Why Non-Toxic Dishwashing Is So Important
By Marilee Nelson |
Did you know that dishwasher detergents are a leading cause of childhood poisoning in the United States?
Given that risk, it’s a wonder so many of us keep our dishwashing detergents under the sink. Yet, when you see the ads and beautifully packaged detergents in the stores, you’d think everything is safe. The bottom line - it is essential that dishwashing products (even if non-toxic) are not accessible to children!
Why Automatic Dishwashing Detergents (ADDs) Are So Toxic
Ingesting synthetic soaps is never a good thing. However, ingestion of dishwashing detergents, specifically automatic dishwashing detergents (the kind that go in your dishwasher) is especially harmful because of the concentrated nature of the caustic chemicals.
Per Poison Control: “The same ingredients that make ADDs so effective against fats, proteins, and other types of food grime also make them dangerous if they are swallowed, inhaled, or come into contact with eyes or skin. These special qualities of ADDs make them strong irritants capable of causing chemical burns. Whether someone swallows some ADD, gets it on their skin or eyes, or inhales it, the resulting effects depend on three important factors: the product itself, the amount, and the duration of exposure."
Chemicals Of Concern In Common Dishwasher Detergents
Firstly, the alkaline chemicals used in dishwasher detergents are corrosive in nature, which makes them caustic to skin, tissue, and internal organs. Liquid detergents are the worst, and can have an alkalinity as high as 13, making them extremely dangerous. The more “concentrated” the detergent, the more toxic it’s likely to be.
In addition, many conventional and even “naturally derived” dishwashing detergents may contain other harmful chemicals that release toxic VOCs into your home's air during the cleaning cycle and may even leave residues on your dishes. For example:
- Fragrance chemicals emit VOCs that are asthmagens (cause asthma), neurotoxins (impact our ability to think, process emotions, and move), obesogens (make us gain weight regardless of what we eat or how much we exercise), carcinogenic (cause cancer), and endocrine disruptors (impact our hormones). They are designed to “cling to” surfaces and therefore may leave residues on your cleaned dishes.
- Phthalates that are endocrine-disruptors and can cause DNA damage and lower IQ.
- Emissions from harmful chemicals that contain VOCs and SVOCs increase when heated and are associated with “sick building syndrome”.
- Formaldehyde-releasing agents that act as preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin, etc., are carcinogenic.
3 - Surfactants like Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) which have been banned in other countries (but not the United States) due to disrupted physical function and fetal development.
4 They are also toxic to aquatic life. 5 - PEGs/polysorbates can contain carcinogenic chemicals like 1,4-dioxane.
6 - Ethoxylated ingredients may contain toxic byproducts such as 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which are linked to developmental issues, cancers, and are environmental toxins.
7 - Antimicrobial agents from the isothiazolinone family, such as methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone, are neurotoxic and linked to lung, skin, and eye irritation.
8 - Dyes are problematic because they contain many different potentially harmful chemicals, they are absorbed through the skin, and are often not listed on labels. Plus, they can make a detergent more appealing to a child, increasing the risk of poisoning.
- ... and sadly many more!
How to Choose a Safer Dishwashing Detergent
Fortunately, most dishwasher detergents do list their ingredients clearly on the labels. The toxic red flags we've listed above should be fairly easy to spot.
And thankfully, these days it's so easy to become your own product advocate if there are ingredient names you don’t recognize. You can also hop onto the Environmental Working Group’s app and scan the detergent or look it up by name. From there, it will give you a toxicity rating (A-F) you can trust. There’s a direct link to their dishwasher detergent rankings page here. Given all the things we have to remember these days, a tool like EWG can be a lifesaver!
Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets
Our Dishwasher Tabs were inspired by the non-toxic ingredients in the Concentrate and Oxygen Boost to provide a superior clean without harmful chemicals. They are free of any fragrance, sulfates, formaldehyde, ethoxylates, chlorine, phosphates, phthalates, and plastic film. Our small but mighty tablet was formulated with effective plant and mineral-based ingredients that work together to leave your dishes sparkling and free of chemical residues. Try them today for a safe, superior clean!
Marilee Nelson
Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.
