Question from Leah
Hi Debra,
What can you tell me about phosphates and their use with laundry detergent? I have heard mixed things about their use. I know that they are illegal in some states, but for a person with hard water and clothes that do not get clean with any natural detergents or oxygen bleaches, might it be better to use them than chlorine bleach or other chemicals? I actually had a company on your list recommend that I look into using them. Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
The problem with phosphates is that wasterwater treatment plants remove only a small percentage of phosphorus, so the effluent that is released into streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries considerable amount of phosphorus. These bodies of water contain algae, the growth of which is kept in balance by a limited amount of phosphorus that occurs naturally in the water. Quite simply, more phosphorus results in more algae and the balance that keeps the aquatic ecosystem going is upset (read more at Historical Perspecitve Of The Phosphate Detergent Conflict).
Soap, on the other hand, has been used historically for centuries with no such problem.
If your water is too hard, it would be better to soften the water than to use a phosphate detergent.
I recommend that you call Winston at Go Beyond Organic and see if his water conditioner will work for you. It does not use salt of any kind. We have very hard water and use this conditioner, and our clothes get very clean using soap or soapnuts.
