Winning Ingredients: What we use and what we stay away from
Why De-Skunk Ingredients Are Safe for You and Your Laundry
At De-Skunk, we believe in creating laundry detergents that not only clean effectively but also keep you and the environment safe. Our formula is loaded with powerful, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your clothes, kind to your skin, and safe for the planet—while obliterating grime like a pro! Here’s why the ingredients we use are a WINNING FORMULA for your laundry routine:
The Good Stuff: Safe and Effective Ingredients
Charcoal Filtered Deionized Water: This is high-purity water, which ensures no impurities are added during the cleaning process, making it safe and gentle on fabrics.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine: A naturally derived, palm-free surfactant sourced from coconuts. It's biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and perfect for high-foaming action without harsh chemicals.
Sodium C14-C16 Olefin Sulfonate: Also coconut-derived, this biodegradable surfactant gently lifts dirt and debris, making your fabrics fresh and clean without toxic residues.
Decyl Glucoside: Derived from plants, this gentle and safe surfactant is biodegradable and perfect for sensitive skin.
Vegetable Glycerin: Sourced from vegetables, this food-grade, biodegradable ingredient works harmoniously with plant-based surfactants to enhance cleaning performance.
Dimethyl 9-Decenamide: A plant-based, biodegradable surfactant that effectively removes grease and tough stains without harmful chemicals.
Capryl/Caprylyl Glucoside: Biodegradable and derived from plants, this surfactant is great for sensitive skin and mild enough for regular use.
Pentasodium Pentetate: A biodegradable cleaning booster that enhances your detergent’s power to tackle tough stains.
Polysorbate 20: A biodegradable, plant-based stabilizer that helps essential oils blend evenly into your detergent. It’s food-grade, dioxane-free, and safe for use in your laundry.
Methylisothiazolinone & Benzisothiazolinone: Preservatives used in the smallest amounts to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi, ensuring the safety and longevity of the product. Both are biodegradable and antibacterial.
Ingredients We Avoid for Your Health and Safety
At De-Skunk the Funk, we believe that your laundry detergent should be safe for your skin, your clothes, and the planet. That’s why our formula is free from a whole host of harmful chemicals that you’ll find in many mainstream products. Here’s a breakdown of what we avoid and why:
1,4 Dioxane:
A byproduct of ethoxylation, 1,4 dioxane has been linked to cancer and doesn’t biodegrade well in soil or water. We ensure our products are 1,4 dioxane-free through careful ingredient sourcing.
Phthalates:
These are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormone systems, leading to developmental issues, fertility problems, and increased cancer risk. We avoid phthalates entirely to keep our products safe for long-term use.
Parabens:
Used as preservatives in many products, parabens are linked to hormone disruption and increased breast cancer risk. No parabens will ever be found in our detergent.
Optical Brighteners:
These chemicals make clothes appear whiter and brighter by reflecting UV light, but they can cause skin irritation, eye discomfort, and even bioaccumulation in the environment. We don’t use optical brighteners, opting for safer alternatives.
Petroleum-based Ingredients:
Petroleum-derived chemicals can cause skin irritation, dryness, and respiratory problems. Long-term exposure is linked to more serious health issues, so we keep our formulas petroleum-free.
Sulfates (SLS and SLES):
Common surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are harsh on the skin, causing dryness and irritation. We skip them in favor of plant-based, biodegradable alternatives that are gentle but effective.
Bleach:
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Instead of bleach, we use natural cleaning agents that are safer and gentler but still powerful.
Perfumes:
Synthetic fragrances often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues. We never use added perfumes in our products, allowing you to clean your clothes without the risk of synthetic fragrance sensitivity.
Dyes and Added Colors:
Artificial dyes may make products look pretty, but they can introduce harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, which are linked to skin irritation and even cancer. We keep things natural with no added colors.
Fillers:
Some laundry detergents use fillers like cornstarch, clay, or talc to bulk up their formulas, which can dilute cleaning power. We avoid fillers so that every scoop of our detergent packs full cleaning strength.
Gluten:
Some detergents contain gluten as a binding agent. For those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, this can cause skin irritation or respiratory problems. Our formula is completely gluten-free for peace of mind.
Triclosan:
This antibacterial agent is often found in cleaning products but has been linked to hormone disruption and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We avoid triclosan to keep our products safer for both you and the environment.
Ammonia:
Ammonia is a powerful but dangerous cleaner that can cause respiratory irritation, eye damage, and skin burns. We steer clear of ammonia, using natural ingredients that clean just as well without the harmful side effects.
Ethoxylated Alcohols:
These surfactants, commonly used in cleaning products, can contain 1,4 dioxane, a harmful byproduct linked to cancer. We choose safer alternatives and ensure that our products contain no ethoxylated alcohols.
SLS and SLES (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate):
These are common foaming agents in detergents but are known to irritate the skin and cause dryness. We use plant-based alternatives that are much gentler.
Formaldehyde:
A known carcinogen used in many cleaning products, formaldehyde can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and long-term health problems. We never use formaldehyde in our formulas.
Ethanolamines (MEA, DEA, TEA):
These chemicals can cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and may even form carcinogenic nitrosamines when combined with other ingredients. You’ll never find ethanolamines in our products.
Chlorine:
Chlorine is a harsh chemical that can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory issues when inhaled. We avoid chlorine-based ingredients to keep our products safer and gentler.
Phosphates:
Phosphates can contribute to water pollution, causing harmful algal blooms that damage aquatic ecosystems. We never use phosphates, choosing eco-friendly alternatives that won’t harm the environment.
At De-Skunk, we focus on creating laundry products that not only work wonders on your clothes but also support your health and the environment. By using biodegradable, plant-based ingredients and steering clear of harmful toxins, you can feel good about every wash.
When you use De-Skunk, you are WINNING!
W – Water Purity
We use only high-purity, charcoal-filtered deionized water to ensure the cleanest base for our formula.
I – Ingredients from Nature
Our ingredients are plant-based, biodegradable, and derived from natural sources like coconut and vegetables.
N – Non-toxic Cleaning
We avoid harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and optical brighteners, focusing on safer alternatives.
N – No Fillers or Dyes
We skip unnecessary fillers, dyes, and added colors that provide no benefit and can cause harm.
I – Increased Performance Naturally
Our natural ingredients are selected for effectiveness without the need for harsh chemicals like sulfates or bleach.
N – Non-irritating
Safe for sensitive skin, our formula avoids allergens and irritants like synthetic perfumes and petroleum-based ingredients.
G – Gentle on You and the Planet
Every ingredient is biodegradable and eco-friendly, ensuring that your laundry routine is safe for both your family and the environment.
This WINNING formula ensures safe, powerful, and earth-friendly cleaning!