The flowery scent of your laundry detergent comes from fragrance ingredients, and those ingredients, along with dyes and preservatives, are common triggers of skin allergies. Detergent chemicals can also affect the environment, especially aquatic life, when they reach waterways in large amounts.
The best laundry detergent for allergy sufferers is a fragrance-free, dye-free formula, used in the correct amount and rinsed out thoroughly. Fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and some other ingredients are the most common triggers of contact dermatitis and rashes. Adding an extra rinse, skipping fabric softener, and washing new clothes first can also help.
Even when detergent is not the original cause of a skin problem, it can make the problem worse. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, a few preventive steps and a gentler detergent can make a real difference. Keep reading for practical tips to help reduce allergic reactions from laundry.
Common Causes of Laundry Allergies
Laundry detergent combines many ingredients that clean the clothes and make them smell fresh. Most of these are synthetic, and some can irritate the skin and eyes, trigger allergies, or aggravate asthma and other breathing problems in sensitive people.
Fragrances, dyes, and some preservatives are the most common allergens in detergents. That is why people with allergies are usually advised to choose a fragrance-free and dye-free detergent rather than a heavily scented one.
Other ingredients, including some enzymes, optical brighteners, thickeners, bleach, and fabric softeners, can also cause reactions in some people. After repeated exposure, your skin can become sensitized, and from then on even a small amount may be enough to cause a reaction.
Allergens in Laundry Detergent
Manufacturers use a range of ingredients to boost a detergent’s performance. Alongside cleaning your clothes, some of them can affect your skin and the environment. Here are the main ones to watch.
Fragrances
Many of us assume that clothes that smell good must be clean, and that clothes without a flowery scent must still be dirty. Because of this, detergent makers add synthetic fragrance to nearly every product.
Fragrance was first added mainly to cover the unpleasant smell of cleaning ingredients. Over time, it became a standard part of the formula.
Fragrance is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Labels often list it simply as “fragrance” or “parfum,” which can hide dozens of individual ingredients. Some of these can irritate the skin and eyes and trigger allergic reactions.
A strong scent does not mean a detergent cleans better, either. Fragrance has no effect on cleaning power, and the smell of clean laundry is not a sign that all dirt is gone.
Surfactants
Surfactants are cleaning agents that reduce the surface tension of water so it can lift dirt and grease from fabric and carry it away. They are used in cleansers, detergents, and many skincare products. We explain them in more detail in our article on anionic surfactants.
A common anionic surfactant in detergents is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). It is an effective cleaner, but it can irritate the skin, particularly in concentrated form or with prolonged contact.
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a related surfactant that is used in many detergents and is generally considered milder than SLS. Even so, any surfactant can bother very sensitive skin if it is not rinsed out well.
SLS and SLES also appear in many cosmetic products, so it helps to check the ingredient lists of the items you apply to your skin as well.
Laundry Tips for Allergy Sufferers
These simple tips can help reduce laundry-related skin reactions. If your symptoms continue, see a doctor.
Wash in Hot Water When the Label Allows
Hot water is helpful for sturdy items such as bedding and towels, especially if you are allergic to dust mites. Water at about 130°F (54°C) or hotter is needed to kill dust mites, and hot water also helps remove more dirt and sweat from heavily soiled clothes.
Many fabrics cannot take high temperatures, so always follow the care label. For those items, use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent and consider an extra rinse.
Buy Fragrance-Free Detergent
Strong scents and some added chemicals in laundry detergent can set off allergies. The best choice for most allergy sufferers is a detergent labeled free of fragrance and dyes. Be aware that “unscented” can mean a masking fragrance has been added to cancel out other smells, so look for “fragrance-free.”
Read the label every time you buy a detergent, because formulas change. Choose one that leaves out fragrance and dyes, and keep an eye out for any other ingredient you know you react to.
Read More: 10 Laundry Detergent Types You Must Know
Rinse Clothes at Least Twice
One rinse may not be enough to remove all the detergent, and leftover detergent on clothes stays in contact with your skin all day. That can trigger a reaction in sensitive people.
An extra rinse removes more residue. Many washing machines, including high-efficiency models, have an extra rinse option you can select with a button or in the cycle settings.
Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them
Finishes and other treatments are often applied to new clothes to make them look better. New clothes also travel a long way and are handled by many people before they reach you, and some people react to the finishing residues.
If you have allergies or sensitive skin, wash new clothes before wearing them. Take extra care with delicates and items with lace or embellishments, and follow their care labels.
Clean Your Washing Machine Regularly
Washing machines are easy to neglect, and detergent residue, lint, and moisture can build up over time and encourage mold and mildew. Just because the machine uses detergent does not mean it cleans itself.
To clean the machine, run an empty hot cycle with white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner, following your manual. Do this about once a month. Wipe the door seal on front loaders, and leave the door open between loads so the drum can dry. Never combine vinegar with bleach.
Read More: Does Liquid Detergent Damage Washing Machines?
Consider a Homemade Detergent With Caution
Some people avoid commercial detergents by mixing their own from washing soda and similar ingredients. Homemade detergent can be free of dyes and fragrance, but it does not always clean as well as a commercial product, and ingredients such as borax can irritate the skin and should be kept away from children.
If you do try a homemade mix, wear gloves while you make it, test it on a few items first, and rinse well. For more on cleaning and germ control, see our article on the best antibacterial laundry detergent.
Avoid Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is a leading source of fragrance and other additives on clothes, and it leaves a coating on the fabric. If you have allergies, it is better to skip it and use one of the alternatives below.
Read More: Are Fabric Softeners Necessary?
Try Dryer Balls
Dryer sheets can also trigger allergies, although fragrance-free versions are available. If you still get a rash, try dryer balls instead.
Dryer balls are made of wool, rubber, or plastic and do not add chemicals to your laundry. They help separate clothes, reduce static and wrinkles, and soften fabrics without fragrance. That makes them a good option for people with allergies. If you are allergic to wool, choose plastic or rubber balls.
Use Simple, Gentle Products
Instead of a fragrance-heavy softener, you can use half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to soften clothes and help rinse out detergent. The vinegar smell fades as the clothes dry. Do not mix it with bleach, and check your machine manual first.
Choose the Right Laundry Products
Read product labels to check for allergens and irritants. Skip fabric softener and choose dryer balls or fragrance-free dryer sheets. Pick a detergent that is fragrance-free and dye-free, and consider one labeled for sensitive skin.
Use the Right Amount of Detergent
Using too much detergent leaves residue on your clothes. The extra suds can also stay in the fabric and make it harder to rinse, which can add to the irritation. Measure carefully and use only the amount recommended for your load size.
How to Treat a Laundry Allergy
The first step in dealing with a skin allergy is to identify what causes it. If you suspect a particular product, stop using it and see if the rash improves. Many people notice a significant reduction in itching and irritation within a couple of weeks after switching products.
To soothe the skin while it heals, you can try the following:
- Cool compress: Soak a clean towel in cool water and apply it to the irritated area for a few minutes. This can calm itching and redness.
- Fragrance-free moisturizer: A plain, fragrance-free moisturizer helps repair the skin barrier.
- Aloe vera gel: Pure aloe vera gel may soothe irritated skin. Test a small area first, because aloe can also cause reactions in some people.
- Over-the-counter treatments: Oral antihistamines may help with itching, and a mild hydrocortisone cream can calm inflammation. Use them only as directed on the label or by a pharmacist or doctor.
See a doctor if the rash is severe, spreads, blisters, or does not improve after you change products. A dermatologist can run patch tests to identify exactly what you are reacting to. For more on this topic, see our article on how detergent can affect acne and skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin?
Look for a detergent labeled fragrance-free and dye-free, ideally one made for sensitive skin. Check that the label says “free” of fragrance, not just “unscented.” Always measure carefully and use the extra rinse option.
Can I be allergic to laundry detergent?
Yes. Most reactions are contact dermatitis from ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives. Typical signs include itchy, red, dry, or bumpy skin where your clothes touch you. A dermatologist can help identify the exact cause through patch testing.
How long does it take for a detergent rash to clear up?
Mild rashes often improve within one to two weeks after you stop using the product that caused them and rewash your clothes, bedding, and towels. If a rash lasts longer, spreads, or looks infected, see a doctor.
Conclusion
Skin reactions to laundry detergent are common, and they are mostly linked to fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. People with sensitive skin can react after repeated exposure to these ingredients.
The best way to reduce reactions is to choose fragrance-free and dye-free products, measure carefully, rinse well, and skip fabric softener. If inflammation appears, find the source and stop using it. If it seems severe, see a doctor.
