Detergents?

[Costin]

It certainly seems that a lot of therapists have problems washing the oils, cremes, or lotions out of the linens. I know that some massage schools recommend using linens with the lowest thread-count they can find. This is a big problem isn't it? I would think that it is more of a problem for the manufacturers to formulate products that can easily be washed out, but, that doesn't seem to be happening. I would like to ask what detergent products are being used, and if they work? We are looking into this, as our background is really in cosmetology and we have played around with this a while back, but it seems that there is some real demand for detergents that are not only environmentally-friendly, but actually work.

Thank you,

Sombraman

 

[knoxzi]

Actually, I find that good old-fashioned vinegar does the trick. I add 1 cup to my wash, let it pre-soak 30 minutes and then wash with standard detergent. I don't have trouble with oil stains.

 

[flexcavano]

I agree that this is a real problem. It's a real pain, too! I've settled on using Arm & Hammer Free detergent, and adding vinegar and borax to my loads. It works well, and is less expensive than the stuff I can get through massage supply catalogs. There are some detergents made specifically for this, but the cost is insane.

 

[Ambu]

I use Tide powder when washing sheets with some of the wife's clothes, or a cheap liquid that I usually get at Menards if just sheets or sheets/my clothes. Sometimes I dump in some Borax, sometimes not.

I use primarily Jojojojoba right now, and am using up some different lotion samples, trying to decide which lotion to get. I don't really have a problem with stains.

Jeff, I'm sure you'll come up with a dandy soap! I'm ready for a sample!

 

[Helpfull?]

I use jojoba for massage and wash the linens in a hot normal wash using a standard laundry detergent (got to use hot for OH&S reasons). I have no problems with stains. The only time I have a problem with stains is if I have a very hairy client and use some almond oil (usually on the legs), in that case I've found I need to presoak, then wash as normal. Luckily I don't have that many very hairy people coming to see me

 

[Liuzhou Laowai]

i don't use detergent. i use the laundrypure system by ecoquest.

love it!

 

[Sassy Shih Tzu]

I use Tide powder when washing sheets with some of the wife's clothes, or a cheap liquid that I usually get at Menards if just sheets or sheets/my clothes.

I don't mean to be a noodge, but - you're washing your personal laundry mixed with client laundry? That's an absolute no-go for me.

 

[Dr House farted.]

why?

 

[Jessykabeth]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little obsessive about client laundry practices, but - I don't know, I'm having trouble putting it into words, but it just seems like a courtesy to the clients, to know that linens are handled specially and separately. (Also personally, somehow I don't want client cooties on my clothes! Although technically, linens from more than one client washed together get the cooties all over each other, so . . . t043 )

Also I do budget out my water and soap costs, which is only possible if I do dedicated loads.

I guess it's one of those things I always assumed, I was taught it this way in school, and I liked it so I never questioned it. Maybe others mix personal with client laundry, I don't know.

To address something else upthread, I am surprised to hear that anyone would recommend using the lowest threadcount possible, just because I love offering my clients the little luxury of high threadcount sheets. Does that really help get oil stains out?

BTW we should move this thread somewhere else - this isn't really a "massage technique" topic.

 

[Johncenazgurl88]

I was taught it this way in school, and I liked it so I never questioned it.

AHa, yet another thing we missed. Your answer was what I expected...both aspects of it. Thanks.

BTW, you get client cooties all over your hands and arms all the time. I bet sometimes your clothes come into contact with them as well.

 

[Jessykabeth]

I'll have to disagree with the thread count being low helps prevent staining. At least with the lotions and cremes (rarely oil--only in a LaStone treatment) I have never had a problem staining my sheets. Also, I only use 350 thread count or higher (some around 600). I have been using most of the same sheets for around seven years now and they have held up very well, even after being laundered every week--I chalk it up to the high thread count.

I use a perfume/dye free detergent--usually ALL or any of the other perfume/dye free ones for the work laundry.

 

[Ardnaid Janus]

I think the low thread count means cheapest possible so you will feel better when you throw them out, because they were so cheap

 

[Angel D]

BTW, you get client cooties all over your hands and arms all the time. I bet sometimes your clothes come into contact with them as well.

No, they don't develop into full-fledged cooties until they hit the washing machine! :

 

[Pompal 09.]

I'll fess up! I also wash personal laundry with the massage sheets. Actually, I started this practice when I bought a new washer/dryer. The washer & dryer are small front-loaders that get off-balance easily. If I wash sheets alone, they wrap up into a tangled ball. If I wash sheets with some clothes, they tumble smoothly, clean more thoroughly, & dry wrinkle-free. And the added bonus is that I always have clean clothes, since I do laundry every night.

 

[aumnamashivaaum]

I don't use regular detergents- too many chemicals (I have 2 clients now that are allergic to some laundry detergents).
Currently I use vinegar and ECOS and wash in hot water ( http://www.deliciousorganics.com/Products/ecos.htm#Liquid%20Laundry%20Detergent )

oils seem to come out fine for me

 

[UrbanPhotos]

If I wash sheets with some clothes, they tumble smoothly, clean more thoroughly, & dry wrinkle-free.

Ah. I use so many pillowcases to cover pillows and bolsters, that they seem to fulfill this purpose; blankets too. I am all too familiar with the sight of a load of sheets so twisted that they appear to be braided together! :

 

[CourtStar94]

I have always used Biokleen laundry powder. Perhaps every 5 washes or so, I will boost with Borax or use bleach on the white sheets.

I don't have a problem with stains, I use sunflower oil; and some of my sheets are 6 years old.

Noel

 

[sahtlover]

Detergents

Thank you to everyone who has posted on this topic! The information so far is very helpful and informative. Currently, we are still in the research phase before we start formulating, but we will be looking to beta-test the products once something is developed. I work closely with our lead chemist on doing new product development, but is our President who will do the final formulation. He is a very private person and does not reveal too much of his background, but trust me on this, there is no better formulator. Once he puts on his lab-coat, I know that we will be close in starting a beta-test and I will be looking for therapists to help us test the product.

Regards,

Sombraman (Jeff)

 

[kuunoita]

Personally I don't wash my sheets with personal laundry, unless it my massage clothing.

I have found that washing & rinsing on warm does help considerably. However I will was my sheets on a sanitary setting if there were skin issues with the client, and will occasionally wash all the sheets on that setting.

Personally I use a combination of detergant and washing up liquid, seems to work pretty well for me.

 

[kisseslikepearls]

I use Tide powder when washing sheets with some of the wife's clothes, or a cheap liquid that I usually get at Menards if just sheets or sheets/my clothes.

I don't mean to be a noodge, but - you're washing your personal laundry mixed with client laundry? That's an absolute no-go for me.

I don't wash my personal laundry with things I use for massage- I have pets, and even when my clothes are "clean"- there is usually still dog hair stuck to them. Since I keep massage laundry seperate, I haven't had a problem with pet hair finding it's way into my sheets