detergent woes

[gardenmommy]

I have very sensitive skin, esp. in the winter when our house is like the desert it's so dry. My daughter also has sensitive skin, so I'm really careful about what we use for detergents and soaps, etc. For lack of funds, I bought All Free and Clear on sale, and am experiencing very irritated skin. It's so bad I can hardly stand to wear my clothes!

My question is this: I bought a bottle of Seventh Generation laundry detergent, which worked well, and caused no skin irritation. However, while reading the ingredients, I noticed that it contains borax. I've always heard that borax is damaging to diapers, causing them to wear out faster. What are my options? I need a reasonably priced detergent that will not irritate sensitive skin, but one that won't damage my diapers/clothing either.

Just in case you're wondering, I always use vinegar (I do not use fabric softener, which is to perfumey and makes me feel headachey) in my first rinse, and then do a second rinse. We also do a lot of essential fatty acids in our diet, so I don't think either one of those issues is the problem.

[Sustainer]

Have you tried Bi-O-Kleen?

http://www.babyminestore.com/Merchan...egory_Code=BIO

I have extremely sensitive skin. I use Seventh Generation for regular laundry and Bi-O-Kleen for diapers.

The problem with Borax and diapers might not be the sodium borate itself, but the surfactants and detergents that are commonly added to it when mainstream companies sell it as Borax.

Are you using Seventh Generation Free and Clear? I don't see Borax or sodium borate in the ingredients. Oh, I just noticed you said a "bottle." I'm using the powder.

Hope this helps!

[compleatmomof4]

From my understanding

borax is a water softener. It is harmful to diapers in that it is used in the diaper pail as a diaper soak to control odors and also some people use 1/2 cup per load when washing their diapers. The amount of Seventh Gen detergent you would use would not have that much borax in it.

[gardenmommy]

It sounds pathetic, I know, but I don't really want to have to deal with multiple detergents. I'd like to be able to use one for everything, if it's possible.

So, what I'm hearing you say is that the borax in the Sev. Gen. products should not be a problem, right? I don't soak my diapers in the pail. I sometimes do overnight just so that I can run the washer first thing in the morning. Would that be a problem?

As far as the rest of my laundry, is borax going to be a problem long-term with clothing? Will it cause my clothes to wear out faster or anything?

Thanks for your responses, I really appreciate them!

[Sustainer]

I have repeatedly heard Bi-O-Kleen recommended as the best detergent for diapers, and many people use it for all of their laundry, not just diapers.

I have never heard of pure sodium borate causing a long-term problem with clothing. It is considered natural and gentle.

[gardenmommy]

Is bio-kleen a mild detergent, I mean for sensitive skin? This is the voice of pregnancy-induced ignorance speaking, so please forgive me here!

Thank you so much!

[Sustainer]

All I can tell you is that when I wash things with Bi-O-Kleen, they don't irritate my extremely sensitive skin. Here are the ingredients, if it helps:

Soda ash, zeolites, sodium citrate, vegetable fiber chelators, sodium percarbonate, grapefruit seed and pulp extracts, orange peel extracts, natural corrosion inhibitors, surfactants-degreasers and conditioners from coconut, low pH silicates and sodium sulfate

[gardenmommy]

Thank you so much! I will check out bio-kleen a little more. I really appreciate all your responses. It has been very helpful to hear your experiences with other products.