What laundry detergent do you use? - YouLookFab Forum

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What laundry detergent do you use?

Peri

Veteran

Well, stink! In the ongoing allergy saga, I just found out my laundry detergent has the preservative I'm allergic to. This is stuff I've used for at least 20 years...Woolite. Now I have to find a new one. I have a safe list, but tell me your faves and why you like them and I will check against the list. Just something to get me started. Thanks!

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Esther

Laurinda

Veteran

I've used Arm & Hammer Liquid, Perfume and Dye Free for the past decade or so. I'm no laundry detergent connoisseur, but it does the job and has no scent that I can detect. It has never bothered my easily irritated skin. Best wishes finding something that works well for you.

Diana

Veteran

I use All Free and Clear, the original one without OxiClean (because Oxi residue irritates my skin) for my regular laundry. I'm not allergic to most detergents, but I find most scented detergents way too strong and sometimes headache-inducing. The All Free and Clear has no smell (and no dyes either if that's an issue for you), and is fairly mild (doesn't destroy your clothes) but I think it gets things plenty clean. For handwashing, particularly knits, I use Eucalan woolwash, the grapefruit scented one. The Eucalan does have essential oils which may bother some people, and they do occasionally make certain dyes bleed, in which case I just use the All.

http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Fab.....8;qid=1449...

abc

Veteran

I have lots of environmental allergies (cats, dogs, feathers, all sorts of tree pollens, etc) and I use the old school Tide (it's HE compatible too). Good luck on your allergy journey. I know it's no fun. My mom went through something similar fairly recently and hers turned out to be her hair color of all things.

rachylou

Veteran

All Free & Clear also.

JamC

Veteran

I am following your ongoing allergy story. I have not done testing but know there must be allergens causing my intense itchiness. I have switched to a hair dye without PPD; this has decreased my symptoms but not alleviated all. I may pursue the testing. A list of safe products sounds great!
I use All Free & Clear laundry detergent also.

kkards

Veteran

my mom, who also has many skin allergies has been using All Free and Clear forever and ever….plus my mom has a degree and worked for many years as a textile chemist, so this also passed her professional tests.

Anonymous

I use Tide Free HE. I use very little of it and use the level on the cap instead of the level marker in the washing machine dispenser. Before starting to do this, I once stopped and opened the machine during the rinse cycle and was surprised to see the amount of suds left so I ran another cycle with just water. I also do not use fabric softener or sheets. Did have an allergic reaction to Downy a very long time ago.

Anonymous

All Free & Clear for most loads. Tide Free & Clear for heavy loads such as bath towels.

Joyce B

Veteran

Arm and Hammer scent and dye free or Tide sensitive. Also, I do a second rinse for all my laundry.

Glory

Veteran

Hi Peri. I just started using this product from Nellie. So far so good and it has been about 3 weeks. the list of ingredients is avl online. http://www.nelliesallnatural.com/

JAileen

Veteran

What about Dreft? When my son was a baby everything caused a rash. So I used Dreft and did an extra rinse at the end.

When you said Woolite I thought of handwashing. For handwashing items, such as handknits, I use baby shampoo.

Anonymous

Tide Free HE, which I get at Costco. Cleans very well and is free of scents and dyes.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, yes, I also almost always use less detergent than recommended by the manufacturer unless the laundry is really dirty... for the All, I fill it maybe 2/3 of the way to the line although I'm not super careful. I think that most manufacturer's tend to recommend using too much so they can sell more! Anyway, using less really cuts down on the amount of residue left behind and is better for your clothes, particularly if you primarily wash with cold water.

Agree with Jaileen that shampoo (baby shampoo is often recommended bc it has the least additives) is good for handwashing woolens and delicates. Dish soap (blue Dawn is the recommended type) also works well.

Robin

Seventh Generation Free & Clear all the way.

It does a great job on my clothes.

For handwashing bras I use Dr. Bronner unscented liquid soap.

