Breathe Magazine

I have very sensitive skin. Once, upon moving in with a new roommate, I broke out into hives. I freaked out, thinking I was allergic to our duplex (or worse, allergic to her) but it turns out it was her Tide detergent that I’d borrowed. I usually go with All Free & Clear for the majority of my laundry loads, but I’ve found that machine washing, even on the “delicate” cycle, significantly shortens the life of my under garments and swimsuits. So when I got the chance to test drive Soak this summer, I was more than happy to oblige.

In addition to being gentle on skin and fabrics, it’s also easy on the environment: phosphate-free, dye-free, all in a biodegradable and recyclable bottle. With my sensitive skin, I opted for Scentless, but it comes in an array of fresh fragrances (Aquae smells particularly summery). Just one teaspoon of this stuff into a sink full of cool water takes care of your clothes, and you don’t even need to rinse. Just soak for 15 minutes (enough time to squeeze in a couple of chores like unloading the dishwasher and putting away a load of laundry), and then air dry. 

Their 4-oz bottle offers up enough Soak for 25+ washes, which should cover your swim season, taking you right into knit sweater weather for fall and winter.

Find a store near you that carries Soak and see for yourself. Want to try out different scents or get enough to share with some friends? Try their Mini-Soaks Sampler, 12 assorted samples for $15.