Laundry question

ebl2

FTM here and I have no idea so I'm going to ask... I understand you use a different laundry detergent for baby (the free and clear stuff) but what about a fabric softener? Do you use any? If so, what kinds? I always just hear about detergents, never about any fabric softeners so I was curious. I don't want to have to do separate loads of laundry for baby and then DH and I. What do you all do? 

bbetson

I have heard good things about Dreft laundry detergent, which is designed for baby things. I don't know about fabric softener though, that's a good question. 

FyreFlyeRush

I used deft for about 4 weeks. Then, I said enough and went back to gain. DD didn't have any issues. My sister, on the other hand, had...has...extremely sensitive skin, an we could only use Ivory Snow and plain ivory soap. She's 13 years younger than me, so I did a lot of her laundry. No fabric softner with either. My BFF skipped Deft and Ivory Snow and used Gain with Gain fabric softner.

mommygrams0730

i have super sensitive skin, and unfortunately my son got that for me (obviously didn't find out right away, but over the past few years he'll get hives from certain soaps/lotions/detergents) so i started with dreft, which is a little more expensive but i just didn't want to chance it. instead of doing it separate i would throw some of our clothes in with his and most times i wouldn't even use a fabric softner sheet. around 15 months or so i started using our regular detergent (purex) and we've had no issues with that. i'll probably do the same thing this time around.

*i know a lot of people just use very mild detergent and not specifically dreft and have no issues.

AbsoluteLM

Fabric softener can take away the fire protective coating on some garments, so it is not recommended for those clothes. For a newborn, I wouldn't use fabric softener at all though since the perfumes might irritate the baby's skin. 

For detergent, we're going to be using All free and clear this time around. We didn't have any issues with Dreft with DS#1, but I didn't really like the smell.  

moonfaerie

Any free & clear detergent is fine for baby, does not have to be Dreft. You can also get free or sensitive fabric softener. I know Bounce makes free/sensitive dryer sheets, and I believe Target has a generic version as well. I didn't know it broke down the flame retardant properties in baby clothes, though.

mmooki

I use all free and clear and plan to use that with babys clothes,  I also use bounty free fabric softener.  my supermarket makes a generic brand FS that is free and clear as well.  the scents irritate me so I have never used them.

IsaacA

I bought 1 bottle of Dreft to use on DS's clothes. Then I switched to All free and clear and have been using it ever since. Never used fabic softener for anyone's clothes, so I'm no help there.

They have free and clear types or small and mighty. Dreft is expensive when there's other products out there that don't have perfume and chemicals.

k4slr6

I have to use All Free and Clear for myself and can not use fabric softner on my stuff, towels, or bedding.  DH on the other hand likes the scented detergents and fabric softeners.  So I will be washing baby's clothes either with mine or the towels depending on how dirty they are. 

fryrat

Fabric softener is not recommended. The stuff is designed to leave a residue on the clothing to make them feel softer and the smell last longer. This defeats the purpose of the free and clear detergent.

 

https://www.ehow.com/how-does_4586090_fabric-softener-work.html

Available in dryer sheets or liquid form, fabric softeners are made up of surfactants or "surface acting agents." It is these chemicals that create a softer, fluffier feel to your laundry.

Surfactants contain chemicals with lubricating properties. These chemicals coat fabrics with a waxy film that "lubricates" them, causing them to feel smoother or fluffier.

brilis

I saw at BRU that have a Generic Dreft brand fabric softener sheets.  In the past we used Dreft only in the very first months and then just used regular detergent. My boys were fine with no reactions.

bellelamb

You should NEVER use any fabric softener it undoes the fire retardant in babies clothing making them less safe. Even the free and clear fabric softener does. I use all free and clear detergent on all of our clothing it works well is cheap and you aren't putting more chemicals next to your skin.

mrs+harlow

FYI most cotton baby sleepwear is not even treated for chemical retardancy these days.

For those garments that are they use a chemical called PROBAN and honestly im more conerned with the effects of that. 

BelleIsa

k4slr6:

I have to use All Free and Clear for myself and can not use fabric softner on my stuff, towels, or bedding.  DH on the other hand likes the scented detergents and fabric softeners.  So I will be washing baby's clothes either with mine or the towels depending on how dirty they are. 

You should actually never use fabric softener on towels - they don't absorb as well! Also, it's not recommended to use it on baby clothes since it takes away the fire-retardant quality.

We switched to Free & Clear for the whole family with DD1, and I use dryer balls instead of fabric softener now.

jnicolen1

we wash baby's clothes together with ours.  we use free and clear (usually the costco brand).  we dont use fabric softener.  you can add a little vinigar/baking soda to the wash or just use dryer balls like PP mentioned.  ps...dreft is not free and clear and most people recommend you dont use it.