Washing baby clothes!

marg12 · May 2015

I have been putting off washing our little ones clothes for awhile! I hate laundry. You know when being a FTM everyone wants to put their two sense in. So my question is about laundry detergent. Some people say only use dreft and then some people say just use sensitive detergent. Thoughts?!? Cause I'm confused

stomazin · May 2015

I have used Tide Free and Gentle with a splash of Dreft. I know it seems strange but Tide Free and Gentle is alot cheaper but I just love the smell of Dreft. One small bottle of Dreft has lasted me through all of her clothes already. I personally, for now, have loved washing her clothes. So much easier then mine and my husbands!

scorredor2 · May 2015

We have used Dreft on my first born, I found when I was pregnant with my second that I really liked All baby! With this baby we washed all of his clothes in All pure and clear. Just because it was on sale. I personally would stick to baby or sensitive just until you can determine what baby's skin can tolerate.

aj1327 · May 2015

I got the honest brand laundry detergent. I started washing is clothes this weekend!

fridaysdance · May 2015

Our family has always used either free and clear or allergy sensitive formula detergents. Dreft is so expensive when you consider how much you'll be washing.

Today has been baby washing and sterilizing day around here. My house smells like soap and lemons. I love it.

jesscmv · May 2015

I used the free and gentle tide pods but that's because we got a killer deal on them at kroger! I figure we'll find out if the girls have a sensitivity soon enough and dreft is so expensive. My mom didn't seem too happy about us not using deft but eh who cares.

RandAllie1823 · May 2015

Dreft is considered to be the universal "baby safe" detergent. But as you may or may not have noticed it can be slightly more expensive. BUT at all the various classes I have taken and from my mom friends who have been through it, if you purchase something fragrance free and maybe for sensitive skin- you should be fine. No fabric softener or anything- but you don't HAVE to use dreft. I love and trust my mom friends, but when the woman leading the prepared birth class told us that buying the sensitive skin fragrance free stuff at costco or target was just as good and you can buy it in a bigger amount (since lets be honest- laundry will be life for a bit lol) I was sold!

karaelaine1991 · May 2015

My mom bought us a bottle of Dreft so we'll be using that at least in the beginning until the bottle begins to run out. DH and I use Arm and Hammer for our clothes (I used to use Tide before we got married, but then DH showed me the difference in size and price and I gladly switched after that), and the last bottle we got I made sure to get the sensitive skin kind, so we can experiment with using that for LO. My plan is to start with Dreft, then when Dreft runs out do one load with the delicate Arm and Hammer, and if she's fine, just continue using that for all of us. But if she breaks out or has a negative reaction of some kind to the Arm and Hammer, we'll go back to Dreft. I will say that if my mom hadn't bought us the Dreft to begin with, we would just start with the delicate Arm and Hammer, since I have heard the same things as @RandAllie1823.

marg12 · May 2015

Thank you!!!! I did find a coupon for dreft but like yall said it is still a little expensive even with the coupon.

ElRuby · May 2015

I use the Tide Free and Clear and when I get into my hippie mode I make my own (not planning on that anytime soon!)... I think of Dreft as being targeted at the fears of new moms when in reality it is not superior except for price!

trytry38ever · May 2015

I'm a FTM too I washed my clothes already it took forever remember you have all the sheets and coverings for things that are to be washed also. but you can do loads as you need them. As for the laundry detergent everyone I know says to use any brand as long as its free and clear and you should be fine. In reality you won't know if your baby going to react to any detergent unless you try it, and although Dreft is marketed as baby detergent doesn't mean it is completly with out allergens babies have reacted to it. So go with what you are comfortable with. I prefer to use one laundry detergent for all of our family so will be going with a free and clear. Of course I wouldn't go with any brand of detergent that you or your family has reacted to. Good luck. Also this has gotten me thinking how long are we to use baby detergent? I never thought about that till now. 1 year?

ElRuby · May 2015

trytry38ever said:
I'm a FTM too I washed my clothes already it took forever remember you have all the sheets and coverings for things that are to be washed also. but you can do loads as you need them. As for the laundry detergent everyone I know says to use any brand as long as its free and clear and you should be fine. In reality you won't know if your baby going to react to any detergent unless you try it, and although Dreft is marketed as baby detergent doesn't mean it is completly with out allergens babies have reacted to it. So go with what you are comfortable with. I prefer to use one laundry detergent for all of our family so will be going with a free and clear. Of course I wouldn't go with any brand of detergent that you or your family has reacted to. Good luck. Also this has gotten me thinking how long are we to use baby detergent? I never thought about that till now. 1 year?

We just switched everyone to the free and clear and continue to use ... Babies are on you a lot so if they are allergic or sensitive it won't matter what you wash their clothes in if you are still using the perfumey stuff on your clothes.

klkonwi · May 2015

If you have dollar stores near you dreft is cheaper there. That's where I got my dreft.

LaurenAnn0405 · May 2015

We used All Free and Clear for DD who actually did have slightly sensitive skin but the detergent worked great for her. We never use fabric softener and we got the dryer sheets that were the least scented. She's 3 1/2 now and we still use the same detergent for her stuff and all of our stuff which is convenient because if she just had a couple of items I could throw them in with ours. When I washed all of DS's clothing last weekend I just used the Free and Clear pods again. Like a lot of PP said a scent and dye free detergent should work well and it's cheaper than paying for Dreft!

