Regarding itchy ferrets, you do not say what soap you are using.
 
I am the mother of two blonds, and they were VERY sensitive to
everything.  Diaper Rash big time.  SOOOOO I was told to wash their
clothes in only Ivory soap, no fabric softeners, and dry them outside
in the sun.
 
Here in New England, we do not have sun everyday, so I had to just dry
them, in a dryer with no dryer sheet, or outside, or on racks in the
house.  Then I had to freeze them in the freezer for 24 hours.  Nothing
lived through all that.
 
My blonds never had rashes after I discovered how to wash their clothes.
I now do that for my ferret kids.  I either dry their bedding outside,
or inside and freeze it.
 
Whats for supper at my house, be careful.  Also, when the kids were
little, to keep my family from eating all the chocolate chips so I would
not have any for cookies, I packaged them in freezer paper and labeled
them liver.  Just defrost and warm to room temp before you bake.
 
I'm not just a Mom who stayed home, I was a domestic engineer.  Everyone
needs a title.
 
Since ferrets have come into my life, my title has also changed.  I am
first a ferret mom, and second a Sanitary Engineer.  Looks good on paper.
 
Try looking at what you are using in you washing machine.  Some perfumes
bother people, and ferrets may also be affected.
 
Marilyn
[Posted in FML issue 5115]