Is your laundry detergent impacting your fertility?

What you wash your clothes with probably isnโt the first thing you think about when planning for IVF or egg freezing, but lately, itโs been showing up more in fertility books and TikToks alike. So, is it legit? Or just another fear-fueled rabbit hole?
Letโs break it down.
Why is laundry detergent being talked about in fertility circles?
It comes down to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These are ingredients that can interfere with your hormones โ your bodyโs messengers that regulate everything from your cycle to your ability to ovulate.
Some laundry detergents (and household products in general) contain ingredients like:
- Phthalates
- Fragrance (often listed just as โfragranceโ)
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
- Optical brighteners
While these arenโt listed as direct causes of infertility, some studies suggest that long-term exposure to high levels of EDCs could potentially affect reproductive health, especially when combined with other lifestyle and environmental factors.
So itโs less โthis detergent will ruin your chances of conceiving and if you donโt remove it youโll never get pregnant,โ and more โthis might be one piece of a larger puzzle.โ
Is this science-backed โ or scaremongering?
Letโs be clear: doing laundry isnโt a fertility risk.
But the ingredients in some products โ especially those heavily scented or loaded with synthetic chemicals โ can contribute to your overall hormone load.
Research into the link between EDCs and fertility is still developing. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said that minimizing exposure to certain chemicals where you can might be beneficial, particularly when undergoing fertility treatment.
So, the bottom line: itโs not panic-worthy โ but if youโre in prep mode for IVF or egg freezing, it might be something worth paying attention to.
Should you switch your laundry detergent?
If you're someone whoโs already making changes โ eating to support egg quality, reducing BPA, cutting back on alcohol โ switching to a low-tox detergent can feel like a simple, empowering step.
Look for:
- Fragrance-free or naturally scented
- Free of phthalates, dyes, and optical brighteners
- Plant-based or EWG-verified brands
Popular picks include Seventh Generation Free & Clear, Better Life, Ecover Zero, Mollyโs Suds, Branch Basics, and Attitude Living.
But remember: you donโt have to overhaul your life to โdeserveโ good results. Changing things may make you feel like youโre more in control โ itโs not about doing everything perfectly, rather than doing what feels right and doable for you.ย
TL;DR
- Laundry detergent alone wonโt make or break your fertility outcomes.
- But some contain hormone-disrupting ingredients that might contribute to overall hormone load.
- If youโre prepping for IVF or egg freezing, switching to a low-tox, fragrance-free detergent can be a small but impactful step โ if it feels good to you.
- You donโt have to do it all. You just have to do what feels manageable and supportive.
Your fertility journey is personal.
Whether you swap your detergent or not, Gaiaโs here to back you with human support, flexible financing, and zero judgment. From your first question to your final cycle โ weโve got you from day one to day baby.
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