I had itchy skin, esp where clothing would rub like back of arms whenever I used Tide. Some other detergents too. We were using Arm & Hammer for sensitive skin, but we've been using purcell without issue. Purcell cleans better than the A&H

Not laundry detergent but I am extremely allergic to tea tree oil and it is now in so many things. I have to try to read the microscopic ingredients on everything to make sure it is not included. I wish they would print it large on the front. So many people are allergic to it.

That's awful that you not only suffer the pain but have to do repeated washing.

In the last few years, hubby and I have both had recurring itchy rashes on our torsos. It sometimes happens at home and other times when we've been out of town. The only thing I can think of is that we're reacting to laundry detergent that hasn't been thoroughly rinsed out of clothing and sheets. My thought is that the hotels use harsher detergent than what I use at home and that our front loading washing machine doesn't rinse as well as the old top loader. Or, that the detergent we use for the front loader has a different formula than what we previously used. We've always used Tide in both the top loader and the front loader.

If I am diligent about applying body lotion to my torso front and back after a shower, it seems to keep the rash at bay. If the rash gets started, it is a miserable few days ahead and the only thing that clears it up is a cortisone cream. It was so bad one time, I thought I had shingles.

Arkansas, interesting that the Gain and now the Cheer Free are both P&G products.

Why did you want to change detergents? If your getting less than good results with Purex free than I understand..I can't see the Purex Free not being very good when it comes to stain removal since it has no enzymes BUT on the other hand both Gain and Cheer free have enzymes, perhaps its the enzymes your allergic too.

ALL free and clear liquid is enzyme free except the one that says **with oxi** and it has a better surfactant system than Purex, just a thought if you want to try again.

When something effects your breathing its no longer a sensativity but a full blown severe allergic reaction...in your case I'd stick with the Purex.

Do you use any pretreaters or boosters?

Dawn actually many hotels use a more neutral PH detergent than what we do at home, reason being is the higher the ph the higher the alkalinity which can be harsh on bedding and towels and shorten the life span. Hotels wash their textiles a LOT so they need a more neutral ph detergent....for instance P&G has Tide with Bleach powder on the stores shelves I think the ph is around 11 but they sell the same Tide with Bleach powder, named Tide Professional to hotels that has been formulated to have a lower ph I think 8....

Poor rinsing may be the problem.

Thanks for that information, mamapinky.

Maybe I'll try running the machine through a second rinse cycle and see if that helps. I don't know if I can do just a rinse cycle on our machine - will have to check that out. Or, using less detergent is another option I could try.

Yes, I have had a reaction to detergent. I tried a citrus detergent that my neighbor loved, and I tried Amway detergent that another neighbor sold through her business. Broke out in rashes both times.

Quite a number of years ago, free samples of Era were sent out in the mail. Naturally, I tried it. And I itched all over for a number of days! So I stuck with my Tide or Cheer, whichever was on sale. Later, I developed an itch when I used a scented fabric softener. So I switched to unscented. Now, I can occasionally use a scented fabric softener, but I rarely do. I'm still using mostly Cheer, sometimes Tide. But I ALWAYS use a second rinse! Always have, and probably always will! I guess I just don't trust one rinse to get all the detergent out.

It's funny how our body and its reactions to things can change over the years.

Rusty

We're so water saving conscious out here in California that a second rinse feels like a decadent indulgence to me. But, saving my skin is worth it, I guess!

I am really sensitive to Tide and all heavily fragranced detergents. I've used Purex for years, I particularly like the Natural Elements.

I really miss the sears detergent. I have used it since I got my front loaders and absolutely loved it. I had a whole box and it was lost in the flood. Now it's not available. We got tide pods to try but I am not a fan. I want to go back to powder. I bought a small arm and hammer to try. I don't like heavy scents either. I wish I could find some one that has some sears available.

I'm ultra-allergic to Tide. I use the free and clear stuff too. I like the Arm and Hammer liquid pretty well.

What kind of Sears detergent raven? There's this one. So I assume it isn't the one?

I've used All Free and Clear for years - I have reactions to various things(never sure what's going to break me out) and never have a problem with the All F&C

Yes that is the one but as it shows not available anymore. Unfortunately!

Has anyone tried the other one sold at sears Equator? It is available but I don't know anything about it. It's also sold at home Depot.

http://m.sears.com/Equator-HE-Detergent-(1-box-of-5-lbs.)/p-03213445000P

Try Whole Foods for one with no scent. I had a nasty asthma attack when I used scented detergent.

You're right raven! While it has store pickup, it tells me there are no locations. And that's not true. Dang.

Glad to see I'm not alone. I grew up with Purex and it is still what I use. Can't use Tide at all, tried it once and had horrible hives.

I don't want to risk trying another detergent and dealing with the itch so I just stick with what I know doesn't bother me and that is Purex.

