Washing clothes w/o detergent?

Question

I have a friend who has eczema and he said that his dermatologist recommended that he wash everything he has (towels, clothes, bedding, etc) in hot water without any detergent.

Barring any hardcore stains or anything, is this feasible? Would the laundry get clean?

Answer 1

My daughter has eczema, and while I have to take extra steps with her laundry, I wouldn't wash things in hot water without any detergent. First of all, hot water can ruin a lot of items. Second, you need some kind of soap or detergent to get all the dirt, odor, etc... out. I use Tide Free, but there are plenty of detergents made for people with sensitive skin. I also double rinse all her laundry, to make sure the soap comes out. I can't see laundry really gettting clean without some kind of soap. Would you be comfortable eating at a restaurant where employees only rinsed their hands in really hot water? Same thing. Hope this helps.  

Answer 2

I would use detergent of some kind Tide is really good and few people I know have reactions to it.If in case your friend cannot use Tide I would recommend using laundry detergents for babies. Been awhile so let me think of the names.One is Dreft there is another too but cannot remember the name I used when my kids were babies.  It is designed for sensitive skin. Look in baby section or laundry detergent section.

Answer 3

I agree with both answers, baking soda is great, and also not using detergent at all will still get the clothes clean, the hotter the water, the more sterile the clothes can get, also using a high temp dryer cycle will help sterilize, But the water is the main part in getting the clothes clean.  

Answer 4

tell him to use baking soda

that is a natural "cleaner"

Answer 5

Soap just breaks up the surface tension of water, making it easier for water to penetrate small areas, like the weaving of cloth. You don't NEED soap to wash clothes, but it makes it much more effective.

I think it would be more practical to find a brand or type of laundry soap that doesn't cause a skin reaction. They're not all the same.