The Dirt on Clean – What Detergents Have To Do With Clean
“Stay Clean.” That’s important to all of us. I’m doing research about how to help the environment. I just want to know simple things. I can’t cure all pollution, but I bet I can make a difference, and I bet if you knew some simple things, you’d choose to make a difference too. It just takes a few to become many. We can do it. I’ll talk about why.
Go get your dish detergent bottle, and your laundry soap. We’ll read the labels in a moment. Go get them, I’ll wait.
Now. Let’s talk a moment about Phosphates. Chemical compounds containing phosphorus are found in most detergents. Manufacturers use them because they soften water and prevent dirt particles from being redeposited on clothes. Result? Cleaner clothes. Dirt flushed through the drain.
AND, there are severe ecological side-effects. As phosphtes empty into streams and lakes, they cause “algae bloom” meaning they fertilize algae to the point where it grows out of control. When the algae dies, the bacteria that cause it to decay, a process requiring huge amounts of oxygen, use up the oxygen needed by other plants and marine life to survive. The result: Lakes and streams can die.
About Detergent:
We could be using a high-phosphate detergent without realizing it. We do have choices. But, first, look on the side of your detergent box, or the back of the bottle, where ever the list of ingredients is located. To get the actual phosphate content, multiply the percentage of phosphorus by 3. If there is 8% phosphorus, you would multiply that by 3 and the answer would be 24% phosphates. See? Simple.
Now think about this. To get clean clothes, Phosphates aren’t necessary. Many powdered detergents are made with different formulas, less than 0.5% phosphates for areas where phosphate use is regulated, and higher percentages where it isn’t. Hm. What to do?
Simple Solutions:
- Use a little less detergent. Consumer Reports magazine found that manufacturers recommend more detergent than really necessary. Why? Well, of course they want you to re-purchase, SOON.
- Use a low-phosphate, or phosphte-free detergent. Liquid detergents re generally phosphate-free. Read the label and choose.
- Use a substitute. If your water is soft, soap powder will work as well as a detergent. If your water is hard, you can try a combinatin of soap and washing soda. Want more details and information?
Write to: (People do still write for information!) The Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702. Ask for their detergent fact sheet. (Ok, OR, check online.)
Warehouse of information fact: In the U.S., about 70% of all metal is used just once, then discarded. I wonder how long it takes to return back into the earth? Millions of years?
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