Living with sensitive skin can often feel like navigating a minefield, with everyday items potentially triggering discomfort and irritation. Among these daily challenges, laundry is a task that can unexpectedly turn your clothes, sheets, and towels into enemies of your skin. But fear not, as there are simple yet effective strategies to ensure your freshly washed items don't become a source of itchiness or soreness.

Karlie Suttie and Rachael Hallett, founders of the 'Mums Who' online community, which includes the popular Mums Who Clean Facebook group, have shared invaluable advice for those of us dealing with sensitive skin. Their insights are not just practical but can be easily incorporated into your laundry routine.

One of the most straightforward hacks they suggest is to perform an extra rinse cycle with your washing machine. If your machine has this function, adding an additional rinse can make a world of difference. 'This will ensure that your laundry comes out cleaner than ever and that there is no risk of residue,' Suttie and Hallett explain. Residual detergent is a common culprit for skin reactions, and an extra rinse helps to eliminate any leftover soap particles.

Make your washing routine skin-friendly with Karlie and Rachael's tips. Image Credit: Pexels/Sarah Chai

Another clever tip from these savvy mums is to give your clothes a quick tumble in the dryer after line drying them. While it might seem counterintuitive to dry something that's already dry, the goal here is to soften the fabric. Line-dried clothes can sometimes feel stiff, which might irritate sensitive skin. A brief stint in the dryer can make them feel more comfortable and gentle to the touch.

When it comes to laundry detergent, less is often more for those with sensitive skin. Suttie and Hallett recommend adhering strictly to the instructions on the detergent packaging to avoid using too much. They suggest using products like OMO sensitive capsules, which are pre-measured and easy to use, reducing the risk of detergent overuse.

Don't forget to wash new clothes, towels, and bedding before their first use. This practice helps to remove any residual chemicals or debris from the manufacturing process that could irritate your skin.

For households with members who work in dirty or chemical-laden environments, consider a separate washing machine to prevent cross-contamination. 'A second-hand machine can do the job, throw the dirty clothes in that machine instead,' they advise. This way, you can keep potential irritants away from the clothing and linens of those with sensitive skin.

Incorporating these tips into your laundry routine can make a significant difference in managing sensitive skin. Remember, it's not just about the products you use but also about the methods you employ. By taking these extra steps, you can ensure that your skin stays as comfortable and reaction-free as possible.

We'd love to hear from our Seniors Discount Club members about your own experiences and tips for dealing with sensitive skin and laundry. Share your stories in the comments below, and let's help each other live more comfortably!

Key Takeaways

• For individuals with sensitive skin, taking extra care with laundry practices can prevent irritation from clothes, sheets, and towels.
• Adding an extra rinse to the washing cycle and using the dryer to soften garments are suggested methods to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions.
• Following laundry detergent instructions precisely and considering gentle or hypoallergenic options like OMO sensitive capsules can also help.
• Washing new fabrics before use and potentially using a second washing machine for heavily soiled items are recommended to avoid contact with irritating substances.

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[fittsy]

I may not be a wash expert, but being a pension receiever, along with a simply limited income, I find using the home brand wash detergent with a small add of vinegar, to the wash cycle, then a cup of magnesium sulphide in the first rinse cycle does a good job of keeping the items from being hard or stiff feeling, but this only my method, not suggestive.

 

[Jennylolo]

Well blow me down. Since these machines became first available, this is a very normal practice. Diff. wash cycles also have different preset rinses and you can opt for whatever. And softening in dryer on Cool cycle, removes any residue pet hair as well as plumping fibres. It's far from being a clever hack. The machines offer these. Where does the hack come into it?

 

[DLHM]

The “sensitive” laundry detergents often have no perfumes. The perfumed detergents can cause skin irritation.

 

[MariaG]

I have used enviro friendly household cleaning/washing items long before it became trendy.
Having a water tank and septic ground outfall system at the time, meant the use of less harmful chemicals, and the resultant break down of all outfall in a natural way. We never had our septic pumped out, nor did we have any issues in our yard as a result of breakdown. The transpiration tank looked after everything so long as we did not put in any nasties.
If you use cleaning products in your washing machine that do not include a myriad of chemicals and concentrate on cleaning without harm to our environment, odds on the sensitivity to skin is addressed at the same time.
My experience is that the less bells and whistles, the better. I don't live in that house anymore but still go with the same routine. Keeping all those additives out of the washing machine cycle, means, they are not touching the clothes, hence, not touching the skin.

 

[Suzanne rose]

The best detergent for sensitive skin was the Lux Flakes dissolved in water before adding to the washing machine

 

[DLHM]

The best detergent for sensitive skin was the Lux Flakes dissolved in water before adding to the washing machine

I always washed the nappies and baby clothes in Lux Flakes.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I always washed the nappies and baby clothes in Lux Flakes.

So did I. Not sure it's still available now

 

[DLHM]

So did I. Not sure it's still available now

Not called Lux Flakes anymore. “Softly” took it over.

 

[Dynamo]

Good advice here