Allergies 101: Doing the Laundry

Chemicals, fragrances and dyes, oh my!

For people who live with allergies, doing the laundry is an important part of environmental control measures that you can take to reduce exposure to allergens such as dust mites and pet dander. 

However, certain chemicals in laundry detergent and fabric softeners can cause skin irritation and allergy so it’s important to understand the dos and don’ts of doing laundry.

laundry DOS AND DON’TS to avoid skin irritation and allergies

Wash bedding in hot water once a week

Wash all sheets, blankets/bed covers, and pillowcases in hot water that is at least 130F to kill dust mites and remove allergens. 

If bedding can’t be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130F to kill the mites. Then wash and dry the bedding to remove allergens.

Consider using bleach to clothes/laundry

This can help denature indoor allergens (dog, cat, mouse and dust mite), it can also reduce allergen exposure to bacteria and fungi. In many cases this can lead to improvement in allergy/asthma symptoms from these allergens, but it can cause respiratory irritation and lead to increased asthma symptoms, so using this with caution is advised in highly sensitive people.

Use “free and clear” products

Fragrances (perfumes), dyes and detergents in laundry products cause skin reactions. For some people almost any brand of free and clear (All, Tide, Arm and Hammer, etc) detergent will in most people be well tolerated.

Washing your laundry on an “extra rinse” cycle can also help reduce residue from laundry detergent.

Although fabric softener can make your clothes feel great, just like laundry detergent, it can contain chemicals that can lead to skin reactions. Choosing a free and clear fabric softener is a better choice for those with sensitive skin.

Wash before using New items

New clothing, bedding, towels and cloth napkins should be washed before using them. These new fabrics often contains chemicals that can irritate the skin- these can include formaldehydes and dyes. Washing new textiles can reduce exposure to these chemicals and thus reduce the likelihood of causing a skin reaction.

What does a skin reaction to laundry products look like?

Because reactions to products that come into contact with skin can take days to occur, it can be difficult to identify a clear cause. Some symptoms that can suggest a reaction to laundry products can include:

• Dry, cracked, scaly skin
• Itchy red bumps (sometimes these can blister with oozing and crusting)

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