Life is messy. Your detergent shouldn’t be. 
You’ve cleaned up your habits – from food to plastic to skincare. But what about your laundry detergent? 

For something that touches your clothes, your skin, your bedding – it’s surprising how many “normal” detergents still contain ingredients linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and environmental harm.

Here are 12 common laundry detergent ingredients we think you should know about—and why we leave them out of Orchard.

1. 1,4-Dioxane

What it is: A byproduct, not an added ingredient, created during manufacturing of certain surfactants.

Why it’s used: Shows up unintentionally in ethoxylated compounds (like SLES).

Concerns: Classified as a probable human carcinogen. Persistent in the environment and hard to filter out of water supplies.

Look for on labels as: PEG, polysorbates, or anything ending in -eth (e.g., laureth-6).

 

2. Optical Brighteners

What they do: Trick your eyes into thinking clothes are cleaner by coating fabrics with a blue-tinted sheen.

Why it’s used: Creates the illusion of brightness without removing stains.

Concerns: Skin and eye irritants, not biodegradable, and toxic to aquatic life.

Look for on labels as: Tinopal, Leucophor, or “brighteners” in general.

 

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

What they are: Harsh surfactants used to make detergents foam.

Why it’s used: Helps lift dirt, but at a cost.

Concerns: Skin irritant, may contain trace 1,4-dioxane (in SLES), known to strip skin of protective oils.

Look for on labels as: SLS, SLES.

 

4. Synthetic Fragrance

What it is: A proprietary blend that can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.

Why it’s used: Smells sell—but the tradeoff is real.

Concerns: Can include phthalates, allergens, and hormone disruptors. No label transparency required for fragrances under U.S. law.

Look for on labels as: “Fragrance,” “Parfum,” or scent names with no essential oil disclosure.

 

5. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde-Releasers

What they are: Preservatives used to prevent microbial growth.

Why it’s used: Extends shelf life.

Concerns: Linked to respiratory irritation, skin allergies, and cancer. Banned in leave-on cosmetics like lotions and creams, and restricted in cleaning products with prolonged skin contact or indoor air exposure.

Look for on labels as: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15.

 

6. Phosphates

What they are: Water softeners and cleaning boosters.

Why it’s used: Helps break down dirt and stains.

Concerns: Major contributor to algae blooms and dead zones in waterways. Phased out of most U.S. household laundry detergents, but still allowed in some industrial products.

Look for on labels as: Sodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate (TSP).

 

7. Chlorine Bleach

What it is: A powerful whitening and disinfecting agent.

Why it’s used: Whitens and sanitizes.

Concerns: Releases toxic fumes, irritates skin, and creates harmful byproducts in water systems.

Look for on labels as: Sodium hypochlorite.

 

8. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

What they are: Antimicrobial agents and fabric softeners.

Why it’s used: Reduces static, softens clothes.

Concerns: Linked to asthma, reproductive toxicity, and antibiotic resistance.

Look for on labels as: Benzalkonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride.

 

9. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)

What they are: Surfactants used to break down grease and stains.

Why it’s used: Cheap and effective, but toxic.

Concerns: Endocrine disruptors; banned in the EU.

Look for on labels as: NPE, nonoxynol-9.

 

10. Synthetic Dyes

What they are: Chemical colors added purely for aesthetic reasons.

Why it’s used: Blue = “fresh” in marketing psychology.

Concerns: Can cause skin irritation and environmental harm. No cleaning benefit.

Look for on labels as: FD&C Blue No. 1, D&C Yellow No. 10, etc.

 

11. Methylisothiazolinone (MI)

What it is: A preservative used to prevent bacteria and mold.

Why it’s used: Keeps liquids shelf-stable.

Concerns: A major skin allergen. Named “Allergen of the Year” by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Look for on labels as: Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

 

12. Enzyme Blockers + Preservative Cocktails

What they are: Additives that stabilize formulas but also block natural enzyme breakdown.

Why it’s used: Makes unstable formulas more shelf-safe—but less biodegradable.

Concerns: Can trigger allergic reactions and slow biodegradation.

Look for on labels as: Polyquaterniums, or multi-syllabic stabilizers with unclear function.

Why Is This Still Allowed?

The short answer? The U.S. doesn’t require full ingredient transparency on cleaning products. Companies can hide behind vague terms like “fragrance” or “proprietary formula.” And without stricter regulations, the burden falls on you to decode the fine print.

So What Should You Look For?

• Transparent labeling. Every ingredient listed. No secrets.
  
• Plant-based surfactants. Like sodium carbonate or coco-glucoside.
• Naturally sourced enzymes. To break down mess without chemical cocktails.
• Fragrance clarity. If it says “essential oils,” great. If it just says “fragrance,” move on.
• Minimal, pronounceable ingredients. Trust your gut.
  

What We Believe

Choosing safer products doesn’t have to mean giving up performance, or peace of mind. We believe in ingredient transparency, practical change, and keeping the harshest chemicals out of your home and off your skin. Orchard was created to make those choices easier – without fear, greenwashing, or unnecessary complexity. Just cleaner laundry, backed by real standards.