Whats the best washing liquid for NB fabrics that will clean as well as be sensitive to skin?

ShePersisted · January 2014

I know silly question but I heard three different things from three STMs so I thought a poll might help.

JerseyBella · January 2014

Anything brand free and clear detergent is my recommendation

RondackHiker · January 2014

I used tide free and clear and didn't have an issue. Draft has all sorts of scents and additives. Just get something without any fabric softeners or scents, and don't use fabric softeners in the dryer.

ziggy903 · January 2014

armalan12 said:
I was gifted Dreft, so I'm using that first, but a minimal amount because its smelly. Then I switched ours to a Tide Free & Clear. I plan to use that once the Dreft runs out. We use Tide anyway, and its the same price.

You could mix them together to make the smell less strong?

Any detergent will work! We use tide. If LO shows any signs of sensitive skin, well switch to a free&clear for his stuff. But he's had hats and sheets and stuff washed in regular tide and has no problems.

azzyberry · January 2014

JerseyBella said:
Anything brand free and clear detergent is my recommendation

This. I usually buy which ever is cheaper. Right now I have Arm & Hammer Sensitive.

Madelyn0713 · January 2014

We are using Purex Free and Clear. I'm allergic to All and sometimes have reactions to Tide, too.

slwprincess · January 2014

I hate Dreft. I used Tide No dyes/perfumes with my first 2. I know I won't bother to separate baby clothes so this one got washed in regular detergent... right now I am loving Arm & Hammer- the cool ocean scent. Poor 3rd child always gets the shaft.

1linedrawing · January 2014

I just bought the Target brand (Up and Up?) Free and Clear laundry detergent.

RondackHiker · January 2014

Am I the only one who hates any sort of scented detergent? I may be strange. It smells fake to me.

1ofme4ofthem · January 2014

All free and clear. It got stains out and brightened clothes so much! We got a lot of second hand clothes and after washing them most look brand new!

ShePersisted · January 2014

RondackHiker said:

Am I the only one who hates any sort of scented detergent? I may be strange. It smells fake to me.

I am with you there- not because I dont like scents but I am thinking one can never know if the baby likes the scent or if it annoys LO. If the baby doesn't like it, it might actually make him cranky- just speculating of course!

Scottnsaranhenri · January 2014

We make our own detergent, it seriously lasts an entire year and works really well. I like it because its free of fragrance, which can irritate baby's skin. Otherwise I have Rockin Green detergent on hand for diapers, which I also use for baby clothes & gear. And my friend really likes the Honest Company detergent.

jdubh · January 2014

Has anyone tried Borax? That's what I plan on using. I always washed DD's clothes with our's.

notreal2 · January 2014

We use UP and Up fragranceless stuff my hubadingle hates fragrances and is trying tio get me to buy soap seeds or pods, but I admit, they creep me out a bit, so Target to the rescue.

BioGirl21 · January 2014

Right now we're using Costco brand free and clear and when that's gone I'll probably get Purex free and clear, mostly because I let our Costco membership lapse. He's been swaddled in a blanket washed in that for the last day and he's been fine.
I see no need for a special baby detergent, just like wedding stuff, they tell you you need something special and then mark up the price.

versed · January 2014

I use the all free & clear. I have sensative skin and so did DS in the beginning. I just wash all our clothes together, which makes things so easy. DS and baby will share a hamper, so I want something can all use.

Also, infants rely on their sense of smell for so much in the beginning, so I try to avoid extra fragrances whenever possible.

TessyMessy · January 2014

I have been using All F&C because DS has stupid sensitive skin. I think Dreft smells like poop and I love that natural new baby smell (kind of like a new car). All our clothes will be washed in All F&C because I don't have time to separate everyones clothes.

inluv4life2 · January 2014

We use costco brand free and clear for all our stuff so we'll keep using that.

ziggy903 · January 2014

jdubh said:
Has anyone tried Borax? That's what I plan on using. I always washed DD's clothes with our's.

Borax is not a detergent. There is nothing in borax that will clean your clothing.
It's wonderful to add in your wash, it's a great water softener!

MoxyByProxy · January 2014

notreal2 said:
my hubadingle.

If you are mobile bumping.. id love to know how he earned this nick name in the context that your phone saved it for you lol. I think its my new fav word of the week!

MoxyByProxy · January 2014

Oh and I used dreft but.. im totally hating the smell.. I may try the purex after reading about it on here from you ladies.

mythaldo · January 2014

We use All Free & Clear, but a bunch on my mommy friends use Charlie's Soap and swear by it. It's some organic variety that's supposed to be uh-may-zing for cloth diapers, but a lot of my friends was all their baby stuff with it because it apparently realy softens and increases absorbancy.I haven't tried it myself yet. I registered for it on Amazon since it's a little spendy, but no one bought it. I'll probably hold off on it until I'm ready to try cloth diapering.

vanillalatte89 · January 2014

is all free and clear good for cloth diapers? I washed my baby stuff in the honest company brand from amazon but its too pricey to keep up with.

