Just got this letter and thought that some of you with allergies or sensitivities might like to see my answer:
Dear Dukh Niwaran Kaur,
My friend, Jane, seems to be allergic to her clothes detergent and/or shampoo. Her skin itches and blisters. I told Jane that I’d ask if you can recommend healthier product brand names.
Sat Nam.
Dear Sat Nam,
I use California Baby Super Sensitive (no fragrance) Shampoo & Body Wash for my hair. Also, California Baby Super Sensitive (no fragrance) Hair Conditioner. Both of these are gluten free. I got California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash for my husband who has oily/scaly skin (It has collloidal oatmeal in it so it contains gluten and I can’t use it, but it has really helped his skin. It has no added fragrance.) You can get them at places like Whole Foods–sort of pricey…usually 8.5 fl. oz or 251 ml. plastic bottles. At Drugstore.com you can get that size and also the shampoo and the Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash in a 19 fl. oz (562 ml.) Drugstore.com is the only place I’ve found the Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash.
For my clothes I wash in Ecos Free and Clear All Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent. It comes in a big bottle or in an even bigger bottle. Again pricey but concentrated and lasts a long time. I used to use Seventh Generation Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent (Unscented). However, they went from it being 2x concentrated to 4x concentrated and now it is too strong for me. I still use it to get out spots I can’t get out any other way (It has enzymes in it and works great for soaking clothes with spots. Really gentle and works on most washable fabrics—even wool and silk. I scrub the spot gently with a toothbrush, small scrub brush, or my hands with the Seventh Generation Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent and then stick put it in a bucket with water to cover and let it work…sometimes I leave it for several days or longer. Only problem is that that Seventh Generation Baby is 4x concentrated that I have to rewash in Ecos after I soak them so I can wear them! Not a good drought practice!
Blessings, Dukh Niwaran Kaur