Question from Stephanie Mills
Debra, Are you familiar with “home safe products” by Natural Choices? They advertise their products are “proven to be safe for sufferers of allergies, asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).” What do you think about their Oxy-boost oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate) and detergent (The ingredients for Oxy-prime powdered detergent are listed as sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, anionic and non-ionic surfactants.)? I need something with stronger cleaning power than soapnuts since we live and work on a farm.
Catherine, the founder of the company, also tells me that sodium lauryl ether sufate which is in their hand soap, body wash, etc.. is not the same as slf, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Is that true? Their phone # is 1-866-699-2667 and website is www.oxyboost.com. I respect your opinion and thank you for this great website.
Debra’s Answer
I’ve had them listed on Debra’s List for a few years, and I’m fine with their cleaning products. Have never had a negative comment from users.
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate in fact is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate, but the difference is slight. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is made from sodium lauryl sulfate by addition ethylene, which is made from petrochemicals. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is considered to be less harsh on the skin.
In my book Home Safe Home, I wrote about what I called “hybrid-natural” ingredients, where the base part of the ingredient is a natural, but then it is modified with petrochemicals. This is true of many so-called “natural” ingredients found in so-called “natural” products. SLS and SLES are two such ingredients.
