That "fresh lavender" or "spring breeze" scent in your detergent contains phthalates, chemicals that disrupt your hormones.
Studies show phthalates can interfere with thyroid function, affect reproductive health in both men and women, disrupt normal hormone production in growing children, and have been linked to early puberty in girls.
Here's the kicker: fragrance formulas are protected as "trade secrets," which means detergent companies don't have to tell you what's actually in that smell.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I was obsessed with everything being "natural" and "safe." I read every food label, avoided certain plastics, took prenatal vitamins. But I never questioned my laundry detergent.
Every time I pulled my baby's onesie out of the dryer, I was exposing my newborn to hormone-disrupting chemicals. The guilt hit me hard, but it motivated me to find a safer solution.