'It literally burnt our skin!': Mum warns about one everyday cleaning that can put families at risk
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In the bustling supermarket aisles and laundry rooms, we often find comfort in the familiar scents and cleanliness of household products.
What if one of these everyday items actually caused more harm than good?
This is the alarming possibility raised by a leading dermatologist, who has issued a stark warning about a common ingredient that could be lurking in your home right now.
A mum's post sounded the alarm about the dangers of a common laundry product.
'PSA: Do you use this Laundry Sanitiser?' she asked, referring to ALDI's Di San Laundry Sanitiser ($2.49).
'Well, I was, and everyone in my family was complaining about a burning feeling on various parts of the body.'
After visiting a skin specialist, the mum found out that one of the sanitiser's active ingredients—benzalkonium chloride—could have adverse effects on the skin.
'It literally burnt our skin,' she added.
The mum's experience was not an isolated incident.
Some shoppers also shared their adverse experiences with the product.
One woman noted that her bedridden husband had a 'terrible flare-up of skin problems' after using the product.
Another user connected her itchy rash to the laundry sanitiser, which she used on her bedding.
Parents also reported rashes on their children from clothes and reusable nappies washed with the product.
Benzalkonium chloride is an organic salt with antifungal and antiseptic properties.
The chemical may be found in some personal care and household cleaning products.
Dr Katherine Armour, founder of Bespoke Skin Technology, recently saw an uptick in patients with reactions to this chemical.
Dr Armour saw the rise of these cases during the onset of COVID-19 when everyone turned to more potent cleaning agents for hygiene and safety purposes.
While most laundry detergents do not have benzalkonium chloride, it is present in several sanitising products.
'The product can get stuck in the fabric of certain clothes and cause irritation,' Dr Armour warned.
Skin irritations associated with benzalkonium chloride may range from the following:
Dr Armour advised those experiencing allergies to stop using products with benzalkonium chloride immediately.
She also recommended using gentle body washes and fragrance-free moisturisers daily to manage the allergies.
If the allergies persist, visiting a general practitioner or a dermatologist may be necessary.
This concern raised a question among homeowners: are these sanitising products necessary?
Dr Armour's answer was a resounding no.
'It's 100 per cent not necessary to use a rinse aid or sanitiser like this at all,' she said.
'You could do a hot wash if you like.'
This concern highlights the need for vigilance towards the products we use every day.
For those affected by similar issues, ALDI encouraged customers to reach out to their help centre.
The supermarket offered a full refund or replacement for any product that did not meet customer satisfaction, including the laundry sanitiser.
Have you had a similar experience with your cleaning products at home? Share your stories and allergy-free cleaning tips with us in the comments below.
What if one of these everyday items actually caused more harm than good?
This is the alarming possibility raised by a leading dermatologist, who has issued a stark warning about a common ingredient that could be lurking in your home right now.
A mum's post sounded the alarm about the dangers of a common laundry product.
'PSA: Do you use this Laundry Sanitiser?' she asked, referring to ALDI's Di San Laundry Sanitiser ($2.49).
'Well, I was, and everyone in my family was complaining about a burning feeling on various parts of the body.'
Di San offers a variety of products for cleaning clothes, but customers raised concerns about the laundry sanitiser (left). Image Credit: Facebook/ALDI Mums
After visiting a skin specialist, the mum found out that one of the sanitiser's active ingredients—benzalkonium chloride—could have adverse effects on the skin.
'It literally burnt our skin,' she added.
The mum's experience was not an isolated incident.
Some shoppers also shared their adverse experiences with the product.
One woman noted that her bedridden husband had a 'terrible flare-up of skin problems' after using the product.
Another user connected her itchy rash to the laundry sanitiser, which she used on her bedding.
Parents also reported rashes on their children from clothes and reusable nappies washed with the product.
Benzalkonium chloride is an organic salt with antifungal and antiseptic properties.
The chemical may be found in some personal care and household cleaning products.
Dr Katherine Armour, founder of Bespoke Skin Technology, recently saw an uptick in patients with reactions to this chemical.
Dr Armour saw the rise of these cases during the onset of COVID-19 when everyone turned to more potent cleaning agents for hygiene and safety purposes.
While most laundry detergents do not have benzalkonium chloride, it is present in several sanitising products.
'The product can get stuck in the fabric of certain clothes and cause irritation,' Dr Armour warned.
Skin irritations associated with benzalkonium chloride may range from the following:
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis: The said chemical may directly irritate the skin, causing reactions.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patients exposed to certain ingredients may develop a lifelong allergy.
- Granular Parakeratosis: A rare condition that can cause peeling and discomfort when chemicals get trapped in body folds.
Dr Armour advised those experiencing allergies to stop using products with benzalkonium chloride immediately.
She also recommended using gentle body washes and fragrance-free moisturisers daily to manage the allergies.
If the allergies persist, visiting a general practitioner or a dermatologist may be necessary.
This concern raised a question among homeowners: are these sanitising products necessary?
Dr Armour's answer was a resounding no.
'It's 100 per cent not necessary to use a rinse aid or sanitiser like this at all,' she said.
'You could do a hot wash if you like.'
This concern highlights the need for vigilance towards the products we use every day.
For those affected by similar issues, ALDI encouraged customers to reach out to their help centre.
The supermarket offered a full refund or replacement for any product that did not meet customer satisfaction, including the laundry sanitiser.
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