What’s Really in Your Detergent? A Look at Hidden Chemicals and Their Impact on Baby Skin
17 April 2025
If you’re a new parent or just someone trying to make better choices for your family, you’ve probably wondered: what exactly is in your detergent? We all want clean clothes, but many of the ingredients used in traditional laundry detergents can have long-term effects—especially on babies, who are more sensitive to chemicals than adults.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common detergent ingredients, what they do, and why they may not belong in your baby’s daily routine.
1. Optical Brighteners
These are synthetic chemicals added to make fabrics appear cleaner and brighter by absorbing UV light and re-emitting it as visible blue light.
Why it’s a concern: Optical brighteners don’t rinse out easily—they stay on fabric, meaning they stay on your baby’s skin. They’ve been linked to allergic reactions and photoallergic contact dermatitis. Some studies also show they’re toxic to aquatic life once they enter our waterways.
2. Artificial Fragrances
“Fragrance” sounds harmless, but it’s often a cocktail of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of unlisted chemicals. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose them.
Why it’s a concern: Fragrance is a leading cause of skin allergies and irritation. Some fragrance chemicals (like phthalates and synthetic musks) are suspected endocrine disruptors (these damage the hormonal system of your body)—something you definitely want to keep away from developing babies.
3. Dyes and Colorants
Dyes are added to detergents purely for aesthetic reasons—to give your product a specific color. They serve no purpose in the cleaning process.
Why it’s a concern: Dyes are known skin sensitizers and can cause or worsen eczema, especially in infants with sensitive skin. They’re also linked to environmental toxicity.
4. LABSA (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid)
A common surfactant in powdered and liquid detergents. It helps break down oils and dirt.
Why it’s a concern: While effective at cleaning, LABSA is known to cause skin and eye irritation. For babies, whose skin barrier is still developing, exposure to residues of harsh surfactants can lead to dryness, rashes, or more serious irritation.
5. MIT (Methylisothiazolinone)
A preservative used to prevent bacterial growth in many cleaning products—including pods and liquids.
Why it’s a concern: MIT has a history of triggering allergic reactions and skin sensitization. It’s banned in leave-on cosmetics in many countries due to these effects. In laundry products, it can linger on clothes and transfer to skin. Studies also suggest potential neurotoxic effects in developing animals. It is not banned in India and you will find big companies still using them!
Why Residue Matters
Even after rinsing, detergent residue can remain in fabric—especially if you’re using hard water, overloading your machine, or adding more than the recommended amount of detergent. For babies, this means extended skin contact with these chemical residues day and night.
A study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found that detergent surfactants can remain on clothes for multiple washes and potentially penetrate skin.
What You Can Do
The good news? You don’t have to compromise on clean clothes to avoid harsh ingredients. More and more brands are moving toward safer formulations that clean effectively without toxic chemicals.
If you’re looking for a place to start, choose fragrance-free, dye-free options made without optical brighteners, strong surfactants like LABSA, or preservatives like MIT. Check labels—or better yet, look for full ingredient transparency.
Curious about safer laundry alternatives?
Read our next article: Why Detergent Sheets Are the Future of Safe & Sustainable Cleaning →