Has the itch got you?

Chemicals in household products are harmful, but they're also not going anywhere. But if you're here, you already knew that. Take any leading brand of laundry detergent or washing machine liquid detergent today, and the ingredient list is full of synthetic fragrance and nasty chemicals. This toxic mix may look like it can clean effortlessly, but did you know a) it might be leaving toxic residue on ‘clean' clothes b) your skin might be suffering from its side effects.

Make sure you check the ingredients label of your laundry detergent and watch out for these specifics:

· Quaternium-15

· 2-Butoxyethanol

· Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate

· Linear Alkylbenzyl Sulfonates (C10-16)

· Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

· Sodium Hypochlorite (chlorine bleach)

· Ammonium Hydroxide

· Sodium borate

These difficult to pronounce names are not just a nightmare for spelling bee contestants; they also wreak havoc on your health.

These chemicals can severely irritate sensitive skin and cause inflammation in your eyes and respiratory system. These potent allergens are especially bad because they come in close contact with our bodies for prolonged periods of time.

What's worse is that most people don't even realize that their liquid detergent might be the cause behind their itchy misery. If you have a history of eczema or contact dermatitis, these nasties can substantially worsen the situation.

Allergies are not the end of the dangers of chemical detergents. Some of these chemicals like 2-butoxyethanol have been linked to anaemia and impaired fertility during animal testing (whatever happened to cruelty-free?).

Other than disrupting and irritating your skin's barrier, these nasty toxins can also seep into your body, making it even more dangerous for pregnant and lactating women.

How can you fight these allergens?

Luckily, chemical-loaded detergents aren't the only option you have.

You can opt for natural remedies for getting rid of stains. For example, salt is a miracle worker when it comes to laundry. Just take a tablespoon and rub it gently on the stain to scrub it off.

Distilled white vinegar and baking soda are two other excellent alternatives that work as organic liquid detergents. These everyday kitchen staples deodorize clothes and leave them feeling fresh and soft.

But if you want heavy-duty cleaning without the harm, there are gentle washing liquids and detergents that do the job without any side effects.

For instance, The Better Home's laundry detergent liquid is specially formulated with natural enzymes that break down stains effectively without harming the fabric or your health. In addition, it is incredibly gentle on the skin and is 100% safe for baby clothes.

This natural liquid detergent also stops colours from fading and is suitable for all kinds of washing machines and hand washing. What else can one ask for?