soap nuts - how good at getting eczema creams out?

[mummybear25]

Hi, my dd has moderate eczema that it just about controlled with Epaderm or 50/50 cream. I used to use Surcare to wash her clothes, but found that it just wasn't getting the heavier creams out. After doing some research that suggested that biological detergents are not supposed to be the bad guys after all I switched to a bio liquid. Hey presto, cleaner clothes, but her skin seems to be worse (but not an obvious reaction). I'm now thinking of giving soap nuts a go, but wondered how effective they are at getting the heavier parrafin based creams out of clothes. Anyone had any experience with this?

Many thanks

just soak clothes in cold water and salt overnight, that helps remove the grease. then wash in normal temps in washing machine.

Thanks Eragon, I've not heard of that before but will certainly give it a try.

oh, and the bloody ezcema creams do rot elastic, so find some pj's that dont have any. it also rots the rubber around your washing machine, so the salt idea does make your machine last longer.

I found eco balls were pretty good when we were using epaderm on ds. His clothes got worn out faster though

I found eco balls were pretty good when we were using epaderm on ds. His clothes got worn out faster though

I don't think either eco balls or soap nuts are brilliant TBH. I scrub DS's clothes with washing up liquid before I put them in the washing machine, but I've no idea what that does to the cream.

Be careful with using salt as it bleaches things - I've accidentally removed all the colour from some pillowcases by washing with salt.

I might try it on DS's sheets though as I struggle to get cream out of those.