PSA: Don't use Dreft

terri_doula2010 · July 2012

I wish this was the kinda board that we could make threads "sticky" for things like this.

Dear FTM: I know Dreft is marketed toward babies, but please just step away. It is nothing but perfume and crap. It costs 2-3 times what most Free and Clear detergents cost and any of the F&C stuff is much more gentle than Dreft.

What's worse than paying $12 for detergent that you find out your LO is allergic/sensitive to? Having pre-washed all of her clothes and linen in Dreft, being super sleep deprived and crazy in the early months, and having to re-wash *everything* in a safer detergent to get the Dreft ick away.

(no, that didn't happen to me, but it very well could have. DH decided to be helpful and buy Dreft [and throw out the receipt]. Luckily teh internets had already taught me better so I donated that shiz and washed DS's stuff in something safer.)

If you are a STM and have used it before and love it, fine, but if you post anything with the dreaded D word in a post, one of us is going to wander along and tell you not to use it. So save our poor swelling fingers and just don't.

LLeeD14 · July 2012

Does this apply for anything that is made for baby? I saw that Purex makes a baby detergent and it's pretty scented like Dreft is but it was a lot cheaper.

terri_doula2010 · July 2012

I wouldn't personally use anything with perfumes/scents in it on a baby. You may have no problem doing it, but it just seems risky to me.

ETA: I also think babies smell amazing all on their own and would rather smell them than any fake fragrance from lotion or clothes...

ilovelife · July 2012

I have no idea why anyone would want to use special detergent on your kid's clothes (well unless they have an allergy to what you regularly use). Waste of money!!!

kcalpin · July 2012

Thank you for posting this! I was starting to get worried because everyone says to use it, but I thought it smelled yucky, so I just used the same free and clear detergent I wash my own things in (I have really sensitive skin). I'll just stick to what I've been using!

hunter91011 · July 2012

I went to the store to buy some Dreft, and ended up buying a free and clear detergent instead because it was about half the price. Glad to know I am not just being a cheap-o.

Boots&Bows · July 2012

I received a bottle of Dreft as a gift and washed a load of blankets with it. Frankly, I didn't like it.

linzeek44 · July 2012

This post makes me really happy.

And sad because my computer doesn't let me post that cute thumbs up icon.

I was researching detergents like crazy and was surprised that "baby detergent" was not very gentle or natural. We're using Tiny Bubbles now and it's been fine for all our clothes and cloth diapers.

Hyaline · July 2012

I can't stand strongly-scented laundry stuff! I can't imagine using heavily perfumed anything on a baby--ick!

Just for fun--anyone have a detergent that they recommend? I just use whatever free and clear stuff is on sale but if anyone has a rec, I'd love to hear it!

uromys · July 2012

I am happy to know being cheap has paid off for me. I just bought the free and clear stuff because it didn't have a fragrance and was cheaper then Dreft.

brideandbreve · July 2012

I don't get the perfumed baby detergent thing, either.

DH and I already use Tide Free & Gentle for everything, so that's what we're using for LO's clothes, blankets, and bedding.

MrsAB1316 · July 2012

I bought a bottle of our supermarket brand, free and clear for about $2.50. That being said, a few years ago, I bought some dreft for my clothes and LOVED the smell. But, I wouldn't use it on my baby's clothes.

mlf625 · July 2012

Great post. That stuff is such a joke!

CatBus · July 2012

My favorite is Earth Friendly Products' ECOS detergent. I buy the big jug from Costco. It's actually scented, but very lightly, and with essential oils. Ideally I'd get the fully unscented version, but Costco doesn't carry it. I have very sensitive skin and allergies, but don't react to essential oils.

terri_doula2010 · July 2012

We used All F&C already, so that is what we continued using with DS.

We just started making our own detergent (yep. I'm that crunchy) which works well for all of us, but since the recipe I used calls for Fels Naptha which does have some perfumes in it, I'm going to buy a small container of F&C stuff to pre-wash all of DD's stuff. We washed DS's clothes seperately for the first few weeks or so, so we'll probably do that with DD as well with the F&C stuff and then see how she reacts to what we use.

