Bio vs Non-Bio Washing Powder - Baby

[wobblyweeble82]

DD is due in 7 weeks. It's my second but DH's first. DH is asking me whether it's absolutely necessary to use non-biological washing powder. First time round, I just automatically went for non-bio, but now he's asked me - well, I just don't know. Thoughts and ideas please!

I used bio from birth with DC4. Never a problem. There's a lot of debate about whether there's any reliable evidence about bio causing skin problems (in anybody). All the evidence on that seems to be anecdotal.

My sister (3DC) looked at me like I'd said iwas going to wash her clothes in sulphuric acid or the like. Apparently bio will affect her nose and she'll be snotty as they're too heavily perfumed??!! Google was no particular help either ...

I only used non-bio for the first few weeks (used free samples in the bounty pack!) and then switched to bio with no problems

I use non-bio as I have found bio makes my excema flare really badly.

I can only use Persil and Fairy as well as other brands make excema and hayfever flare up.
Non-bio gets stains out of our reusable nappies so its not as if its inferior

I use non bio as bio eats my skin - after a week or so I come out in rashes and itch. I definitely wouldn't use it for the babies.

Most other European countries don't have non-bio powder and nor do they have more skin problems. I wash all our clothes, including cloth nappies, in bio as most baby/toddler stains need the enzymes to get them properly clean. I tend to get cheapy non-perfumed ones or Ecover as I hate clothes smelling of washing powder. I've read that many people who get eczema from bio actually find that it's the make of powder, not whether it's bio/non-bio or not that causes it to flare up (although obviously some exceptions).

DS had non-bio for the first year. I forgot with DD so she had bio from day one, with no ill effect.

Perhaps non-bio for the first couple of weeks to be sure her skin is not sensitive, and then back to the stuff that actually removes stains?

I don't stick with the non bio for too long because it does not get stains out imo, but the smell of fairy non bio just reminds me of newborns so i use it for a bit cos i like it, but my ds have both never had any reaction from clothes washed in the bio. I think it depends if you have any sensitive skin, exema etc in the family

Non bio not available in Oman, DDs clothing was washed in Omo. She either has the hide of a rhino or is just not sensitive.

My shoulders and hips get dry and itchy over time if my sheets are washed in bio. Non-bio is less harsh, but clearly from the posts above is not necessarily going to have a noticeable negative affect.

Ha ha kreecher :)

We buy the wholesale HUUUUGE boxes of washing powder so I think I'm going to stick with using that, and obviously if there becomes an issue with it, well, it'll be Fairy o'Clock! Looking back, I doubt my DM washed our clothes in non-bio, back in t'olden days and my skin hasn't fallen off just yet ...

Thanks for all your opinions folks - DH is DELIGHTED to be right ... Not going to hear the end of this one ...

It depends if you/they have sensitive skin or not I guess. We only use no-bio liquid anyway, so not an issue for us. Our LO has sensitive skin like her mum so we'll stick to non-bio. I get an itchy peeling rash if I use bio on my stuff so can't risk it on the LO's. Her nappies and clothes all come up clean and fresh with non bio though. I suspect if yours don't then you may be either using too much liquid/powder and it's not washing out properly which leaves a funny feel and smell on clothes, or you're putting powder or liquid in the dispenser draw - put in a dispensing ball straight in machine on top of the clothes and you'll get a much better wash and it won't fill the drawer with kak. If you use non bio, don't overload the machine, consider using the pre-wash setting if very soiled, and do wash things at the appropriate temperature and spin speed according to labels. My partner does all our laundry and he's a stickler for not washing everything together, but in separate dark/bright colour/white/delicate and wool loads etc but it works!

I'm quite surprised at the person who said biological powder causing problems can only be supported by anecdotal evidence. That is plainly not the case. The link between common enymes in biological powder (proteases, amylases, lipases and cellulase) and eczema (a.k.a. allergic dermatitis) for example is one of the most scientifically proven cause/symptom links in medicine!

15-20% of school age children suffer from eczema and 90% of those children develop it as under-5's Of course this also means that at least 80% of children wont have eczema. But eczema is not the only condition which will cause a reaction to the enzymes in biological powders. Another common one, for which I don't have figures, is contact dermatitis (a.k.a. dermatitis or sensitive skin).

The purposes of enymes in biological powders is to catalyse the breakdown of biological molecules (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) which we see as stains (for example blood, fat). These are the same kinds of compounds that your skin is comprised of. Most peoples skin can deal with the onslaught of modern living, including exposure to such enzymes but for a significant minority this causes discomfort, irritation, itching and a visible rash.

