Is your laundry detergent causing Itching?

Harmful Effects of Laundry Detergents

Your regular laundry detergent might be very fragrant and may give you the walk in a spring field sensation - but it could also be giving your skin some stress. Do your freshly washed clothes cause red bumps on your skin and make your skin itchy? If yes, then folks it’s time to take a long, hard look at your favourite laundry detergent.

Can Laundry Detergent cause Itching?

Commercial Laundry Detergents or Soaps contain surfactants. Additionally they also contain fragrances, preservatives, dyes, and other harmful chemicals. Several adults and children are allergic to certain substances found in these detergents, causing their skin to react which eventually leads to itchy and bumpy red skin. In some cases, laundry detergents have also been the cause of a serious ailment known as Contact Dermatitis - which damages the top layer of your skin and causes rashes in confined spaces of your body like the armpit or the groin area.

In some extreme cases, your skin can end up blistering. If you face these symptoms or your skin is dry, scaly, or covered with red rashes and making you itch all over; it is recommended that you treat it with the following steps : 

• Get rid of your current laundry detergent.
• Apply an anti-itch lotion, wet compress, or doctor prescribed steroid cream according to your skin issues.
• Take an oatmeal bath, which will help in soothing your skin.

Choosing the right laundry detergent

Now that you have discarded your chemical-laden Laundry Detergent, where do you go from here? There are numerous options available- Liquid Detergent, Powder Detergent, Detergent Scents, and so on. 

However, you should choose the detergent according to your cleaning needs and your skin sensitivities. Liquid Detergents do a fab job of wrestling away the grime, grease, dirt, and even harsh stains. They also work well in cold washes. Powder Detergents do not work well under cold temperatures. Powder detergents are also found to have lower efficacy against stubborn stains and often need tough scrubbing to dislodge grime. Detergent Scents, as the name suggests, come in various fragrances and should be avoided if you have children at home or have sensitive skin as they contain several allergens. 

While buying your laundry detergent, also check the labels. See if any allergens are present in the detergent. A safe option is to pick up a laundry detergent that is chemical-free and has natural surfactants and no artificial fragrances. 

Koparo’s Natural Liquid for one checks all the boxes when it comes to laundry. It’s natural, hypoallergenic formula was designed to ensure you get the safest bet! 

How much laundry liquid to use?

When in doubt about using your laundry liquid, always remember that less is more. If you end up using too much liquid, it not only gets wasted away but also leaves a chalky touch on your clothes and could potentially harm your washing machine.

How much product to use while washing your laundry: 

• Use 2 teaspoons of liquid laundry detergent or 2 tablespoons of powder per normal load size, usually, your detergent liquid bottle will come with a dosing cap to save the trouble of guessing. Follow those instructions.
• In case of heavy soiling, you can up the number by half the earlier amount. So, for example, if you were using 2 teaspoons of liquid detergent, for extremely soiled clothes you now need 3 teaspoons when used on its own.
• If your top load washer doesn’t have an assigned spot for detergents, it is advisable to put it directly in the drum first before you add your clothes.

 It is also recommended to never directly pour your laundry liquid from the bottle, but measure the amount you need and pour the exact quantity. This can help in putting in just the right amount of detergent. One of the very first signs you will notice if you are adding too much laundry detergent is that your clothes will feel very stiff post drying.

Koparo's tips to keep your clothes looking brand new:

• Wash your clothes inside out
• Choose the right washer setting according to the fabric
• Skip the dryer- Air dry your clothes
• Use mesh bags for your laundry

Laundry Detergents and how to store them

Whether you are using a powder detergent or a laundry liquid- it is important to store them correctly, at the right temperature, or in the right container. 

How to store powder detergent:

• Try to store your powder detergent in a dry place. Moisture will make it lumpy and it might cause problems with your washing machine dispensers.
• The ideal containers to store a powder detergent are: durable glass containers, lidded enamel bins, and wastebasket lined with plastic
• Store it in a room temperature setting. If a powder detergent is at a very low temperature, it will harden and if it is at a high temperature, it might lose oxygen, making stain removal difficult. The ideal temperature is around 10°-25°Celsius.

How to store liquid laundry detergent:

• Liquid Detergents work well in low temperatures but storing them in high temperatures; their components might destabilize and separate. At severe low temperatures, they might freeze. The ideal temperature is around 10°-25°Celsius.
• The ideal containers to store a laundry liquid are glass containers with super-secure lids, spouts, or in their original containers.
• Keep the lid closed while storing the laundry liquid 

It is also essential to keep in mind their expiry date. Both powder and liquid detergents can be used for 6 months to a year from their opening.

If you are in search of a non-irritating, chemical-free, and all-natural laundry liquid, check out Koparo’s Natural Laundry Liquid with Lavender, Lilac, and Bergamot extracts. 

Happy Laundry Day!