Having a simple non-toxic laundry routine is one of the best ways to improve our health. Our laundry is one of the things that touches our bodies all day, every day — yet it’s often one of the last areas we think about when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. This is a topic that I am very passionate about spreading awareness and helping others detox and heal.
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For years, I had no idea how much my laundry routine was impacting my health. Now, after walking through autoimmune disease, chronic migraines, infertility, healing my gut microbiome, and a deep focus on non-toxic living, I truly believe that switching to a non-toxic laundry routine is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to support your health and the health of those around you. This is especially important to us as we have a baby on the way and want to reduce their exposure to the harmful chemicals in most laundry soaps and fabric softeners.
This post isn’t about fear or perfection. It’s about education, empowerment, and grace, because every small swap does matter for your health and the health of everyone around you. I hope this guide can be a helpful starting point for you to live a healthier, less toxic life.
If you’re just beginning your non-toxic living journey, this laundry swap pairs beautifully with my 3 Simple Steps to Detox Your Home (Beginner’s Guide) — it’s a gentle place to start without feeling overwhelmed.
Why a Non-Toxic Laundry Routine Is So Important:
Our skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it truly matters. Laundry detergents and fabric softeners coat our clothing, bedding, and towels — the very fabrics pressed against our skin day and night.
But the exposure doesn’t stop there.
Many conventional laundry products contain synthetic fragrance chemicals like phthalates, which don’t just stay in the wash. They can “off-gas” into the air we breathe and cling to clothing, hair, skin, and even pet fur. This means the impact can extend beyond our own home and affect those around us, oftentimes, long after the laundry has been washed.
Many conventional (and even “greenwashed”) laundry products contain:
- Fragrance
- Phthalates
- Endocrine disruptors (harmful to hormone function and reproductive health)
- Skin and respiratory irritants
- and many other chemicals that are harmful to our health
These chemicals don’t simply rinse away. Many are formulated to bind to fabrics for long-lasting scent or softness, leading to prolonged skin contact and ‘off-gassing’. Over time, this repeated exposure can contribute to skin irritation, headaches, respiratory symptoms, hormonal imbalance, and increased strain on the liver, immune system, endocrine system, gut microbiome, and lymphatic system.
For me personally, reducing this constant chemical exposure has been a key part of keeping my autoimmune disease in remission and reducing migraines, inflammation, and skin irritation.
Just like what we put on our skin matters, so does what we cook with and eat from daily. If you’re looking to take the next step, I also share how we’ve simplified things in our home in my Detoxing Your Kitchen post.
Grace Over Perfection When Switching to a Non-Toxic Laundry Routine:
If you’re new to non-toxic living, I want you to hear this clearly: you don’t need to change everything at once.
Every small step sends a message to your body and to corporations, that we want better, safer options. We do the best we can with what we have, within our means, and that is more than enough.
I’ve learned that a natural laundry routine doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. In fact, simple ingredients often work better and are far more affordable.
What to Watch Out For in Conventional & ‘Greenwashed’ Laundry Products:
Marketing has done an incredible job convincing us that clean equals strongly scented. But fragrance does not mean clean, and in many cases, it simply masks underlying odors rather than removing them.
Fragrance & Phthalates
“Fragrance” is a blanket term that can hide thousands of undisclosed chemicals, including carcinogens linked to cancers, neurotoxins, and even phthalates, which are known endocrine (hormone) disruptors that cling to fabrics, hair, skin, furniture, and even pet fur.
These chemicals are so persistent that simply visiting a home that heavily uses fragrance-based laundry products can leave that scent on your clothing and trigger symptoms for sensitive individuals.
Now that my body has detoxed from regular exposure, I can often feel the impact quickly — through migraines, nausea, joint stiffness, inflammation, and even autoimmune flares. One practice that has helped me build resilience and recover faster from occasional exposures is using a castor oil pack at night to support my liver. If you’re on a healing journey, this has been an incredibly supportive tool for me, and I share more about it in my Castor Oil Packs for Healing post.
