Washing clothes is one of those never-ending but necessary household tasks that everyone has to do day in and day out, but your laundry habits can have a major impact on the environment.

Washing powder is a product used by most households to clean their clothes and leave them smelling fresh, but what people might not realise is that most products contain harmful chemicals. Washing powder is generally regarded as a more environmentally-friendly option than liquid detergents as it is typically packaged in a cardboard box which can be recycled, whereas liquids typically come in plastic bottles which contribute to plastic waste.

Powder detergents also use different chemicals compared to liquids which tend to break down easier, meaning their impact on the environment is slightly less harmful, but households are being urged to check the ingredients before making a purchase to ensure it is 100 per cent biodegradable.

The biggest group of chemicals used in detergents are surfactants - molecules that combine together on the surface you are cleaning to help trap dirt and remove it when they are exposed to water.

Unfortunately most surfactants used in detergents are harmful to the environment and cause harm to aquatic life when they reach our waterways.

Laundry detergents also often contain non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived chemicals, which stay in the environment for a long time and seep into our waterways, harming marine life.

While powder detergents are often more likely to contain biodegradable ingredients, this isn't always the case so households are urged to check the ingredients before buying and ensure the product is 100% biodegradable.

In its general advice on environmentally friendly laundry detergents, Eco Homelife warned: "The common chemicals used in laundry detergents are already bad news for the planet, but there is more.

"They are also petroleum-derived. This means they are made from fossil fuels, which is, as we know, not sustainable and contributes to climate change. And on top of that, most of these petrochemicals are not biodegradable. So they stay in our environment for a very long time, some forever.

"While powder detergents are more likely to contain biodegradable ingredients, it's not a given. Unless it's clearly stated on the label, don't assume that a washing powder is 100% biodegradable.

"The sad truth is that petrochemicals are the cheapest around and that's why most big brands use them, even if this is bad for our planet."

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As such, UK households are being urged to buy more eco-friendly washing powders that are biodegradable - and packaged in cardboard - to help reduce the chemicals seeping into our oceans and to cut down on plastic waste.

Eco Homelife added: "Generally, powder has the upper hand over liquid in this battle. But what's more important is what's in the detergent, regardless of what form it has.

"If you want to wash your laundry without having an environmental impact, look for laundry detergents that contain biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients. You want a laundry detergent that doesn't use petrochemicals. Stay away from plastic packaging as well, for the same reason.

"The good news is that there are many UK companies out there that put the plant first and make eco-friendly liquid and powdered detergents that work without harming the planet."