I don't use any fabric softeners. I do have a box of unscented sheets that if a load is really sticking together, I will throw in a sheet but that's almost never. It doesn't seem to bother me though. I can't use Oxiclean either, I bought a giant box of it and now can only use it to soak something and then I have to wash it out really really well. Like if something gets really yellowed, I'll soak it overnight. I kept continuing to break out and wasn't figuring out why but then it dawned on me that my fleece blanket that I cover with when I'm watching TV had been washed in the Cheer. After I washed it in Purex, I haven't had any more hives. OH and get this, the back of my head was breaking out in hives and come to find out it was from laying my head on that fleece blanket that was folded up and draped across the back of my sofa so my head was resting on it if I wasn't covering up with it. I thought I was allergic to my shampoo. HA! GAH!

A friend of mine was telling me that she uses Tide and only uses a tiny bit in a full load, she showed me with her fingers the amount and was less than an inch level in the cap.

Oh my gosh, I had the same reaction to Gain detergent, and it was several years ago. Hives are horrible! I also got terrible hives from using Snuggle fabric softener. Ugh

I am allergic to the laundry detergent power that was recommended by many people of this site. It is the FOCA brand. Makes me break out in welts and makes me itch. I was really disappointed because it really does get the clothes very clean and is inexpensive.

I highly recommend for those of you that get/have itchy sensitive skin to be diligent with rinsing. There's lots of chemicals in detergent that can cause this but one sodium carbonate ( washing soda) is a big culprit for causing this. Its probably in all powdered detergents and is actually needed, but manufactures go overboard because its cheap there's a lot more added as a filler. Problem is it can be difficult to completely rinse out causing a host of problems from itchy skin to harsh, scratchy, stiff and yellowed textiles. Dont get me wrong it will rinse out it just depends how good ones machine is at rinsing...an extra rinse may be required.

And with all the products we use shampoo, conditioner, bath soap ect its a real chore to pin down what is really causing the skin issues.

Stick to what works for you, if whatever your using cleans your textiles, your whites are brilliantly white your bed lines have a fresh clean scent with no underlying body oil scent than your doing something right LOL

My clothes are clean with the Purex and the bed linens smell fresh and wonderful. When socks lose their brilliant white, I figure it's time for new ones! Hubby gets pretty dirty at work.

I don't use commercial detergent. I make my own using grated soap (ivory or coast or zest), borax, washing soda, and water. I make 5 gallons at at time and it's VERY gentle on our skin and our clothing. Plus, it only costs about $2 per five gallons, so I save a ton of money too. :)

I've made our own as well for 10 years. Borax, washing soda and Sunlight laundry bar (here in Canada). Zote is popular for people in the States.

I make it into liquid, and also have a container of the dry ingredients for whites.

Scents drive me crazy, and my eyes burn and I have to hold my breath if I have to walk down the laundry aisle for any reason. I hate walking by someone's house who's doing laundry and the fabric softener is blowing out of the vent. Gag.

You all may be surprised to hear that I'm not a fan of scented detergent considering my love of laundry and detergents. I also only use fabric softener on towels, but I mix Downy Free with a scented one to cut the strong scent and I only use a tiny bit. I have over 150 different brands of laundry detergent, but two of my all time favorates are Tide Free and Gentle Pods and Tide Professional with Oxi bleach (no scent on finished clothes) I prefer my clothing to smell like....nothing...just fresh and clean. Months ago I decided to try some softener on my 9 year olds sheets it did not go well he hated the way they felt and the scent kept waking him up LOL.

I just had a reaction to Gain; I thought it might be a UTI. Unpleasant! Today at lunch I bought All Free & Clear. Honestly, I found the smell of Gain to be a bit much for clothing.

Many, many people use much too much laundry detergent in their wash cycles.

Try putting your (non dark) dirty clothes into a warm-ish (90-100 degrees) cycle with just water. Let it fill and start the cycle. If you see soap bubbles, you've got detergent residue on the clothes and that contributes to skin reactions as well as less than bright results when washed. Try using less. Also, other than for delicates, wools and true darks, try to get away from strictly cold water washing. Clothes get cleaner and rinse better with a bit of temperature in the water.

Oxyclean and other pre-treat sprays, when used on food and other "organic" and plant stains, do most of their work using enzymes

My daughter used to get awful red, dried areas between her fingers...then we discovered she didn't rinse well enough when hand washing!! I am surprised there are sooo many detergent choices, seems like everyone I know has been told by a doctor "All Free" at even the first HINT of a skin issue. I know it works for us!!!

I have made the homemade laundry detergent that jasdip uses. I do not recall it making me have any reaction/itch/hives. I wasn't impressed with it and just stopped making it. Interesting that it does have borax as one of the main ingredients and I never got hives from that. Maybe it's because it's so diluted or maybe borax isn't the common denominator with Cheer and Gain that I'm allergic to. I think that was the only common ingredient that I saw though but I could be mistaken. It isn't easy to find a complete list of ingredients on these products.

I have started using much less soap to wash with. In a full load, I'm using only half a cap and seems to be fine.

Arcy, on the label of All, it says "number one recommended by dermatologists" or something like that.