It is up to you if you wish to take the risk of using biological powder on your childrens clothing/bedding/towels. For me personally 15-20% is too high a risk to be worth the few extra stains it would remove. A lot of other people would focus on the 80-85% of children who wont be affected.

i use non-bio (fairy or persil) for some of the reasons Underacheiving outlines and LO seems to have sensitive skin. i use it with some napisan which takes out all the stains. normally i'd soak any stains/ or soiled clothing anyway, regardless of if i used bio or non-bio. i mean, price wise i've found they've been the same, eg when persil is half price it includes both bio and non-bio. So hasnt been a problem using non-bio

underachieving Thanks for your comments. Do you know if there is a genetic link with eczema/skin problems? I.e., neither DH or I or our immediate families suffer from any skin issues.

When DS was born, they told me he might have dry skin but as I was an avid baby massager (meaning he was doused in organic almond oil twice a day) well I can't ever find out if they were right! His skin is beautiful now - all olive-y and smooth ... To reiterate, if I felt DD was reacting to the bio powder, then of course I will change it. But cost is an issue especially when there is that GINORMOUS box of Bold to work through. I raised this point with the mum's in the playground this morning and found most of them felt that modern day cynicism led them to believe that it's mostly just a marketing ploy ... Maybe we're all just a bit world weary, who knows...

Yes, there is a genetic link. Also asthma, eczema, food allergies and hayfever tend to crop up together, so if there is a family history of any of the above consider that you are at raised risk of the others. Do not take this to mean though that if no one else has an allergic condition that your child will not. Family histories can predict likelihoods, not certainties. Your child can still have eczema, just like they can be the one with the nut allergy. There is some evidence to say avoiding potential allergens from the outset reduced the risk of developing an allergy at all, which is why we are advised to use Non-Bio from the outset.

As far as cost goes, I have just looked on mysupermarket.co.uk and the cheapest I can find Bold for (in any form) is 16.7p a wash (on offer, usually 24p a wash) but I can find Surcare (branded non bio) for 14p a wash and Tesco non bio for 9p a wash. If you wanted to be extremely cautions EcoZone's EcoBalls cost £29.95 in John Lewis, use no detergent at all and are good for 750 washes. This works out at 0.4p a wash.

PMSL at Omo.

I always used Bio as I was too tight skint to fork out for Fairy.

Underacheiving, I'd genuinely be really interested if you could point me in the direction of all the proof that biological detergents cause eczema. I spent a long, long time looking for research on this very subject a few years ago and didn't come up with much at all. In fact a (very quick, I'm in the middle of an essay!) search came up with this and this

I got the huge 80+ boxes of fairy at Tescos for a tenner each last month. I bought 6 so I won't have to buy wash powder for about 2 years now

What I said was that it seems to only be supported by anecdotal evidence, Underachieving. If you've got some quality research studies to point to, then please do so.

My point exactly Debs75!

Fab links Daisy - thanks :) I'm not going to hell for tarnishing my beloved childrens skin

i figure that my clothes are washed in surf, which is what ds will be cuddled up against anyway...so im just sticking with that

Agree with Zimbah that this Bio / Non-bio obsession is British. I'd never heard of it before and to this day can never quite remember which one is the 'good' one without the enzymes - so I look at the boxes and go for those with a smiling baby . Personally I mix non-bio (the baby box) for whites, with 'colour' for darks - which I assume has enzymes, no idea as isn't labelled either bio or non-bio. I also mix the whole family's clothes in the same wash and have done ever since both DS were newborn. Though I wouldn't combine say baby vests with filthy jeans, but beddings and towels and underwear, sure why not.

I even throw in some Vanish stain remover powder into my non-bio powder if that particular wash has bad stains. Though I never use the full dose, less than half, it probably introduces loads of nasty enzymes and cancels out the benefit if any of non-bio.

Not had any problems to date so happy to continue this way. That said I'm sure there are people with more sensitive skin for whom the specific type of powder can make a big difference so it's trial and error really, up to everyone to see what works for them.

I started to use non bio due to the fact that I received in some Bounty/Emma's diary free sample packs. But now the my DS is 3 months old I am thinking about switching back to Ariel (my favourite + Lenor Spring Awakening).
Really hate the smell of Fairy and Persil.

It is probably marketing as well. I would probably buy non bio again if Ariel would do non bio.

My DM never used non bio and we had no issues.

Also I quote the NHS regarding washing baby clothes: "There's no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby's skin"

I've used bio right the way through with both. Neither has any skin problems at all. I feel like the poo explosions need the bio tbh! I also use the antibacterial dettol rinse on their clothes.

It might be worth asking your midwife/ health worker for the medical advice- the post about 20% of kids getting problems sounds wrong to be at a sense check level, but I honestly don't know. I always heard unless obviously allergic it was good for kids to have exposure to potential allergens such as pet hair at a young age to make it less likely they'll react later on.