Anyone having issues with "natural" laundry detergent?

I've recently been able to do small loads at home (great news!) but I notice that when I touch the clean clothes, my hands go really dry. I also feel a little itchy - not awful, but it's starting to bother me some. My step-kids bought these detergent pods that are supposed to be all natural and organic. They're from a company called Grab Green www.grabgreenhome.com/laundry-care/laundry-detergent/

I have the same reaction to all these new microfiber fabrics. Anything cotton or older fabrics like polyester I'm fine with. Other than that, I get the same weirdly dry hands and they're a little red too. Never itchy though. Maybe it's the fragrance in the laundry pods? I've been keeping away from chemicals for so long, maybe I've just become more sensitive to it? I probably need to go back to making my own laundry detergent.

My wife has this issue with her right hand only. Weird. But she bought something called a magic ball, or something like that. It's a laundry ball that uses no detergent. Don't ask me, it's too scientific to explain. But it works and lasts us about 8-9 months. We use this along with a homemade fabric softener to soften clothes and kill mold and mildew. Her hand is fine while washing with these. Any other detergent dries out her hand so bad it starts cracking and peeling. I can send you a link to the laundry ball if you'd like.

Aerose91 said...
Fragrance is a big one for many people. I stopped using detergent with fragrance many years ago when i found one that works for me. However, clothes fresh out of a dryer can be disastrous to me. I don't know what they pick up when drying but it can be awful for several days

Could be lingering fragrance if someone else used fragrance in the laundry before you. Dryers aren't like washers. You can't wash the fragrance out of them and the heat magnifies the fragrance.

I'm the same way. The relatives I live with won't use fragrance free products even though they know how it affects me. I try to leave the house when they do laundry. The fragrance smell from the dryer far exceeds the smell from the washer. If I'm doing laundry after them, I always was towels first to reduce the fragrance before washing my clothes or sheets.

10LymeB said...
Thanks, everyone.

Hoagie Yes, please send me the link.

I have a feeling it's the fragrance. This morning, I actually was awakened by my husband's cologne! It's not like he uses a lot. But I smelled it all the way upstairs through the air vents. I must be extra sensitive right now. I hardly wear anything anymore with fragrance and if I do, it's really light.

Warning: Mold can cause or worsen chemical sensitivities. If this fragrance sensitivity is new or worsening, mold exposure could be the cause.

Check your environment for mold - any mold, any species. Crawlspaces, basements, attics, heat/AC units and duct systems, leaks in plumbing, roof, windows, freezer icemaker lines, dishwasher and washing machine lines, etc.

Another cause could be exposure to other chemicals - new house, remodeling, new furniture or appliances that are off-gassing, paint, or occupational exposure.

1000Daisies said...

WalkingbyFaith said...
I'm chemically sensitive, too, and have been fragrance free since 2009 when my chronic symptoms started.

Biokleen is my favorite laundry detergent, too. I've tried multiple brands. I find it not offensive at all (the fragrance free one), and it only takes a little and actually cleans the clothes for a reasonable price per load.

I haven't used fabric softener since I went fragrance free. I found that stiff clothing, even jeans, soften up enough when you put them on. I have never missed the fabric softener.

Very similar to me, WBF. We both use Biokleen (fragrance-free). (Do you order yours? I don't see it in stores locally here.) I only use just a little bit in my wash, as it's very concentrated. I also haven't used fabric softener in years either (my husband will use it though).

I do hang some of my clothes to dry, and boy, some of those can be stiff. But I can toss in dryer for a few minutes to make them not as stiff if it bothers me.

1000Daisies,
I haven't been able to find it in stores either, although the first time I bought it I did. I've ordered from Amazon a couple of times now.