Optical Brighteners: The Pros and Cons of Adding Them in Your Laundry
We all want our white clothing to look clean and sparkling. Optical brighteners are often the solution. These chemicals trick the eye into thinking clothes are less yellow than they are. They are also used in paper, cosmetics, clothing, warning signs, blackboard chalk, and advertising artwork.
Optical brighteners have advantages, but we must wonder whether their pros outweigh their cons. They are known to pose a threat to the environment and human health. Consumers must determine how vital whitening truly is.
What are Optical Brighteners?
Optical brighteners are large molecules composed of phenyl and heterocyclic groups. In plainer English, they are dyes that alter how clothes and other items reflect light. They absorb ultraviolet light while emitting light in the blue region of the light spectrum, reducing a clothing’s yellow tinge.
These brightening agents were invented in the 1940s, but consumer agencies quickly realized they could potentially harm the environment and human health. As a result, only about 50 of the 400 optical brighteners invented throughout history are still in mass production for commercial use. The remaining brighteners on the market have more acceptable safety profiles but still have some toxicity levels.
Why are Optical Brighteners Harmful?
Optical brighteners may cause the following harmful effects:
Non-Biodegradable: Because optical brighteners are often used in laundry, they end up in our wastewater, where they biodegrade slowly, emitting chemicals into the atmosphere and posing a risk to animals, sea life, and plant life.
May Harm Reproductive Health: Research suggests the chemicals in optical brighteners may cause estrogen disruption and reproductive toxicity.
May Cause Skin Irritation: Contrary to what one might think, optical brighteners do not make clothes cleaner. Instead, they bind to clothing remaining on the material to promote brightness. They make clothing feel stiffer and cause a chemical buildup, irritating sensitive skin.
What is the Alternative to Optical Brighteners?
Environmental consumers who enjoy bright white clothing can use eco-friendly detergents to achieve similar results. Here are some tips for keeping clothes whiter:
Wash clothing in cold water
Lower drying temperature and time or line dry clothing in sunlight
Use an oxygen booster
Add a half cup of lemon juice or distilled white vinegar to your laundry
Sort your clothing correctly to avoid darker colors staining lighter colors
FAQs
How do I know if my detergent is free of optical brighteners?
Eco-friendly detergents are typically labeled as ‘free and clear.’ Others will have feature language such as “without optical brighteners.”
How do you remove optical brighteners from clothes naturally?
You may remove optical brighteners from clothing by soaking them in vinegar and warm water overnight. The acidity of the vinegar will strip the detergent and chemicals, leaving clothes soft and reducing the threat of health and environmental risks.
Are optical brighteners the same as bleach?
Optical brighteners and bleach make clothes look brighter, but they have different chemical contents and work differently to clean clothing. Optical brighteners are generally safer on clothes and less damaging to the environment. However, bleach may remove tough stains more effectively.
