Everyday detergents promise spotless clothes and fresh scents, yet some widely sold products could quietly undermine your health and the environment.
French consumer magazine 60 Millions de consommateurs has taken a hard look at popular laundry brands and found that several big names contain chemicals linked to skin irritation, allergies and aquatic pollution. Their latest findings raise awkward questions about what is really swirling around in our washing machines.
Four big-name detergents singled out by testers
The investigation, published in April 2023, examined around thirty laundry detergents commonly found in French supermarkets. While some products performed reasonably well, a small group stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Four brands received the lowest possible rating in the magazine’s scoring system, flagged as products to avoid for anyone concerned about their health or the environment:
- Omo Essences naturelles (roses et lilas blanc)
- Persil au savon de Marseille
- Xtra 3 en 1 au savon de Marseille
- Ariel Power Alpine
These four detergents were marked “E”, the worst grade in the test, due to the presence of irritating and poorly biodegradable substances.
According to the magazine, the main issues came from chemical compounds such as thiazolinones, a family of preservatives, and sodium laureth sulfate, a common foaming agent. Both are widely used in everyday products but are increasingly scrutinised by toxicologists and dermatologists.
What’s the problem with these ingredients?
Thiazolinones: powerful preservatives, frequent allergens
Thiazolinones are added to detergents to stop bacteria and mould developing in the bottle. They work extremely well, which is why manufacturers like them. Yet these same properties can upset the skin’s balance.
Several compounds in this family, including methylisothiazolinone (often written as MIT or MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone, have been associated with contact dermatitis. People can develop redness, itching and rashes after repeated exposure, sometimes only after months or years of use.
Regular exposure to thiazolinones through clothing, bedding and towels increases the risk of allergic reactions, especially in children and people with sensitive skin.
Once an allergy appears, it rarely disappears. The affected person must then systematically avoid products containing the substance, which can be tricky when the ingredient list requires a chemistry degree to decipher.
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Sodium laureth sulfate: foam at a cost
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant. It helps water penetrate fibres and lifts dirt and grease. It also creates the rich foam many consumers associate with “proper cleaning”.
Yet SLES is known to irritate skin and eyes at certain concentrations, especially when used regularly. In laundry, traces of the substance can remain on fabrics after rinsing and come into prolonged contact with the skin.
For most healthy adults, this might only mean occasional dryness or tightness. For babies, people with eczema, asthma or chronic respiratory issues, the stakes are higher.
From the washing machine to rivers and seas
The concerns raised by the magazine extend beyond the bathroom shelf. Once the rinse cycle ends, detergent residues head straight for wastewater systems. Wastewater treatment plants remove a large portion, but not everything.
The report highlights a particular problem: some substances found in the worst-rated detergents break down slowly in nature.
Poorly biodegradable compounds accumulate in aquatic environments, where they can affect fish, invertebrates and the delicate balance of river and coastal ecosystems.
These chemicals can stick to sediments, build up in living organisms and interfere with reproduction, growth and behaviour in aquatic species. Over time, that can reshape entire food chains.
Weekly use, long-term exposure
Few people think of laundry detergent as a health risk. Yet modern households often run several loads a week. That means frequent exposure to the same cocktail of substances.
60 Millions de consommateurs stresses three types of risk for heavy users of the worst-rated brands:
- Skin irritation: redness, itching, tightness, especially where clothes fit closely to the body.
- Allergic reactions: eczema-like rashes and, in more severe cases, swelling or blistering.
- Respiratory issues: for sensitive individuals, perfumes and volatile compounds may trigger coughing, wheezing or headaches.
Children, infants and older people may react more strongly, as their skin barrier and detoxification systems are more fragile. Pets, which sleep on washed fabrics and often lick their fur, can also be exposed.
Which detergents came out better in the tests?
The magazine did not only criticise. It also pointed to safer, more responsible options, based on both health and environmental criteria, and on washing efficiency.
