Avoid the Hidden Hazards of Laundry

By Julie Gregory, Chief Health Liaison for Apollo Health

Most of us think of laundry as a symbol of cleanliness and freshness, but behind the perfumed scents and “brightening” agents lies a less obvious risk: toxic and biological exposures that may undermine brain health. Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and stain removers often contain harmful chemicals that don’t simply wash away — they can cling to fabrics, off-gas into indoor air, and settle into household dust, where they are easily inhaled or absorbed through the skin. At the same time, damp machines and poorly dried clothing can harbor mold and mycotoxins (harmful toxins created by specific molds), creating an additional layer of hidden exposure with its own risks for neurological well-being.

For those working to preserve or restore cognitive health, these exposures deserve special attention. Many of the chemicals commonly used in laundry products are known to act as endocrine disruptors, mitochondrial toxins, or neurotoxicants, all of which intersect with pathways implicated in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. In individuals already vulnerable due to genetic risk factors (such as ApoE4 carriers), metabolic dysfunction, or existing cognitive symptoms, the cumulative burden of such exposures may further impair detoxification capacity, drive inflammation, and exacerbate oxidative stress in the brain.

Understanding and addressing laundry-related toxicants is not just about environmental wellness — it’s about removing hidden obstacles to cognitive resilience. By recognizing these hazards, we can take meaningful steps toward reducing our toxic load and creating an environment that supports long-term protection and neurological recovery.

To protect brain health, it’s critical to identify the worst offenders in common laundry products — and replace them with safer alternatives before they quietly add to the body’s toxic burden.

 What to Avoid with Safer Options

1. Synthetic Fragrances
   • Found in detergents, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners.
   • Often contain phthalates and undisclosed chemical mixtures.
   • Linked to endocrine disruption, impaired detoxification, headaches, and mood disturbances.
   • Safer option: Choose fragrance-free products or those scented only with pure essential oils.
2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
   • Released from detergents and especially dryer vent emissions.
   • Include substances like acetaldehyde and benzene derivatives.
   • Known to irritate the nervous system, impair cognition, and contribute to indoor air pollution.
   • Safer option: Skip dryer sheets, line-dry (outside) when possible, and use low or no-VOC detergents.
3. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (“Quats”)
   • Common in fabric softeners and disinfectant laundry additives.
   • Associated with neurotoxicity, mitochondrial damage, and fertility issues.
   • It can accumulate on fabrics, providing long-term exposure through skin contact.
   • Safer option: Avoid “softening” products altogether; use wool dryer balls or vinegar in the rinse cycle.
4. Optical Brighteners
   • Chemicals that coat fabrics to make them appear “whiter and brighter.”
   • Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can irritate skin and are suspected endocrine disruptors.
   • May contribute to oxidative stress pathways relevant to brain health.
   • Safer option: Look for detergents labeled “free of optical brighteners.”
5. Bleach and Harsh Stain Removers
   • Chlorine bleach releases chloroform and dioxins into the air.
   • Strong oxidizers increase toxic load and have been linked to cellular damage.
   • Harsh solvents in stain removers (like toluene or naphthalene) are neurotoxic.
   • Safer option: Use oxygen-based (percarbonate) bleach, baking soda, or plant-based stain removers.
6. Microplastic-Shedding Fabrics
   • Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, acrylic) release microfibers in the wash.
   • These accumulate in the body and brain, where they can trigger inflammation.
   • Laundry products with “anti-static” or “anti-wrinkle” claims may accelerate this shedding.
   • Safer option: Wash synthetics less often, use a microfiber filter bag or external filter, and move towards natural fibers like organic cotton or linen.

Laundry Product Recommendations

Laundry Detergents

All of these recommendations are verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and are appropriate for both standard and HE (high efficiency) washers:

• AspenClean Unscented Laundry Detergent
• Dirty Labs Free & Clear (Unscented) Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent
• ATTITUDE Laundry Detergent – Unscented (Baby/“Baby leaves™” or Nature+ Unscented)

Fabric Softener Alternatives

• Wool dryer balls (Fluffs fabrics naturally, reduces static, and shortens drying time.)
• White vinegar (One half-cup in the fabric softener compartment softens fabric fibers and helps remove detergent residues without odor once dry.)
• Outdoor Line drying (Sunlight naturally softens and disinfects fabric, and protects fabric from the wear and tear of machine drying.)

Stain Removers – All of these products are also EWG-verified

• Root & Splendor Pre-Spotter 
• AspenClean Oxygen Bleach Stain Remover 
• Branch Basics Oxygen Boost (Concentrate)
• AspenClean Oxygen Bleach Powder

Microplastic Protectors for Synthetic Fabrics

• GUPPYFRIENDS Washing Bags: Simply put your synthetic clothing in the bag during washing to reduce microfiber shedding up to 86% and capture up to 90% of fibers from spreading throughout your wash and contaminating your machine.)
• PlanetCare Filter System: If you’re up for installing a high-efficiency filter on your washer’s drain, you can catch up to 98% of microplastics. This requires a periodic cartridge replacement.

Don’t Let Mold Take Hold

But wait, there’s more … even if you avoid the most toxic laundry chemicals, your clothes and machines can still become a source of harm if mold finds a breeding ground. Damp towels, unventilated laundry rooms, and residue left behind in washers or dryers can all create ideal conditions for fungal growth. For those concerned with brain health, this is especially important: exposure to mold and its mycotoxins can be just as damaging as chemical additives, fueling inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurological symptoms. In other words, reducing chemical exposures is only half the battle — safeguarding your laundry from mold is just as essential.

Practical Steps for Mold Prevention

1. Keep clothes dry
   • Remove damp laundry from the washer promptly.
   • Never put wet towels or clothes in your hamper; hang them to dry first.
2. Clean the washing machine regularly
   • Run a hot “clean” cycle with white vinegar or oxygen bleach once a month.
   • Wipe down rubber seals, dispensers, and doors where moisture and residue accumulate after each cycle.
3. Ensure proper Ventilation
   • Keep laundry room doors open and use an exhaust fan or dehumidifier if humidity is high.
   • After each load, leave the washer and dryer doors open to let them dry out.
   • Occasionally, check to ensure that all dryer lines are secure and intact; any sign of moisture on glass or walls after running a load is a sign that your dryer lines are leaking moisture.
4. Dry fabrics thoroughly
   • Line-dry in sunlight when possible (UV light naturally kills mold spores).
   • If using a dryer, make sure fabrics are completely dry before storing.
5. Prevent cross-contamination
   • Wash mold (or mycotoxin) contaminated items separately with Borax (like 20 Mule Team) and EC3 Laundry Additive.
   • Don’t mix musty fabrics with clean ones.
6. Watch for warning signs
   • A musty odor in your laundry room or clothes often signals hidden mold.
   • Check for black spots or residue inside the washer, especially around seals and gaskets.

The laundry room may not be the first place we think of when protecting brain health, yet it can be a hidden source of both chemical and biological exposures. The good news is that with a few intentional choices — like swapping out toxic products, keeping machines clean and dry, and improving ventilation — you can dramatically reduce these risks. The path to better brain health begins with small, steady steps. Start now in your laundry room and let each change build toward lasting protection.