The present investigation entitled ‘Chemical contamination of water due to household laundry detergents was conducted to study the chemical contribution of laundry detergents to waste water. Six most commonly used laundry detergents, 4 powder and 2 liquid detergents were selected to study the chemical input of each to waste water stream from home laundry. Chemical analysis of wash water and detergent solution was done to analyse pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, sulphate, carbonate and bicarbonate alkalinity. The results indicated that with the use of powder detergents, there was a significant increase in the level of pH, TDS, chlorides, sulphate, carbonate and bicarbonate in wash water, whereas very negligible change was found in all the above chemical parameters with the use of liquid detergents. So, we should give up powder detergents and start using the eco-friendly liquid detergents to save resources, to minimize water pollution and choking of drains.

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