[Watna]

Hi all, I mentioned very briefly in a previous thread that I thought I had bugs in the house.

I went to the doctor today and it turns out they're not insect bites but that I am allergic to something I've encountered since I moved to NZ (2 months ago). I've never had any problems with allergies before so it's definitely something here. There is no way to know what I am allergic to apart from trial and error.

I have a funny feeling it may be the washing powder as I remember reading here before that posters found the washing powder irritated their kids' skin. I thought I'd ask here for advice on which washing powder would be mildest? Did anyone find one for sensitive skin? I haven't seen any anywhere.

Also, if anyone else has found themselves strangely allergic to something after moving to NZ, I'd love to hear about it!

[neilw71]

My wife has a reaction with every powder available at the supermarkets! We spend a fortune at the English Corner Shop to get them to bring Bold in for her from the UK. She's worth it though :)

Neil

[Watna]

My wife has a reaction with every powder available at the supermarkets! We spend a fortune at the English Corner Shop to get them to bring Bold in for her from the UK. She's worth it though :)

Neil

Oh dear. I was afraid I might get answers like that!

[jubjub]

Generally Ecostore powder and Amolin liquid are meant to be the kindest to skin, and they are both in the supermarkets, might be worth a try?

[Jo Jo]

Oooh, this is a timely thread. We've got a front loader and there doesn't seem to be as much choice of washing powder for those as there is for top-loaders (not where we live, anyway).

Has anyone tried washberries in their wash? Do they work?

http://www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz/index1.html (click on laundry)

[Derv]

Ecostore laundry liquid is good for sensitive skin, suitable for front-loaders as well as top loaders, gives good results and is also good for if you live out in the wop-wops and have a septic tank.

[nippa&pippa]

Ecostore laundry liquid is good for sensitive skin, suitable for front-loaders as well as top loaders, gives good results and is also good for if you live out in the wop-wops and have a septic tank.

Be careful if you have problems with peanuts/nuts... see this post
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18731&highlight=ecostore
because my toddler reacted to this products, make her ezcema flare up and new itchy rash on bottom!! (she wear pants)

[Jo Jo]

Thanks for the link Sophia - I missed that thread somehow.

[chocolate cake]

Persil non bio's fine with me.

[ellenmelon]

i find the B.E.E washing powder is a lot less irritating (and better for the environment) than some other powders i used and washes clothes well.
http://www.bee.net.nz/laundrypowder.html

[James 1077]

We use the Persil Sensitive for our babies' clothes and they seem to be fine with it.

[Lara Croft]

I would love to use Persil non-Bio, but haven't seen it for sale anywhere....

J

[marcia]

Persil non bio's fine with me.

Where are you buying Persil non bio from In NZ? I have family and freinds bring me boxes of the tablets in becasue you can't get it around here!!

We use the normal persil powder, but for my eldest we have to have the non-bio from the Uk - have tried the persil sensitive but it makes him itch - so would love to know where its available in NZ! :)

[Georgebulldog]

After using non-bio in the UK we are now using Persil sensitive front loader & luckily it's OK with all of us. I had terrible allergies as a kid because of washing powder (we think), just need to make sure OH buys the right one now as he keeps coming home with top loader which produces too many bubbles :no
Called Persil & the biggest they do is the 1.5kg so now buying 2 at a time but still not enough :wah

[gil]

At The Warehouse in Sylvia Park you can definitely buy 5 kg bags of Persil Low Suds (for front loaders) at approx. $22, and I think you can also get same size of the Persil Sensitive. I would need to check to be certain though.

Gil

[Watna]

i find the B.E.E washing powder is a lot less irritating (and better for the environment) than some other powders i used and washes clothes well.
http://www.bee.net.nz/laundrypowder.html

I bought this today so we'll see how it goes.

I feel better anyway now I know I'm not being eaten alive by giant insects!

[jubjub]

At The Warehouse in Sylvia Park you can definitely buy 5 kg bags of Persil Low Suds (for front loaders) at approx. $22, and I think you can also get same size of the Persil Sensitive. I would need to check to be certain though.

Gil

Its just Persil & Persil low suds you can get in the big bags, and if you are lucky they can be as cheap as $15.... Sensitive is in the 3kg boxes, but the low suds isnt, go figure!

[Familyofmonkeys]

I can't use powder at all for my clothes....gives me terrible ezcema. We use ecostore liquid.......best alternative to the ecover liquid we had in UK, although they had some in Countdown at Westgate last week :)

[Watna]

I can't use powder at all for my clothes....gives me terrible ezcema. We use ecostore liquid.......best alternative to the ecover liquid we had in UK, although they had some in Countdown at Westgate last week :)

Thanks, I'll try that one if this BEE one still agravates my skin.

It really makes you think though. I've never had a skin problem in my life, I hardly ever even got spots so what are they putting in the washing powder here that makes it irritate so many people? Makes you wonder what your putting down the drains or in to your body.

