A warning has been issued to households who use washing powder in their washing machine - because of the damage it causes to the environment and the risks to your own health. 

Detergents like the washing powders you use every time you do the laundry contain two key ingredients which kill wildlife and pollute waterways known as phosphates and surfactants, and they’re present in both biological and non-biological products, environmental experts have revealed. It means that every time you set your washing machine off, you could be flushing harmful chemicals into waterways, many of which are never filtered out and end up as pollution. Worse, many of the chemicals are also potentially harmful to human health too.

Environment website We Are Dip.co.uk says: “Laundry detergents, both bio vs non bio detergent, are staples in our daily routines, but their environmental impact cannot be overlooked.

“Traditional detergents, laden with harmful chemicals, such as phosphates and surfactants, pose a significant threat to our ecosystems.

“Our findings show that these substances, when washed away, find their way into water bodies, leading to pollution and endangering aquatic life.

“Chemicals found in detergents, such as phosphates, have been linked to a process called eutrophication.

“This phenomenon involves the excessive growth of algae due to nutrient-rich conditions, often caused by phosphates entering water bodies. As algae proliferate, they consume oxygen, leading to oxygen depletion in aquatic environments. This jeopardises the survival of aquatic species by disrupting the delicate balance of underwater ecosystems.”

Laundry experts Kind Laundry revealed that the chemicals aren’t just harmful to aquatic life either, but can have effects on human health as well, with a laundry list of problem additives.

They said: “Laundry detergent is far more than just a basic cleansing soap. It contains a huge number of harmful chemicals that have a serious impact on our environment. Some of the most concerning ones are:

1. Phosphates - linked to cardiovascular (heart) disease as well as osteoporosis. These toxins are particularly damaging to the marine environment when dispersed in wastewater from your wash.

2. Bleach - often used to brighten whites, its toxic fumes cause respiratory distress and on contact with skin and eyes it is able to cause caustic burns.

3. Formaldehyde - A chemical usually associated with the preservation of dead bodies. This toxic ingredient, as classified by the EPA, is a class B1 probable carcinogen. This means it has been linked with an increased risk of cancer. 

4. Ammonium Sulfate and Ammonium Quaternary Sanitizers - harsh cleansing agents that are corrosive and toxic. They can cause eye, skin and lung damage even with minimal exposure. 

5. Dioxane (1,4 Dioxane/Diethylene Dioxide/Diethylene Ether/Dioxan) is quite possibly one of the worst additives. Dioxane is also a carcinogen and has been known to pose a combustion risk. Exposure to this toxin can damage your kidneys, lungs, central nervous system, eyes, skin and respiratory function.”  

Now, households conscious of the impact washing their clothes may be having on themselves and the world are being asked to switch to phosphate-free products, use smaller amounts of detergent and adopt natural cleaning agents such as vinegar or baking soda instead.

Just Green Organic adds: “Efforts are underway to reduce phosphate use in household detergents but other harmful chemicals remain. You can reduce your household’s impact on water systems by choosing biodegradable and phosphate-free products. Additionally, using smaller amounts of detergent and adopting natural cleaning agents like vinegar or baking soda can further minimise harm.”