Optical brighteners, also known as fluorescent whitening agents or optical brightening chemicals, are commonly added to laundry detergents to make clothes appear brighter and whiter. However, there is growing concern that these chemicals may not be as safe or necessary as previously thought. Here are several reasons why optical brighteners may not be needed in laundry detergents:
Optical Brighteners Provide Only an Illusion of Cleanliness
Optical brighteners work by absorbing ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as blue light, making fabrics appear brighter and less yellow. However, this is only an optical effect and does not actually make clothes any cleaner. The brightening effect fades over time as the optical brighteners wash out.
While optical brighteners can make clothes look crisp and bright when new, this effect diminishes after a few washes. So optical brighteners provide only a temporary cosmetic effect rather than true cleaning performance. There are other ways to get bright, white laundry without resorting to optical brighteners.
Optical Brighteners May Cause Allergic Reactions
Some people are sensitive or allergic to optical brighteners. Contact with these chemicals on clothing and linens can cause skin irritation, rashes, or even migraines and asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
Children may be especially prone to experiencing adverse reactions from exposure to optical brighteners. Those with sensitive skin or allergies may find their symptoms aggravated by the continued use of detergents containing these chemicals. Opting for an optical brightener-free laundry detergent may help alleviate these reactions.
Optical Brighteners Are Not “Green”
While optical brighteners themselves are colorless, their effect on fabrics can make laundry appear less green. This means they do not align with environmentally-friendly laundry practices. Optical brighteners are derived from petrochemicals and are not biodegradable. They cling to fabric and persist through many wash cycles, remaining in the waste stream longer.
For those looking to “green” their laundry routine by using eco-friendly detergents and sustainable practices, optical brighteners are counterproductive. There are greener ways to get bright whites without relying on chemical whitening agents.
They Can Yellow Over Time
Ironically, optical brighteners may start to cause a yellowing effect on fabric over time and repeated exposure. The blue light that optical brighteners give off can combine with the natural yellow undertones in fabric. Eventually this builds up into a dingy, yellowish cast.
This yellowing tendency is increased if the laundry is dried in the sun or exposed to other UV light. So while optical brighteners offer an initial burst of brightening, their effects seem to fade and may leave clothes looking dingier with repeated use. Skipping the optical brighteners may prevent this gradual yellowing process.
Alternatives Exist
Thankfully there are alternative options to getting bright white laundry without optical brighteners. Here are some simple ways to naturally boost whiteness and brightness:
- Wash in hot water – Hot water helps dissolve detergent better for a deeper clean. Be sure to follow fabric care instructions to avoid shrinking or damage.
- Air dry laundry – Line drying avoids the yellowing effect caused by dryer heat. The sun naturally bleaches and brightens clothes.
- Use vinegar – Adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle helps remove dulling detergent residue and acts as a natural brightener.
- Try lemon juice – Lemon juice naturally whitens, brightens, and disinfects laundry. Add 1/2 cup to wash water.
- Bluing agents – Traditional bluing uses blueing agents to neutralize yellow tones in fabric. Modern options are safer than bluing of the past.
- Baking soda – Baking soda is a mild abrasive that removes stains. Add 1/2 cup to wash cycle for brighter clothes.
- Hydrogen peroxide – As a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can brighten whites. Use 1/2 cup in place of bleach.
- Sunlight – Good old sunshine uses UV to naturally bleach and brighten laundry. Dry whites outside on sunny days.
With these simple alternatives, it’s easy to get bright white laundry without the use of synthetic optical brighteners.
Optical Brighteners Interfere with Sunscreen
Recent research indicates that fluorescent whitening agents can interfere with the proper functioning of sunscreens applied to the skin. The optical brighteners absorb UV light but then transform and re-emit this radiation.
This can negatively impact sunscreen performance in a couple of ways. First, the UV light re-emitted by the optical brighteners may penetrate the skin along with any remaining UV from the sun. Second, the optical brighteners may prevent sunscreen ingredients from fully absorbing and blocking UV radiation from the sun.
For those concerned about skin protection from the sun, avoiding laundry detergents with optical brighteners can help ensure sunscreens work effectively and safely. This provides one more reason to switch to an optical brightener-free laundry detergent formula.
