The Cleaning Expert
Is laundry powder usable as a hand wash? In short, no. Although clearly stated and understood, management of various businesses in Malaysia, especially in the manufacturing field, are providing it to labourers as an alternative to hand washing. No surprise, as laundry powder is cheap and more easily sourced than a hand wash from your local sundry or hardware store. Such practice is improper where the health and well-being of our workers are jeopardized. There is a fine line that we should not cross despite trying to minimize costs and maximize profits.
Why is it harmful to our hands?
Most laundry powder products contain caustic ingredients that harm the human skin. They are to be used on non-organic matter, such as fabric from the clothes that we wear in our everyday lives and not on our hands. In some cases, laundry powder will exert heat upon contact with water as it produces an exothermic chemical reaction and is not advisable to be touched with your bare hands.
Laundry detergent powder are chemically produced to removed oil stains and your hands are laced with natural oils, doing so will make your skin crack open. It breaks down and dissolves organic materials such as fats and food stains. You may get chemical burns if you are to immerse your hands in a bucket of washing powder solution.
What are the harmful ingredients contained in typical laundry soap powders?
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) OR Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Created and typically used as a surface degreaser in garages. They may inflame your skin, eyes and lungs, damaging your respiratory system too! These sulphates may also clog pores and cause acne. Both SLS and SLES are known to cause eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Those with sensitive skin are advised to steer clear of these sulfates. - Phosphates
Causes cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and sometimes death! A typical phosphate used in detergents is sodium tripolyphosphate. Even though they help improve the effectiveness of detergents, they have been banned in parts of American and European soil due to their adverse impact on water bodies. - Quaternium-15
A quaternary ammonium salt that releases formaldehyde, a carcinogen known to trigger asthma or damage the respiratory system. Skin rashes included. It is used as a preservative. Formaldehyde has been proven to be linked to cancer if contacted daily. It has been banned from usage in the European Union. - 1,4-Dioxane
A solvent that may cause drowsiness, headache, anorexia, and irritations to our sense of smell, vision and respiratory system. Exposure to high amounts of 1,4 dioxane may result in liver and kidney toxicity. It is a known carcinogen since the year 1988. - Phthalates
It comes bundled together with the fragrance included in the laundry detergent powder. Phthalates are typically used to increase the longevity of plastics. Researchers have related phthalates to asthma in the last decade or so. - Bleach
This material is mainly stated on the product label as Sodium Hypochlorite rather than the word bleach. It gives a false sense of cleanliness by turning UV rays into visible light for “white” clothing. Even though it is known as a skin and lung irritant, most are clueless about its commonality in laundry products. - Benzene
Used to lower the surface tension of water and stains on clothes, allowing dirt particles to be suspended in the liquid and more manageable to dissolve. - Nonylphenol Ethoxylate
A non-ionic surfactant used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products. It is a synthetic detergent made from petrochemicals, and it is one of the most commonly used surfactants in the world. NPEO has been linked to several environmental and health concerns. It is a hormone disruptor, and it can interfere with the reproductive systems of both animals and humans. It is also toxic to aquatic life, and it can cause severe damage to the environment.
Conclusion
Use a proper hand wash detergent like ours at Upekkha Cleaning Equipment! You’d save more with us than purchasing hand wash from supermarkets and hypermarkets. Contact us today to learn more about our hand wash detergents!
