Sensitive-Skin Laundry 101

Core principles:

• Fragrance-free, dye-free detergent (liquid often leaves fewer residues).
• Extra rinse for any load that touches sensitive skin often (baby vests, towels, bedding, sleepwear).
• Skip softeners/dryer sheets (common irritants; residues cling to fibers).
• Gentle cycle at cool to warm temps to protect fibers and reduce fabric friction.
• Pre-wash new clothes to remove finishing chemicals.
• Prefer soft, breathable cotton; if wearing wool, use a thin cotton layer underneath.

Pro tip: If you’re switching from a highly scented brand, run a couple of “reset” loads to flush fragrance from the machine seals and hoses.

Why this guide?

Laundry is often the hidden trigger behind itch, rashes, and flare-ups—especially for babies, eczema-prone adults, and anyone with sensitive skin. This guide gives you clinically sensible, low-effort steps that genuinely help in daily life, plus a done-for-you option: Hamlet Laundry’s hypoallergenic cycles with free pickup & delivery across London—so your home gets a calmer, cleaner Smile every day.

London’s Hard Water & Urban Living

Most of London has hard to very hard water. Minerals in hard water can bind with surfactants and cling to fabric, leaving it stiff and more likely to irritate skin. City life adds pollution and compressed schedules—so clean, residue-light laundry is not just “nice to have,” it’s your daily Smile saver.

What to do in hard water:

• Measure detergent accurately, not by habit; a touch more may be needed for soil removal, but always pair with an extra rinse.
• Choose liquid over powder if residues are a problem.
• Periodically run a maintenance wash for your machine (check your manufacturer’s guide).

Baby-Soft Routine: Step-by-Step

Use this for babies, kids, eczema-prone adults, and anyone who reacts to laundry.

1. Choose detergent
   Pick a fragrance-free, dye-free formula. 
2. Load correctly
   Don’t overfill the drum; fabrics must tumble freely so residues rinse out.
3. Set the cycle
   Gentle cycle, cool to warm temp—protects fibers and reduces abrasion.
4. Skip softeners
   Avoid liquid softeners and dryer sheets for sensitive loads; they add potential irritants.
5. Extra rinse
   Always add it—especially for towels, bedding, baby items.
6. Drying
   Air-dry when possible; if using a dryer, choose low heat to keep fibers soft.
7. Pre-wash new items
   Particularly for baby clothes, bedding, and sleepwear.
8. Wardrobe tweaks
   Prefer soft cotton or modal; avoid rough seams and scratchy synthetics.

For sensitive skin, the winning combo is fragrance-free detergent + extra rinse + no softener on a gentle cycle. This simple routine removes residues, reduces fabric roughness, and makes daily wear feel calmer.

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Bedding & Towels: Comfort or Chaos

• Sheets/duvet covers: Weekly wash, gentle cycle, extra rinse.
• Pillowcases: Rotate an extra set mid-week if facial irritation is common.
• Towels: Smaller loads + extra rinse = fewer residues and softer feel.
• Duvets & pillows: Book periodic deep cleans (great item to outsource—bulky, slow to dry).

Parents’ Corner: Baby Clothes & Nursery Textiles

• Pre-wash everything that touches baby skin (vests, sleepsuits, muslins, swaddles).
• Keep scented products away from baby loads.
• Change one variable at a time if troubleshooting irritation (detergent → rinse → fabric).
• Store rough fabrics separately to avoid fabric-to-fabric abrasion on baby items.
• For prams and carriers, wash liners and blankets on the sensitive-skin routine.

DIY vs Hamlet Laundry (Comparison)

Result: less residue, softer feel, calmer skin—and more reasons to Smile.

World Smile Day Offer: 15% Off, 3–5 Oct

To celebrate World Smile Day, Hamlet Laundry is offering 15% off on 3rd, 4th & 5th October.

• Code: SMILE25 (apply at checkout)
• Valid for: standard wash & fold, sensitive-skin loads, and bedding/linen
• Location: London service areas
• How to redeem: click here– choose collection time → add SMILE25 → done

Book your collection NOW!

FAQs 

What laundry detergent is best for sensitive skin?
A fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. Liquids often rinse cleaner in hard water. Wash new clothes before first wear.

What is the best laundry routine for sensitive skin?
Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent, run an extra rinse, skip fabric softeners/dryer sheets, and wash on a gentle, cool-to-warm cycle. In hard-water areas like London, dose detergent correctly and keep the extra rinse. For babies, pre-wash all new clothes.

Should I avoid fabric softener for eczema-friendly laundry?
Yes for sensitive loads. Softeners/dryer sheets can leave irritant residues. Use an extra rinse for softness instead.

Do gentle cycles clean well?
Yes—with the right detergent, correct dosing, and an extra rinse, gentle cycles remove everyday soils while reducing fabric friction.

Does London’s hard water cause irritation?
Hard water can leave more deposits on fabric. Focus on accurate dosing and an extra rinse to reduce residues.

What if I have zero time?
Use Hamlet Laundry’s hypoallergenic service with free pickup & delivery. We tag your profile and run the right settings every time.

How to Book Hypoallergenic Service (3 Steps)

1. Schedule: Pick a time 
2. Select preference: Choose Sensitive-Skin/Hypoallergenic (we’ll save it to your profile).
3. Relax: We collect, clean with fragrance-free, dye-free products, extra rinse, and deliver softly folded.

Tip: Add “Sensitive-Skin” to your notes once—and we’ll default to this workflow for future orders.

Celebrate World Smile Day with softer fabrics and calmer skin.
15% off, Oct 3–5 — code: SMILE25.
Book your collection now »