Have you ever considered the chemicals lurking in your laundry detergents, stain removers, or dryer sheets?

Many laundry room products have so many chemicals in them - that are often linked to cancer risks, hormonal disruption, and respiratory problems— they can also pollute waterways, harm wildlife, and disrupt ecosystems, contributing to long-term environmental damage.

Unfortunately, there are no strict regulations governing the ingredients used in household cleaners. And some so-called "Free and Clear" detergents are simply not that and can even have cancer-causing chemicals in them.

We disclose our ingredients. We also explain what ingredients we use and why we use them. We are committed to safe and effective ingredients.

Ingredients we Avoid:

• Dyes 
• Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)
• Formaldehyde
• Ethoxylated Ingredient - 1,4-Dioxane 
• Phosphates
• Parabens
• Synthetic Fragrances 
• Optical Brighteners
• Phthalates
• Volatile Organic Compounds
• BHA and BHT
• Animal Derived Ingredients
• Silicone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

There are many more harmful ingredients - these are just the key ones we avoid.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (plant-derived surfactant) 
• Decyl Glucoside (eco-friendly surfactant and cleanser) 
• Water
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine (surfactant derived from coconut oil) 
• Glycerol (plant-derived) 
• Polyvinyl Alcohol (water-soluble film) 
• Sodium Citrate (plant-derived water softener)
• Fragrance (plant-derived/natural)

In the study "Human and Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for Safe Use in Household Cleaning Products" it states:

“It is concluded that the use of SLS in cleaning product formulations does not introduce unnecessary risk to consumers or the environment because of the presence of the ingredient, and, if properly formulated and qualified, does not pose danger to human health and safety. Therefore, the perception that SLS is a threat to human health is not scientifically supported, and claims made to the contrary should be regarded as false and misleading.” 

So despite the misinformation about SLS we are pleased to say that plant-based sodium lauryl sulfate, made from coconut or palm oil is a safe and effective ingredient in household laundry detergents.

Miss April Cleans only uses SLS that is derived from plants.

Gentle on Skin: Decyl Glucoside is known for being mild and non-irritating, even on sensitive skin. It is hypoallergenic and often included in products designed for people with allergies, eczema, or sensitive skin conditions.

Effective Cleaner: Despite its gentleness, Decyl Glucoside provides excellent cleaning power, effectively removing dirt, grease, and stains without stripping natural oils.

Low Foaming: It creates a soft, stable lather, which is less likely to leave residues on fabrics, making it ideal for laundry detergents.

Why Decyl Glucoside Is a Superior Alternative?

Compared to harsher surfactants, Decyl Glucoside offers a safer and eco-conscious solution for household cleaning:

• Free from Harsh Chemicals: It avoids potential skin irritants like synthetic preservatives.
• Non-Toxic for Humans and the Environment: Its biodegradable nature ensures it doesn’t persist in the environment or accumulate in aquatic ecosystems.
• Versatile Use: This surfactant is compatible with natural and organic formulations, making it a key ingredient in green products like Miss April Cleans.

Decyl Glucoside’s combination of eco-friendliness, gentleness, and effective cleansing makes it an ideal choice for households looking to reduce chemical exposure without sacrificing performance. Whether used in laundry detergents or personal care products, it aligns with sustainable practices while being safe for both your family and the environment.

• Gentle on Skin: CAPB is known for being non-irritating and mild, making it ideal for sensitive skin and products designed for children.
• Hypoallergenic: While rare, some individuals may experience mild allergic reactions if CAPB contains residual impurities from the manufacturing process. However, high-quality formulations like those used in eco-friendly products like Miss April Cleans , minimize these risks.

Environmental Impact and Biodegradability

• Biodegradable: CAPB breaks down naturally in the environment, making it an eco-friendly alternative to harsher surfactants. This ensures it has a minimal ecological footprint.
• Non-toxic to Aquatic Life: Compared to other synthetic surfactants, CAPB is safer for aquatic ecosystems, reducing pollution risks

Effectiveness in Cleaning Products

• Boosts Cleaning Power: CAPB works synergistically with other surfactants, enhancing foam production and dirt removal while being gentle on fabrics.
• No Residue: It rinses clean, leaving no film or buildup, making it an ideal ingredient for laundry detergents and personal care products.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a versatile, safe, and eco-friendly surfactant derived from natural sources like coconut oil. It offers excellent cleaning performance without compromising skin health or the environment, making it a popular ingredient in household detergents, body care products, and eco-conscious formulations. That’s why Miss April Cleans uses Cocamidopropyl Betaine in our products.

• Moisturizing Properties: Glycerol is a humectant, meaning it retains moisture. In detergents, it helps prevent fabrics from becoming brittle or overly dry after washing. That means soft clean clothes!
• Improves Solubility and Stability: Glycerol helps stabilize detergent formulations and ensures that other active ingredients remain evenly distributed.
• Eco-Friendly: As a biodegradable and renewable compound, it aligns well with eco-conscious product formulations like Miss April Cleans!
• Softens Fabrics: Glycerol helps soften fabrics, leaving clothes feeling smoother after washing without the need for extra softening agents. This is crucial because it eliminates the need for traditional fabric softeners, which often leave behind residues that can build up over time and potentially damage your washing machine.

