Ecological detergents: the natural alternative

With modern cleaning products the floors, tiles or cabinets are shiny; the glasses, transparent, and the clothes, white and perfumed. The problem is that some of its ingredients they are not harmless to the body nor for nature.

Instead, the detergents made with ecological criteria They use raw materials of vegetable origin that are much safer for health and do not affect the purity of the water as much.

The usual harmful substances

Before World War II Domestic cleaning was done with soap and water made by hand from animal or vegetable fat that was mixed with caustic soda. An example was Marseille soap or Castile soap, which are still appreciated today.

In the middle of the 20th century, the chemical industry revolutionized the world of cleaning with a mixture of ingredients as novel and effective as contaminants.

The surfactants or surfactants They are the active cleaning substances because they increase the capacity of water to dissolve grease and all kinds of dirt. First, benzene derivatives that were not biodegradable and produced very harmful effects were used. They were replaced by the linear alkyl sulfonateswhich are less toxic and break down more easily, but are also not completely safe.

The protagonists of the current “anti-grease miracle” have their origin in the petrochemical industry and when they are released into the environment are toxic to plants and animals. They even enter our food chain, since the sludge from the municipal treatment plants where it accumulates is transformed into agricultural fertilizer.

The first industrial detergents They contained a lot of phosphates, some compounds that increase the ability of water to penetrate the stains, but when they reach the rivers or the sea cause uncontrolled growth of algae. This phenomenon is known as eutrophication and culminates in the so-called red or green tides.

The phosphates they have been disappearing from laundry formulations, but are still used in dishwashers and other cleaning products. They are often substituted with other phosphorus-based compounds that are also a problem for the environment.

In addition to surfactants and phosphatesToday’s detergents contain other compounds that reinforce their effect, such as carbonates and perborates, enzymes, bleaches, foaming agents, dyes, preservatives, aromas… Almost all of these substances have small or large drawbacks.

For example, the optical brighteners based on chlorine are toxic and accumulate in the body and ecosystems. Enzymes can irritate eyes and skin, especially for sensitive people.

antibacterial agents such as triclosan are practically useless –they do not reduce the risk of infection more than washing with another product–, however they favor the appearance of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and therefore pose a significant threat to health.

Perfumes and other additives such as preservatives and dyes can cause allergies, alter the hormonal system or sensitize the nervous systemas happens to people who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome.

The authorities have been reducing the maximum allowances for some ingredients, but the detergents current ones are far from being healthy or innocuous.

The natural alternative

The alternative are the ecological detergents made from renewable raw materials.

The surfactants that are obtained from vegetable fats and sugars they degrade better and are less toxic than those obtained from petroleum. They do not contain phosphates, other phosphorus derivatives, optical brighteners, aromas, preservatives or synthetic colourings.

Peter Malaise, CTO of Ecover, a Belgian company that pioneered ecological detergentsensures that no product manufactured by them produces a known persistent effect on the environment or human health. They are not completely innocuous – they cannot be eaten or drunk! – but the laundry water, after decanting for a while, could be used for irrigation.

In addition, the committed manufacturers They do not stop perfecting the production process to avoid substances and techniques that imply any presence of polluting residues in the product or their release into nature.

It is often said that the ecological detergents They are not as effective as conventional ones. That may have been the case decades ago with the first generation of green products, but independent analysis indicates that while they produce less foam, they remove stains just as effectively.

If it seems that they do not get such a pure white on clothes, it is because we are used to the effect of whiteners with fluorescent properties that increase the reflections of bluish light on garments. But that is not cleaning but a optical illusion.

Two types of certification

ecocert offers two levels of guarantees. First, “Natural Detergents”, guarantees the use of truly biodegradable ingredients and allows the use of some synthetic ingredients up to 5% of the composition. The second, “Natural Detergents made with Organic Ingredients”requires that at least 10% of the ingredients come from organic farming.

market options

The offer of ecological detergents has multiplied. The pioneering European brands have been joined by national manufacturers of a excellent quality.

biobel. It is the line of ecological products of the Castellón company Jabones Beltrán, founded in 1922. Its washing machine soap is completely phosphate free and petroleum-derived ingredients. It is the first Spanish company to obtain the Ecocert seal for detergents and it even has a range of products suitable for people with multiple chemical sensitivities. cover. This veteran Belgian manufacturer has an extensive range of products to cover all needs. Their goal for 2020 is to use 100% recycled plastic in all their bottles and they are also testing new biodegradable alternatives. Warehouse and equipment. Both brands belong to the firm Hedera Natur. They have the certification for “clean detergents” from the Italian Association of Organic Agriculture. The Bio2 line is designed to people with sensitivity to chemicals. Sodasan. offers a wide range of productsfrom detergents for washing machines and dishwashers to products for the bathroom, some with Ecocert endorsement. Ecotech. This manufacturer from Alicante offers laundry and dish detergents that have the European Ecological Label. Ulrich. It does not display any certification, but is committed to natural ingredients and eco-friendly methods. No phosphates, enzymes, bleaches or harsh acids. They sell some products in bulk. Talybe. The surfactants of this Italian brand are made from coconut oil from social farms and sustainable. It has the rather strict ICEA endorsement, which authorizes phosphonates. sonett. Made in Germany following the anthroposophical line, like Weleda and Dr. Hauschka cosmetics or food. Its processes and ingredients they respect the vital and cosmic rhythms. All ingredients are 100% biodegradable and are free of synthetic perfumes, dyes and preservatives. attitude. A Canadian brand with the North American EcoLogo certification, less demanding than Ecocert.

In addition to choosing the detergent well, it is worth rethink why we use so many cleaning products or why we wash our clothes so often, when they could just be aired or brushed.

There is also no reason to use a program with hot water and more detergent than recommended. Enough with modify cleaning habits to avoid environmental and health problems, in addition to saving money, energy and natural resources.