Biological detergents not guilty? “Biological enzymes do not cause skin irritation”.

Andrew Graham
#2. September 22nd, 2008, at 8:43 PM.

Sir, There is no doubt in my mind that biological washing machine detergents do cause skin irritation. I have tried various brands and they all have the same effect on my skin, stop the bio stop the irritation.

Caroline
#4. November 1st, 2008, at 3:29 PM.

We used to use cloth nappies when our children were babies and had lots of problems with nappy rash. We tried different brands of non-bio and still had the rash. We ran out of non-bio one day and I decided to try giving biological detergent a shot on the basis that it couldn’t cause any worse rashing and the nappies might get cleaner. I was more than a little surprised to discover that the rashing completely vanished never to come back and I found the same thing when I had my next baby.

I work for a cloth nappy company and have recommended trying biological detergent for many parents whose babies have repeated nappy rash – most have found the same thing, that using bio significantly improved their babies skin.

Why would the research being funded by detergent manufacturers bias them in favour of bio – after all, virtually all the detergent companies make non-bio as well as bio!

TC
#5. April 6th, 2009, at 1:16 PM.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/05May/Pages/Biowashingpowderrashesamyth.aspx

This research wasn’t original research but a non-systematic selective study of existing literature. It was funded by Unilever, and there was no information or description of how the literature was selected.
As such it is suspect, and I would recommend that if your children have just developed eczema then you should avoid biological powders. Having carried out plenty of substitution tests I would certainly not try using any biological washing detergents. This has been backed up by all the experts I have met with over the years (and I have spent time in hospital with my eczema). The National Eczema Society’s advice is still:

Wash clothes in the minimum effective quantity of non-biological, un-perfumed washing powder. Give clothes an extra rinse. Avoid fabric conditioners.
(From http://www.eczema.org/tips.html).

It is also worth noting that the original move to biological powder by Persil was met with such uproar that they had to revert, and this has been the case every time they changed the formula however slight. If I remember correctly there was plenty of research at the time that showed an increased tendency to irritate.

It is irresponsible of researchers to package up a selective review attacking so called ‘myths’ when eczema sufferers have been carrying out their own research en masse for over 30 years.

simon smith
#6. July 19th, 2009, at 11:53 PM.

Where can i buy a HE laundry detergent that is suitable for these useless modern front loading washing machines? Persil and Ariel over suds and leaves residue in thr rinse water and on clothes. I currently buy SA8 but am getting fed up of having to order it through a distributor. Is there any place in the UK that makes HE detergents and where can i buy them from. Never had a problem with the old front loaders but the detergent manufacturers need to male suitable detergents for machines using less water. Any adice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Lucy
#7. August 17th, 2009, at 11:55 AM.

I find it tends to be the perfumes that set me off with rashes/upset psoriasis & eczema so many non-bios are out, often even worse, but I still itch with bio. My mum, sister & I started making our own detergents (try sites like tipnut for recipes). I find they clean & rinse well (I use a liquid mix) even at 40, though I wouldn’t recommend lower. Word of WARNING: be very careful about which soap you choose as a base, some are highly perfumed and palm oil soap is usually not that nice to orangutans (deforestation, not malicious saponic attacks).

Using a small amount of vinegar instead of softner works brilliantly, I think it breaks down limescale deposits in fabric instead of covering clothes in oils and waxes. It doesn’t smell if you use little and rinses out very well, also it doesn’t clog the drawer with waxy nastiness. Adding a little bleach to white washes and washing some things hot also helps keep life nice, clean and smell free.

Granted, if you have very little time in your life, it is extra effort but if you have friends who are willing to give a go and share a big batch I find it worth it. Even if I run out and use other emergency detergents nothing will shake me from the wonders of vinegar, although I do wonder if it damages my machine? I really hope not…

Lucy
#8. August 17th, 2009, at 12:02 PM.

* When I say BLEACH I mean a little bleaching agent powder, not liquid bleach. I often add a scoop of cheap vanish equivalent (I know some are bio, but I’ve never had a problem, be careful), the one I use with whites has bleaching agents.*

Otan
#9. August 20th, 2009, at 10:46 PM.

I’ve been suffering from Atopic eczema three weeks now and it’s at acute stage. I lost my career because of this allergic attack. My last attack prior to this, was when I was 8 years old (eczema in my hands). Now I’m 26, after so many years, I’ve been attacked again by eczema… on my groin.

And guess what? It started having the ITCH when I used my underwear washed with Surf detergent. My underwear is not new. I use it regularly. The only difference is that this time, I washed it with Surf. Now, after 3 weeks, it’s no longer just an itch. my skin is red, swelling, and wet!

And for 3 weeks, I’ve been using the rest of my underwear which are also washed with Surf. And it’s only three days ago when I had a clue that maybe it’s Surf that triggered the attack. Then I started wearing clothes that are washed with other soap. Now, the eczema is no longer worsening day by day (but it’s still here).

My doctor insists that I got the allergy from food and not by contact irritants, especially, Surf! But he got a second thought when I told him that I had a severe eczema attack in my hands when I was 8 years old. It only disappeared when another doctor told my mom to never have me use again my blanket made of wool.

I’m a living guinea pig of the effect of Surf detergent to a human with Atopic Eczema. Now tell me in my face that Biological detergents don’t trigger eczema attack!

Oliver Shaw
#10. August 21st, 2009, at 7:22 PM.

Hi Otan,

I have Eczema and dermatitis and all non-bio and bio irritate, it is because it is not being rinsed out of clothing properly. Have a read of WHY CAN’T MODERN WASHING MACHINES RINSE PROPERLY? and see if that sheds any light on your problem, look for all comments with my name on that should help you, post 41 and from there on in!!!!!

