Laundry Detergent????

[havingsuccess]

Hello everyone,

Quick question!! As most of you know I haven't had any symptoms for a couple months of which I am extremely grateful for!!! Anyway, tonight at work I get this burning feeling at my urethra. I didn't think anything of it and just decided to drink me some water (been downing the soda lately). Well all this extra drinking is making me pee a little more. I go into one bathroom and it didn't have any toilet paper so I had to drip dry lmao The next time I went I smelled something funny and smelled my pants and my mom had cleaned my house and washed all the whites in BLEACH!!! My underware and pants smelled just like bleach!! The burning continued, mildly and when I got home and changed clothes and washed it went away. Does anyone else get irritated like this?? Thanks so much!!!

Success

[ICNDonna]

Clorine bleach is a problem for many. I use it for some white things, but never for underwear.

Donna

[momw/ic]

Me too! I never realized my reaction until I stopped putting chemicals in my undies! My doc suggested washing panties separately in a dye free mild detergent and don't add bleach, fabric softener or anything and don't use a dryer sheet in the dryer. He said putting fabric softener in your underwear is the same as putting motor oil in it! I have started doing the same for my daughter even though she has no bladder problems I feel like it couldn't hurt to be preventive in this way.

[theclownster]

Hi all! I have super sensitive skin and I've been battling with different types of rashes. I curentlly use All Free and Clear liquid detergent and that is it. I can not use anything else or I break out all over the place. My doctor also suggested that I use liquid fabric softener in all of my clothes. She says that dryer sheets have little fibers in them that attach to your clothes. She said not to even use them in my dryer at all (say with blankets and things) because the dryer sheet fibers could attach to the inside of the dryer and thus directly to my clothes (that I wash in a later load). The fabric softener she suggested I use is Ultra Downy Free and Sensitive. It comes in a white bottle. I also bought one of those Downy balls that you put the softener in and put right into your washer. It makes it really easy to use. I had never used liquid softener before and I think it has made a big difference. I also use the Dove sensitve unscented to wash with in the shower.

I hope that info helps.
Take Care!
Jennifer

[Sarojini]

I have a LOT of allergies, and asthma too, and sensitive skin. When I was little my mother would wash my hair in Johnson's Baby Shampoo (supposedly gentle) and I would break out in hives all over my body. I still have pretty sensitive skin and tend to get hives/rashes easily. Dove Unscented in the shower is great like Jennifer said, and I have also had pretty good luck with Aveeno Unscented Body Wash for Sensitive Skin. For laundry, I use detergents that have no scent and no color added... right now we've got All Free and Clear. Also, National Allergy Supply (www.nationalallergy.com) sells a detergent called Allersearch Laundry Wash...it is really good too because it is completely hypoallergenic itself, but it supposedly cleans allergens like pet dander and pollen off of clothes and bedding really well.
Unfortunately it is a bit expensive.

Anyway, that National Allergy Supply place is really good... it was recommended to me by my allergy and asthma specialist, and they have all sorts of stuff, including body lotions and soaps and things for those of us with sensitive skin.

[theclownster]

Thanks for the info on National Allergy Supply. I think I'm going to check them out - sounds like I might be able to find something that could help me too.

[Laurenn]

Dear Sucess-
I have allergies to things like perfume, etc etc, too------and scented detergent is one of them......I
use Tide unscented detergent, and the "second rinse"
cycle on the washing machine, after the washer has completed its cycle.......at least two times!!
It makes a huge difference re my other allergies, although I don't know if it helps re my bladder.......Hope this helps!
sending HUGS, Laurenn

[ljharris]

I just read this in the IC handbook earlier today:

"For laundry detergent, we recommend ONLY Ivory Snow or Dreft and please rinse twice to make sure that all residue is removed. The mass market Cheer, Tide, All brands are actually quite notorious for triggering irritation and urethral symptoms in many of us, including their "free" versions. Please DO NOT use any fabric softeners or dryer sheets to reduce static. These always leave a chemical residue in your clothes that can trigger irritation."

I have been using the All Free & Clear detergent for years (well before I was diagnosed with IC). I noticed a few people on the boards seem to use it with no problem. Anyone have a problem with it?

I am also thinking that maybe I'll get one of those dryer balls that are rubber but don't have any chemicals or what-not like fabric softeners. Anyone use those?

[Calinda]

I use the Free and Clear All and it is okay for me. For my undies (after watching Dr. Oz--I started washing them seperately--bleach is too awful for me) so I started using Hydrogen Peroxide in the wash with my detergent. I have Chemical Sensitivities so I use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean lots of things. Yes bleach probably really irritated you--because it doesn't go away.

[Diamic65]

I use the regular Gain. I all so use Clorox for colors. I have no problem using them. I have in the past that I can not use the others.

DIAMIC65

[CherylSLP]

I can use the name brand detergents like Tide and All that are "free and clear" re: for people with sensitivity. Woolite is ok too.

[jenjen05]

I use All Small & Mighty Free and Clear with no problems. I also wash my undies separately and in addition to the All Free & Clear I use Clorox 2 Free Stain Fighter & Color Booster (green cap) with no problems.

[maryla]

I make my own laundry soap (Borex, fels nafta, and baking soda wash, lavender essentail oil)and fabric softner( water, vinager, baking soda and lavender essential oil). And I don't use bleach at all. It is so harsh!

hugs and blessings,

[mary124]

I usually use "Arm and Hammer" or Purex- both powder kind-as my husband is allergic to ALL liquids and most powder detergents (breaks out in hives); don't have any problem with fabric softners (dryer sheets we do).

[Diamic65]

My husband and I both can only use Gain. We can no longer use the Downy. It made us have horrible hives. My was so bad I think it caused an UTI.

DIAMIC65