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Some time ago I discovered a toxic ingredient present in washing detergents, fabric softeners and many other products. It’s often labeled as ‘Parfum’ or ‘Fragrance’ on the ingredients list. As I avoid chemicals with potential risk every way I can, I looked deeper into what it really is. The name reveals very little of its true chemical ingredients and the potential danger it carries. In Australia, our official authority on product labelling, Standards Australia, permits any manufacturer to use the name ‘Fragrance or Parfum’, when in fact, the unnamed ingredient is ‘Phthalates’. Phthalates are responsible for that almost apple or slightly sea breeze or vainly vanilla or just that generic perfume smell and it is a group of chemicals I want to avoid.
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics soft and flexible. They’re present in many products, including cosmetics (shampoos, perfumes etc), solvents and toys. While modern regulations have restricted diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in toys since February 2011 some will slip through the cracks, so its good to be aware. While every individual has a different sensitivity to chemicals based on our age, pre-exposure and health, the Australian government does detect a risk to children, but not the general public. Some research has found high exposure to Phthalates to cause damage to the reproductive system. More info can be found here.
So what’s the alternative? How do we make our home-made alternatives smell nice if we don’t have ‘parfum’? Essential oils are the solution. These are the pure essence of a myriad of different plants, extracted so that we can enjoy both the sensual and therapeutic effects of plants and flowers. The Self Seed Green Cleaning Guide has 6 pages of recipes including a list of basic supplies and the best essential oils for cleaning. If you are living in the Northern Rivers you may like to come along to the Self Seed Green Cleaning Workshop 6-pm, Wednesday 25 November - more details and book here.
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics soft and flexible. They’re present in many products, including cosmetics (shampoos, perfumes etc), solvents and toys. While modern regulations have restricted diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in toys since February 2011 some will slip through the cracks, so its good to be aware. While every individual has a different sensitivity to chemicals based on our age, pre-exposure and health, the Australian government does detect a risk to children, but not the general public. Some research has found high exposure to Phthalates to cause damage to the reproductive system. More info can be found here.
So what’s the alternative? How do we make our home-made alternatives smell nice if we don’t have ‘parfum’? Essential oils are the solution. These are the pure essence of a myriad of different plants, extracted so that we can enjoy both the sensual and therapeutic effects of plants and flowers. The Self Seed Green Cleaning Guide has 6 pages of recipes including a list of basic supplies and the best essential oils for cleaning. If you are living in the Northern Rivers you may like to come along to the Self Seed Green Cleaning Workshop 6-pm, Wednesday 25 November - more details and book here.
A much safer ingredient in laundry products is Washing Soda (or sodium carbonate). Do you know this ingredient is next to harmless, is the main ingredient in all washing powders and you can buy it in its raw form for a third of the price of most washing powders? You’ll find it somewhere on a low shelf in the laundry area of the supermarket, the company that makes it doesn’t have a budget for bright packaging and eye level shelf-placement, but you can find it. Grab some of this, some soap, some water and your favourite essential oil and you are in for a low-cost treat.
Basic Laundry Gel
4 Cups water
1/3 cup grated pure soap flakes
¼ cup washing soda
4 drops Lemon Myrtle or other essential oil
Dissolve soap flakes in boiling water, mix and part cool. Stir in remaining ingredients, cool and pour into storage container. Use ¼ cup per average load, ½ cup for large or heavily soiled load.
More information on toxins in Australia see the National Toxics Network: www.ntn.org.au.
Basic Laundry Gel
4 Cups water
1/3 cup grated pure soap flakes
¼ cup washing soda
4 drops Lemon Myrtle or other essential oil
Dissolve soap flakes in boiling water, mix and part cool. Stir in remaining ingredients, cool and pour into storage container. Use ¼ cup per average load, ½ cup for large or heavily soiled load.
More information on toxins in Australia see the National Toxics Network: www.ntn.org.au.
Alice Moffett, founder of Self Seed lives in Lennox Head, in northern NSW loves to write, share and collaborate. She provides professional services in sustainability education, community engagement, project and event management and business development.