What's the REAL deal with baby laundry detergent?

[Lvella43]

What is the real difference between using Dreft or something like Tide Free? I'd love to hear opinions :)

Thanks!!

[maggieb]

I don't know the difference, but I do know that my DD never reacted to just regular Tide. I have never washed her clothes in any special baby detergent and she's been fine, but I do know that some baby have more sensitive skin than others.

I would venture to guess that there's not much difference between Dreft and the Free and Clear detergents.

[NicoleWisconsin]

I don't know, either. But just FYI, All also makes a baby detergent now.

[phart]

We used free and clear detergents when Aiden was younger and now we use regualr stuff again (I cloth diaper and the F&C was messing up my dipes and I'm not buying two different detergents if I don't have to). He did seem to have a little allergic reaction to Downy fabric softener. We didn't use it but my mom does and any time his face was on her shoulder (or wherever) he'd get a red rash.

[Lvella43]

phart Thanks for the feedback! I think the issue with the fabric softner is that it wears away the "inflammable" treatment on the clothes.

NicoleWisconsin Thanks for the tip on All!!

maggieb Thanks for your input; I appreciate it!

[JenniferEC]

Before my DS was born, I went out and bought a bunch of Dreft and now that he's almost 16 months, I still have 2 huge bottles left. I realized quickly that regular Tide was fine on his skin, so that's what I've been using. I guess it depends on how sensitive your little dude's skin is.

[med12]

When I was expecting, I read a lot about what other mommies did in terms of detergent. I know some women that say Dreft is the only way to go. However, I can't stand the sweet smell of it and was looking for other alternatives. One thing I read was that as long as the detergent was free of perfumes and dyes it was fine. We actually use Arm & Hammer Free or whatever it's called - it's designed for sensitive skin and it works just fine for us. Plus, no sorting his clothes from our clothes - which is nice.

I think the biggest thing is the dyes and perfumes in some detergents can react with baby's skin and cause a reaction. One thing I don't do is use fabric softener sheets or any sort of fabric softener on his stuff. It's actually gotten to the point now that I rarely use fabric softener at all with any of the laundry.

My advice - wash one or two things in your regular detergent, put it on your baby and see how they react and then decide if you need to change detergents.

[babyfood]

We use All Free & Clear. As far I as know, it is just as good (some say better because of the lack of fragrance that Dreft has).

[DanaLynn]

I use dreft. I was actually using it before I had my son. My husband has very sensitive skin. I love the smell of it and it is great to use on your delicates.
I usually buy it at Target, because it is always on sale.(it is on sale this week)

[Mrs. M.]

I use whatever is on sale (for sensitive skin). I prefer non-perfumed. DD has sensitive skin but we have never had any issues due to the detergents.

Dreft has perfume added and I really think it is just a marketing ploy.

[Chylynn]

Some of my family members purchased Dreft for our babyshower, and I hated it! I found that it did not clean normal stains a baby makes (spit up, formula, breastmilk, poop, ect). We have been using Baby Purex and it cleans wonderfully, but I agree with the others, that you can probably just buy regular laundry soap that is perfume free.

[ce_Kathleen]

We have always used Tide and when DS came along we continued to use regular Tide. DS has never had a problem with any detergent so far (used different detergent when traveling to my parents house).

I would say to try a few baby items with your regular detergent and see if it affects baby. No sense in spending more money and time to do 2 sets of laundry if you don't need to!

[jesvet]

Definitely marketing. That being said, I have super sensitive skin so I used All free and clear before baby, and we just stuck with that. I've used All baby as well, but even that has a small degree of fragrance.

For fabric softener (other than PJs) I use Downey's sensitive formula, and it works well.

[sparkle&shine]

I use All baby just because I do like the smell and it was actually a great price! I have also used Purex baby. I don't buy into the baby needs special detergent but the times that I have bought it was because it was actually cheaper than regular detergent!

[snowzilla]

I'm pregnant with my third child, and just wanted to throw in my two cents - I've never had to use special detergent with either of my first two, and don't plan to with this baby unless the need arises. In fact, I'd never even heard of Dreft until hanging out in the Parenting threads on the WC!

[Hedwig]

We used Dreft for our first DD, she did have sensitive skin but we realized that any "free" detergent works. Also, about the fabric softner...the liquid kind is said to break down the flame retardent materials in childrens clothing. I 've always used the dryer sheets.

[terrys wifey]

Bump***

[usafwife]

I always knew that we would use baby detergent when had babies. I'm using Baby All right now but will use Dreft and Baby All. I have never put fabric softener in with DD's clothes. I've never used dryer sheets either with her clothes.

[moderngal]

we use dreft. definitely not needed, but i love the smell. no fabric softner either.

[JRPAGV]

Bump

[Cali_Katy]

My son has very sensitive skin, and I could not wash his clothes in regular detergent. I found this out when he fell asleep with his cheek on my t-shirt (washed in regular detergent), and when he woke up, he had red bumps all over it where the shirt had touched his skin.

I use Dreft, but I agree that it does not always get the tough stains out. My strategy is to wash stained clothes with Shout and regular detergent, and then rewash them in Dreft.

I suppose I could try switching to All Free and Clear or similar, but the truth is I love the smell of Dreft.

[Jenyfer9]

We used All Baby (Baby All? Whatever) for ALL of us (no pun intended) until we got our front loading washer... they don't make any baby geared detergents for high-efficiency washers, so we switched to All Free n Clear and have had no problems.

[Cali_Katy]

I should say that I also have front loaders, and I just use less Dreft than intended for regular washers. I do use HE detergent for my normal laundry.

[Natrat80]

I use Cheer Free or All Free or whatever is on sale that is fragrance free. I don't want to buy 2 detergents so I just use the "free" stuff on DH and my clothes too. I also think Dreft is kind of a marketing ploy! :D

[pontmarie]

I usually get All Free because I have sensitive skin anyway, so we've used that for DS with no problems.