RondackHiker · January 2014

SWalkerRN said:
is all free and clear good for cloth diapers? I washed my baby stuff in the honest company brand from amazon but its too pricey to keep up with.

I used tide free and gentle HE. I'm sure all is the same and it's fine.

Just remember not to use too much soap for cloth diapers!

Reneej918 · January 2014

I use costco brand of perfume and dry free. It is only $18 dollars for a huge container.

MissDemeanor · January 2014

I'm having pregnancy brain, and can't remember which one I bought. For some reason I'm very upset by this! My niece still has problems with detergents, and she just wore a sweater of mine that bothered her skin, so I'm being careful and using something perfume and dye free for LO

ras26 · January 2014

We use normal Tide for everything, and have since DD was a baby. DH has sensitive skin, but it seems to be fine for us all.

mythaldo · January 2014

megash113 said:

mythaldo said:

We use All Free & Clear, but a bunch on my mommy friends use Charlie's Soap and swear by it. It's some organic variety that's supposed to be uh-may-zing for cloth diapers, but a lot of my friends was all their baby stuff with it because it apparently realy softens and increases absorbancy.I haven't tried it myself yet. I registered for it on Amazon since it's a little spendy, but no one bought it. I'll probably hold off on it until I'm ready to try cloth diapering.

@mythaldo I've actually been reading about how Charlie's is NOT recommended for cloth diapers. It has a high pH and has higher chances of leading to chemical burns on baby's skin than a lot of the cheaper detergents!

Holy crap! I've hard a hard time believing the hype on Charlie's, but that's definitely not cool. I've only just begun my cloth diapering research, so I'm glad I waited to buy any for myself. We've been using All Free & Clear for years, so I was getting a little bummed thinking I might have to wash DD's clothes with something different. Thanks for letting me know!

sdlaura · January 2014

We use 7th generation baby.

JackieP1023 · January 2014

I'm using dreft at first until it's gone (it was gifted). I currently use the purex brand free and clear, whatever it's called, so we'll try that next. Hopefully LO won't react to it-makes things so much easier!

tiggernorton04 · January 2014

I use Ecos. It's all natural and I wash all our clothes in it.

HummingbirdMama · January 2014

Another vote for Method Free & Clear -- we love their products and they're enviro-friendly.

iwubrory · January 2014

I used Dreft with DS. I bought the really big jug and only just ran out a couple months ago. This time we bought Tide Free and Clear. Hopefully, lo will be fine with that.

nikkks84 · January 2014

tide free and clear HE

jpoindahouse · January 2014

I think this thread is hilarious because EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. that MIL calls she asks DH if I have purchased special baby laundry detergent, he tells her I am using dye free/perfume free detergent for sensitive skin and EVERY. SINGLE. TIME she tells him that this is not sufficient and that I must pick up special baby laundry detergent. Honestly, I hadn't even looked in to it or read up on it until this thread

P.S. she also does this with baby washcloths. I MUST have baby washcloths

PPS she is going to be a peach with all of the advice. I may have to have a stiff drink when she comes to visit after the baby is born

ShePersisted · January 2014

Thank you for all the feedback and comments. I must say I am very fascinated how all moms approach things so differently so no wonder I got a different response from people I asked. Looks like all free and clear is the preferred choice so far.

boogerbearoriginal · January 2014

I've always been a original Tide user, for clothes, CDs, everything it works fine. Never had an issue with me, H or LO so I plan to keep using it unless something comes up.

I also find the scented soaps and fabric softeners to be overwhelming and unpleasantly perfumey so we don't use them. I use dryer balls to help with static/stuff in the dryer instead. Especially when I'm pregnant and my sense of smell seems to get heightened, I can't stand it. The thought of using Dreft/similar makes me a little twitchy. That shit stinks.

shellbell3845 · January 2014

Using anything free and clear. I also washed everything with an extra rinse. I don't know if it was necessary, but it made me feel like I was being extra cautious.

karich · January 2014

3rd baby= using what I already have in the house. I think it's Tide.
If it looks like he is developing a sensitivity, I'll obviously address it, but I'm not going to buy anything different right now.
I did use Dreft for DD1 and maybe for a few months for DD2, but eventually ditched the special detergents.

azzyberry · January 2014

SWalkerRN said:

is all free and clear good for cloth diapers? I washed my baby stuff in the honest company brand from amazon but its too pricey to keep up with.

I'm going to say no. I've never used cloth diapers but I used to use All Free & Clear pretty exclusively until I started potty training my DS. It would not get the urine smell out of his clothing so I would imagine it would be the same with cloth diapers. I now use either Purex Free and Clear or Arm & Hammer Sensitive Free & Clear and those get out the odor.

cattlebride · January 2014

We use a detergent from Melalueca thats supposed to be good for babies.

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