You know the routine: Your clothes are dirty. You throw them in the washing machine. They come out clean…right? But what if your laundry detergent is hiding a dangerous toxin that can take a serious toll on your health and the health of your family? A recent study conducted by David Steinman of the Green Patriot Working Group asked that very question and found that of the 20 most popular laundry detergent brands (both conventional and “natural” products), 13 contained detectable traces of a toxic byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

A known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), 1,4-dioxane is used in many popular cleaning and personal care products and has been linked to liver disease, cancer and other serious health conditions in humans. However, it is one of thousands of contaminants not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the study, the conventional brands were the worst offenders—with Procter and Gamble’s Tide® topping the list at 55 parts per million (ppm)—but even a couple of the natural brands were not entirely free of 1,4-dioxane. If anything, the information serves as a wake-up call for consumers nationwide to pay close attention to what might be hiding in the products we use every day.

Curious about your detergent? See the complete results of the study here. And be sure to visit Brenda Watson’s Detox Strategy for simple tips on how to reduce your exposure to harmful toxins.

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Today more than 1 billion people across the globe will be celebrating a different kind of Mother’s Day, one that marks 40 years of commemorating Mother Earth. What began as an environmental “teach-in” in 1970 is now a worldwide salute to environmental protection that encompasses climate change, conservation, sustainable development, recycling and more. Join ReNew Life and Brenda Watson this Earth Day as we work to make our world a cleaner, greener place in which to live—with small but important changes that can start right in your own home.

• Turn Off the Lights! Electricity is generated by burning coal and fossil fuels, which can pollute the environment. Remember to turn off lights and unplug electronic devices when they are not being used.
• Conserve Water. Cut back on home water use by limiting shower time, turning off the water while you brush your teeth, and doing full loads of laundry instead of several smaller loads.
• Go Paperless. Nowadays most banks and credit card companies offer paperless online account management, and even newspapers and magazines offer online subscriptions.
• Adjust Your Thermostat. Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer reduces electricity use and CO₂output.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It may seem like a no-brainer, but according to the EPA about 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just 28%.
• Stop Buying Bottled Water. Bottled water produces more than 1 million tons of plastic waste each year, and over 80% of plastic water bottles are thrown away. A better alternative? Install water filters in your home, and use refillable aluminum water bottles.
• Green Grocery Shopping. Millions of plastic bags end up polluting our environment (including our oceans) every year, but the alternative—paper bags—require more energy to produce and actually cause more waste. Use eco-safe cloth bags instead to carry your groceries.
• Walk, Bike, Carpool. Whenever possible, reduce your carbon footprint by walking or biking instead of driving. For your daily commute to work, kids’ after-school events, or even weekly shopping trips, consider carpooling to cut back on automobile use.

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