Craving Laundry Detergent Smell? Read This First
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You wonder why laundry detergent smells so good and why you crave the smell of it so much. However, is it actually dangerous to smell laundry detergent? We’ll answer all of your questions in this article.
FAQ on Laundry Detergent Smell
Here are some of the most asked questions surrounding laundry detergent smell, including smelling or inhaling the fragrance. We will always add new answers to this page so feel free to bookmark this page.
Is it bad to smell laundry detergent?
Don’t inhale or smell laundry detergent because they contain synthetic fragrances, which can be toxic. In fact, some of the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheets contain hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens (acetaldehyde and benzene).
Companies that make laundry detergent and other soaps typically use proprietary “blends” of fragrances or chemicals, making it difficult for consumers to know what exactly is in their detergent bottles.
A study led by the University of Washington discovered that 25 commonly used scented laundry detergent products emit an average of 17 chemicals each. Of the 133 different chemicals detected, nearly a quarter are classified as toxic or hazardous under at least one federal law.
Scented products, including laundry detergent, can affect not only personal health, but also public and environmental health. The chemicals can go into the air, down the drain and into water bodies. It is recommended to use laundry products without any fragrance or scent for better health.
What happens when you smell (inhale) too much laundry detergent?
You can experience vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs when you smell or inhale too much laundry detergent. This is caused by one of the most harmful chemicals found in laundry detergent, 1,4-Dioxane, which is used as a solvent.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 1,4-Dioxane carcinogenic for humans when used as a solvent. Avoid inhaling too much scented laundry detergent or use natural cleaning products instead.
Why do I love and crave the smell of laundry detergent?
According to some studies, humans can develop cravings and love for certain smells, like laundry detergent, due to iron deficiency anemia, which is a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells.
In 2016, Bryar Hansen et al. published a study with the American Society of Hematology called “Desiderosmia (Craving of Olfaction): A Novel Symptom Associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia”.
The only reports of smell cravings were from pregnant women and patients with anemia. They had seen patients with these cravings, none of whom were pregnant, and all of whom were anemic. They craved smells such as Pine-Sol, gasoline, rubber tires, and “the musty odor of the basement.”
This is a chart that shows the most common smells that were craved by patients, published in the study alongside the American Society of Hematology study called “Desiderosmia (Craving of Olfaction): A Novel Symptom Associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia”.
Statistics and Image from Bryar Hansen et al., published in Blood Journal.
Patients who reported this symptom did not report a desire to eat what they were craving. They suggested the name “desiderosmia” for this condition; “desiderare” is Latin for “desire”, and “osme” is a Greek word meaning “smell.” As you can see, laundry detergent is number 7 on the list.
It may not be known exactly how or why the human brain creates cravings for certain smells, like the smell of laundry detergent, but there is no evidence that it is something to be overly worried about either.
Why does laundry detergent smell so good?
Laundry detergent smells so good due to the fragrance. Companies that make laundry detergent typically use proprietary “blends” of fragrances or chemicals to cover the smell of surfactants, which smell unpleasant.
Sensitive, plant-based, or eco laundry detergents still contain fragrance (as well as fewer or weaker surfactants), just less than the mainstream version. The maximum allowed concentration of fragrances in a final personal care product, including laundry detergent, is 1%.
Why does laundry detergent smell so strong?
Quite often, laundry detergent smells so strong because it contains significant amounts of artificial fragrances that are highly durable and preserved throughout the entirety of the washing process.
The end result is that clean laundry smells just like the product inside the bottle, and then that smell remains on your clothes for what seems like forever. These familiar fragrances are chemically based.
When companies list “fragrance” as one of their ingredients in a laundry detergent, this means it could be any combination of around 3,000 different chemical ingredients. Many of these secret chemical ingredients are proprietary, so we can’t even find out what they are. That is why laundry detergent smells so strong.
What laundry detergent smell lasts the longest?
Many people believe the smell of Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent (Lavender) lasts the longest. Not only does its sweet scent of lavender last a long time, but its scent comes from botanical extracts and essential oils. In other words, it is as natural as it gets because it doesn’t use artificial fragrances.
- Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent lifts stubborn stains like tomato sauce, grass and coffee with our enzyme rich formula
- Free of dyes, synthetic fragrances & artificial brighteners
- USDA Certified Biobased Product 97%
The “Spring Meadow” scented Tide Pods also have some of the longest-lasting smell in a laundry detergent. Not only do the fresh floral notes last a long time, but they also leave you with clean clothes.
Key Takeaways
And there you have it, some of the most important answers about the smell of laundry detergent, including why you love or crave it. Laundry detergent smells so good because of the fragrance.
Scented liquid laundry detergent and dryer sheets contain hazardous chemicals and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), two of which are classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The best way to reduce the health risk is to use laundry detergents that are green or eco-friendly, and are also safe (or at least safer) not only for your skin and your health, but also for the environment.
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Sofia Rodriguez
As a professional house cleaner, I'm passionate about cleanliness. I write this blog to help anyone take better care of their homes and ultimately their loved ones.