The Wash Cycle: Rethinking Laundry for Healthier Living

As a mom, I’ll be honest, laundry was always just another never-ending chore on my list. Toss the clothes in, add detergent, hit start, and move on with the day. I never really stopped to think about what was actually in that detergent. After all, how harmful could something that makes our clothes smell fresh and look clean really be? But what I’ve since learned surprised me: some of those unpronounceable ingredients could be behind things we’d never expect; from unexplained skin irritations and inflammation to even long-term health risks we rarely connect back to something as simple as laundry day.

At Escentialz, we believe that what goes on (and stays in) your clothes matters just as much as what you put on your skin. Recently, there’s been growing conversation about whether laundry detergents might be linked to cancer and we want to help break it down in a way that’s informative, but not scary.

I’ll be honest, switching to natural laundry products wasn’t easy for me at first. I worried they wouldn’t be strong enough on tough odors or stains (especially my husbands gym clothes!), and like many of us, I was loyal to the brands I grew up with simply out of habit. But over time I realized that brand loyalty shouldn’t come before the health and safety of my household. What touches our clothes touches our skin every single day, and that’s worth protecting.  Below are a few tips for those looking to transition to safer products:

• Read labels carefully — shorter ingredient lists with words you recognize are usually best.

• Watch for hidden fragrance — terms like “parfum” or “fragrance” can disguise dozens of synthetic chemicals.

• Check for certifications — look for third-party seals that verify safety and transparency.

• Start small — swap out one product at a time so the switch feels easier and less overwhelming.

Here at Escentialz, we have carefully sourced specific brands and products that are tough on odors and stains, but gentle on skin and free from the harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that don’t belong in our homes. We have curated the "Suds of Love Collection" to provide households with safer but effective products (that also smell amazing!).

We encourage you to start your transition to clean and safe products today. Because at the end of the day, clean laundry should feel like love, not compromise.