Fabrics and laundry for eczema matter just as much as what you put on your skin. Clothes, sheets, and towels sit against your skin for hours at a time, and for eczema-prone skin, the wrong fabric or laundry routine can undo a lot of the work your moisturizer is doing.
Fabrics That Tend to Cause Trouble
Wool is one of the most common culprits. Its fibers are naturally coarse, and that texture can physically irritate skin that’s already inflamed, even through a t-shirt underneath.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon cause a different kind of problem. They don’t breathe well, which traps heat and sweat against the skin. That trapped moisture and heat can make itching worse, especially during exercise or warm weather.
Fabrics That Tend to Work Better
Cotton is the most commonly recommended fabric for eczema-prone skin. It’s soft, breathable, and doesn’t trap heat the way synthetics do.
Bamboo and silk are also generally well tolerated. Both have a smooth texture with less friction against the skin than rougher fabrics, and both breathe reasonably well.
None of this means every synthetic fabric is automatically bad or every cotton item is automatically fine; how a specific garment is woven and finished matters too. But as a general rule, softer, breathable, natural fibers tend to be the safer choice.
Why Fragrance Is the Real Laundry Culprit
Fragrance is one of the most common triggers hiding in laundry products, and it’s worth knowing an important distinction: “fragrance-free” and “unscented” are not the same thing. A product labeled “unscented” can still contain fragrance chemicals added specifically to mask the smell of other ingredients. Look for products that say “fragrance-free” specifically.
Dye-free is worth looking for too, for the same reason: dyes serve no cleaning purpose and are a common source of irritation for sensitive skin. Molly’s Suds is one option that fits both criteria, a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent made without the harsh synthetic additives that tend to cause problems for eczema-prone skin.
Skip the Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets work by coating fabric in a thin chemical layer, which is exactly what makes them leave clothes feeling soft. That same coating is what can irritate eczema-prone skin, since it sits directly against the skin all day. If you want softer laundry without that residue, adding a half cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle is a common alternative that softens fabric without the chemical coating.
A Few Laundry Habits Worth Adopting
- Run an extra rinse cycle. A single rinse only removes about 80-90% of detergent residue from fabric; a second rinse gets that closer to 95% or more. This matters even more with high-efficiency washers, which use less water per cycle.
- Choose liquid detergent over powder. Liquid detergent tends to rinse out more completely, leaving less residue behind in the fabric.
- Wash new clothes before wearing them. New fabric often carries manufacturing residue and excess dye that hasn’t been through a wash cycle yet.
- Avoid overloading the washer. An overfilled load doesn’t rinse as thoroughly, which means more leftover detergent sitting in your clothes.
When to See a Dermatologist
- Flares continue even after switching fabrics and laundry products
- You’re not sure whether a new rash is related to fabric, detergent, or something else entirely
- Reactions are severe, widespread, or accompanied by swelling
Fabric and laundry changes are a genuinely useful piece of managing eczema, but they’re rarely the whole picture. If flares are still frequent after making these changes, it’s worth talking to a dermatologist about what else might be contributing.
Mike Marenick is the founder of HealFast Skincare and holds the patent for his invention, Ovasome Technology, used in skincare formulations. He began developing skincare products after watching his mother manage psoriasis for decades, and has spent over twenty years formulating treatments for chronic skin conditions. His work has been featured on Home Shopping Network, in two national infomercials, and in more than 300 publications including Vogue, Newsweek, and Allure. He is not a medical doctor — always consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.
As an Amazon Associate, Itch and Flare earns from qualifying purchases.