Detoxifying Clothing and Bedding: A Thorough Guide
By Branch Basics |
Your clothes should feel fresh and clean without the need for synthetic fragrances. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly wear clothes contaminated by chemicals — whether from new garments that haven’t been detoxified or those washed with conventional, chemical-laden laundry products and fabric softeners.
Brand new clothes, as well as those washed in regular detergents, harbor chemical residues that can be harmful to your health. These toxins aren’t just unpleasant; they can “outgas” (release chemicals) into the air and get absorbed by your skin.
With every wash, synthetic chemicals and dyes from conventional detergents embed themselves deeper into your clothes. Over time, your clothing becomes a significant source of exposure to harmful substances, which your body absorbs both through inhalation and direct contact with the skin.
Bright white clothes may seem appealing, but the whiteners responsible for that brightness are synthetic chemicals that are a by-product of industrial processes—and they can take a toll on your health. And while scented laundry products may seem pleasant, many contain neurotoxic and endocrine-disrupting fragrances.
Although you might not feel immediate effects, the long-term accumulation of these chemicals in your system can weaken your immune response and contribute to illness over time.
Detoxifying Clothing & Bedding
To eliminate these toxins, it's important to detoxify both new and previously washed clothing with natural, human-safe products. Sleeping on sheets or wearing clothes washed with conventional products only adds to your body's chemical burden, especially when your immune system should be resting and repairing at night.
A proper detoxification process can take several treatments, especially if fabric softeners or mold contaminants are present. Here's a recommended method to rid your clothes of these toxins.
Detoxification Materials
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Branch Basics Laundry Solution or Branch Basics Laundry Detergent
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Branch Basics - Oxygen Boost - booster and deodorizer
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Baking Soda – available at grocery stores; can be used as a booster and deodorizer.
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20 Mule Team Borax – available at grocery stores; can be used as a boost and for moldy or musty clothes.
Note: Borax kills mold. We only recommend the use of Borax if clothing is contaminated with mold and other methods have not worked. Double rinse clothes washed in Borax as some people experience skin irritation from this product.
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Sodium Sesquicarbonate – can be bought in bulk at a chemical supply company in your city (Lab Safety Supply, Science Lab)
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BOC (Biological Odor Control) by Medina – www.medina.com (1-830-426-3011). BOC neutralizes mycotoxins (the metabolic byproducts of mold that many people react to.) It will not kill mold, but slows it down and reduces odors. BOC is made up of algae (biological base of all their products) and is used in hydrocarbon degradation, chemical decontamination, VOC decontamination, etc. This product must be used with cold water.
Directions
- Hang clothes out in the sun. Turn them inside out to minimize fading. Lay out on flat surface if possible. This will help to outgas the synthetic chemicals from the clothes. Ideally, keep sunning until all smell is gone or almost gone.
- Don't underestimate the power of the sun. You can save wear and tear on your clothes and cut down the number of times you have to wash them if you partner with the sunshine.
- Note: Many times new clothes can be completely outgassed just by sunning.
- Take sheets or clothes and place in a big sink or top loading washing machine and cover with cold water (or hot water if appropriate for the fabric).
- Let soak several hours, all day, or overnight with the following:
- 1 capful Branch Basics Laundry Solution or 1 scoop Branch Basics Laundry Detergent
- 2 scoops Oxygen Boost
- 1 – 2 small boxes baking soda - helps deodorize
- ½ – 1 cup Borax - if clothes are moldy or musty (We only recommend the use of Borax if clothing is contaminated with mold and other methods have not worked. Double rinse clothes washed in Borax as some people experience skin irritation from this product.)
- ¼ - ½ cup Sodium Sesquicarbonate
- Note: Using the baking soda and borax combination or Sodium Sesquicarbonate (bought in bulk) above is probably the most inexpensive way to go.
- Wash and double rinse sheets or clothes in the morning.
- 1 – 2 cups BOC – Soak overnight in cold water (hot water kills the enzyme action)
- Wash in the morning with Branch Basics Laundry Solution and Oxygen Boost or Branch Basics Laundry Detergent
To decrease your exposure to toxic dryer sheets and fabric softeners, check out the benefits of wool dryer balls.
A Final Word on Detoxifying Clothes & Bedding
Fully detoxified clothes will be scent-free, which is a sign that harmful chemicals are gone. If you’ve been using standard laundry detergents, it may take several cycles to fully detoxify your garments, especially if fabric softeners were used. Patience and persistence are key—continue washing and sunning them until all odors disappear.
For those who are chemically sensitive, ensure proper ventilation when drying detoxified clothing to prevent chemical fumes from circulating indoors.
Pro Tip: If you've used conventional detergents on items like undergarments, we recommend washing them at least four consecutive times before wearing them again.
Ready to Switch?
Now that you know how to detoxify your clothes, ensure you are using human-safe laundry detergent moving forward! This simple switch makes a huge impact on our indoor air quality and overall health.
At Branch Basics, we have two safe and effective laundry products to choose from.
Our Laundry Detergent powder is incredibly convenient and simple to use, requiring just one scoop per load with no additional products needed. It also performs well in cold water, saving energy and preserving fabric integrity.
Secondly, our Concentrate Laundry Solution uses our liquid Concentrate model, where you mix water with the Concentrate in a Laundry Solution bottle and add a scoop of our Oxygen Boost for extra cleaning power. We do recommend this product for the extremely chemically sensitive and chemically injured.
Choose the option that best fits your laundry routine and needs!
Related Reads
1. Why Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent is Better for Your Health
