Are Optical Brighteners Bad?

Detergents that use optical brighteners make the fabric stiffer, can be irritating to your skin, are bad for the environment, and do not even make your clothes any cleaner. Your eyes may think your clothes are cleaner, but it's just an optical illusion.

Why are optical brighteners bad?

For optical brighteners, the program encourages manufacturers to use those that pose "low toxicity to humans and the environment both as parent chemicals and degradation byproducts." Optical brighteners aren't readily biodegradable and may bioaccumulate, so they pose a potential hazard to aquatic life.

Is optical brightener safe for skin?

What's the problem with optical brighteners? In the 1970s, scientists studied the effects of optical brighteners on the environment, and on humans. This research showed mixed results. Skin Allergies: One study found that contact with optical brighteners can cause an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis.