Detergent allergy

OH has come out in a rash, neck to ankle with lesser symptoms around the underpants area.
I have just changed washing powder that week. I assume his socks and underpants were washed the week before. He has said he used to have problems with one particular brand in the UK before I met him. He never mentioned that and it was probably just chance as it happened to be a brand I never bought.

Having today just put several loads through the machine, how do I go about getting the detergent residue out of it? Will putting the lot on a rinse cycle be enough? Or do I need to put it on a wash cycle with a different powderor something else.

And asfor treating the rash, it is not ichy, so thinking aloe vera would be good to rub in?

I would put a bit of vinegar in the rinse water and put it through the rinse cycle. The vinegar smell disappears when it is dry. This is what I use to remove washing powder residue from cloth nappies and it works well.

Not sure what you changed to but my English ex was allergic to everything except Persil and I still use it to this day. Use less perhaps? Having purchased a front loader, I am gobsmacked at how little detergent is needed to get a fantastic wash and using two cold rinses. Why did you change?

For the last 7 years I have used surf mainly because as I have front loader, you are pretty restricted as to what powder brand is available and also the ware house often had the big bags on special. But I have used other brands occasionally when they where on offer. I saw a bag of persil on special a couple of months back and stock piled it until I needed it, first time I have used it and hey presto, allergy.
He had never mentioned he had had bad reactions to any detergent before this (I never bought "Bold" in the UK, so never needed to know).

Breadcrumb, Will add a bit of vinegar and chuck the lot through on a rinse cycle

what is the difference between front loader powder and the one for top loader?

I was allergic to one as a kid... not sure which though as mum always used persil after that & I always use either persil or Surf

I hoppe the rash has gone/going

kaumea;457842 wrote: what is the difference between front loader powder and the one for top loader?

The amount of soap suds produced. If you put top loader powder in a front loader it froths out through the detergent drawer. Why they don't just make them low suds is beyond me.

Persil does have a front loader version and you are quite right Kai - top loader detergent is far too frothy for a front loader. Not sure whether this makes any difference but I choose to use the liquid one as it is so easy to pour in a small amount.

I would agree with the vinegar solution although preferably white if you have it and put in a decent amount (you may have done already of course) like 1 cup.
Also you could try Persil Sensitive front loader that has no perfume or colour but of course no guarantee it won't cause more rashes. Hopefully you can offload/sell your stockpile.
I also sometimes make my own washing machine liquid which I think I posted on her last year from Wendyl Nissen's site in 'recipe' section.
It's good but not as good as Persil.

I make my own - 1/3 cup washing soda, 1/3 cup grated sunlight soap (about 1.3 bar), jug of hot water to dissolve then top up with cold. I add some lemon essential oil too. Bottled in old 2 litre milk bottles. Makes 7-8 litres. Use 1 cup per load (toploader). Insanely cheap, works fine, gentle on the septic tank.

I make mine as a powder for a front loader - never had a problem and I am sensitive to chemicals.
Work in cups
2 parts grated soap (I use sunlight soap)
1 part washing soda
1 part Borax (I have heard you can replace with Baking Soda if you are concerned)

Put ingredients into a food processor and whizz until a powder. Use 1 Dessertspoon or Tablespoon per load. Add essential oil if you wish a fragrance (but if you are dealing with allergy - use none until you know there will be no reaction with the detergent). Use white vinegar in the fabric softener section - Odor dissapates when drying.

I have no problem with this method and produces no suds to speak of.

I am sensitive to Cold Power detergent. Makes me itch badly. The effects can be dealt to by removing the offending items, applying an antihistamine ointment and/or taking an antihistamine tablet (ie same as a hayfever tablet).

I always use "sensitive" powders and haven't had any further problems. I have also used recipes similar to the ones above, and found them great. When I have been forced to use the powders to which I am sensitive, I always do another rinse and that seems to minimise the problem.

use eco store stuff., or grated sunlight soap, or washing soda. much better all round.

as far as how long the residue will stay in it - if it's designed to keep whites whiter and brights brighter - you'll need to at least warm wash it to get the crud out. or a soak in oxygen whitener (eco store)

Akzle;457940 wrote: use eco store stuff., or grated sunlight soap, or washing soda. much better all round.

weren't they the company prosecuted recently for exceeding safe levels of various toxic chemicals in their products? I will stick with Surf, it works, it doesn't give him allergies and complies with regulations regarding safe levels.

kai;457984 wrote: weren't they the company prosecuted recently for exceeding safe levels of various toxic chemicals in their products? I will stick with Surf, it works, it doesn't give him allergies and complies with regulations regarding safe levels.

A bit more complicated than that, I think. I gather from this article they don't have nasties but were nearly prosecuted for falsely implying that their rivals did.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865717

Disclosure: I love all the ecostore products I use. My husband uses their diluted laundry liquid for handwashing after grubby jobs involving oil.