My mom (VMV Hypoallergenics‘ founding dermatologist-dermatopathologist) formulated it for her clients with clothing contact dermatitis and in my personal household, we can’t use anything else. If we do, my 8yo begins itching and stinging immediately, and more in the undergarment regions so it’s very uncomfortable. My husband stings, itches and gets hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the underarms and skin around the neck. I itch like a madwoman in the scalp (where my head most comes into contact with my pillowcase), underarms, around the neck, and under my lower bra strap.

When Fawn & Launder is out of stock, we use Essence Superwash. To use Essence Superwash or Clark Wash for laundry:

Regular Cycle, Front Load, 2 to 2.5 capfuls = 32 washes
Regular Cycle, Top load, 5 to 5.5 capfuls = 16 washes
Hand Wash 1 to 1.5 capful = 64 washes

Or, using different measuring tools:

Regular cycle (Front Load) – 1/8 cup (5 capfuls or 31mL)
Regular cycle (Top Load) – 1/4 cup (10.5 capfuls or 63mL)

With an HE (High Efficiency) machine, given the variability of machines and the amount of water they use, we suggest that you start with 3/4ths of the amount above, or:

Regular cycle (Front Load) – 5 tsp (4 capfuls or 23mL)
Regular cycle (Top Load) – 10 tsp (8 capfuls or 47mL)

Depending on your machine or how heavily soiled a load is, you may need to adjust the quantities.

Bleach, we use occasionally but my mother is allergic to it, so she can’t (and, while not a top contact allergen, it can be a very strong irritant so be wary and ask your dermatologist for guidance). None of us uses fabric softener or dryer sheets because they often contain lots of contact allergens like perfume or other ingredients related to fragrance.

The basic tips we share for more allergy-free laundering are:

1) Get a patch test.

As you can see from my own story above, we all react in different ways and in different areas. My mother is sensitive to bleach, we’re not, and we can tolerate fragrance less than she can. Far better than random trial and error or guesswork, a patch test can show you exactly what to avoid.

2) Avoid your allergens.

Once you know the specific ingredients that you need to avoid, Fawn & Launder may work well for you as it’s free of all published allergens. BUT, if your patch test says you’re really only sensitive to, say, fragrance, you now have a much wider selection. Several brands make “free” versions that are free of scents or fragrance (look for ingredients not called fragrance, however, that are also cross reactants like propolis, benzyl alcohol and cinnamic alcohol).

3) Avoid your allergens in drying products, too.

The same applies to dryer sheets and fabric softeners…avoid the stuff with your allergens. Remember that “natural” versions may not be better. Many natural substances are proven contact allergens (terpenes are excellent examples), enough so that a recent study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology states, “We emphasize the misconception of clean, natural, organic, and vegan to equal safe … Many naturally derived ingredients are the cause of dermatitis.” If you’re allergic to these, you need to avoid them, no matter how natural they are.  Opt for validated hypoallergenic and use your patch test results to guide you.

Again, why the patch test is so powerful…so you avoid only what you need to.

4) Clothing contact dermatitis isn’t just about laundry products…you could be reacting to something in the clothing itself.

Blue dye in jeans is a very common culprit. If your patch test shows sensitivity to nickel or other metals, you might want to stick to pure cotton and other natural textiles. These absorb colorants better so manufacturers don’t tend to use “mordants” (which have metals), which are chemicals added to synthetic cloth to help dyes and colors bind to it better. Bright colors — reds, purples, vibrant shades — as well as blacks and dark colors tend to also be culprits if you’re sensitive to dyes. And, elastics, spandex, rubber are common allergens, too. If this is a suspicion, your doctor may use an expanded patch test tray for you. And, there’s a great underwear and basic clothing company called Cottonique that can help (we did a clinical study for them with their clothing and our laundry shampoo).

5) Prep your machine before your first wash.

Another poster on Tumblr shared her thoughts…

…which leads to this 5th tip: “wash” your washing machine with Fawn & Launder, our hypoallergenic laundry detergent (or Superwash), before doing your first load! A big reason why we make our own products (we don’t outsource) is to ensure that vats or mixers used for our products aren’t also used for storing or mixing formulations with fragrance or other allergens. This is much the same principle. This is a great way to start on a more allergy-free laundry experience!

We hope this helps! And if you’d like more direct help, anyone on our team in NYC is a phone call away at (212) 217 2762 🙂

– Laura, VMV Hypoallergenics CEO

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Laura is our “dew”-good CEO at VMV Hypoallergenics and eldest daughter of VMV’s founding dermatologist-dermatopathologist. She has two children, Madison and Gavin, and works at VMV with her family and VMV’s signature “skinfatuated, skintellectual, skingenious” team. In addition to saving the world’s skin, Laura is passionate about health, cultural theory, human rights, happiness, and spreading goodness (like a VMV cream)!