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Laundry can be tough for those with sensitive skin. What seems like a straightforward task of cleaning clothes can actually turn out to be trickier than expected.
The most common laundry advice given to people with easily irritated skin is to switch detergents. If it works, great! However, many have tried countless detergents—including those marketed as 'gentle on skin' or 'free of dyes and fragrances'—with no success.
Luckily, there are other laundry tricks and techniques that might be more effective for people with sensitive skin. Here are a few options to try out.
Laundry tips for sensitive skin
If you’ve tried detergents specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and still experience irritation from your laundry, here are a few other things you can try:
Giving your clothes a second rinse
Even after the rinse cycle, some detergent residue remains on laundry, but doing a second rinse can take care of that. Though a cold rinse will work, a hot rinse is even better (as long as it won’t damage your clothes).
Using less detergent
As we discussed earlier in this post, using more detergent than recommended won’t make your clothes any cleaner but will lead to several other issues—one of which is irritating sensitive skin. No matter what detergent you're using, be sure to avoid overusing it.
Regularly cleaning your washing machine
Indeed, your washing machine accumulates dirt (and sometimes mold) over time, so it’s important to clean it regularly. While cleaning once a month is the general guideline, individuals with sensitive skin may benefit from cleaning it on a weekly basis instead.
To clean the machine, add a cup or two of baking soda to an empty washer, and run a complete cycle with hot water. Once the cycle is finished, remember to leave the lid open to allow the machine to air dry.
Avoiding fabric softeners and dryer sheets
When dealing with sensitive skin and laundry, the spotlight is often on the detergent, but fabric softeners (in any form) and dryer sheets can also be problematic. The good news is that you don’t need them, and there are several skin-friendly alternatives, such as aluminum foil balls, wool dryer balls, baking soda, and vinegar.