Need to find a mild, less-sudsy product for handwashing larger items though.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm no help, I use Woolite too.

Sorry to hear about you allergy woes. Glad you got it sorted out.

Peri

Veteran

Looks like the All is winning. I'm going to start with that. The 7th Generation stuff is on my approved list though, so I may be considering that. I can tell from the ingredient list that the All is okay though, and certainly less expensive.

Thanks!!

Anonymous

Also, don't use fabric softener. It's better and cheaper to use baking soda in the wash water.

greycat6

Veteran

I use the Costco Free and Clear in my HE washer. My DS's skin is extra sensitive and he has no issues with it.

Good luck!

Elle

Veteran

For the washing machine, I use Tide Free and Clear and use slightly less than the mark on the cap ( Dr. Bonner's for hand washing).

Good luck! Finding the right product can be frustrating.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm also a Tide Free person, and have also used the Method free & clear (it's concentrated and they sell refills in bags so you don't use as much plastic).

Gigi

Veteran

I use Watkins detergent, which is available at my co-op. https://www.jrwatkins.com/prod.....becfdcb8f/

Gwennie

I have allergies and use Palmolive dish soap which I've found hasn't been a problem. The other detergent I use periodically is biokleen.

Carla

Veteran

Tide Free at half the suggested measure, and as many rinse cycles as the machine allows! Too many skin issues in our household to mess around.

Jennifer

Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent Free & Clear HE.

Scarlet

Veteran

Persil--leading German brand now sold at Walmart. For actual wool I love Eucalan. I use Persil Sensitive because I have problems with a lot of laundry detergents.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pers.....gent-100-f...

If that doesn't work for you, I have seen Dreft marketed for baby clothes. Maybe worth a look.

Nebraskim

Veteran

All Free and Clear HE because it's less expensive than Tide and my husband does not like the "smell" of scented detergent. Long ago a dermatologist told me to not use any type of fabric softener (neither the in-washer or most especially dryer sheets) so we don't use those at all. We have an HE washer, so we use detergent formulated for HE and I use the most minimal amount. I spent a couple days at my brother's house recently and they have newly installed water softener system that was amazing to me in terms of my skin feeling softer after a shower. My spouse hates soft water, so we do not use a system. But with a system, you need less detergent and the water is easier on your skin, your clothing and your appliances.

DonnaF

Veteran

I like Charlie's Soap (powdered) because it rinses out so well; it is marketed to use on baby clothes. A half cup of vinegar in the rinse water also helps to neutralize detergent.

Greyscale

Veteran

I use various unscented detergents. Seventh Generation, Ecover Zero (this one says not for silk or wool, as it has enzymes to remove protein stains), Planet, or Vaska -- whichever is available / on sale at the store I happen to be at when I think of it. I just got some handwashing detergent by Planet.

I'm very sensitive to fragrances and some other chemicals but had never thought about preservatives in detergent - I know they're a problem for me in some face products and in contact lens solution. What was your allergy testing? Do you have contact allergies (skin rash) or other effects? I get headaches, itchy eyes, or upset stomach, and sometimes I wish I had a complete list of ingredients to avoid, but usually I just play it really safe and try all cosmetics before buying.

Fabric softener / dryer sheet fragrance is the worst, for me. All the others are only a problem on myself / my sheets / sometimes on my partner, but dryer sheets make it hard for me to be in the same room as someone who uses them.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Costco unscented eco-warrior stuff, but I've been thinking about making my own. (example but not sure it's the recipe I'll use). We don't do so much laundry here that it would necessarily be worth the effort, but it's a simple recipe that would give someone with allergies a lot of control over ingredients.

Use vinegar scented with essential oils for fabric softener because we line dry everything. It doesn't really make the jeans less stiff, but 10 minutes in the dryer on air only with a tennis ball and DH doesn't mind. He never complains, but the extra effort is worth it.

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