Skin irritants can be present when doing laundry. You may experience redness or itchiness because of the clothes and bedsheets that rub against your skin. This means the laundry products or practices at the laundry service may impact your skin health.
Do not use excessive amounts of laundry detergent.
Some believe that excessive laundry detergent removes more soil and bacteria from the clothes and beddings. However, excessive amounts of detergent will only harm your clothes and skin. It is best to use only the recommended amount of detergent on the label.
Moreover, laundry pods are not recommended especially if you are fond of washing small loads. Although laundry pods contain the suggested amount of detergent, they may still be excessive for particular loads. Thus, it is best to use non pod liquid detergent.
Know the components of the laundry products.
If you have eczema or sensitive skin, you should avoid fragrant laundry products and look out for dyes. Even when laundry products declare natural or organic labels, it may still trigger your sensitive skin. That is why it is important for you to know brands and their components.
You have to check on products with fragrance-free and dye-free labels. However, some brands use these terms without proving anything. You have to be vigilant with these labels, and they can be misleading. It is important to check on the components or ingredients of the products to ensure that it is not problematic for your skin.
Do not overload the washer and dryer.
Overloading your washer and dryer makes the clothes washed and dried ineffectively. You notice the detergent is not dissolved, or the clothes are still damp. Ineffective laundry practices make your clothes develop a foul odor. Thus, load the right clothes into the washer and dryer to avoid residual detergent and damp clothes.
Fabric softener and dryer sheets are unnecessary.
These laundry products are mostly fragranced and contain chemicals that may trigger skin irritation or eczema. Fabric softener has a common allergen ingredient that may trigger skin irritation or eczema. Thus, avoid these laundry products to keep your skin healthy.
If you have dry skin and want your clothes soft to the touch, you can use better natural alternatives like white vinegar to make your clothes soft.
Key Points to Reduce Skin Irritants
You have to remember these key points to reduce the chance of having skin irritation. This applies when washing your dirty laundry or washing new clothes.
- Use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and dye-free laundry detergents.
- Wash new clothes and beddings before you use them.
- Do not skip the “extra rinse” settings.
- Use the suggested amount of laundry detergent.
Final Thoughts
Always take these tips with you if you have sensitive skin. You can always ask the laundry delivery service about the detergent they use and their practices when washing and drying laundry loads. But, rethink and adjust your laundry routine to keep your skin safe and healthy if you do laundry at home.
