They’re also typically free of other potentially harmful substances like laureth-6, laureth-7, C12-16 pareth, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). While those chemicals aren’t dangerous on their own, their production can form 1,4-dioxane, he says.
“Parents should try to choose detergents that don’t have these chemicals, or choose detergents that have been tested and found to be free of 1,4-dioxane,” says Boring, who led a CR 2023 examination into the presence of potentially dangerous chemicals in five laundry detergents.
None of the five, which included two conventional detergents and three marketed as “safe” or “gentle,” had concerning levels of any of the chemicals we looked for. Those included 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, phosphorus, and the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
Boring recommends that parents use laundry detergents labeled phthalate-free and fragrance-free. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, and many scented detergents (which typically contain phthalates) are potential allergens, he says. He also warns consumers to be wary of labels that list the generic term “fragrance.”
“If a detergent lists fragrance, then make sure the individual chemicals that make up the fragrance are also listed,” Boring says. If ingredients aren’t listed on the product website or by a consumer advocacy group, consumers can call the manufacturer’s customer service number and inquire further.
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