Despite thorough rinsing, conventional detergents tend to leave behind a residue on both our clothes and dishes. Now, while this may seem like a minor inconvenience for adults, it can pose a serious threat to little ones with delicate immune systems.
(Picture it: it's akin to serving up a gulp of chemical detergent to our beloved kiddos)
Until recently, we didn't have many alternatives to these chemical-laden detergents. But now, enter natural mineral-based detergents, offering us a safe haven from the potential risks associated with their synthetic counterparts.
But here's a heads-up: overloading your laundry with detergent won't necessarily boost its cleaning power. Instead, it might just leave more residue behind, which can irritate your skin.
And speaking of skin irritation, let's delve into the ingredients. Apart from the surfactants, detergents are packed with an array of chemicals like sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hypochlorite, and trichloroethylene. When these substances come into contact with your skin through your clothes, they can trigger chemical irritation. Take sodium tripolyphosphate, for instance – it's highly alkaline and prolonged exposure can even lead to respiratory issues. Sodium hypochlorite, on the other hand, doubles as an insecticide and can cause chemical burns. And let's not forget trichloroethylene, classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, which you definitely want to steer clear of. When these components cling onto your garments and irritate your skin, they mess with your skin's lipid barrier and might just kickstart a bout of contact dermatitis, possibly escalating into eczema or rashes.
Now, onto dish duty. Using an excess of kitchen detergent can result in unwittingly ingesting leftover residues clinging onto your dishes. Continued exposure to surfactants might compromise your immune system and damage your mucous membranes. Kids, in particular, face an increased risk of developing conditions like atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
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