Is Your Laundry Routine Making Your Skin Worse? How to Fix It

You may not know it, but your irritated skin may result from your laundry routine. Yes, how you wash your clothes may be aggravating certain skin conditions you have. In celebration of Earth Day, pay attention to your skin’s health and be more mindful of our planet by switching to laundry habits that are both hypoallergenic and eco-friendly.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with your laundry routine. You’ve been doing it for so long that you have it right down pat. Or so you thought. It may not seem like a big deal, but how you wash your clothes may be why your skin is acting up.

Suppose you’ve been experiencing itching, rashes, or irritation after doing your laundry. In that case, the harsh chemicals in your laundry detergent, fabric softener, and washing methods may be the culprits. So, you may want to reconsider how your laundry habits affect your skin. Moreover, since Earth Day 2025 is fast approaching, you may also want to rethink how it affects the planet.

You can do this first by exploring whatever irritants make up your conventional laundry habits and second by learning how to make simple changes that are hypoallergenic and eco-conscious. You’ll see how switching to sustainable laundry practices will shield your skin from potentially harmful chemicals and reduce your environmental footprint.

The Hidden Irritants in Your Laundry Routine

Many people are unaware that laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and the manner of doing laundry are potential irritants. Those who suffer most from this lack of information are individuals with sensitive skin prone to eczema, contact dermatitis, or psoriasis flare-ups. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Detergents and Softeners Containing Harsh Chemicals

Most store-bought laundry detergents contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and chemicals that can irritate your skin. Items labeled “gentle” or “dermatologist-tested” may seem appealing, but don’t be fooled! These so-called safe ones still contain preservatives, surfactants, and artificial additives. Even fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain petroleum-based chemicals that coat clothes and trap heat and moisture against the skin, resulting in discomfort.

2. Residue Buildup in Clothes

Here’s a sad fact: most, if not all, washing machines don’t rinse detergent and softeners thoroughly. Whatever residue is left on your clothes latches onto your skin while you wear it, which could lead to prolonged irritation. That could mean trouble for individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) or textile dermatitis.

3. Harsh Washing Methods

You may be using hypoallergenic detergent, but if your washing method is wrong, you could still damage your clothes and irritate your skin, especially if you’re washing clothes made from natural fibers like organic cotton. Here are some counterproductive approaches when washing your clothes:

• • High-temperature washing—Washing clothes made from natural fibers in hot water can ruin them, stripping them of their softness and breathability. The resulting rougher textures can rub against your skin and irritate.
  • Overuse of detergent—You don’t make your clothes cleaner using too much detergent. On the contrary, doing so will only leave more residue behind, which can trigger irritation or an allergic reaction.
  • Excessive rinsing cycles—You may think running an extra rinse cycle would help remove any residual detergent on your clothes, but no. The truth is that rinsing clothes excessively can wear fabric fibers down, making the clothes less comfortable and breathable.

If you know that you have sensitive skin, apply gentle washing techniques to help preserve the softness and hypoallergenic properties of clothes made from organic cotton. By doing so, you also ensure your comfort throughout the day.

4. Synthetic Fabrics and Microplastics

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon trap sweat and bacteria and leak microplastics into waterways with every wash. These minute plastic particles harm marine life. Worse, these can eventually snake their way back into our food and water supply.

How Your Laundry Routine Affects the Planet

Your laundry routine and your choice of laundry products don’t only affect your skin; they affect the environment, too. So, switching to a more sustainable practice when washing your clothes would benefit your skin and be crucial in protecting our planet. Here’s why:

• • Chemical Pollution—Most laundry detergents contain phosphates and surfactants. These are released with every wash, contaminating waterways, lakes, rivers, and oceans, ultimately harming aquatic life.
  • Water and Energy Waste—Consuming too much energy and water through high-temperature washing and frequent laundry washes can increase carbon emissions and deplete resources.
  • Fast Fashion’s Dirty Little Secret—Fast fashion’s fabric of choice is primarily synthetics, which, when washed, shed microplastics. These add to the never-ending pollution crisis.

However, you hold the power to make small yet impactful changes in your hands that allow you to create a healthier environment for your skin and the planet.

Switch to a More Sustainable Laundry Routine

Consider switching to a gentler and more sustainable laundry routine this Earth Day and every day. You could apply these simple changes:

1. Switch to Hypoallergenic, Plant-Based Detergents

Choose detergents that are fragrance-free, biodegradable, and dye-free since these are typically safe for sensitive skin. Check if your choice has any of these since these are key ingredients you should avoid:

• • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—A harsh surfactant that strips moisture from the skin.
  • Artificial Fragrances and Dyes—Common triggers for allergic reactions.
  • Optical Brighteners—Chemicals that leave a residue on clothes and can irritate skin.

2. Ditch Fabric Softeners and Dryer Sheets

Instead of using softeners heavily loaded with chemicals, you could try using white vinegar, which is considered a natural softener that can remove detergent buildup. You could also use wool dryer balls without synthetic coatings to help reduce statice and speed up drying time. You might likewise freshen clothes while maintaining softness using baking soda.

3. Wash with Cold Water and Use a Gentle Cycle

Try cold water washing because it preserves fabric quality and prevents skin irritation. At the same time, you could start using a gentle cycle every time you do your laundry to reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.

4. Choose Natural, Organic Fabrics

Choose clothes free from synthetic fibers, toxic dyes, harmful chemicals, and microplastics. The better choice is clothes made from organic cotton, which is breathable, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable.

Adopting a Sustainable Laundry Routine This Earth Day

For Earth Day 2025, the challenge to yourself is to apply the previously listed changes to your laundry routine. Remember, how you do your laundry doesn’t only affect your clothes; it could also adversely affect your skin and the environment.

So, applying the four tips above would reduce your environmental footprint and leave your skin free from irritation. This Earth Day, and every day moving forward, consider making mindful choices that benefit your well-being and the planet.

Ready to switch to allergy-free, eco-conscious clothing? Discover Cottonique’s 100% organic, hypoallergenic apparel today!