Saving Water and Electricity by cutting out Detergents

The Star Business Report
Renewable Energy
Saving Water and Electricity by cutting out Detergents

In recent years, the environment has taken center stage in the global economy, with some experts suggesting that even in South Africa it will soon come to rival black economic empowerment as a business prerogative.

Marietjie Lacomme of Biowash SA, says: “According to a report by Dr Peter Dingle, a toxicologist, most laundry detergents are produced entirely from petrochemicals or coal and contain a high percentage of ingredients that are either toxins or have an indirect detrimental effect on the environment. An average laundry detergent composition includes 15-25 percent synthetic surfactant, 30-40 percent condensed phosphate and five percent anti-corrosive silicate.

“Within these basic categories is a broad range of toxic chemicals that can cause an increase in weight, a decrease in white blood cells (shown in rats) and the promotion of tumor activity in mice. For instance, phenol, sodium nitrate, ethanol, sulphuric acid and caustic soda are all common detergent ingredients that are either toxic or combine to create toxic compounds,” says Lacomme.

Of course, people don't consume detergents, but these waste products are released to our waterways as seemingly innocuous substances where they break down into nonylphenol, an oestrogen-like substance. The water is then used (after recycling) for cooking and drinking.

“These types of chemicals have been named synthetic or foreign oestrogens, xenoestrogens or endocrine disrupters. Because they are so similar in structure to the oestrogen produced by our bodies, our cells will receive xenoestrogens and try to make use of them. Although similar to oestrogen in structure, they are synthetic compounds and have many unwanted and unpleasant side effects. Once introduced into our bodies they can alter our hormonal activity, disrupting our normal reproductive functioning.

The more common side effects of detergent residues in clothes and linen are skin irritation such as rashes, itchiness and inflammation, explains Lacomme, and these originate both from direct contact with detergents, and inhalation of vapours from liquid detergents.

“These chemicals is destructive to the living organisms in our rivers, oceans and harmful to all living beings including plant life, in one way or another.”

Growing awareness of the impact of chemical toxins has become one of the more global phenomenon of recent times.

“People have for some time now realised the effects of harsh chemicals on the environment and the human body. This awareness is in its early stages in South Africa, where we still have a lot of education to do,” she says.

This awareness has been responded to by the business community through the development of natural, eco-friendly products such as Biowashball, which allows for a healthy laundry without the use of consumable detergent. It replaces the use of detergent and softener of your washing machine.

Lacomme says that by buying such products as Biowashball, the consumer contributes to savings on our: groundwater system, river and oceans from chemical pollution; the reduction of landfill waste (through less packaging); being able to recycle your water from your washing machine; using less water because the washing programme can be reduced, as there is no foam or detergent to rinse out; saving your skin and health from allergies including asthma and sinus problems; electricity, as Biowashball is equally effective in cold water.

“In addition, your clothes last much longer because there are no chemicals destroying the fibres of your laundry or bleach that fades the colours of your clothing. Furthermore, Biowashball saves money as it lasts for 1,000 washes, and therefore cost only 48 cents per wash or R14 per month to do your laundry.

“With the current environmental and economic crisis, demand for value-for-money products like Biowashball is rising. Our clients are generally people with a high environmental and health consciousness, but also people from drought-stricken areas. We currently have more than 10,000 clients in South Africa alone.

“I'm positive that with the combined effort of companies like Biowash Southern Africa, we can reduce the use of chemicals by up to 60% within the next 10 years. If we don't we are heading in the wrong direction, a future of no return, with water being our biggest problem,” says Lacomme.