Best Non-Toxic Fabric Softener in 2025

Methylisothiazolinone can reportedly cause allergic contact dermatitis in workers who interact with products containing it. This substance is recognized as a contact allergen for consumers using cosmetics that include it. It can cause skin burns and sensitization, and inhaling it may lead to corrosive injuries in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. Ingesting this substance is harmful, and inhalation is toxic. This preservative is linked to the category of isothiazolinones.

Ammonium hydroxide is a corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. High concentrations, either through inhalation or prolonged exposure, can lead to significant respiratory issues, including inflammation, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema. It is used in various industries such as fertilizers, dyes, explosives, plastics, and cleansing agents, among others. Due to its intense pungency and potential to cause extreme irritation and even life-threatening conditions, precautions such as wearing protective clothing and immediate cleansing of affected areas are recommended. It should be stored away from combustibles and heavy metals, in well-ventilated areas and in specified containers. Disposal guidelines also need to be referred from environmental regulatory agencies due to the hazardous nature of the substance.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell that's naturally produced in small quantities in human bodies and is also known as methanal amongst other names. It's used in the production of various items such as fertilizers, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins as well as in some foods and household products like antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde, which can occur through breathing contaminated indoor air, tobacco smoke, or ambient urban air can lead to respiratory symptoms, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and has been linked to lung and nasopharyngeal cancer as well as leukemia. The EPA considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen (Group B1) and inhaling it can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Commercially, it's sold as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44%, or 50% and long-term exposure can cause first-degree burns, skin sensitization, squamous cell nasal cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstruction.

Dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride is a skin irritant and can cause serious eye injury. It's typically not available as an isolated compound but primarily found in dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC). DHTDMAC is a substance containing variable proportions of similar compounds having carbon chains ranging from C12 to C20. It can be commercially obtained in different forms like a paste-like substance, powder, or aqueous emulsion, with varying percentages of dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride. Studies on rabbits demonstrated that technical grade DODMAC, which has 77% dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, was corrosive to skin and the pure compound could cause moderate skin irritation along with severe eye damage.

Galaxolide is recognized as an established contact allergen in humans, according to the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's 2011 report on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products. This compound has been identified as a reproductive effector and acts as a moderate skin irritant, as documented in The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS).

Glutaraldehyde is a colorless, sharp-smelling oily liquid used for a variety of purposes, such as disinfection, sterilization of surfaces, oil and gas recovery, waste water treatment, x-ray processing, leather tanning, paper production, and as chemical intermediate for various other materials. It can also be found in select products like paint and laundry detergent. Although widely used, Glutaraldehyde can cause several health issues, including effecting asthma, allergic contact dermatitis, irritation to skin and respiratory tract, and in high concentrations, toxic hepatitis in mice. It's known to cause severe irritation to eyes and skin, and even small vapor concentrations can result in throat and nose irritation. Reports suggest that it was connected to 9% of work-related asthma cases among healthcare workers over a five-year period.

Benzyl alcohol can occasionally lead to allergic contact dermatitis or occupational contact urticaria. It can irritate the skin and eyes, and inhalation at high quantities can result in central nervous system effects. Rats exposed to high concentrations showed no deaths, however, it has caused fatalities in premature infants when given in IV solutions at doses over 4.5mg/kg a day. The substance is quickly metabolized to hippuric acid and is noted as a known contact allergen in humans.

Isothiazolinones are preservatives known to cause allergic contact dermatitis, primarily in workers involved in manufacturing industries like paint, paper, rubber, and air fresheners. Additionally, there's a reported case of occupational asthma from exposure to this chemical among workers.

Dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate has been linked to respiratory effects, developmental, endocrine, and reproductive issues, as well as acute aquatic toxicity. A compound with a similar structure is recognized as an asthmagen, leading to sensitization. Data from the European Union Ecolabel program indicates that this substance possesses high acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. The presence of quaternary ammonium compounds in human blood has been correlated with heightened inflammation, diminished mitochondrial function, and cholesterol disruption. Furthermore, this chemical, commonly found in dryer sheets, is known to cause allergic reactions, elevate the risk of asthma, and negatively impact reproductive health.

Butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as lilial, is a chemical compound commonly used in cosmetics and laundry powders. It is found naturally in crow-dipper and tomato plants and is also produced synthetically in large quantities. In May 2019, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) deemed its use in cosmetics as unsafe. Following animal studies indicating reproductive toxicity, the EU banned its use in cosmetics by March 2022. Moreover, butylphenyl methylpropional can sometimes serve as an allergen, potentially leading to contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.

d-Limonene is a liquid with a lemon-like smell, often used as a solvent to substitute for more volatile and toxic organic solvents. When it comes into contact with air, it can oxidize, and this oxidized form is a known skin sensitizer, capable of irritating skin and eyes. The combination of d-limonene and l-limonene is known as limonene or dipentene. The estimated lethal dose for humans is between 0.5 to 5 g/kg, and studies have shown that it can cause diarrhea and liver effects when ingested in high doses.

Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants, consisting of two enantiomers. It is widely used in commercial products for its pleasant floral and spicy scent, serving as a key ingredient in soaps, fragrances, food flavors, household products, and insecticides. In plants, linalool functions as a metabolite, volatile oil component, antimicrobial agent, and aroma compound. Acute exposure to linalool can lead to central depressive effects with symptoms such as ataxia, reduced motor activity, and respiratory disturbances. Additionally, inhalation, oral intake, or skin absorption can result in irritation, pain, and allergic reactions.

Quaternium-15 is a preservative commonly used in cosmetics which is known to significantly contribute to allergic contact dermatitis in users. This condition has been reported in various professions, including hairdressers, machine maintenance engineers at a chicken processing plant, and photocopy workers. Notably, Quaternium-15, as a formaldehyde releaser, increases dermatitis risk. However, rinse-off products typically pose a lower risk of resulting in allergic contact dermatitis.

Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, is an odorless white crystalline solid that absorbs moisture from the air. It generates significant heat when dissolved in water or neutralized with acid which may ignite combustible materials. It is highly corrosive and is typically used as a solid or in a 50% solution. Sodium hydroxide is used to manufacture a variety of products including soaps, rayon, paper, explosives, dyestuffs, and petroleum products. Exposure to this substance may cause severe burns, necrosis, and pulmonary edema, depending on the concentration and exposure method.