Baby Laundry detergent...necessary?

Updated on March 26, 2008
H.R. asks from Boca Raton, FL
23 answers

Wondering if using detergents designated for babies is necessary. If so, what do you recommend? Any earth friendly ones I can pick up at Whole Foods or Health Depot? What are your thoughts on Dreft? Arm and Hammer? I appreciate the advice. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much everybody for your input! Dreft smells so cute but for the money, I'd rather buy something that the whole family can use. Thank you for helping me out with this one, my husband, aka "Laundry Boy", will be "so relieved". :) Thanks!

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J.W.

answers from Boca Raton on

Like everyone was saying Dreft or any hypoalergetic detergent is great. I have used both Dreft, Kirkland and other hypo detergents. I say yes use the baby detergents otherwise you will end up with a case of contact dermititis. And trust me it is a pain in the rear end.

D.S.

answers from Columbus on

Hi H.,

I don't think baby laundry detergent is necessary, but there are some detergents that are fragrance and dye free that are good because they help to avoid possible alergies to sensitive baby skin.

Most laundry detergents have a version of the fragrance and dye free and can be found in any store.

regards,

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J.F.

answers from Miami on

Hi H., J. again,

I used environmentally friendly detergent and house cleaners, it is different, you might not see immediate effects, but clorine and ammonia,etc is not good for you, immagine for your baby. I highly recommend you use something better for your little one. Go to www.saferforyourhome.com or email me and I will send you some more info about these products. You need to investigate what these comercial products really are before you use them on your baby.

Good luck

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L.N.

answers from Washington DC on

i used the regular draft detergent for the first 28 months of my daughters' lives. i don';t know whether it is necessary or not, it's something everyone says we should do, so i did it.

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C.F.

answers from Lakeland on

I used dreft and other baby perfered detergents with my FIRST..after that i relized how important it was to save money when u have a kid.. and i started buying the kind every one can use. LOL
GL..

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M.

answers from Miami on

H.,

I used Dreft only for my children. My first son would break out when I used Tide or Ivory Snow. (He and I are allergic to Ivory, and break out and itch if we use any Ivory products. Something in it, but I am not sure what).

I just followed suit with my second son. My boys are grown now, but I still never use Tide or Ivory products.

If you can, seperate the baby's clothes out and use a product that does not have dyes, perfumes, or any other harsh chemicals until about the age of two. At about that time their immune system is up to snuff and the baby is less likely to develop allergies from the chemicals in detergents (or anything else).

Good Luck with your new baby!

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M.W.

answers from Miami on

Hi H.,
When my daughter was born, she got a rash all over her skin and nothing helped until we switched laundry detergents. We started using All Clear, and within days the rash was gone. We buy it at Costco, now they have the same laundry detergent Kirland brand, it's great. We use it for the whole family.
Good Luck,
M. W.
Mother of two young kids, wife, and business owner.

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D.

answers from Boca Raton on

Absolutely not necessary. Using any standard liquid detergent that is perfume & dye-free, such as All Free or Arm & Hammer has one too. I used these for my son till he was 1 yr. old and no problems, plus you can use them for everyone's laundry instead of throwing away money using a seperate detergent for just the baby's clothes.

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A.P.

answers from Miami on

As many people here have already suggested, the free & clear detergents are a very good choice for baby as well as the whole family. The chemicals that are used to frangrance and color detergents are irritants and neurotoxins to the whole body, whether consumers are aware of it or not.
It is good to buy these products not only because they are a better choice for us healthwise, but it also lets manufacturers know that there is an ever increasing demand for less chemicals and artificial enhacements in our personal items, cleansers and food products.

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A.

answers from Miami on

I used to use Dreft -- but then came across ALL for Baby. I like it much better-- the clothes come out softer than they did with Dreft and its much cheaper. I'm sticking with detergents for babies b/c my daughter has pretty sensitive skin.

Don't know anything about earth friendly products, but I'm sure Whole Foods has something.

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K.Q.

answers from Lakeland on

no, i dont think that detergents designated for babies is necessary...i have a 5 and a 6 year old and i have always just used the least expensive detergents i can buy...u might want to make sure u rinse the clothes well...but other than that if they arent allergic to anything they should be fine...

