Why you need to switch to natural laundry detergent

Microplastic is intentionally used in many consumer products without our knowledge, for example in cosmetics, nappies, and detergents, to name just a few. The plastic compounds have a huge impact on the environment and on our health. They are not biodegradable and end up in our sewage systems and subsequently in the oceans.

Why are there microplastics in detergent in the first place?

Synthetic polymers, which are the most common form of microplastics, are used in laundry detergent. They reduce the foam and ensure the dirt is eliminated more efficiently. With every wash, microplastic particles are released into our wastewater. Also, synthetic clothing made from materials like polyester, acrylic, or nylon release tiny plastic fibers each time they are washed. All that plastic ends up in our wastewater and pollutes rivers and oceans. It's almost impossible to clean or filter these out in sewage systems because of their size. There are just too small to be captured in filters. Microplastics are absorbed or digested by sea animals. Most fragrances in laundry detergents also harm the environment. Many fragrances are not biodegradable and harm aquatic organisms. The same for products with optical brighteners. The brighteners are not biodegradable either.

So, what should you look out for when buying laundry detergents? Checking the label is not an easy task, there is still not enough transparency on which ingredients are to be listed, and most of the harmful ingredients hide behind complicated names.

Here a list of ingredients considered to be microplastics:                                                         

PE – Polyethylene

PP – Polypropylene

PET – Polyethylenterephthalat

Nylon-12, Nylon-6

PUR – Polyurethane

EVA – Ethylen-Vinylacetat-Copolymer

AC – Acrylates Copolymer

ACS – Acrylates Crosspolymer

P-7 – Polyquaternium-7                                                                                               

Ecological detergents do not have synthetic polymers and the fragrances are usually made from essentials oils, which are totally biodegradable. And they don't use any brighteners at all. We at pour nous are 100% natural with no toxins, no microplastic at all, and our fragrances come from essentials oils that are Ecocert certified.

Also, our products come in glass bottles, to be refilled.

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