[nippa&pippa]

Thanks, I'll try that one if this BEE one still agravates my skin.

It really makes you think though. I've never had a skin problem in my life, I hardly ever even got spots so what are they putting in the washing powder here that makes it irritate so many people? Makes you wonder what your putting down the drains or in to your body.

I have found lots of cleaner stuffs in NZ are very strong, enough to cause allergy reactions. You need gas mask to cope with it!! That why I used good old vinegar and bic of soda...
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showpost.php?p=209018&postcount=93

[Familyofmonkeys]

I have found lots of cleaner stuffs in NZ are very strong, enough to cause allergy reactions. You need gas mask to cope with it!! That why I used good old vinegar and bic of soda...
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showpost.php?p=209018&postcount=93

You just reminded me...MIL gave me book for xmas called Green Clean Eco-friendly cleaning for the home. Gonna give some of the things a try. It has some laundry ideas in it too :)

[TheNaylors]

What about trying Eco Balls? I'm sure that you will be able to get hold of them off the internet if not available locally or get a relative to send some over.

FYI - Apparently Ecoballs ® replace washing powder, as seen on the BBC. Eco balls not only save on heavy shopping loads, they are reusable for up to 1,000 washes and cost only around 3p per wash. That compares with 25p-30p for washing powder.

100% hypoallergenic, residue-free and anti-bacterial, Eco balls are a more natural alternative to conventional washing powders and are ideal for sensitive skins. If everyone switched to Eco balls, 700,000 fewer tons of detergent would end up in our water system every year.

There are cheaper alternatives too, I think I have seen them in the recent Kleeneze mag over here Im not sure if they are any good (as we have not made the switch yet but are hoping to do so soon) or how good the cheaper ones are in comparison to the "original" ones but might be worth a try especially if you have sensitive skin.

Hope this helps,
Jules & Eyan:)

[Familyofmonkeys]

What about trying Eco Balls? I'm sure that you will be able to get hold of them off the internet if not available locally or get a relative to send some over.

FYI - Apparently Ecoballs ® replace washing powder, as seen on the BBC. Eco balls not only save on heavy shopping loads, they are reusable for up to 1,000 washes and cost only around 3p per wash. That compares with 25p-30p for washing powder.

100% hypoallergenic, residue-free and anti-bacterial, Eco balls are a more natural alternative to conventional washing powders and are ideal for sensitive skins. If everyone switched to Eco balls, 700,000 fewer tons of detergent would end up in our water system every year.

There are cheaper alternatives too, I think I have seen them in the recent Kleeneze mag over here Im not sure if they are any good (as we have not made the switch yet but are hoping to do so soon) or how good the cheaper ones are in comparison to the "original" ones but might be worth a try especially if you have sensitive skin.

Hope this helps,
Jules & Eyan:)

We tried Eco balls in UK for about 6 months.....bought from Lakeland (http://www.lakeland.co.uk/) although other places stock them too. They were pretty good for the normal adult washing, but really didn't cut it for dirty food stained kids clothes, and they left orangey coloured streaks on the washing occasionally as they got older and the beads inside began to deteriorate. You get 3 balls that go in the wash and can be used for (up to) 750 washes and you get a refill pack of the beads and then the balls can be used for another 250 washes, by which time the rubber seals really have had it. Would recommend for adult laundry as they work out very economical :)

[nippa&pippa]

Just brought NEXT generation's, has anyone has problem with this???

BTW got ecostore front loader washing powder and ecostore laundry liquid, both unopened, looking for new home (due my both youngest children's allergies, we unable to use it), anyone interest?

[Familyofmonkeys]

Just brought NEXT generation's, has anyone has problem with this???

BTW got ecostore front loader washing powder and ecostore laundry liquid, both unopened, looking for new home (due my both youngest children's allergies, we unable to use it), anyone interest?

We have next generation fabric softener for towels and my skin is OK, but I haven't looked to see if it has any nut based oils etc in it. It is one of the brands Plunkett recommend in their leaflet about sensitive skin when we first got here along with ecostore and another one called Pineapple (I think?).

[Familyofmonkeys]

BTW got ecostore front loader washing powder and ecostore laundry liquid, both unopened, looking for new home (due my both youngest children's allergies, we unable to use it), anyone interest?

If no one local wants your laundry liquid, will happily have it next year :)

[nippa&pippa]

If no one local wants your laundry liquid, will happily have it next year :)

ok, will keep laundry liquid for you!:laugh

Speaking about NEXT generation, I have checked they are nut-free this time :yes better to be ok this time :roll

[nippa&pippa]

ok, will keep laundry liquid for you!:laugh

Speaking about NEXT generation, I have checked they are nut-free this time :yes better to be ok this time :roll

This NEXT generation turn out to be rubbish! doesn't wash clothes well...will try another product, Soapnuts....