Detergent for sensitive skin
Short answer: Choose a detergent without perfume, without dye and without fabric softener, and add an extra rinse. Those four things solve most cases of itching from freshly washed clothes. Also use half of what the measuring cup shows, since detergent left in the fabric is a common cause of irritation.
What to leave out
Perfume is the most common cause of itching from freshly washed clothes and should be the first thing you drop. Optical brighteners and dyes in the detergent itself come next. Read the ingredients on the pack and pick a product without them. That does more for the skin than a brand name or a nice package.
Fabric softener leaves the most behind
Fabric softener is the product that leaves the most on the fabric, because it is made to stay in the fibres and give scent and softness. For sensitive skin that is exactly the problem. Skip it entirely, and let an extra rinse and good drying make clothes soft and fresh to wear.
What to choose instead
Choose a liquid detergent labelled sensitive or allergy friendly. Liquid dissolves fully in the water and leaves no granules in the fibres, which can happen with powder, especially on short programmes at low temperature. A mild detergent is often easy to find in an ordinary shop, and you do not need to buy an expensive brand.
Dosage matters more than the label
Too much detergent is not rinsed out and stays in the clothes, where it can irritate the skin all day. Use half of what the measuring cup shows, and add an extra rinse. If you have soft water, use even less. The clothes get just as clean, and you avoid residue that can cause itching.
Underwear, where skin is thinnest
Underwear sits against the most sensitive areas of the skin and so is often the first thing to cause trouble when the detergent is wrong. Choose a soft material and a perfume free detergent. See bamboo underwear for women and bamboo underwear for men for soft underwear that sits well on the skin.
The bedding you sleep in
Bedding lies against the skin for many hours every night, so leftover detergent and softener are easy to notice. Wash it with the same mild detergent as your clothes, and add an extra rinse. See the range of bamboo bedding, which is soft and smooth against the skin and easy to keep clean and fresh.
Rewash everything and give it time
If you change detergent but keep clothes with residue in the fibres, you will not feel a difference straight away. Rewash everything with the new detergent and an extra rinse, and give it two weeks before you judge. By then the old residue is rinsed out, and you can tell whether the detergent was the problem.
Temperature and programme
A higher temperature rinses out slightly better, but dosage matters more. Always follow the care label in the clothes, and choose a programme with a good rinse if your machine has one. An overfilled machine rinses poorly, so leave the drum some room so the water can move around the clothes.
When the itching does not go away
If changing detergent and rinsing extra does not help, the itching may have a cause other than the wash. It could be something in your daily life you have not thought of. If you have persistent itching, eczema or a rash, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist instead of guessing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to notice a difference
Rewash everything and give it two weeks. It takes time because old residue from detergent and softener has to be rinsed fully out of the fibres in your clothes and bedding.
Is eco detergent better for the skin
Not automatically. Look for perfume free and labelled sensitive rather than the eco label alone, because an eco detergent can also contain fragrances that irritate.
Does washing at a higher temperature help
It rinses out slightly better, but dosage matters more. Use half the recommended amount, add an extra rinse, and always follow the care label in the clothes.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
