Beyond Skin Deep: How Everyday Chemicals Can Mess with Your Hormones

Every day I learn something new, and honestly, it’s making me want to throw a full-blown hissy fit in the middle of the cleaning aisle. Not only are we being poisoned by the food we eat, but now I find out the danger lurks on our clothes and in the detergent we lovingly scrub them with.

So, a couple of months ago, I decided to take matters into my own (probably overly ambitious) hands and make my own laundry detergent. I got creative, experimented with a few recipes, and finally found a favorite: Fels-Naptha soap, shredded and pulverized to smithereens using an old food processor with other natural cleaning agents. But guess what? Apparently, everyone else got the same genius idea because the price of Fels-Naptha soared like concert tickets. Cue my full-on temper tantrum.

Desperate, I switched to Dreft. I mean, come on, it’s for our sweet, innocent babies! The ones we swaddle in safety and love and would never want to harm! I trusted it, didn’t double-check it on EWG.org because, well, Dreft had minimal ingredients and that angelic, trustworthy branding. Turns out, I got bamboozled. Duped. Hoodwinked. And there’s even a fancy name for it: Greenwashing!

Yep, it’s that sleazy marketing move where companies act like they’re saving the planet and your family’s health when they’re actually out here sprinkling chemicals like they’re seasoning a bland salad. Picture this: a product plastered with “natural” in big, leafy letters, probably adorned with a serene waterfall and a unicorn sipping from a dew-kissed stream. Meanwhile, it’s still a chemical cocktail that would make your skin crawl.

So, what’s the game plan? First, head over to EWG.org to do your homework and make an informed choice. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference and what’s best for you and your family. You might have to experiment with a few different non-toxic detergents until you find one that gets the job done, but hey, your health is worth the extra effort.

So, let’s talk about the lovely little uninvited guests in our beauty and cleaning products: endocrine disruptors. These are chemicals that, when they sneak onto your skin (or into your body), have a special talent for messing with your hormones. And not in a fun “I’m feeling extra fabulous today” way, but more like “Why am I suddenly feeling like a hormonal teenager again?”

The endocrine system is like your body’s command center for hormones, orchestrating everything from your metabolism to mood, growth, and reproductive health. It’s basically the CEO of keeping things in balance. Now, imagine these sneaky chemicals barging in and pretending to be hormones, blocking hormone signals, or throwing a hormone party when nobody asked for one. The result? Potential chaos for everything from fertility to thyroid function and even your stress response.

Common culprits include phthalates, parabens, and certain synthetic fragrances that are used in everything from skincare and makeup to laundry detergent and fabric softeners. These chemicals aren’t just chilling on the surface of your skin; they’re getting absorbed and causing a whole circus act inside your body. And for anyone who’s ever tried to manage hormonal issues, you know that’s no joke.

So, next time you’re thinking about what’s going on your skin, remember: it’s not just about looking good or having clean clothes. It’s about protecting your body’s hormone harmony and saying a big no thanks to those uninvited endocrine disruptors!

I found this 365 Laundry detergent that gets an A rating from EWG and it’s only $10 more than Dreft.

I also found a great DIY Laundry detergent.

As for fabric softener you can use distilled vinegar.

Using distilled vinegar as a fabric softener comes with some fantastic benefits:

1. Naturally Softens Fabric: Vinegar helps break down detergent residue and minerals, making clothes feel softer without the need for commercial fabric softeners.

2. Reduces Static Cling: Say goodbye to the annoying cling that makes your clothes stick together. Vinegar helps reduce static buildup, especially in synthetic fabrics.

3. Eliminates Odors: Vinegar is a natural deodorizer. It neutralizes odors trapped in your laundry, making it perfect for gym clothes, towels, and anything that needs a freshness boost.

4. Preserves Color: Vinegar can help maintain the vibrancy of your clothes. It locks in dye and reduces color fading, so your favorite outfits stay looking great for longer.

5. Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic: Unlike conventional fabric softeners filled with synthetic fragrances and chemicals, distilled vinegar is completely non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for your skin and the environment.

6. Removes Residue: It works wonders at getting rid of leftover detergent and buildup from previous washes, which is especially helpful if you have sensitive skin.

7. Inexpensive: Vinegar is budget-friendly compared to commercial fabric softeners, making it a cost-effective way to care for your clothes naturally.

Just add about 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine, and let it work its magic. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell — it will disappear once your clothes are dry! I buy mine at Aldi, 128 oz for under $5.