In one of the daily newspapers the other day I read an article that claimed scientists from Nottingham and London have carried out a review of 40 years of research on the biological agents used in biological washing machine detergent.
Their conclusion is, and I quote, “it’s a myth that biological washing powders irritate the skin or aggravate eczema”. The findings have been published in the British Journal of dermatology and the conclusion was, “the balance of all the evidence is that enzymes in laundry detergents are not a cause of either skin irritation or skin allergy”.
Biological detergent not guilty?
I must admit to being surprised at these findings. Over the years I have come across many people who believed that biological detergents caused itching to one or more members of their family.
I can only assume they believe this because they stopped using biological detergents and the itching and irritation disappeared. Otherwise they could not have decided it was the biological detergent causing the problems.
However, biological enzymes are not guilty according to people who should know what they are doing but I can’t say how credible these tests were, or who commissioned them. There is some suspicion they were funded by detergent manufacturers.
Here is some useful information from the National Eczema society about household irritants which covers many causes of irritation including laundry – Household Irritants.
Andrew Graham says
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.
Washerhelp says
Hello Andrew: As you can see I expressed surprise at the report myself and even put a question mark on the statement in my headline. For all we know the research may have been funded by washing machine detergent manufacturers. However, that’s the conclusion they came up with.
It’s hard to imagine how it can be a “myth” that biological detergents cause skin irritation because if people suspected the detergent and then changed it whereupon the irritation ceased it’s difficut to see that as anything other than evidence.
I suppose it’s possible there is something else in the biological detergent causing the irritation which means the enzymes are not guilty – but potentially the biological detergent could still cause the irritation.
Caroline says
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 says
This research was 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.
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 says
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 says
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 says
* 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 says
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 says
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.