Optical Brightening Chemical Residues Build Up in the Environment
Unlike natural whitening alternatives like sunshine or hydrogen peroxide, optical brighteners are synthetic chemicals that do not easily biodegrade. When laundry water containing these residues is flushed down the drain, the optical brighteners persist in rivers, lakes, and even drinking water supplies.
These chemical residues can be harmful for water organisms and animals due to their unnatural photoluminescent properties. For instance, the UV light emitted by optical brightening agents has been shown to attract insects, disorient migrating birds, and disrupt photosynthesis in marine plants.
By skipping laundry detergents with optical brighteners, we can avoid introducing these synthetic chemical residues into the sensitive aquatic environment. Sticking to green and natural laundering alternatives is better for the health of the planet.
Natural Whitening Options Often Perform Just as Well
Detergent manufacturers would have us believe that optical brighteners are essential for clean, white laundry. However, natural whitening alternatives like lemon juice, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and sunshine often perform just as well at removing stains and dinginess from clothes and fabrics.
In many cases, a good optical brightener-free detergent plus supplemental natural brightening and whitening steps yields laundry that is just as bright as detergent with added chemical whitening agents. Consumers do not have to sacrifice performance to skip the potentially harmful optical brighteners.
It is admittedly convenient to have brighteners built right into laundry detergent. But given the potential downsides of optical brightening chemicals outlined here, it is worth taking a few extra steps to naturally whiten clothes using safe, effective alternatives.
FAQs: Optical Brighteners and Laundry
Are optical brighteners completely safe for use?
No, optical brighteners are not considered completely safe. There is evidence they may cause allergic reactions in some people, interfere with sunscreen, and introduce toxic residues into waste water. They also provide cover-up brightening rather than true cleaning performance.
Do optical brighteners really make clothes cleaner and brighter?
Not exactly. Optical brighteners provide more of an illusion of brightness and whiteness rather than actually cleaning fabrics. This effect fades over time as the brighteners wash out. Other methods like sun-bleaching, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide offer true brightening.
Are there any health risks to using optical brighteners?
Potentially yes. Contact with optical brighteners on laundry has been known to cause skin irritation, rashes, migraines, and asthma attacks in those allergic or sensitive. There are also concerns that optical brighteners may interfere with proper sunscreen protection.
Why are optical brighteners added to laundry detergents?
Optical brighteners are added to give the impression that detergents whiten and brighten clothes better. This offers a marketing advantage, since consumers often judge cleaning performance by the “brightness factor.” But natural whitening alternatives work just as well.
Can you achieve bright white laundry without optical brighteners?
Absolutely! There are many ways to naturally whiten and brighten laundry without the need for synthetic optical brighteners. Sunlight, vinegar, lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide all help restore brightness. Washing in hot water also lifts stains.
What fabrics are optical brighteners used on?
Optical brighteners are commonly used on cottons and other white fabrics where brightness is desirable. They help give that “whiter than white” effect on shirts, socks, linens, and towels. Synthetic fabrics like polyester may also contain embedded optical brighteners.
Is it better to line dry or machine dry to avoid buildup from optical brighteners?
Line drying is preferable to avoid a yellowing effect caused by excess heat and to allow natural sunlight to bleach away stains. However, rinsing clothes thoroughly and removing detergent residue is important even when machine drying to prevent buildup.
Do green laundry detergents contain optical brighteners?
Some “green” labeled detergents do still contain optical brighteners, though they may rely more on plant-based ingredients. Check the ingredients list and look for “whitening” or “brightening” agents. Or choose an eco-friendly brand that is specifically formulated without optical brighteners.
Can I make my own laundry detergent without optical brighteners?
Yes, there are many recipes for homemade “green” laundry soap that leave out optical brighteners. Simple versions contain just a few ingredients like borax, washing soda, soap flakes, and essential oils. Just be sure to include some lemon juice or vinegar for brightening power.
Conclusion
While optical brightening chemicals were once thought to be a harmless addition to laundry detergents, there are compelling reasons to avoid them. Optical brighteners provide only an illusion of whiteness but no true cleaning benefit. Safer, natural alternatives like sunshine, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide effectively brighten laundry without downsides.
Given the potential for allergic reactions, interference with sunscreen, and toxic buildup from optical brightening agents, switching to a detergent without these synthetic chemicals makes sense. Seek out green, eco-friendly detergents free from optical brighteners. Or make your own. With the right practices, your clothes can come out fresh, clean, and bright the natural way.