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Housekeeping

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Original poster

DHs oily body!

28 replies

Ruraljurer · 18/08/2022 08:21

So my DH is of Middle Eastern origin, as am I.

However he has the type of hair that is very thick and black and oily. I don’t have this. He also scrubs himself to within an inch of his life in the shower every morning which I don’t think helps matters (I read that removing the skins oils can make the body overproduce). Anyway, the problem I have is that our white bedding ends up looking distinctly not white and has a sort of heaviness to it (basically impregnated with oil) - even AFTER washing at 60 with biological washing liquid. Same with T-shirts.
what can I do? With the washing, not the DH Grin

OP posts:
FrogFairy · 19/08/2022 15:43

Soda crystals in with your usual detergent.

smooththecat · 19/08/2022 15:47

Napisan in the pre wash. Wash hot.

ItsDinah · 19/08/2022 15:59

The enzymes in biological laundry detergent are good at breaking down oil. But,the enzymes are rendered inactive at temperatures over 45 C.

smooththecat · 19/08/2022 16:06

Interesting, Dinah, good to know. Napisan is non enzyme. If the sheets are really bad, a long soak is good. Perhaps in tepid water & with a bio stain remover.

Leafy3 · 19/08/2022 16:14

What's he using to wash with? I agree harsh scrubbing won't be helping...I'd look at a body wash or soap with salicylic acid. Cereve do a blue top salicylic acid face wash that goes a long way so would make a good alternative.

If he's prone to acne as a result as well then I'd suggest gp appointment as they can prescribe to help reduce sebum production.

If your washing machine does a 90 wash, use that and hang sheers to dry in the sun as much as possible as this will help to bleach them. Every so often I through in a brightening sachet as well to help keep sheets white. There's a great laundry ama on the ama board by someone who makes laundry detergents you could check out - one of the points they make is that powder bleaches more than liquid detergents.

Leafy3 · 19/08/2022 16:15

ItsDinah · 19/08/2022 15:59

The enzymes in biological laundry detergent are good at breaking down oil. But,the enzymes are rendered inactive at temperatures over 45 C.

Yes, good point. Pre soaking them in bio detergent before washing might work tbh.

Original poster
Ruraljurer · 19/08/2022 18:00

Wow I never knew that, very interesting!

OP posts:
ThisMightBeMyOtherUsername · 19/08/2022 19:29

thank you everyone, I will be trying all of these.

I did do the thing where I hung the sheets out - specifically on the 40 degree days! But shockingly it didn’t seem to help.

ThisMightBeMyOtherUsername · 19/08/2022 19:29

This is probably going to be a stupid question but what exactly are soda crystals? Do you just buy a box of them?

Original poster
Ruraljurer · 19/08/2022 19:32

Name change fail above! Nevermind it doesn’t matter.

He uses original source type shower gel and scrubs with a loofah.

OP posts:
Leafy3 · 19/08/2022 19:48

You can pick up soda crystals easily, they should be in the household aisle

Millymay13 · 21/08/2022 11:00

This happens with my husbands head…his pillow gets really greasy. I put some washing up liquid on the pillow case before putting it in my normal non bio 30 or 40 degree wash and that seems to clear it up. I’ve no idea of I’m doing the ‘wrong’ thing, but I’m just glad to get rid of the grease!

Original poster
Ruraljurer · 21/08/2022 11:39

Thank you, I just realised they must be bicarbonate of soda. Soda crystals are now on my shopping list.

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 21/08/2022 11:47

They're not bicarbonate of soda! Much stronger, powerful degreaser and dirt lifter. Good for soaking really greast dishes too. DriPak is the brand I see most often, green bag labeled "washing soda". If you can't find it in a shop, hardware stores often have it.

Wbeezer · 21/08/2022 11:50

Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate, baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate.

VerifiedBot2351 · 21/08/2022 12:00

Try using bio powder rather than liquid.

Freddiefan · 21/08/2022 12:04

My husband showers thoroughly every morning but his white towel, pillowcase and sheet go yellow. I find that soaking them for 24 hours in a bucket and then putting them in the washing machine works well. I'll study all the other suggestions as well.

Leafy3 · 21/08/2022 13:14

Try using white vinegar to do laundry with too

ThisMightBeMyOtherUsername · 26/08/2022 15:55

Oh right! I did try some in a wash, not white wash yet but it does seem to have made things fresher.

ThisMightBeMyOtherUsername · 26/08/2022 15:55

whats In the bucket - just water?

Freddiefan · 27/08/2022 11:37

A bucket of hot water with detergent.

Original poster
Ruraljurer · 03/09/2022 19:32

success! I have been using the soda crystals in every wash and reducing the normal detergent by half - everything is so clean and fresh smelling and feels much much better. It’s been a revelation!

OP posts:
FrogFairy · 03/09/2022 21:01

Glad it worked for you.

mackthepony · 04/09/2022 00:30

Is it actually the oil from his skin? Amazing