Capsule detergents performed better overall than liquid products in the magazine’s comparative test.
One of the top-scoring products was Xéor capsules, a private-label detergent sold by French retailer Leclerc, which received 15/20. According to the review, it struck a better balance between cleaning power, lower allergenic risk and reduced environmental impact.
Another relatively strong performer was Maison Verte Bioactive, with a score of 14/20. This brand markets itself as more eco-conscious, and the test results suggest the formula is indeed more measured than many mainstream competitors.
Quick comparison: worst vs better-rated options
| Product | Type | Overall test rating | Main concern or benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omo Essences naturelles | Liquid | E (worst) | Irritants, allergens, poor biodegradability |
| Persil au savon de Marseille | Liquid | E (worst) | Allergenic preservatives, environmental impact |
| Xtra 3 en 1 au savon de Marseille | Pods/liquid mix | E (worst) | Problematic chemicals, allergenic risk |
| Ariel Power Alpine | Liquid | E (worst) | Irritating surfactants, aquatic pollution |
| Xéor capsules (Leclerc) | Capsules | 15/20 | Better balance of performance and safety |
| Maison Verte Bioactive | Liquid | 14/20 | More careful formula, reduced impact |
Homemade laundry liquid: a simple alternative
The magazine also encourages readers who are willing to make an effort to prepare their own detergent. Homemade options give households full control over ingredients and cut down on packaging waste.
A basic recipe, widely circulated by eco-conscious groups and echoed in the article, uses just a few common products:
- Grated or flaked traditional Marseille soap (without palm oil or added perfume, if possible)
- Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) as a gentle cleaning booster
- Water, heated to help the mixture dissolve
- Optionally, a small amount of white vinegar as a fabric softener, added separately in the rinse compartment
By switching to a short ingredient list, households can dramatically reduce their exposure to preservatives, optical brighteners and synthetic fragrances.
The result does not have the same perfume or texture as supermarket liquid detergents, but many users report solid cleaning power for everyday laundry and a noticeable reduction in skin problems.
How to read a detergent label without losing your patience
The chemistry jargon on detergent bottles can feel baffling. A few reflexes help consumers make quicker choices:
- Scan for long lists of preservatives, particularly substances ending in “-thiazolinone”.
- Be cautious with very strong or persistent perfumes, which often rely on allergenic fragrance molecules.
- Look for mentions such as “hypoallergenic formula” or “tested under dermatological control”, while still checking the ingredient list.
- Favour products with short, clearly explained ingredient lists and transparent communication about environmental tests.
Even imperfect changes can reduce risk. Alternating between a conventional product and a milder one, or using smaller doses than recommended when loads are not very dirty, lowers exposure.
Hidden risks: when textiles become reservoirs
Many people assume that rinsing removes nearly all detergent. In reality, small residues cling to fibres. These trace amounts accumulate wash after wash, especially on synthetic materials.
With every wear, body heat, sweat and friction release part of these residues onto the skin and into the air. For fragrance components and volatile organic compounds, that can mean continuous low-level inhalation throughout the day or night.
For allergy-prone individuals, this slow and repeated contact explains why reactions sometimes appear “out of nowhere” after months of using the same product without trouble.
Thinking beyond detergents: combined exposures
Laundry products are only one piece of the puzzle. Many of the problematic substances identified by 60 Millions de consommateurs also appear in household cleaners, dishwashing liquids, shampoos and cosmetics.
Health specialists increasingly focus on this “cocktail effect”: constant, low-dose exposure to many chemicals at once. A detergent that seems acceptable in isolation may be less benign when added to several other sources of the same irritant or allergen.
Reducing the number of scented and heavily formulated products at home, even without going fully “zero waste”, can significantly cut cumulative exposure. Starting with laundry, which touches almost every fabric in the house, is a pragmatic first move.
Originally posted 2026-02-13 07:50:51.