One can do laundry following a few easy steps, such as tucking the clothes into the machine, adding detergent, and adjusting the settings. But when you have delicate skin that is prone to breakouts and rashes, a little more care is necessary. Right from adding the correct amount of detergent to washing the clothes well, small measures can benefit your skin. To avoid allergies, here are five useful laundry tips for sensitive skin.
- Wash clothes before use
No matter where you buy clothes from, be it a boutique or an online store, all garments need to be washed before use, especially when you have sensitive skin. This also means that you should avoid trying out clothes at retail stores since the chemicals on the fabric can irritate the skin. Remember that clean apparel will keep your skin safe.
- Add an extra rinse cycle
If your washing machine has an option of an extra rinse cycle, make full use of it. An additional rinse at the end of a wash helps remove residues in the creases of the clothes. Sometimes the machine fails to flush out detergent or dirt completely. The extra rinse cycle removes leftover detergent from the clothes, which may otherwise cause irritation if it comes in contact with sensitive skin.
- Use warm water
Warm water can destroy allergens that are hidden in the fabric of your clothes. Washing your clothes, blankets, and linens in it can reduce the chances of skin allergies. The high temperature acts as a catalyst to the function of the detergent. It speeds up the process of cleaning and removes germs, dirt, and debris.
- Choose detergents with mild formulas
Using a detergent with a mild formulation is a laundry tip that people with sensitive skin swear by. Ordinary detergents can be harsh on the skin because of their chemical-concentrated formulas. Always check the labels at the back of the product to ensure that it is free of perfumes and harmful chemicals. The same stands true for fabric softeners. Use a brand that specifically caters to soft and sensitive skin.
- Clean the washer
Although washing machines have a lot of soap and water churning in them, they can harbor dirt and bacteria over time. The germs can possibly seep into your clothes before you take them out of the machine. Therefore, machines should be cleaned with water and an organic disinfectant to avoid the accumulation of irritants.
Washing your clothes with proactive measures forms a big part of caring for delicate skin. The above laundry tips can help prevent skin allergies from clothes. If your skin is extremely sensitive and still reacts to gentle formulas, speak to a dermatologist about the brands of detergent you can use.
