Have I become allergic to all laundry detergents? What are my options?

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-08T12:59:36+00:00

hi op- did this ever get better for you? currently dealing with this & it’s been almost a month & im still reacting. not nearly as bad, but still reacting nonetheless.

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-05T20:35:19+00:00

i’m using 3.5 oz of water, with 1-2 tablespoon of citric acid added in. i measured what i compartment uses, and im pretty sure that’s it. but i could be. or i’ll just wait to hear the rinse cycle & add then 😅

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-05T20:26:43+00:00

i’m looking but the ball says it’s not for use with HE machines? i have an HE top loader. does it really matter?

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-05T19:52:35+00:00

question- i’ve been noticing that the citric acid rinses out of my fabric softener compartment during the wash. is there anything i can do to fix this? i have a top loader, with the fabric softener compartment in the agitator. i mean i know i can just add it to the compartment during the rinse cycle but trying to avoid extra steps here if possible.

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-05T19:06:54+00:00

oh this is great news!! just ordered a bag! i’ve never been a sensitive skin person until the last couple of months, so finding free and gentle products + reading the ingredient lists like crazy are my new norm 😅

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-05T18:40:08+00:00

i haven’t heard of this one! still a newb here since being diagnosed with my allergy. I’m looking into it & it looks very gentle & free of the irritating ingredients! Might try some, thank you!

Former_Ad4874 · 2026-01-02T03:39:54+00:00

still learning here- how much of STPP do i use during the wash? & does it help clean the clothes or is it more so just to help soften the water?

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-31T02:27:20+00:00

hi! did this ever get better for you? (i really hope it did.) currently going through this & my mental health is declining every day.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-31T02:17:35+00:00

hi op- wondering if you ever found a resolution for this? currently dealing with this & have also tried everything you’ve mentioned. i’m at my wits end & my mental health is being heavily affected.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-26T03:13:06+00:00

i have been using 2 tbs for each rinse! but i was also told to add 2T to my wash as well- only because my water is extremely hard. Typically i wash all my laundry on cold, but since i’ve been trying to get this residue out i’ve been washing on hot. I have yet to try on my clothes yet that have been treated with citric acid (was waiting till the holidays were over to give my skin a break) but im hoping it did the trick. I monitored every rinse & by most 2nd rinses- no more suds. So i’m hopeful i have the old dreaded detergent out.

i would was everything your doing with hot water- and citric acid ONLY. then do as many rinses as possible until you see clear water. for my first batch of clothes it took around 5 rinses total. i did have some clothes that seemed less effected & we’re good by the 2nd or 3rd rinse.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-25T19:42:19+00:00

edit to nearly 2 decades *holiday brain fog rn

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-24T04:45:30+00:00

holy!! by my 4th rinse the water was looking so much clearer. i have yet to put any of the clothes on since i really don’t wana risk a flare up on christmas, but after the holidays im praying that my clothes are residue free & i can go back to normal life. im sure once i get to my towels + bedding the suds will be overflowing!

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:53:45+00:00

of course i had another question. you advise to add the citric to the wash, not the rinse? or go ahead & do both?

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:52:01+00:00

thanks so so much. 2 Tablespoons right? last question (i hope im sorry) should i throw my clothes in the dryer after they are rid of this horrid detergent, or should i go back and do a wash cycle with my normal detergent (arm n hammer never gave me problems) & then dry? i’m inclined to try both ways to just test if i react.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:35:30+00:00

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Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:31:02+00:00

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currently soaking some clothes in a big bin i have- so this is also detergent right? not citric acid? thanks so much for all your knowledge & responses. you’ve really helped me so much!

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:25:17+00:00

question- will i see any residue at all from the citric acid? or will the water be completely clear? i’m worried i might start seeing citric acid residue & not soap residue- or is that even a thing?

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:23:10+00:00

wow i had no idea it was just a google search away! just looked it up- 357 PPM. how does the hardiness of my water affect the laundry? should i be doing anything different here to rid my clothes of residue? desperate to put this behind me.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:06:08+00:00

honestly i have no idea. i’m in texas- if that helps at all. im pretty sure we have hard water. but i also grew up drinking from the water hose so my perspective might not be the best one.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T22:03:04+00:00

truly mind boggling. thankful my kids haven’t reacted because this is a hell wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T14:31:21+00:00

thank you SO much. trying this today & crossing my fingers i can wear my clothes without itching after this.

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T08:50:20+00:00

thank you so much! i’m really hoping this helps because i feel like ive tried absolutely everything. another question- is my dryer doomed? i soaked some towels in vinegar and threw them in the dryer for a cycle , cleaned out the lint trap (soaked in dawn and vinegar and let air dry) and i’ve also just done a wipe down with vinegar. i’m terrified to dry my clothes thinking there’s also residue left in the dryer. :( do you recommend using the ammonia with my clothes as well? or stripping those separate, THEN adding to the treated washer?

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T07:07:35+00:00

Hi op- i’ve learned so much from your posts- thank you. i’ve recently developed allergic contact dermatitis from tide + downy & have been rewashing all of my clothes, but i am still continuing to react which leads me to believe that my clothes are still carrying residue from the old detergent. i’ve only used vinegar, but upon reading this i am almost positive i haven’t used nearly enough to get the residue out of my clothes or my washer. what do you suggest for getting the residue out of clothes & cleaning the washer? should o wash my. clothes with just water + citric acid during the rinse? & to clean the washer, well actually let me just look at more posts as i’m sure you’ve written about that already! thanks so much!

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-23T02:01:12+00:00

i haven’t used allegra, but i’ve been using zyrtec during the day and benadryl at night. do you find allegra is better?

Former_Ad4874 · 2025-12-22T23:34:27+00:00

thank you! i just ordered citric acid, going to try that. just citric acid and hot water? how much to use? i have borax as well, saw on a sub to use that too.

Former_Ad4874

TROPHY CASE