Daily Detox Shifts to Eliminate Eczema Triggers at Home

If you’ve already cleaned up your child’s diet, swapped to “sensitive” skincare, and still find yourself battling flare-ups, it’s time to look beyond the obvious. Often, the root of stubborn eczema lies in the everyday exposures we don’t think twice about—things like synthetic fabrics, fragranced cleaners, chemical residues and overstimulation.

For kids with eczema, their bodies are already working overtime to manage internal inflammation. Add a steady drip of environmental triggers, and it becomes a constant burden their immune system has to fight through just to maintain balance.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. By reducing the invisible toxic load your child interacts with each day, you ease the stress on their system and create more space for healing to happen.

Here are some of the most overlooked eczema triggers you can start clearing from your child’s environment right now.

Rethink What Goes on the Skin

Your child’s skin is a detox organ, not a shield. That means anything applied topically—lotions, soaps, sprays—is being absorbed and processed by their body.

Even products labeled “clean” or “gentle” may still contain ingredients that disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome or burden the liver with synthetic compounds.

What to look for:

• Fragrance (even “natural fragrance” can contain dozens of chemical components)
  

• Petroleum-derived ingredients (mineral oil, petrolatum)
  

• Preservatives like phenoxyethanol and parabens
  

• Foaming agents like sodium laureth sulfate
  
  

• Oatmeal-based formulas (which may trigger histamine issues)
  
  

What to choose instead:

• Tallow orherbal oil-based moisturizers that nourish the skin barrier
  

• Unscented castile soap or herbal washes with simple ingredients
  

• Microbiome-friendly serums or sprays that soothe itch without suppressing the immune system and weakening the skin barrier (ahem… steroids) 

If the ingredient list reads more like a lab report than a recipe, your kid's skin is better off without it.

Detox the Laundry Routine

Laundry products are one of the most overlooked eczema triggers. Detergent residue stays in clothing, bedding, towels, and even soft toys—touching your kid's skin all day and night.

Fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and "mountain breeze" detergents often contain fragrance compounds that irritate sensitive skin and compromise the skin barrier over time.

Swap out:

• Conventional detergents (even “free & clear” often isn’t enough)
  

• Dryer sheets
  

• Scented stain removers or brighteners
  

Try instead:

• Homemade laundry detergent that's free from harsh surfactants, fillers, and fragrances:

  • 1 ½ cups baking soda (balances pH and deodorizes)
    

  • 1 ½ cups washing soda (natural cleaning booster)
    

  • ½ cup unscented Epsom salt (softens water and soothes skin)
    

  • A few drops of eczema-safe essential oil like frankincense (optional)
    

Mix the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. Use 1–2 tablespoons per load. Enjoy your toxin-free, super-affordable laundry detergent.

Other easy swaps:

• Wool dryer balls — Reduce static, soften clothes naturally, and dry laundry faster. Skip essential oils if your child’s skin is sensitive.
  

• Oxygen-based stain removers — Look for “free & clear” options or products made with sodium percarbonate. These clean effectively without irritating residues.
  

Simplify Cleaning Products

Think about how often your child is crawling on the floor, touching surfaces, or putting toys in their mouth. Many standard household cleaners contain bleach, ammonia, and synthetic solvents, all of which linger long after you’ve wiped things down.

While these products may kill bacteria, they can also disrupt your child’s developing microbiome and contribute to eczema flares.

Avoid:

• Bleach-based sprays or wipes
  

• Disinfectants with quats or ammonia
  

• “Fresh scent” or artificial fragrance
  

Use instead:

• DIY vinegar and essential oil spray
  

• Castile soap for multipurpose cleaning
  

• Plant-based brands without added scent or preservatives

Remember, clean is not a smell! 

Watch Out for Fabric & Clothing Triggers

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and fleece may trap heat, irritate the skin, and create a microclimate that promotes itching and inflammation—especially in babies and toddlers.

Even pajamas and socks that seem soft can cause problems if they’re blended with plastic-based materials or treated with chemicals.

Choose breathable, natural options like:

• 100% cotton pajamas, socks, and underlayers
  

• Organic cotton bedding and crib sheets
  

• Light, layered clothing to help regulate temperature and prevent sweating
  
  

Skip:

• Bamboo (often processed with harsh solvents)
  

• Polyester blends
  

• Flame-retardant-treated sleepwear

If you notice your kiddo itching more at night or after getting dressed, their clothes may be the culprit.

Create a Calming, Skin-Safe Bedtime Environment

The end of the day is the best time to reset your kid's system. But not if bedtime includes blue lights, perfumed bubble baths, or clingy pajamas.

Kids with eczema benefit from a gentle, grounding routine that allows their nervous system—and skin—to calm down and repair overnight.

Try incorporating:

• Short, warm baths with Epsom salt or herbal infusions
  

• Pre-bed oil massage with acalming herbal blend

• Screen-free, dim-light transitions to bed
  

• Clean cotton sheets, washed in scent-free detergent

The goal is to give their body a true break from stimulation so that healing can happen.

Small Changes, Big Impact

By reducing your family's toxic load at home, one detergent, lotion, or fabric at a time — you create an environment that supports healing instead of hindering it.

Your little one's skin has the capacity to heal and it starts with what surrounds them.

Want more tips on creating an eczema-safe home and supporting your kid's skin naturally?

Listen to the  Eczema Kids Podcast, where I share actionable strategies, microbiome-friendly routines, and expert interviews—including a special episode with Begin Health CEO Madeline Lauf. My mission is to help families reverse childhood eczema using natural, sustainable solutions that heal from the inside out.

Looking for truly skin-safe products? You can explore nourishing, microbiome-friendly, eczema-healingskincare here.