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V.

answers from Orlando on

Hi H.,

I used the Dreft for both my kids and I really liked it. My mother also recomended All Free and Clear. She still uses that because my younger brother (21 years old) has sensetive skin. His doctor recomended the All and said the it's good for babies too and it works.

Good Luck!!
V.

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A.H.

answers from Fort Myers on

We never used it. We have a family of 6 and it would have been to much work to seperate the babys from ours and use another soap. We never had a problem. But I highly recommend any Seventh Generation product.

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M.H.

answers from Miami on

Hi H.,

My name is M.. I am a stay at home mom of three. I buy MelaPower laundry detergent. It works great. I buy the scent free because we were sensitive to the fragrance in other brands that we had tried before. Not only does it work it is more economical than Tide, All, and Purex.

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S.P.

answers from Miami on

With my first baby I thought it was necessary so I washed everyting with Dreft. But after having some time under my belt and alot of help from friends, I have found that it is not necessary. Some people say to use it because it is not as harsh as regular detergents, but what I did was just use my regular detergent and just not use as much or use a double wash cycle. I watched my baby to see if she had any skin irritations but she did fine.

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T.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

H.,

As many people have already recommended, clear detergent works just fine. My pediatrician even recommended it after I was already using it. I have sensitive skin, so I used it before DD was born. I typically buy the Kirkland brand from Costco. But also have used ALL.
One piece of advice... don't wash too many things before baby is born. I did and ended up with things that couldn't be returned that were never worn. My daughter was 9lbs 5oz at birth so Newborn sizes were too small. She wore 0-3 mos almost from day one!
Best wishes... is your due date soon? My daughter's first birthday is 11-11. I can't believe how time has flown. Enjoy every moment. Even those late/early feedings and cuddle sessions!
:)
T.

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P.B.

answers from Orlando on

H., they are very good and soft detergent to wash your baby laundry, I prefer the liquid detergent tide is excelent and gain, use softner and preferable wash the baby laundry separte of adults. I wish luck in your trying.

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I.V.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hello Heidy,

I never used baby detergent I don't think it's necessary. I used the one that did not have any fragance or dye and works perfect, I still do. Good luck!

Ivanys.

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C.G.

answers from Miami on

i used dreft with my daughter, it smells good but i found that it faded the clothes. now with my 5 month old son i use the "all baby", smells just as good and is not as harsh as the dreft was.

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L.

answers from Miami on

Baby ALL is just as good as dreft and much cheaper. i use ALL free and clear for the whole family. it is fragrence free just like dreft, and cheaper than the baby stuff and the whole family can use it. i used dreft with my first son, but for this baby i used whatever "free and clear" detergent is on sale...read the ingredients, they are all the same. with the money you save, you can take a cruise with your husband by your baby's first birthday,3-5 dollars a week in savings adds up... just a suggestion. good luck

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T.C.

answers from Melbourne on

I DIDN'T FIND THAT THEY WERE NECESSSARY. I JUST USED REGULAR DETERGENTS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN ANY DYES(ALL FREE) AND MY DAUGHTER WHO IS NINE MONTHS WAS JUST FINE. BEING THAT I WAS ON A BUDGET IT WAS ONE LESS EXPENSE THAT I HAD TO WORRY ABOUT.

C.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hey H., I used Dreft when my 3 1/2 month old was born just because they have such sensitive skin, a bottle lasts a long time. I am almose finished with it and I plan to use the "adult detergent" from now on. I think her skin is pretty used to the harshness of our world by now. I started a week ago washing some clothes with mine to see if there was a difference in her reaction and I havent seen any (i.e., rash, etc) but I do think its a good idea to start them out with something gentle, just for them, in the beginning. Good luck!

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L.H.

answers from Orlando on

H.,

Hello , i just saw your post or i would have posted sooner! My daughter is pregnant and worrying about the same types of things! Fortunately we have just found a wonderful company that has no chemicals in all of their products. Up until a couple of weeks ago, i didnt even know that J&J lotions and baby shampoo's has famaldihyde in it, i was shocked! And the best thing is this company will pay you to share their products with your friends and family, just like i am doing with you! If you are interested in a chemical free home for the baby then please let me know! This is a wonderful company who takes cares of their customers! I wish walmart would have paid me everytime i referred someone to them about a product of theirs, i'd be rich!lol Have a wonderful day!

L.
www.TheMomTeam.com/lajeanhuntley

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