washing powder

OH has skin problems and I can't abide perfumed laundry products so we use Surcare liquid or Essential Waitrose Sensitive laundry liquid. Both do an excellent job.

Persil bio colour for coloureds and bio white for whites, Fairy non-bio for DGS but it doesn't get food stains out at 40 degrees. I now soak his stains overnight in Vanish then wash in Fairy non-bio. Use Fairy fabric conditioner for him and whatevers on offer for me - I like the nicely perfumed fabric conditioners, they make the house smell lovely when you do the ironing ☺️

We have to use non bio in our family because any bio product brings out our excema. I remember yonks ago when Persil changed its formulation without telling anyone we came out in rashes. I wrote to them and they denied there was a change but then the complaints from others snowballed and it made the national press. Then they admitted it. Since then we have always stuck to non bio. I will soak in bio but rinse and the. Out in wash as normal and that seems to be fine.
I would be wary of using bio Fennel as you say you are susceptible to rashes.

Interesting article farmor, especially this bit: The funding for this study was not described, though conflicts of interest and the receipt of consultancy fees from Unilever were declared.

I was advised by my consultant to stop using bio detergents when I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus. I now use only Tesco Loves Baby washing powder or liquid, and never use fabric conditioner. It gets everything clean, even whites!

I seem to remember from the v young days of DD that bio were advised against for babies

Thanks for the replies, and for your explanation, Farmor.
I might try to was our things separately - he has a lot more washing than me as he wears white shirts, uses white cotton hankies etc.

I use what's on offer and always powder - in the effort to use less plastic.
I haven't used fabric conditioner for around 20 years now, after reading an article about the chemicals in it. I tried going without and honestly didn't miss it at all - less cost and less waste.