Once I'm finished with the Fels Naptha detergent I have now, I plan to switch to plan liquid castile soap. It will be less work when making my detergent and no perfumes!

BakerMommy · July 2012

linzeek44:
This post makes me really happy.
And sad because my computer doesn't let me post that cute thumbs up icon.
I was researching detergents like crazy and was surprised that "baby detergent" was not very gentle or natural. We're using Tiny Bubbles now and it's been fine for all our clothes and cloth diapers.

Yes = [ Y ] (w/o spaces)

I also use free and clear (All at the moment, but usually whatever is on sale) detergent for all of our clothes. I actually find the smell of Dreft a bit nauseating-- I'd get overwhelming whiffs of it going through hand me down clothes and it took me a while to figure out what I was smelling (these clothes had been stored for 12+ months!).

rsp247 · July 2012

I wasn't even aware it had a scent till you guys said something about it when I asked about washing the panels for my blanket. I have really sensitve skin and it would have been wonderful getting a rash every time I held my baby because i would be allergic to her clothes.

So glad you ladies told me though cause that is all everyone kees telling me to use.

hunter91011 · July 2012

terri_doula2010:
We used All F&C already, so that is what we continued using with DS.
We just started making our own detergent (yep. I'm that crunchy) which works well for all of us, but since the recipe I used calls for Fels Naptha which does have some perfumes in it, I'm going to buy a small container of F&C stuff to pre-wash all of DD's stuff. We washed DS's clothes seperately for the first few weeks or so, so we'll probably do that with DD as well with the F&C stuff and then see how she reacts to what we use.
Once I'm finished with the Fels Naptha detergent I have now, I plan to switch to plan liquid castile soap. It will be less work when making my detergent and no perfumes!

I was going to start making my own as well...but we just started using a giant new one from Costco, so Itl be a while before we need more. I am all for saving money and being crafty, especially since we're going to try and make it wok for me to be a SAHM.

HarmsMomma · July 2012

LeSpoofle:
I am too cheap to buy separate detergent anyways.

Me too but I'm also too lazy to separate the kids clothes so LO's stuff is getting washed with DD and DS. Embarrassed

linzeek44 · July 2012

BakerMommy:

= [ Y ] (w/o spaces)

Ohmigosh, thanks! Yes

MuddyInsignia · July 2012

We are planning to cloth diaper, so I had to do some research on the laundry component--many main market detergents are not effective for cloth diaper use. Ultimately the easiest/cheapest for us seemed to be to make our own detergent. I have made a powder detergent out of borax, washing soda, and oxy clean. I also plan to make liquid detergent for non cloth diaper items using melted Fels Naptha soap (Ivory would work too) and water. For the liquid, I will add some essential oils for a mild nice hypoallergenic scent. FYI, all of this is so easy and cheap, it shocked me. I would encourage anyone to try it!

L8kissie · July 2012

For those of you that make your own, would you please share the proportions? I'm interested in trying to make some. We use All f& c or 7th Generation if it's cheaper. Oh, thanks for the Yes

damabo80 · July 2012

ilovelife:
I have no idea why anyone would want to use special detergent on your kid's clothes (well unless they have an allergy to what you regularly use). Waste of money!!!

Word. Kirkland brand HE detergent here.

terri_doula2010 · July 2012

L8kissie:
For those of you that make your own, would you please share the proportions? I'm interested in trying to make some. We use All f& c or 7th Generation if it's cheaper. Oh, thanks for the

We are currently using this recipe:

https://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

but next time we need to buy the soap portion, we'll buy liquid castile soap instead. TBH I haven't had any complaints out of the Fels Naptha one, though.

For CDs, I mix 1c Borax, 1c Washing Soda, and 1/2c Baby Oxy Clean. I used the powder dry, but added vinegar to the rinse as needed if they were smelling ammonia-y.

melody921 · July 2012

There were times I used Dreft, and DS didn't have a problem with it, but since I use Tide Free and Gentle on other clothes, it's just as easy to wash baby stuff in that. But, that said, I don't know where you're all shopping, but Tide and Dreft are pretty much the same price in all my stores (maybe bc I need HE?)

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