne exposure to these pollutants can include headaches, dizziness, respiratory issues, and even cancer. Chemicals from these products can also contaminate soil and groundwater after entering the sewer system, and are toxic to marine life.
Disappointingly, products labeled “green,” “natural,” or “organic” have been found to emit just as many dangerous chemicals as standard consumer goods. Many of these chemicals are considered carcinogenic and contribute to air pollution. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor pollution from cleaning products is likely to be hazardous to health, but there are no federally enforceable standards for their use in the home.”