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D. Marie
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 12:47pm | IP Logged
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Hi Ladies,
I am really having a hard time with laundry detergents and fabric softeners breaking out my little one. I've tried Arm & Hammer Free & Clear with Bounce Free dryer sheets and it didn't help. I went to Purex detergent with 2nd rinse and Bounce Free dryer sheets and that has improved the eczema but it has not gone away completely. So just the other day I decided to try the all natural stuff. I bought Country Save detergent and Method Fabric softener only to find that not only did my little one break out, but so did I! Can anyone help here with suggestions or advice?
Thank you so much ladies,
Diane
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 1:38pm | IP Logged
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Do you think it could be the dryer sheets? We don't use them at all. Ok well my dh uses them in his laundry and sometimes I put them in with polar fleece, but really that's it. My dh insists that I use a liquid detergent, he hates powder, I think it makes him sneeze not break out.
We use All Free and Clear. My kiddos aren't that sensitive though. The only time they broke out was when I used Tide.
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
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We have used ALL free and Clear too. We have VERY sensitive skin - I advise no fabric softeners or dryer sheets at all. Also use an extra rinse.
I have started making my own and this has been our best detergent EVER!
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 2:40pm | IP Logged
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Marilyn,
I have the same kit. I didn't know what to use for a bucket, but thanks to you, that problem is solved! One more thing to add to dh's Home Depot list!
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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D. Marie
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 5:19pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Mary and Marilyn,
I just thought because a product was called non-toxic that it would be okay. What do you do about static? I've heard to add vinegar to the rinse cycle, or use the dryer balls or re-usable cloth dryer sheets.
Marilyn, your homemade laundry detergent ingredients looks similar to what is in the Country Save. This gives me confidence that it might be the fabric softener, but I'm still going to double rinse!
Thanks ladies!
Diane
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mathmama
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 7:26pm | IP Logged
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I have been using Charlie's Soap with great success. My youngest has horribly sensitive skin and eczema and I have terribly sensitive skin as well. The Charlie's Soap rinses out so completely. My clothes are so much softer since I started using it. If you are still in need of a fabric softener, vinegar works great as a fabric softener and also helps to keep the static down. Just fill your fabric softener cup with it. The vinegar also helps the detergent rinse out completely.
hth,
Beth
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: Dec 22 2008 at 7:33pm | IP Logged
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I just don't worry about static. 
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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nissag
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| Posted: Dec 23 2008 at 9:12am | IP Logged
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Homemade and Charlie's are both excellent choices. Commercial detergents tend to leave a residue that can make sensitive folks itch. It's also what makes lined dried garments so stiff.
You can get Charlie's near wholesale at the Hearth and Home Co-op.
Blessings,
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Nissa
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At Home With the Gadbois Family
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: Dec 23 2008 at 3:28pm | IP Logged
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We also use home made. I then put a splash of vinegar in my rinse cycle for static. It mostly works. When static gets really bad I will put 1/2 a dryer sheet in the dryer and that eliminates static charge build up in the machine.
LeeAnn
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LeeAnn
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 27 2008 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
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Don't forget to check out your soaps and lotions, too- they can irritate skin- even dish soap and hand soap.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Milehimama
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| Posted: Dec 31 2008 at 10:33pm | IP Logged
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I recently started making my own laundry soap, too, in the last month. I'm cheap so I use an old pickle jar and cut the recipe in half so it would fit.
I did that because my husband breaks out with many kinds of detergents, and I couldn't STAND the way the others smelled (I'm pregnant and those things really bother me!)
I don't worry about static cling.
You might try using HALF the amount of detergent and adding vinegar to the rinse cycle, and see if that helps eliminate the rash.
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Milehimama in Houston
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Lori
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| Posted: Jan 01 2009 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
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Does the vinegar leave a smell behind, or does it rinse out well?
I would love to use vinegar instead of dryer sheets...my youngest daughter has eczema, and dryer sheets are also expensive...but we live in a VERY dry area and have lots of static cling/sparking even, without dryer sheets...
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D. Marie
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| Posted: Jan 01 2009 at 6:39pm | IP Logged
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Hi Lori,
Since my first post, I started using a second rinse to wash the clothes; and I have gotten rid of the fabric softener sheets and instead replaced them with Static Eliminator Reusable sheets. The Static Eliminator is a piece of fabric that absorbs the static and can be used up to 500 times. The box comes with two of these pieces of fabric, and it seems to work very well. The only exception is my husband's military uniforms which are all polyester blends. So far, no one is having any more problems with breakouts!
Thanks ladies for all your comments. I am amazed at how many of you make your own soap!
God's blessing of peace and joy to all,
Diane
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mathmama
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| Posted: Jan 02 2009 at 6:46am | IP Logged
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The vinegar leaves no smell. With a top loader I used 1/2 cup of vinegar for a full load which is not much considering how much water is used in the rinse. I now have a FL and just fill up the fabric softener dispenser for a full load. I have never had a residual smell. If I go into the laundry room during the final rinse I will sometimes smell the vinegar, but that is it. I like it better than doing 2 rinses because it is a huge savings on water.
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D. Marie
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Mathmama- you just brought up an issue I didn't even consider...saving money on water! So, if I use vinegar in the first rinse cycle, then it is the same as using a second rinse but saves money? Hmmm, now I am wondering how much water I am using on a second rinse and if it would work out okay to use vinegar.
Thanks Mathmama for sharing!
God's blessings to all,
Diane
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JodieLyn
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Not only does vinegar rinse out well.. but it can help set the dyes of your clothes so that they don't fade as quickly AND it increases the amount of soap residue that's rinsed out.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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mathmama
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| Posted: Jan 02 2009 at 5:42pm | IP Logged
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Diane--We have 2 people in our house with very sensitive skin and we don't have to use a second rinse with the vinegar. Give it a try with one rinse and see how it works for you. Don't forget to buy the big gallon jugs of vinegar so that you save money. Also, remember that vinegar can always be used as a disinfectant around the house and general cleaning agent 
Beth
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Laundry Products for Sensitve Skin
