Which is best washing detergent for possible allergy?

[Mummynumber2]

5 week old ds has a bad rash over his whole body except the nappy area, which I've read is very common with an allergy to washing detergent. The gp told me it's heat rash, eczema, milk spots and cradle cap and I have all kinds of lotions and potions for him which don't seem to be helping at all.

So, if it is an allergy to the washing powder I'm using (supermarket own non bio) what's the best one to try?
Thanks

soap nuts?

www.soapnuts.co.uk/

stupid thing - www.soapnuts.co.uk/

Ooh! Thanks, do they work well?

or ecoballs

i found them great, much better than ecoballs - they do lather up slightly and we used them on the nappies for a while (weaning poo was too much for them though and we are back to ecover now!)

Thanks weedram. I'm about to order some.

We used soap nuts for a while, we only stopped because they don't get greasy stains out and DH uses his clothes as a towel when cooking! Get some essential oil as well, something like lavender or lemon to give the clothes a fresh smell.
They're apparently really good for giving you glossy shiney hair too.

We now use Ecover. I have horrible reactions to most detergents, at work I only have to fold one load of washing and my hands will be itching and sore for days.

I use Ecover as recommended by my gynaecologist, and it works really well.
Also using about 1/2 or 1/3 of the recommended amounts of other detergents - you really don't need much, as proven by ecoballs having no detergent at all and just helping the water get into the clothes better.

I'm trying Surcare detergent and fabric softener at the moment as they have no perfumes or other nasties and it was recommended on another thread on here. It's too early to tell whether or not it's making a difference yet but will let you know. I'll also be watching this thread for any other ideas in case the Surcare doesn't work out! Have to say, I really miss the smell of Comfort on my washing though :( I used to love sniffing the washing when it came out of the machine, it's just not the same with no fragrance!

From experience I'd skip the fabric conditioner completely. I never use it. It's the last thing to go in the wash and doesn't get rinsed out properly, which means it's very likely to cause problems.

Ds2 has severe eczema, and we always used Surcare or Ecover. However, when he was referred to the allergy clinic they recommended Persil Original Non-Bio. ( It has to be the Original one)

I know, I couldn't believe it either, but we got some and Ds's eczema seeems to have improved- admittedly, this was in conjunction with other changes, but the eczema nurse said thet Persil Non-Bio is the one which the eczema society recommend.
I also stopped using fabric softener, and really miss it!

We use persil non-bio for our eczema baby (well toddler now) and skip the conditioner stage.

Just to add that I also use the extra rinse cycle on my washing machine to make sure all the detergent is gone. I know not all machines have this but worth looking out for when buying a new one as it really seems to make a difference. Ours is a Bosch by the way.

I am allergic to soap detergent and have always used persil non-bio. My mum used it when I was small too.

I use BioD washing powder, (and lots of the other stuff too) and haven't had a problem with it. I can even wash DS1's washable pullups in it occasionally. It doesn't get grease out all that well so I spot clean that first, but other than that, it's great and is made in the UK.

I use an ecoegg, seems to get clothes as clean as when I used normal detergent, but my skins not red and itchy anymore.

Very allergic ds over here tolerates Ecover, but my favourite is Method. Love the natural smell and leaves our clothes soft without conditioner :)

Soap nuts are great.

Dont use fabric softner, you dont need it when you use soap nuts anyway.