Graying inhibitors

Yes, I also wondered what that was. Graying inhibitors are present in detergents. Recently, someone sat across from me on the train who smelled quite strange and extremely strong. It wasn't perfume, but simply the scent of his 120% clean clothes. 

 

Supposedly clean, because what smelled—no, stank—was residue from the washing powder. Many conventional washing powders contain enzymes, surfactants, perfumes and fragrances, water softeners, optical brighteners, bleaching agents, or even builders and the aforementioned graying inhibitors. The same strange smell wafts over from my neighbour's clothes rack. 

 

Given that more and more people, especially children, are dealing with allergies, here's a sensible recommendation. If you want to use conventional detergents, because they are naturally cheaper than more ecologically sound washing powders, it's better to use as little as possible and rinse the laundry thoroughly.  

 

Use the extra rinse cycle. Less is more; just use half. Otherwise, graying inhibitors will quickly turn into "gray hair."