LAUNDRY

The "Fragrance" Loophole: Why 3,000 Chemicals Hide in One Word

Written by Kay Baker, MS, OTR/L — CEO & Co-Founder • Reviewed by Matthew Keasey, Ph.D. — Chief Science Officer • Last reviewed: December 10, 2025

Transparency note: This article cites government sites, standards bodies, and peer-reviewed sources wherever possible. Educational only, not medical or legal advice.

Flip your detergent bottle over. You will likely see a list of unpronounceable chemicals, followed by a single, simple word: "Fragrance" (or sometimes "Parfum").

It looks innocent. It is not.

In the United States, that single word is a legal "black box." Thanks to a loophole in the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966, manufacturers are allowed to treat their scent formulas as "trade secrets." This means they can dump any combination of over 3,000 undisclosed chemicals into that one ingredient line without telling you what they are.

At Green Llama, we believe you have a right to know what you are breathing. This is what is actually hiding in that "Fresh Linen" scent.

Phthalates: The Hormone Disruptors

Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are the most common hidden chemicals in fragrance mixtures. They are used as solvents and fixatives—they help the scent stick to your clothes so that "fresh" smell lasts for days.

Phthalates are biologically expensive.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies phthalates as Endocrine Disruptors. They mimic human hormones, specifically interfering with testosterone and estrogen production. Chronic exposure is linked to reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, and metabolic disorders.

Because they are hiding inside the "Fragrance" loophole, you can buy a detergent that claims to be "Non-Toxic" but still floods your home with hormone-disrupting phthalates.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

If walking down the detergent aisle gives you an instant headache, you are reacting to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Synthetic fragrances are designed to be volatile—they turn into gas at room temperature so they can travel to your nose. But they don't stop at your nose. They enter your lungs and bloodstream.

A study by the University of Washington found that widely used scented laundry products emit dozens of VOCs, including acetaldehyde and benzene (both classified as carcinogens by the EPA). None of these were listed on the label. They were all hidden under "Fragrance."

The "Unscented" Trap

Here is the trickiest part: Buying "Unscented" doesn't always save you.

"Unscented" is a marketing term. It often means the manufacturer added more chemicals (masking agents) to neutralize the smell of the other ingredients. You are still getting the chemical load; you just can't smell it.

If you want a truly safe product, look for the term "Fragrance-Free" (which means no scent ingredients were added) or check the label for specific essential oils.

The Green Llama Standard: Radical Transparency

We don't have trade secrets. We have nothing to hide.

When we scent our [Laundry Powder] or [Wool Dryer Balls], we use 100% Natural Essential Oils. And we list them by name.

• Lavender: Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

• Lemongrass: Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil

• Peppermint: Mentha Piperita Oil

If a scent comes from a lab, we don't use it. If we can't tell you exactly what plant it came from, it doesn't go in our bag.

How to Detox Your Air

Your indoor air quality is likely worse than the air outside, largely due to cleaning products.

1. Read the Label: If you see the word "Fragrance" with no asterisk or explanation, put it back.

2. Trust Your Nose: Real essential oils smell like plants (earthy, sharp, floral). Synthetic fragrance smells like "concepts" (Ocean Mist, Mountain Rain).

3. Choose Fragrance-Free: For babies and sensitive skin, skip the scent entirely. Our [Fragrance-Free Laundry Powder] is pure cleaning power with zero olfactory triggers.

4. Breathe easier: Stop guessing what is in your air. Shop Green Llama Laundry Powder, Scented by nature, not factories.