Detergents and fabric softeners were killing me. - Environmental Disorders Message Board

Machaon · 02-24-2004, 10:47 AM

We have stopped washing our clothes, towels and bedding in detergents and fabric softeners, and now use baking soda instead of detergent, and white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for softening and to reduce clinging.

The results........ No longer waking up during the night with chest pains and a tight chest. Much more stable heart beat. Overall, I'm feeling much better. Much less fatigue, and more energy.

Does anyone know a good, safe clothes softener. The towels are still a little rough. Better rough than contain a bunch of chemicals that are spreading all over one's skin after a shower.

woodturner · 02-24-2004, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerzoids

We have stopped washing our clothes, towels and bedding in detergents and fabric softeners, and now use baking soda instead of detergent, and white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for softening and to reduce clinging.

The results........ No longer waking up during the night with chest pains and a tight chest. Much more stable heart beat. Overall, I'm feeling much better. Much less fatigue, and more energy.

Does anyone know a good, safe clothes softener. The towels are still a little rough. Better rough than contain a bunch of chemicals that are spreading all over one's skin after a shower.

If you live where you have good, outside air, hang your towels outside. Sun and wind produce wonderful smelling towels that are really pleasing to the touch.

Also we have been using Country Save laundry detergent with no adverse reactions. This is usually available at a health food store, but not at the supermarket.

woodturner

Machaon · 02-24-2004, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodturner

If you live where you have good, outside air, hang your towels outside. Sun and wind produce wonderful smelling towels that are really pleasing to the touch.

Also we have been using Country Save laundry detergent with no adverse reactions. This is usually available at a health food store, but not at the supermarket.

woodturner

I mentioned hanging up towels outside to my wife, instead of using the dryer.

Would you like me to tell you what she said?

I can't believe how well I am doing, now that we have washed ALL of our sheets, socks, clothes, towels, etc., using baking soda. I've been fighting heart disease for many years. We've removed all of our wall to wall carpetting, we keep our place almost dust free, we use very few chemicals, no perfumes, and I have a very restricted diet.

I have to read the newspaper and most mail with special gloves or it causes my BP to soar and my heart to go nuts, with rapid beats, tight chest and chest pains. I often have to sleep in a leather recliner without covers just to get through the night without chest pains and palpitations.

Last night, with the newly washed, in baking soda, sheets, I slept very well, and did not get a tight chest in the middle of the night.

By far, the worst offender was the towels. I think that, when one wipes a chemically ladened towel against wet skin, it makes it easier for the chemicals to penetrate the skin.

Thanks for the tip on the "Country Save laundry detergent". I'll look into it.

woodturner · 02-24-2004, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerzoids

I mentioned hanging up towels outside to my wife, instead of using the dryer.

Would you like me to tell you what she said?

I can't believe how well I am doing, now that we have washed ALL of our sheets, socks, clothes, towels, etc., using baking soda. I've been fighting heart disease for many years. We've removed all of our wall to wall carpetting, we keep our place almost dust free, we use very few chemicals, no perfumes, and I have a very restricted diet.

I have to read the newspaper and most mail with special gloves or it causes my BP to soar and my heart to go nuts, with rapid beats, tight chest and chest pains. I often have to sleep in a leather recliner without covers just to get through the night without chest pains and palpitations.

Last night, with the newly washed, in baking soda, sheets, I slept very well, and did not get a tight chest in the middle of the night.

By far, the worst offender was the towels. I think that, when one wipes a chemically ladened towel against wet skin, it makes it easier for the chemicals to penetrate the skin.

Thanks for the tip on the "Country Save laundry detergent". I'll look into it.

Perhaps if you suggested hanging towels as an activity you and your wife could do together? But maybe that would not fly either.

Yes, paper is nasty stuff. I notice it affecting how well I can think and it causes the skin on my hands to crack and start bleeding. Some paper seems to be much worse than others. I read the mail wearing gloves and a mask that has a carbon filter. Inconvenient, but keeps the head clear.

Do you know about coenzyme Q10? It is a nutrient that everyone with or without heart trouble should be taking. I can tell you more about that if you want to know.

woodturner

Machaon · 02-25-2004, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodturner

Perhaps if you suggested hanging towels as an activity you and your wife could do together? But maybe that would not fly either.

I don't think that I will suggest that to my wife. It's not that I am totally against the idea of being committed to an asylum, I am just not ready right now.

Quote:

Yes, paper is nasty stuff. I notice it affecting how well I can think and it causes the skin on my hands to crack and start bleeding. Some paper seems to be much worse than others. I read the mail wearing gloves and a mask that has a carbon filter. Inconvenient, but keeps the head clear.

Coated paper bothers me, even with gloves. I haven't tried wearing a mask while reading. Uncoated paper also bothers me, but not all the time. I don't know if it is the actual paper, or chemicals in the paper, or the ink.

The worst paper is carbonless paper.

Do you have more problems at any particular time of day? I am much more sensitive at night.

For someone like you, or me, who is significantly and immediately effected by chemicals, at least we can take the steps to protect ourselves. I feel sorry for all of the children, who suffer silently from all kinds of misery, not knowing that the clothes that their parents are putting on their bodies, or the blankets under which they are tucked in at night, are causing them to be sick.

When did you first find out that you were sensitive to paper?

Quote:

Do you know about coenzyme Q10? It is a nutrient that everyone with or without heart trouble should be taking. I can tell you more about that if you want to know.
woodturner

I had used Q10 for about 10 years. I've stopped taking it because it interacts badly with my current medicine.

Thanks for the reply and the suggestions.