seventh generation detergent

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gizmo

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I have just found Seventh Generation laundry powder from the USA in the local Coles supermarket. It has all sorts of environmental and gentleness claims on it. (Not sure about the environmental "benefits" of transporting laundry powder across the globe...) Naturally it is amazingly expensive.
I have been using a local eucalyptus based product for a year or more without problems but recently I have come out in patches of rough red cracked and itchy skin over my back and hands, and smaller spots on my legs and arms. It is proving very hard to heal and I want to use some very gentle products for a while at least, to give my skin a break from irritants. I am using a cortisone cream and moisturiser/barrier cream prescribed by my doc but it is not getting better which is very unusual for me. I have often had skin troubles over the years but they usually clear up in a week or two.

So has anyone here tried Seventh Generation laundry powder in a front loader? Does it wash well in warm water? Is it kind to irritable skin?

Thanks for your advice.

Chris.
 
Hey Chris,

Back when I had a lapse in judgement and decided to go green, I used 7th Gen products for about 6 months. I was not impressed at all with the detergent. It is basically soap and baking soda, so the hotter the water, the better it worked. After a while, a certain grayness and mustiness set in and the feeling that clothes weren't quite as clean as they should be. It was low sudsing in the frontloader, but every now and then it would go crazy with suds.

The liquid laundry detergent is basically dish detergent and extremely high sudsing.

Now their dishwasher powder is pretty good stuff. Expensive, but pretty good.
 
I've used various Seventh Generation products for years, and some are very good. The powdered detergent isn't recommended for use in front load/HE machines, although I did use it in mine. On full loads the suds stayed minimal, but it did suds up considerably on smaller, splashier loads. Its cleaning ability is much like that of other eco-friendly brands, meaning it can deal with day to day lightly soiled things but doesn't attack tough soils very effectively. I often boosted it with extra oxygen bleach and had much better results. Their laundry liquids are now HE-compatible, and seem to be about as effective as the powders. I don't have sensitive skin, however, so unfortunately can't comment on whether the powder leaves behind any irritating residues.

Like Peter said, Seventh Generation automatic dishwasher powder works quite well. I also like their liquid dishwashing detergent. I think it works better than Ecover.
 
Mercy!

That is distressing about your skin condition, Chris.

Silly question, but do you programme in additional rinses?

Also, have you changed bath soaps and shampoo lately?
What about new deodorant/antiperspirant? It may not be the laundry product(s) at all.

Good luck.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Poor rinsing is a big issue.

However, try products without strong fragrances. Also, try alternating to another manufacturer e.g. if you're having problems with Tide or other Proctor and Gamble detergents try All or Wisk from Unilever.

Sometimes it can just be one thing in a particular formulation.

Do not use fabric softener and do not use bounce if you've allergy issues as they're not rinsed out.
 
I don't use fabric softener, or hair shampoo. I use sorbolene bar for hair and body. I use the same deodorant I have used for years, It is a special sensitive skin version and aluminium free. I watch the rinse water being pumped out and re-rinse till it comes out clear - usually one extra rinse is enough, I have an Asko which rinses reasonably well.

I just found out today that my Dad has similar problems which switched on a light in my head. A few weeks ago I went to my parents place to do some maintenance. Mum did some washing and washed some of my clothes, using a highly pefumed cheapy powder, which reeked so bad I re-washed all my stuff with no detergent. My clothes still stunk. I got itchy from about then. My guess is that that incident sensitised my skin, I will have to go with all gentle products till I can get things settled down.
I have advised my parents to switch detergents too.

The Seventh Generation powder says on its box it is suitable for front loaders, but I think I will try something else. A friend also suggested a bit of vinegar in the rinse.

Thanks

Chris
 
Ecover

Hi Chris,
I'm sorry to hear about your sensitivity to products.
Do you have Ecover products available in your part of Australia? Their laundry detergent is very good for people with sensitive skin, they don't use OBAs and the surfactant is based on non GM Rapeseed oil. The laundry detergent is very lightly scented with Lavender but they also do a scent free version.
The link is to Ecover Australia.

David

http://www.ecover.com/au/en/
 

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