Also you could re-run the rinse cycle on your washer to remove excess detergent.

HTH,

Oliver.

Otan
#11. September 11th, 2009, at 4:37 PM.

Hi Oliver,

Thanks for the hint. My washing machine is LG (I don’t remember the model but it’s automatic and I bought it only this year–Feb2009). I usually wash all my underwear separately and when it is underwear I’m washing, I usually set my washing machine to rinse once since I think that underwears are not heavily soiled or dirty.

But now, dirty or not, I should rinse all laundry twice, or thrice if the washing machine allows. Because of your hint about the detergents, I researched and found out that detergents really cause an eczema flare up regardless of enzyme content. Most detergents are very alkaline in nature which destroy skins acid mantle, thus moisture is lost causing intense itching.

From what I’ve read, most soap that we use daily irritates the skin and eczema sufferers are more intolerant. But the clothing not rinsed well is worse than soap. Because we rinse out soap when we bath but detergents can stay on skin through badly rinsed clothing.

Thanks again Oliver, for that detergent hint. You made me aware about the detergents and give me a second thought about my old doctor and conventional medicine.

By the way, I’m now treating my eczema with an apple cider + water solution, and my skin is slowly going back to normal. My new doctor said, I will have new healthy skin after 15 days. I’m advised also to be cautious about the cosmetics that I put on to my skin especially those whose pH level is not 5.5 to 7.0, and I should always keep my skin hydrated.

I’ve abandoned my doctor who prescribes conventional medicine. They’re brains have escaped the natural world, only want you to buy expensive man-made western medicines. And they don’t educate their patients.

Now, I’m introduced to alternative medicine through my new medical doctor, and I love what I’m feeling.

Just sharing my oops and gotchas. Cheers!

Oliver Shaw
#12. September 12th, 2009, at 2:30 PM.

Hi Otan,

Thanks for the thanks!!!!

I have heard of issues with LG machines not rinsing properly, especially bad at suds-locking, so all the detergent gets carried all the way through the the 3 rinses. Does your model have “Medic Rinse” and “Rinse ++”, if so selecting them might help.

Oliver Shaw
#13. September 12th, 2009, at 2:44 PM.

Sorry, forgot to add my doctors told me to use non-bio and told them at the time I did and they said “It won’t be that then”, luckily I am the suspicious type and did suspect it, so started to re-run the full rinse programme on my washing machine and that helped a bit. But I had a Hotpoint back then and it used far too little water to do a decent rinse, so didn’t completely clear it up. I have replaced my machine with a 15 year old Bosch that does 4 rinses 1/3 up the door so does rinse properly and has cleared dermatitis on my body! But I still suffer with it on my hands but is kept fairly well under control with creams at night etc. I just about have to buy creams in “Bill posters bucket” size as I need so much!!!!

IMHO doctors talk out of their back sides, well ours do anyway. I got no help what so ever, all my skin issues are SELF DIAGNOSED.

I use Ariel Biological powder and if not rinsed away properly as with all detergents I will be on the sterroid (can’t spell that, damn dislexia!) creams again. If my Bosch breaks down beyond repair I am well and truly stuffed.

I hope you get better from the eczema soon, its bloody awful and not half painful.

All the best,

Oliver.

louise
#14. November 6th, 2009, at 10:10 PM.

I have an extra rinse button on my older AEG I’m wondering if i should experiment over a period of time? Had some itchy scratchy problems myself.

All this ecco awareness is a bit of a tyranny IMO. But the harsh facts are that the cost of water has risen enormously (for most areas) and is even more noticeable if you have a water meter!

I don’t want to go back to washing HUGE sheets in the bath ( back breaking)..though probably thoroughly rinsed.

Something else occurred to me regarding rinsing. I have in the past done dying with some really intense colours (following instructions to the letter) and never saw any sign of any in the machine after the process. Is this a more obvious way of proving rinse efficiency? what does anyone else think?

James
#15. December 5th, 2009, at 4:51 PM.

Irrespective of any “research” done by these “experts”. As someone who has suffered with these new washing powders – its obvious once you isolate/change powder what the cause is. I’ve suffered from contact ecxema and stiff joints and generally feeling quite ill when using several brands. I change the powder and rewash ALL my laundry and I miraculously recover. ( so much for their research). These pharmaceutical people should be more careful about what they use. IMHO they seem to continually change the ingredients ( no doubt in a bid to wash whiter than white) . Several times I’ve gotten used to even non-bio liquids and then suddenly the symptoms reappear and have to go through the whole rigmorole again. Its a pain in the a**e. Sheets,clothes, my fabric sofa covers, everything. So if any of you pharma guys read this please think twice about what you use…..

WMUser
#16. December 6th, 2009, at 12:49 AM.

I personally don’t think it’s down to the bio/non-bio issue or laundry detergent chemicals alone. If washing machines rinsed properly, I don’t think people would be suffering skin allergies. It’s easy to blame just the detergent brand and its ingredients, but if it wasn’t left in your clothes in the first place there wouldn’t be a problem. Would you come out of the shower without rinsing away the soap/shower gel/shampoo properly?

If anyone reading these comments is having skin problems, I recommend you read the page “Why can’t modern washing machines rinse properly?”

http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/wordpress/why-cant-modern-washing-machines-rinse-properly/

There are plenty of tips on that page on how to force modern “water saving” washing machines to rinse better. I hope following the rinsing advice alleviates the skin complaints.

All the best.