Posted By: Truly Free Home
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Posted On: 8/18/2025
When it comes to laundry detergent, most people stick with what their family grew up using—whether that’s powder laundry detergent or liquid laundry soap—without thinking much about it.
But here’s the truth: the type of laundry detergent you choose can impact more than just how your clothes look and smell. It can affect your clothes washer’s performance, the air in your home, and even your family’s health.
That’s why the conversation shouldn’t just be “powder detergent vs. liquid detergent.” It should also be “toxic vs. non-toxic laundry detergent.” And when you stack the pros and cons side-by-side, Truly Free Home’s plant-powered Laundry Wash is the clear winner.
Here’s why this non-toxic laundry wash switch matters.
Back in the day, soap was the only option for washing clothes. Until laundry powder came onto the scene. Known as the OG of laundry detergent, powder formulas were the first modern-day cleaner available to mass markets.
Powder detergent was a game-changer, too. All of a sudden, moms across the country could treat stains and get clothes cleaner.
The problem? Even those initial laundry solutions were powered by synthetic, petroleum-based ingredients.
Sure, laundry powder is a shelf-stable, easy-to-store option that’s effective at treating spots. But here are some of the cons… and the risks of powder laundry detergent.
Laundry powders have a reputation for building up in septic systems and clogging up washing machines. The reason? Laundry powder doesn’t completely dissolve, especially in cold cycles. In fact, it’s likely to leave white residue on your clothes and in the washer. And that’s just the residue you can see.
Most big-name laundry powder formulas contain toxic synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, toxic chemical surfactants, formaldehyde, phosphates, and 1,4-dioxane.
Here’s a breakdown of why these ingredients are so problematic:
Toxic Synthetic Fragrances. Companies aren’t required to disclose what’s in fragrance or “parfum” ingredients—a lack of regulation that’s referred to as the “fragrance loophole.” According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a fragrance label is masking toxic chemicals linked to a range of health issues, including allergies, skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and even cancer.
Optical Brighteners. This compound doesn’t actually do anything to brighten or whiten your clothes. Instead, fluorescent whitening agents (read toxic chemicals) absorb ultraviolet light and reemit it as blue light, which tricks your eyes into thinking your clothes are whiter or brighter, when they aren’t at all. Since these molecules stick to your laundry, they can cause skin irritation and trigger allergic reactions.
Chemical surfactants. Used to boost cleaning power, common chemical surfactants in laundry detergent include sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can cause skin irritation, as well as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), which are linked to endocrine disruption.
Formaldehyde. I don’t need to tell you that formaldehyde has no business in your laundry powder, but unfortunately, it has been found in household products, including—you guessed it—detergent. Even low-level exposure to this carcinogen can lead to respiratory problems, skin and nose irritation, and headaches, while long-term exposure is associated with increased risk of cancer.
1,4 Dioxane. Another known carcinogen (and neurotoxin!), this compound is the result of the chemical process of creating ethoxylated surfactants used in laundry powders. Since it’s not an intentionally added ingredient, you’ll never see it listed on a label. That doesn’t mean it’s not harmful, though. In a study on rats, 1,4-dioxane increased the risk of benign and malignant tumors.
When you think about it, laundry powder’s biggest problem isn’t performance; it’s the toxins inside—and what it leaves behind.
Truly Free Home’s non-toxic Laundry Wash gives you everything you want from a laundry detergent—powerful stain removal, long-lasting freshness, and fabric care—without any of the harsh chemicals or residue of traditional laundry powder.
Instead of coating your clothes in silicones, fragrances, and brighteners, our plant-based liquid laundry wash formula washes completely clean, leaving nothing behind except soft, fresh-smelling fabrics. That means no toxic laundry detergent chemical residue on your skin, no buildup in your washer, and no invisible film wearing down your clothes over time.
And while our advanced Quadrasalt Technology tackles tough stains (think grass, sweat, coffee, and even cloth diaper messes), our all-natural formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin, babies, and pregnancy. It’s also a biodegradable, environmentally friendly laundry wash, safe for septic systems, and formulated without chlorine bleach, phosphates, optical brighteners, parabens, phthalates, or 1,4-dioxane.
When you choose Truly Free Home Laundry Wash, you’re not just trying to pick the best natural laundry detergent; you’re making a conscious choice to protect your family’s health, extend the life of your clothes, and reduce your environmental impact.
That’s why this switch to a non-toxic laundry wash matters—and why 500,000+ have already made this transformative swap. Are you in?
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