2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
It's hard not to get confused when reading the labels of modern detergents. Almost all of them contain optical brighteners. What is this component and what is it for? Does it harm humans and the environment? How to apply it correctly?
What is an optical brightener?
The very name of this component speaks for itself. Optical means that creates a certain visual effect. In other words, an optical illusion. It consists in the fact that the surface looks whiter than it really is. In fact, the composition of an optical brightener is an organic dye that allows you to brighter reflect the rays of the violet-blue part of the spectrum. This masks the yellowness of the white fabric, which inevitably appears after repeated washes, but does not make the fabric cleaner. Optical brighteners are fluorescent substances, so they show their effect in daylight and under ultraviolet rays.
Where and how is it applied
Technology was invented and used in the West since the 30s of the last century. The action of the well-known and popularearlier blueprints were based on a similar principle. The difference is that ultramarine partially absorbs the yellow color, reduces its intensity, but does not add brightness and whiteness. Also, the housewives of the old school remember how easy it was to ruin the linen by adding too much blue when washing. Indeed, when the dosage is too high, the dye gives an undesirable shade, and this effect may appear after several applications.
Modern washing powders already contain optical brighteners of a more progressive composition and in the right concentration. For home use, it is very convenient - you do not need to measure anything. Professional dry cleaners use the component separately from detergents, at the final stage, which allows you to achieve the maximum effect of cleanliness.
Optical bleaching technology is used not only for washing, but also for lightening the fibers of fabrics at the stage of their production, in the manufacture of plastics, varnishes, paper, soap, film.
There are other, no less popular means that increase the whiteness of matter. These are inorganic or chemical bleaches (chlorine-containing, oxygen-containing). Their advantage is that they remove the pollution itself.
The benefits and harms of optical bleach in washing powder
Many housewives and especially mothers are wondering if this "chemistry" is harmless. No one knows the exact answer, since studies on the effect of optical brighteners on humans and the environment have not been conducted, there areonly indirect data. Let's try to analyze them.
One of the main requirements for a washing optical brightener is its relative resistance to washing off with water and detergents, as well as to light and sweat. Otherwise, there will be no whiteness effect. However, keep in mind that the optical component itself does not guarantee the desired result. If the fabric does not wash well and its fibers are clogged with dirt and dust, then after a while the sheet will become even grayer than before.
From wash to wash, the substance accumulates in the fabric. This means that bleach is in regular contact with human skin, which can cause skin irritation, itching, redness, and allergies.
At the same time, it is impossible to say that the harm is caused precisely by the addition of optical brightener, which is put into washing detergents in very small quantities. Powders contain much more dangerous substances.
Much more is known about chlorine-containing, phosphate and other "chemistry" and its dangers. Most likely, organic optical brightener is not so dangerous for humans and nature. And if it at least partially replaces bleach in the laundry, this can already be considered a benefit.
Use when washing baby clothes
The skin of a child, especially a newborn, is many times more sensitive than that of an adult. According to statistics, allergies are very often caused by external irritants (household chemicals and cosmetics). Therefore, for linen and clothes for babies, you need to use only natural products. ToUnfortunately, none of the popular and widely advertised brands of children's laundry detergents in Russia meets the safety requirements, according to independent reviews!
Is it dangerous for the environment?
Scientists are well aware of the toxicity of optical brighteners to aquatic life. These substances, among other things, settle on the gills of fish, preventing them from breathing normally. The main volume of water pollution comes from urban sewage, which contains an incredible amount of household chemicals. As a result, living organisms begin to get sick and die, the quality of water and soil is deteriorating, and hence our he alth - an ecological disaster does not bypass anyone!
Analogues of "chemistry"
As more and more people are starting to take care of their he alth and the environment lately, natural laundry detergents that do not contain harmful ingredients appear on store shelves. You just need to read the ingredients carefully. And if until recently these products were made only abroad and were very expensive, today there are more and more domestic analogues available at a price.
Powder with optical brightener is better to replace with an oxygen-containing stain remover. It will also make laundry cleaner, and harmless, because it is non-toxic, and completely biodegradable. Cheaper and more environmentally friendly to make your own bleach at home one by onefrom time-tested methods. You can use citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, aspirin, ammonia, baking soda and other substances that get rid of stains and make the fabric snow white.
Recipe for Homemade Citric Acid Bleach:
- lemon juice 2-3 tbsp. l., hot water - 5 l;
- for heavy soiling lemon juice - 1 tbsp. (or citric acid in powder 1 tablespoon), hot water - 3 liters.
Soak laundry in this solution for at least a couple of hours or overnight.
Recipe for bleach with soda and ammonia:
- baking soda - 5 tbsp. l.;
- ammonia - 2 tbsp. l.;
- warm water - 5 l.
To remove stains, soak laundry in this solution for 3-4 hours. To get rid of yellowness, you need to boil things in it for 30 minutes. Do not wash delicate fabrics (wool, silk), as well as dyed fabrics in this solution. Always, before bleaching, study the label on the clothes - it says at what temperature and intensity you can wash it.
How to minimize harm
If you still use the usual "chemical" powders, then try to reduce the frequency of washing and significantly (2-3 times) increase the rinse time.
Another good way to reduce the impact of "chemistry" on your life is to use dyed linen, it simply does not need to be bleached.
Make a choice: what is more important for you - the ideal appearance of the sheet or the he alth of the family and the environment? Shiny white linen or just cleanliness?
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