I am still looking for a powdered detergent to use on dark clothes. Anyone?

I have a front-load washer. I don't want 'pods' or liquids. (I need less than is in pods. Liquids leave a residue in the washer -- and I have *water* at home! LOL)

I use white vinegar in the 'softener' dispenser. I use Warm/Cold for everything except Hot/Cold for towels and sheets. I use a dryer. I do not use dryer sheets. I don't understand why anyone would add 'softeners' unless they line dry.

I don't want scented anything -- not for laundry and not as a (cover-up) 'air freshener'. *Clean* doesn't need enhancement.'

Does plain old Tide powder have 'whiteners'? I can find that in powder form.

Another Purex user here. It's cheap, cleans well, and leaves a light, clean scent on our clothes. I've had problems with other detergents causing itchy rashes, but no problems at all since I started using Purex.

No plain Tide would not be a whites detergent but it has OB's which fade and leave a dusty appearance on darks.

Chisue refresh my memory have you tried the powdered Cheer? Cheer powder is specially formulated for darks which is why its now named Cheer Stay Colorful. It contains no OB's and has a chemical to neutrilize chlorine in tap water which is a culprit of fading.

A lot of people react to enzymes (and yes, most P&G detergents use enzymes) but I react more to the dyes and stench additives. Decades ago I would react to Tide and some others with the dyes and stench in them so I tried to buy dye/stench free whenever I could. Got some samples of the Tide when they changed the formula and concentrated it probably about 10 years ago and didn't react to it. My sister too, would react to Tide but she tried the "compacted" version and had no problem. Suggested it to my cousin with psoriasis and was very sensitive to detergents and that version was fine for him too. We all prefer the "free" versions and I still prefer the odorless types. I like the smell of Gain's apple/mango but don't really want to walk around smelling like a fruit salad. Don't want to smell anyway. When clothes stink, they need to be washed in my opinion.

I don't really seem to react to any detergent I've tried in recent years but don't do a lot of experimenting anymore. And I started using an extra rinse and now with the new machine I can do the extra rinse automatically so it stays on. I also stay with a few proven detergent brands that clean my clothes well without all the extras I used to have to use when I used Arm & Hammer, All, Purex, Sun and other cheap brands. My clothes need enzymes to clean them apparently and rather than adding them I buy one of the few detergents that have a good mix of enzymes. Saves the cost of dishwashing detergent and borax.

Jasdip, I'm with ya on the detergent aisles. And add in the stenchcandle areas of a store too. Do people just have no olfactory senses anymore?

Most people use way more detergent than they should. If you look in the cap the first line is only about an inch in it. More is not better in detergents. Use what you should and what you need. Dirtier loads need more but it's just a waste to use too much.

Whenever son sleeps over at his best friend's house he gets a rash. We just recently made the connection and think it is possibly due to residue in sheets that aren't sufficiently rinsed. I wash in hot with the minimum amount of detergent needed for results and two warm rinses. He never has rashes at home regardless of detergent used.

" stench additives, stenchcandle areas "

Very apt terminology! I love it! !

But what are "OB's"? ? ?

Rusty

OB's - Optical brighteners are synthetic chemicals added to liquid and powder laundry detergents to make clothing appear whiter and brighter.

I don't, but our youngest son, when he was at home had a rash from Tide. We never see Tide detergent from that point on until when I started using HE detergent and bought Tide Free and Clean.

Thanks, mamapinky. I doubt I can find Cheer in anything but liquid, but I'm ready to give up the search for 'dry'. If I can find Cheer Stay Colorful in liquid, I will try it on darks.

Hmm...what's the story on Woolite? Is there any difference in what's in the white bottle v. the dark one?

Now I am *stuck* with a whole box of Tide granular and two containers of Persil granular. I can't even use these on my new towels, which are *ivory*; they make them *white*.

Why do people want liquid detergents? Is it because they don't use hot or warm water for their laundry? Why carry water-diluted detergent home from the store when you have water at home?

Most Walmarts have Cheer powder, bottom shelf, black box. The LIQUID Cheer despite its name is not formulated for darks it has OB's and will fade or cause a dusty appearance on darks.

I have had no luck with any of the Woolites, IMO its not much. LOL but may be ok for very light soils.

As for your Persil Pearls it should not do that to your ivory towels all I can think is either you got a bad batch of Persil or the towel manufacture didn't use colorfast dye which happens even with $$$ textiles.

I'll have to find a Walmart and look for Cheer in the black box for Darks. Thanks for warning me off the liquid Cheer for Darks.

The ivory towels are Macy's Hotel Collection Turkish bath towels bought on sale this month. Supposed retail $50 bath size. I bought for 60% off. I *indulged*, throwing out old, scratchy white Charisma sets from Costco. These are really *plush* -- so big and heavy that I only use the hand size. You'd have to be a giant to heft the Bath Sheet size! It may be that I'm seeing 'bleached' when it's actually the OB's in Persil. I can see a difference in towels I've washed a second time with Persil granular v. the ones I washed straight out of packaging.