#earthclean

There’s nothing in the world like snuggling with your newborn baby. Their tiny hands and fingers are so delicate, and their skin is completely soft, untouched by the sun and outside environment.

As a parent, you do everything in your power to protect that soft skin, knowing it’s delicate and sensitive.  You use special soap and lotion specially formulated for babies, usually fragrance-free.  And then you make sure to put soft, clean clothes on your little one.

So it’s only natural that you would want to wash your infant’s clothing in products that protect your baby’s skin and are free from harsh chemicals and additives.  Unfortunately, the majority of cleaners on the market today are fraught with chemicals, which are not only harmful to the earth but also your newborn’s skin.

While conventional laundry products may have names like “fresh baby powder scent”, they usually contain chemicals that can emit up to 25 VOCs (volatile organic compounds), 7 of which are classified as hazardous air pollutants.

Surprisingly, the laundry room may be one of the most toxic rooms in your home, as dry vents can emit VOCs when scented conventional detergents and dryer sheets are used.   This can be particularly dangerous when dryers do not vent to the outside or are blocked.

As parents, shopping for safe detergents can be challenging, especially since manufacturers are not required to list all of their ingredients Many of them are derived from petrochemicals, and even “fragrance free” products can contain synthetic fragrances.

Most detergents also contain optical brighteners, that emit blue light, giving the optical illusion that white clothes look even whiter. They are designed to stay in your clothes even after washing and rinsing, often causing skin irritation.  These optical brighteners can be toxic to marine life and decompose slowly.

Fabric softeners are also designed to stay in your clothes, which means that lingering scents and softness come with the high price of skin irritation and a lingering rash.

By paying close attention to the products you are laundering with, whether purchasing organic brands with no additives or finding natural ways to clean your clothing, such as with castile soap, vinegar or a homemade soda cleaner concoction of your own, you can ensure that your baby’s soft, unmarked skin will stay that way.