Do laundry detergent and fabric softener cause breathing problems?

The chemicals in your laundry room

Your laundry detergent and fabric softener might be making it harder for your child to breathe. A 2026 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that children with recurrent wheezing had significantly higher exposure to chemical-heavy laundry products compared to healthy children. Researchers analyzed the ingredients in products used by 160 families and found a direct link between additive-rich detergents and increased airway resistance.

What the data shows

The study identified specific chemicals that appeared more frequently in the laundry routines of children with impaired respiratory function. This included sodium lauryl sulfate, methylisothiazolinone, butylphenyl methylpropional, and various synthetic fragrances like coumarin and linalool. While healthy children were less likely to be exposed to these additives, the group with wheezing showed higher resistance values in their airways when tested via impulse oscillometry.

The takeaway is clear: the additives designed to make clothes smell like a meadow or feel extra soft are actively irritating sensitive lungs. Children who used simple, additive-free, soap-based detergents showed lower airway resistance, meaning they could breathe more easily.

How to clear the air

You don't need a chemistry degree to keep your family safe. Start by ditching the synthetic softeners and heavy fragrances that linger on your clothes long after the dryer stops. Switch to fragrance-free, additive-free detergents that rely on simple ingredients rather than a cocktail of artificial chemicals. We have curated a collection of non-toxic home alternatives that get your clothes clean without compromising your child's respiratory health. It is a simple swap that makes a measurable difference.

Source: Tunçerler G, Beşe SA, Şahin C, Törer N, Erge D (2026). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.