What we mean when we say hypoallergenic detergent

Detergent is the part of this job that customers ask about most, usually because someone in the house reacts to something. It is a fair question and it deserves a specific answer rather than a marketing one.

What goes in for a normal household load

All household clothing and bedding is washed with low-scent hypoallergenic detergent from tested household and commercial brands. Low scent matters as much as the hypoallergenic part — heavy fragrance is what most people are actually reacting to when they say a detergent bothers them.

If you want your laundry to come back smelling of something, that is an add-on rather than the default. It is not in there unless you ask for it.

When we use something stronger

Hypoallergenic detergent is gentle by design, which is exactly why it will not shift heavy grease or sanitise biologically contaminated clothing. Those loads get specialised heavy-duty commercial products instead, and they are washed apart from everything else.

• Mechanic overalls, kitchen whites and shop rags — commercial degreaser
• Blood, faeces or urine contamination — heavy-duty sanitising wash
• Garments with special care instructions — handled to the label, or returned unwashed if we are not confident

Tell us about anything unusual when you book. Special requirements can increase the cost, and we would always rather say so up front than surprise you afterwards.

Just ask

If you want to know the exact brands we are running this month, call and ask. There is no reason for it to be a secret.