Common Ingredients to Watch For on Labels
This is not an exhaustive list (that would be a very long post of its own), but here are some of the most common ingredients I personally avoid:
- Fragrance / Parfum
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- SLS or SLES (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate)
- Optical Brighteners
If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, don’t recognize it, or can’t quickly understand what it does — that’s often a sign to pause and research before purchasing or just avoid it altogether. The EWG has a cleaning product ingredient checker, just type the ingredient in and you can see it’s rating.
Laundry products don’t need to contain complicated chemical cocktails to work effectively.
Endocrine Disruptors & Hormone Health
Hormones regulate nearly every function in the body from metabolism and mood to fertility and immune response. Many conventional laundry products contain ingredients that interfere with this delicate system, impacting our overall wellness.
When exposure happens occasionally, our bodies are resilient. But when fabrics coated in these chemicals are pressed against our skin day and night, the cumulative effect can become significant over time.
A Quick Word on Greenwashing:
Terms like:
- “Free & Clear”
- “All Natural”
- “Non-Toxic”
- “Eco-Friendly”
…are not tightly regulated in the cleaning industry. These phrases can create a sense of safety, even when the ingredient list tells a different story.
A resource like EWG can be helpful when researching product safety. But ultimately, learning to read labels yourself is one of the most empowering steps you can take.
And this is exactly why I prefer keeping my non-toxic laundry routine incredibly simple — which I’ll share below.
My Simple Non-Toxic Laundry Routine:
This routine is straightforward, effective, and easy to maintain. Laundry truly does not need to be complicated to be clean.
Washing: Choosing a Truly Non-Toxic Detergent
We use Pronounce Labs Laundry Powder because of their transparency and genuinely simple ingredient list. Nothing hidden. Nothing unnecessary. Just ingredients you can understand.
They offer lavender, lemon, peppermint, and unscented options. The scent is subtle and natural, not overpowering, and it cleans wonderfully. We’ve been consistently impressed with how well it performs without synthetic fragrance and other harsh chemicals.
Skip Conventional Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners are often some of the biggest offenders when it comes to synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and unnecessary chemical additives.
Instead, we keep it very simple:
- Organic white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser
- Occasionally a few drops of high-quality essential oil
That’s it.
And don’t worry, your clothes will not smell like vinegar. They’ll simply feel soft and clean.
When I do use essential oils, I choose high-quality, organic options. I personally love sourcing ours from Mountain Rose Herbs because of their purity standards and transparency.
Drying: Keep It Simple
- Wool dryer balls (with optional essential oils)
- Hang drying when possible
We use wool dryer balls to naturally soften fabrics and reduce static. They’re a simple swap that makes a noticeable difference.
We also hang dry many items to help our fabrics last longer. In warmer months, hanging linens outside is especially wonderful. The sunlight naturally helps lift stains and freshen fabrics in the most beautiful, simple way.
A Note About Detoxing Your Laundry
If you’ve been using fragrance-based detergents, it can take several washes to fully remove built-up phthalates from your clothing.
Be patient with the process. Mixing heavily fragranced items with freshly washed ones can cause transfer, this is normal and temporary.
How a Non-Toxic Laundry Routine Supports Whole-Body Health
Many people notice improvements in:
- Migraines and headaches
- Skin irritation and rashes
- Respiratory symptoms
- Hormonal balance
- Inflammation and autoimmune symptoms
Reducing toxic exposure isn’t about controlling everything, it’s about removing what doesn’t need to be there.
A non-toxic laundry routine doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about returning to simplicity and choosing products that support your health rather than undermine it.
Every swap matters. Every choice sends a message. And every step toward cleaner living is an act of stewardship over the body you’ve been gifted.
If this post encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you, and if you’re just beginning, know that you’re doing a beautiful thing for your health and the health of those around you simply by starting this non-toxic laundry journey 🤍
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