Is Woolite Bad For Lingerie?

October

Cibele Says:
I love your blog. Women really need to be more involved in the sciences, especially chemistry, which everywhere in our lives. Explaining to women what the ingredients their beauty products are and why many of the claims made by the beauty industry are wrong, is such a good way to get them interested.

My question is not exactly beauty related but I don’t know whom else to ask. I recently took a job in a high-end lingerie shop. We are instructed to explain to our customers to hand wash but NOT with Woolite under any circumstance (because it deteriorates elastic), instead use Brand X (which we so conveniently sell). I’ve asked my manager why Woolite is so damaging but of course she doesn’t know.

I’ve done Internet research and have found only one anti-Woolite reference, on an urban myth site. Other sites have said that it is PH neutral or slightly alkaline and highly recommend using it on all types of delicates. I haven’t been able to find an ingredient list. I hate giving wrong or misleading information so can you help me? Is Woolite safe for lingerie?

The Left Brain Responds:
Cibele, thanks for the kind words about our blog. We’re trying to help our readers understand the science of cosmetic products so they can be smarter shoppers. Now on to your answer:

First, you’re right, you won’t find ingredient lists (at least not complete ones) on laundry products. That’s because they’re not required by law like they are on beauty care products. Household products are governed differently than personal care products.

Second, while fabric care is not our forte, we do know a thing or two about detergents and we can’t find any reason why Woolite would be worse than any other mild cleanser system. Woolite is pH balanced and it’s free of bleaches, phosphates and enzymes that other harsher products may contain. The manufacturer has apparently done their homework to make this product as safe and effective as possible for fine washables. If you want to read more on the subject, here’s a great source of fabric care information.

Just out of curiousity we tracked down the urban myth reference you mentioned, so here’s the link if anyone is interested in reading the thread. It’s worth taking a look at because there are a couple of good comments there. In particular, if you’re really worried about your lingerie you should do what we do: wash it by hand. Machine washing can do a lot of damage regardless of the detergent!

The Brains Bottom Line:
Woolite (or any other) mild detergent is fine for hand washing lingerie. Think of it as a spa bath for your fine washables. You don’t need to spend a lot more money on speciality cleansers. If any of our readers are in the lingerie business, please drop us a line and let us know what you recommend.

One Response to “Is Woolite Bad For Lingerie?”

Memory Says:

Hello! I was just trying to find an ingredient list for Woolite myself for the exact same reason! I had been “warned” (or “instructed” depending on your point of view) to not use Woolite on some lingerie I was purchasing. I was given the excuse that it contains some form of plastic-type chemical, which will get into the fabric of my lingerie and wear it out much faster. So I succumbed and bought some of “their” detergent. I’m not sure what to believe.
Must say that it’s pretty crazy that what we use and will come in direct contact with our skin (laundry detergents) is not governed the same way as foods, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics.
BTW, this looks like a cool blog–I’ll check it out more. Glad to find such a resource!