Best Detergent for Washing Your Baby's Clothes
November 12, 2008 at 5:59 PM by Cafe Suzanne - Comments (10)
photo by KatalinsMom
I just read a health tip in HealthDay that said it was not necessary to wash your little one's clothes in a laundry detergent made especially for baby. Hmm.
These are the Nemours Foundation's (a children's health foundation) recommendations for doing your baby's laundry:
- If your baby has a skin problem (allergies, eczema, or other sensitive skin issues), wash their clothes in a baby detergent.
- Cloth diapers are the only items that should be washed in mild baby detergents in order to prevent diaper rash. They should be washed without fabric softeners in very hot water and with a second rinse.
- Cloth diapers should be washed separately from other clothes.
- Before you switch to washing baby's clothes in regular detergent, test one item and see how baby's skin reacts. If there is any sign of irritation, keep using the baby detergent or one that is color- and fragrance-free.
I wash my baby's clothes in Ivory Snow because I love the way it smells and I don't plan on switching. How about you?
Poll
Question: I use baby detergent on my baby's laundry because ________.
Total Votes: 29
FILED UNDER: clothes, eczema, newborns, poop & diapers, skin care
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Nothing in the world beats that new baby smell. Not even new car!
Lol. I found that washing my baby's blankets w/ the detergent our family uses has helped him to sleep at night. Perhaps it comforts him to have that familiar smell at night? I wash the rest of his clothes, bibs, etc. w/ Dreft.. dryer sheets as well.
we never used special detergent, and we never had a problem. Then again, I don't use cleaners that harm the earth.. so they are naturally safer for skin anyways... that could make a difference! We use baking soda in every load too.. I swear by it!
i don't use a baby detergant/and i haven't had any problems. i got them use to what we use when they are young. and also it helps themsleep when they are away from home
I got a huge bottle of Dreft at my baby shower, so I've been using that. When it's gone I'll use our home-made stuff though.
Oh, and cloth diapers should not be washed in baby detergent. Dreft is actually one of the worst out there to wash cloth diapers in. You should find a free and clear detergent, or one of the natural brands (charlies and soap nuts are both great).
Why shouldn't dreft be used on cloth diapers? That surprises me. I had a cyst burst "down there" after my son was born and my doctor told me to take a Dreft bubble bath to soothe and cleanse the area. Apparently this was recommended to all mothers after delivery back in the 60's...
I used Dreft for my first baby for the first few months. Then, I started making my own detergent. It's insanely cheap and easy. Plus, depending on the soap you use, it's dye and perfume free too.
I don't use baby detergent, never had to. Of course if baby had sensitive skin then I would switch to gentler detergent or hypo allergenic. Either way there is alot more brands that make detergents that the whole family even babies can use.
What people fail to reallize is the commercial products out here are marketing to the consumer parent they know they especially will make big bucks first time parents. Babies are a big market so they say they are making products especially formulated for babies. Even if the formulas just add more water.Parents are big consumers and they look for the "Brands".That's why these baby brands are selling.
True some brands may be better than others but popular brands sell,for example it's the same as saying you must give your baby only gerber juice instead of any other brand and just add more water. As a matter of fact,I am expecting my 8th, yes there are some baby brands I want but overall, I have done fine thus far. I only make necessary purchases.Detergent is already expensive,gotta wash everyones laundry.I see references to baby smell associated with the baby detergent's.I would like to say that the smell of any good detergent & don't forget the fabric softner can't be beat. Regardless,baby smells like a clean baby,now add the baby lotion on their skin now you got something!!!!!!!!!!
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I didn't vote...I use only baby detergents on my guy's stuff, though I think it'd be ok not to...I guess I just feel good taking the extra time to do all of his stuff seperately (and with gentler products). I use the Dreft liquid detergent withthe Oxy Clean Baby booster, and have the Dreft pretreater hanging on his hamper so I can spray every drooled-on collar and spit up spot. No stains so far!
KatieCrandall Nov. 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM