Can my laundry detergent, scented pads, or those “feminine wash” products cause itching even if I’ve used them before—and what’s the most skin-friendly way to clean down there?

Q: Can my laundry detergent, scented pads, or those “feminine wash” products cause itching even if I’ve used them before—and what’s the most skin-friendly way to clean down there?A: Yes, your detergent, pads, wipes, and “feminine wash” can absolutely start causing vaginal or vulvar itching out of nowhere—even if you’ve used them for years. Your skin can develop sensitivities over time, and the vulva is basically premium sensitive-skin real estate.Clues it’s an irritant or contact allergy: redness, burning, itching, sometimes tiny cracks or raw spots where products touch (pads, underwear lines, labia), usually without major changes in internal discharge. The fix is not fancier products—it’s less: fragrance-free detergent, unscented pads/tampons/liners, breathable cotton underwear, and no soaps inside the vagina.The most skin-friendly routine: warm water on the labia and folds, optional tiny amount of gentle, unscented cleanser on the vulva only, then pat dry. Your vagina handles the internal cleaning on its own.If you want a judgment-free place to decode what’s irritation vs infection, you can always chat with Gush about your cycle, products, and symptoms in real language, not medical robot speak.

Can laundry detergent and feminine products cause vaginal itching?

How contact irritation and allergies actually work

You’re not “too sensitive.” The products are too aggressive.Two main ways your vulva can react:- Irritant contact dermatitis:- Caused by harsh chemicals, fragrances, soaps, tight wet fabrics.- Anyone can get it if the exposure is strong or constant enough.- Allergic contact dermatitis:- Your immune system decides a certain ingredient is the enemy.- You might have used it for years before your body suddenly says: we’re done.Symptoms of both on the vulva:- Itching, burning, or stinging- Redness or darker irritated patches- Swelling in the labia- Tiny cracks, raw areas, or shiny tight skin- Sometimes clear fluid or weeping if it’s really inflamedDischarge inside the vagina usually stays normal with pure irritation/allergy, which helps you separate it from infections like yeast or BV.

Common culprits: detergent, pads, wipes, and “feminine wash”

Let’s name names.Laundry detergent & fabric softener- Fragrance (even “fresh” or “clean cotton” scents)- Dyes- Optical brighteners- Fabric softeners and dryer sheetsYour vulva is pressed up against underwear and leggings washed in that chemical soup all day. If itching is worse:- Where the gusset (crotch panel) hits- On your butt crease or panty lines…it’s worth switching to a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent and skipping fabric softener for at least 2–3 weeks.Pads, liners, and tampons- Scented products are a huge irritant.- Some pads have plasticky, non-breathable tops that trap sweat, blood, and bacteria against your skin.If you get:- Itching or burning that’s exactly where your pad sits- Raw skin at pad edgesTry:- Unscented, breathable pads or cotton tampons- Changing them more often, especially on lighter days- Period underwear or a cup/disc if that feels accessible“Feminine wash,” wipes, sprays, and douches- Fragrance, preservatives, and pH-disrupting chemicals- Many have a higher or weird pH that messes with vaginal floraYour vagina is self-cleaning. It doesn’t need internal soap, ever. Flushing it with products raises your chance of BV, yeast, and irritation.

If you’re staring at your bathroom shelf wondering which product is the villain, you don’t have to play detective alone. Walk through your routine with Gush and get help simplifying without feeling gross or “high maintenance.”

The most vulva-friendly way to clean

You clean your vulva, not your vagina.Best-practice routine:1. In the shower:- Rinse the outer labia, folds, and pubic area with warm water.- If you want, use a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free, pH-balanced cleanser on the vulva only (not inside the vaginal canal).- Use your hand, not a loofah or washcloth (they’re too rough and bacteria-happy).2. After peeing/pooping:- Wipe front to back.- Skip scented wipes; if you really need them occasionally, pick baby wipes labeled fragrance-free and alcohol-free.3. After workouts or swimming:- Change out of wet/swampy clothes ASAP.- Rinse if you can, or at least change into dry cotton underwear.4. Drying:- Pat dry with a clean towel; don’t aggressively rub.That’s it. No “intimate mist,” no yoni pearls, no detox steam. Your vagina is an organ, not a TikTok trend.

How your cycle changes discharge, pH, and itching risk

Your menstrual cycle has phases, and each one shifts your discharge and pH, which can change how products feel on your skin.- Menstrual phase (bleeding):- Blood is less acidic, which temporarily changes vaginal pH.- You’re wearing pads/tampons/period underwear more, so your skin is trapped in moisture longer.- More friction + more moisture = higher risk of pad rashes and itching.- Follicular phase (estrogen rising):- Discharge becomes creamier.- Estrogen supports thicker vaginal lining and healthy lactobacillus bacteria.- Generally a more “stable” phase for most people.- Ovulation (peak estrogen):- Stretchy, egg-white discharge; more moisture in your underwear.- That extra wetness + synthetic underwear can rub the vulva raw.- Luteal phase (progesterone rising):- Some people notice dryness, especially right before their period when estrogen dips.- Dry skin + friction from pantyliners or tight clothes = itching and micro-tears.So if you always itch right before or during your period, you may not be imagining it—it can be a combo of hormonal shifts, blood, and products.

Making your whole routine more skin-friendly

Practical swaps:- Detergent:- Use fragrance-free, dye-free.- Extra rinse cycle if you can.- Underwear:- Cotton or other breathable fabrics for everyday.- Thongs and synthetics only when you want to, not as a default.- Period care:- Unscented everything.- Change pads/tampons every 3–4 hours when awake.- Try period underwear or a cup if pads wreck your skin.- Skin soothers (for irritation):- Plain petroleum jelly or a zinc-oxide barrier cream on the vulva folds.- Cool compresses (clean cloth + cool water) for 10–15 minutes.If you’re on hormonal birth control and notice new dryness or irritation, that’s real too. Some methods lower estrogen enough to dry out your vaginal tissues, making them easier to irritate. That’s something you can bring up with a provider and, yes, you’re allowed to say “this is not working for my vagina.”

When irritation means you still need a doctor

See a clinician or sexual health clinic when:- You have open sores, blisters, or cuts you didn’t cause by scratching.- The skin is so swollen or painful you can’t sit comfortably.- You also have new discharge that’s clumpy, foul-smelling, greenish, or gray.- You tried removing suspected triggers for a week and things are not improving—or are getting worse.- You’re worried this might be an STI or something more serious.You deserve more than “just use less soap” and a pat on the head. Chronic itch is not a personality trait; it’s a solvable problem with the right info and support.