Safety of Glycerol in Laundry Products

• Non-Toxic: Glycerol is recognized as safe for household and personal care products. It is gentle on skin and is even found in skincare products like moisturizers.
• Hypoallergenic: It is unlikely to trigger allergic reactions, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
• Environmentally Safe: Glycerol is biodegradable and non-toxic to aquatic life, meaning it won’t harm ecosystems when rinsed into wastewater systems.

Glycerol is a safe and effective ingredient in laundry detergents, contributing to the product’s stability, fabric softening, and overall environmental friendliness. Its non-toxic, biodegradable nature makes it an ideal choice for eco-friendly detergents like Miss April Cleans. Using glycerol ensures fabrics stay soft and smooth, benefiting both people with sensitive skin and the environment.

Why Do We Use PVA in our Laundry Detergent Sheets?

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble polymer used in small amounts in Miss April Cleans laundry detergent sheets to bind the ingredients and ensure they dissolve effectively during washing. It is not a cleaning agent. PVA plays a key role in ensuring our sheets retain their flexibility and softness while allowing them to be individual sheets.

Are There Different Types of PVA?

There are several different types of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) grades, and they vary based on molecular weight and how they break down in water.

PVA Grade in Our Laundry Detergent Sheets:

The PVA used in our laundry detergent sheets is a specific grade that completely dissolves in water and is biodegradable. It is tailored to be fully water-soluble in a typical laundry wash cycle, leaving no harmful residues behind.

EPA/FDA Information: The FDA does not classify PVA as a microplastic. It is approved for safe use in various consumer products.

EPA/FDA Information: EPA recognizes PVA as biodegradable under specific conditions, including in wastewater treatment facilities.

EPA/FDA Information: EPA has not found PVA to be harmful to aquatic ecosystems when dissolved appropriately.

EPA/FDA Information: Laundry detergent-grade PVA is specifically formulated to be water-soluble and biodegradable.

EPA/FDA Information: EPA-approved formulations of PVA used in detergents are deemed safe for human and environmental health.

EPA/FDA Information: Both the FDA and EPA have approved PVA for use in household and food-grade applications, deeming it non-toxic.

• Non-Toxic: Sodium citrate is recognized as safe for humans and is even used in food products and pharmaceuticals. It is gentle on skin, reducing the risk of irritation compared to harsher chemical water softeners.
• Hypoallergenic: It is suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies, making it ideal for formulations designed to be mild and gentle.
• Biodegradable: Sodium citrate breaks down easily in the environment, minimizing the risk of pollution. Unlike synthetic water softeners like phosphates, sodium citrate does not contribute to harmful algal blooms or water toxicity.
• Eco-Friendly Alternative: It is widely used in green cleaning products because of its natural origin and low environmental footprint. Sodium citrate helps reduce the need for heavy chemical use, supporting sustainable and environmentally conscious product formulations.

• Reduces Residue on Fabrics: Sodium citrate prevents soap scum from forming, ensuring that laundry rinses cleaner without leaving residues that could cause skin irritation.
• Safe for Septic Systems: Since sodium citrate is biodegradable and non-toxic, it is safe for use with septic systems and won’t disrupt the natural bacterial processes in waste treatment systems.

Sodium citrate is an excellent, plant-derived water softener that ensures laundry detergents perform effectively in both hard and soft water. Its non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable properties make it a safer and more sustainable choice for both households and the environment. With sodium citrate, you can achieve cleaner laundry without compromising on health or environmental responsibility

• No Harmful Chemicals: We avoid using synthetic fragrances, which can contain phthalates, petrochemicals, and allergens linked to skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and respiratory problems.
• Gentle and Non-Irritating: Natural scents derived from essential oils and botanical extracts are safer for sensitive skin and allergy-prone individuals, making them ideal for family use.

• Biodegradable Ingredients: Naturally derived fragrances break down easily in the environment, unlike synthetic compounds that can persist in water systems and harm aquatic life.
  
  
• No Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Many synthetic fragrances release VOCs that contribute to indoor air pollution. Our natural fragrances ensure cleaner air and reduce environmental impact.

Fresh Scents Without Compromise

Miss April Cleans offers laundry sheets with light, refreshing scents made from plant-based extracts, providing an enjoyable fragrance that doesn’t overpower or irritate.

With Miss April Cleans laundry detergent sheets, you enjoy the benefits of a fresh-smelling wash without exposing your family or the environment to toxic synthetic fragrances.

At Miss April Cleans, we prioritize transparency and thorough research to provide you with safe, effective, and eco-friendly products. Every ingredient in our sheets is carefully chosen and evaluated to balance performance, safety, and environmental sustainability. We are committed to debunking myths and addressing concerns with evidence-based practices, ensuring our products are as safe for your family as they are for the planet.

Sources

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26617461/

EWG: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/701883-DECYL_GLUCOSIDE/ 

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-ingredients#searchList

FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agns/pdf/jecfa/cta/61/PVA.pdf 

Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/environment-sustainability/what-is-polyvinyl-alcohol-what-is-pva-used-for-a1054051485/ 

American Cleaning Institute: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/debunking-myths-about-pva-and-detergent-pods 

Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691502002582?via=ihub 

Michigan State University: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/trending-polyvinyl-alcohol 

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-ingredients