Is Anyone Allergic to Laundry Detergents?
By Marsha
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
Midland, Michigan
October 18, 2015 6:54am CST
I never had allergies when younger, but once I got to my forties, I developed a few. Although I've never been diagnosed to specific allergies, I know that I'm allergic to certain weeds and flowers, dust and sometimes grass.
Recently, I've had some problems with certain work shirts. A few feel like they have steel wool in the fabric. At first I thought that my problem was age spots on my back that would get irritated, but I had my husband look at my back last week when one shirt in particular was driving me nuts. He said there were no age spots in that vicinity, but that it was quite red. I immediately switched shirts as I have about 8-12 of them. The next shirt produced no irritation. Another day, I must have picked another shirt with similar capabilities, but it wasn't quite so bad as I didn't notice my discomfort until after I arrived at work.
Yesterday, I asked a couple of co-workers if their shirts caused any irritation and one gal thought maybe I was allergic to my laundry detergent. I know my kids used to be allergic to Tide when they were young and so I've never bought that one since. I generally will use Arm and Hammer for sensitive skin and any Purex, both which are less pricey where I work.
I don't usually use any fabric softener when I do my clothes either, but I did put in a dryer sheet when washing them yesterday hoping that would cut down any possible problems.
Are any of you allergic to any laundry detergents and if so, what type of symptoms might you get? I don't get any rashes anywhere else, and when my back is irritated I don't think it's a rash, just redness in the area.
The reason I assumed it was caused by age spots is because I went to a dermatologist a few years back about one under my eye. She looked at my back, a comma location, and told me I had several there that were irritated. Therefore, anytime my shirts bothered me, I figured it was related to that and never considered an allergy being responsible.
Eventually, I may purchase a chemical free product out of Norway, from a company called Norwex. I'll be doing a home party with their products this next year and although they are a bit expensive, it's better than all the chemicals you find in products now.
5 people like this
7 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
18 Oct 15
Maybe I can remember to run the rinse cycle more than once. Right now I've washed all my shirts in a less-harsh detergent. We'll see if there's a difference after I wear them this time around. Otherwise, it could take a few washings to get it free of previous cleaning residues, I suppose.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502365)
• Italy
18 Oct 15
@MarshaMusselman Yes, I believe that the best is to take a few washings, it's hard to get rid of all residual soap.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Oct 15
I don't know if I have allergies to laundry detergents. I've been using the same one since I left home at the tender age of 18, so a century ago. I do have sensitivities to most soaps and dish detergents, so it's possible. I guess I'm lucky the detergent I use I'm not allergic to. I hope you find a detergent you aren't allergic to or won't give you any problems when wearing your shirts.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Oct 15
I've not had any problems since washing them again in another detergent, but maybe I've not worn that particular one again yet. I have about eight or twelve just alike. Only two or three were bad.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Oct 15
@MarshaMusselman I'm glad you've had no other problems.
1 person likes this

@kataomoi (708)
• Japan
18 Oct 15
I'm not allergic to any laundry detergents, but I had a roommate who was. She could only use specific brands that were expensive and hard to find. Maybe you should see a dermatologist to see if you are really having an allergic reaction to your laundry detergent.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
18 Oct 15
That can be expensive and time consuming. I'll wait and do that as a last resort.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Oct 15
That's probably a good idea, but I doubt that I'd have time to do that. I'll usually put the laundry in before running to a job and put it in the dryer between jobs so it's ready for me in the morning. If I ran the rinse cycle as second time, I'd forget to dry the clothes and not have them when needed.
@DeborahDiane (40845)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Oct 15
One of my daughters has been severely allergic to most laundry detergents her entire life. When she was 2 years old, she once took her dress off in church because it itched ... much to the amusement to the other people in church that Sunday. She is almost 40 now, and only uses baby detergent for her clothes.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
22 Oct 15
I'm not sure that I've heard of using baby detergent for washing clothes. It's a good thing she was only two when she took off her dress in church. I'm sure she hopes no one brings that up at family gatherings.
@vickyrose (2236)
• Cooma, Australia
19 Oct 15
My son was allergic to strong laundry detergents and fabric softener, but I found a really cheap one that he can tolerate so I use that. It's a 'trial and error' kind of thing. I try to be 'chemical' free
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
20 Oct 15
That's my plan eventually, once I have a home party for the products at my home next year. So far, the shirts seem to be fine, but it could be too early to tell as only a few of them were problematic.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
18 Oct 15
We do our own laundry too, but we use detergents purchased from retail stores. Do you use handmade soaps on your clothing?