MixedCurlsXo · May 2015

I read really good reviews about Target's brand Up&Up baby detergent so we went with that. It's comparable to Dreft but much cheaper.
I once read a tip that said when doing your own laundry you should throw a few baby onesies in & see if your baby has a reaction. Not all babies have super sensitive skin so it's worth testing out first.

jessieR358 · May 2015

I have washed all my baby clothes in the honest detergent.

MixedCurlsXo · May 2015

ElRuby said:

trytry38ever said:
I'm a FTM too I washed my clothes already it took forever remember you have all the sheets and coverings for things that are to be washed also. but you can do loads as you need them. As for the laundry detergent everyone I know says to use any brand as long as its free and clear and you should be fine. In reality you won't know if your baby going to react to any detergent unless you try it, and although Dreft is marketed as baby detergent doesn't mean it is completly with out allergens babies have reacted to it. So go with what you are comfortable with. I prefer to use one laundry detergent for all of our family so will be going with a free and clear. Of course I wouldn't go with any brand of detergent that you or your family has reacted to. Good luck. Also this has gotten me thinking how long are we to use baby detergent? I never thought about that till now. 1 year?
We just switched everyone to the free and clear and continue to use ... Babies are on you a lot so if they are allergic or sensitive it won't matter what you wash their clothes in if you are still using the perfumey stuff on your clothes.

That's a really good point!!

HayesRN13 · May 2015

I never had to buy special soap with my DD, I don't plan on it this time either (I love my tide), only if he is sensitive will I switch

47923ang · May 2015

I was gifted 2 bottles of Dreft, so we're using that first. We've got a bit of a stockpile of regular Tide, so I'm washing things separate for now. When I run out of the Dreft, I plan to try Tide Free and Clear for all our stuff.

FloGirl82 · May 2015

I washed all the blankets, washcloths, etc in Dreft, and then washed the baby clothes in Free and Clear detergent. I love the smell of Dreft and have considered washing our sheets in it, but will keep it for the baby items.

FloGirl82 · May 2015

I washed all the blankets, washcloths, etc in Dreft, and then washed the baby clothes in Free and Clear detergent. I love the smell of Dreft and have considered washing our sheets in it, but will keep it for the baby items.

Sorry, this double posted!! Delete please!

finchfeeder80 · May 2015

I use Charlie's Soap. It's just a basic washing powder. No scents, dyes or other additives. I've been using it for years. It is appropriate for bras, baby clothes, everything. My best friend used it with her kids as well, she's the one who introduced it to me. I use white vinegar for fabric softener, and just plain, unscented dryer sheets.

KarasTwin · May 2015

I use purex free and clear myself because I have sensitive skin. I'm worried baby will, too and registered for Dreft. We got several bottles as gifts and my mom bought us a bottle of Purex baby that I didn't know existed. I did notice that kroger has a brand of dreft which I may try when we run out of the dreft. I agree with PPs, the dreft does smell good. I know my sister tried using free and clear with my niece and it irritated her skin. I hope to avoid any skin issues with DS.

firsttimer86 · May 2015

I have been using purex free of dyes a d frangrances. Dreft is so expensive and honestly IMO a waste of money. You can just use free and clear detergent which is cheaper.

Sammy K · May 2015

DH is allergic to all synthetic dyes and perfumes, so we've always used free and clear detergent, dryer sheets, lotion, etc. Oxyclean has worked well to get any and all organic stains out without causing any reactions in DH or DS. If it's a really bad blow out, it might need to soak.

nicnnatesmom · May 2015

I have zero plans to use a special gentle detergent for baby. Especially not when in 6 months I would be switching to the same as everyone else anyways. We use gain. I have had zero skin problems with my first 4 kiddos. The logic in using a special snowflake detergent escapes me when you sit there and think about the fact that baby will be laying and rubbing on moms clothes and moms sheets/blankets which are NOT washed in the special soap. So if that doesn't irritate baby's skin then why would having their stuff washed in the same detergent irritate baby's skin???

mamameghan · May 2015

I wish I could come to all your houses and wash your baby clothes lol. I love washing clothes! Even folding them, it's the only job I don't hate. I've washed the baby clothes already so now I'm just waiting for the girls to come to mess them up lol.

I used the same detergent the DH and I used and didn't have an issue. I found soap was what gave my first child rashes. But to each their own! If you want to use different detergents go right ahead!

lindsladle15 · May 2015

I use Norwex's laundry detergent for the whole family....no fillers, chemicals, scent, and you only use less than a tablespoon per load!

poppy22814& · May 2015

I used to sell laundry detergents/fabric softeners/etc. (one of my favorite jobs!) and doing laundry is my favorite chore. If you want your clothes to get the cleanest while being low-risk for sensitivities, Tide Free is by far the best (has high active ingredients while no perfume/dyes and gentle on skin). Dreft is great too, but the scent is quite strong for some little ones or adults who are sensitive to scents. In regards to ALL, Arm & Hammer and Purex "free" versions, these all have much higher water vs. active ingredient ratios, meaning they won't clean those little or big messes nearly as well. I'll stop boring you... starting now

queequeg09256 · May 2015

I got a big bottle of the dreft, and have done large loads of baby stuff in it, basically I went through all the baby stuff and everything that was washable went into the washer together so I didn't have any mini loads. I have a huge he washer, so all sheets, bedding, the carseat covers, washcloths, towels, clothes from sizes 0-3 months. I started about a month ago on it and then hung everything up. Anything that didn't have a hanger and tag I rewashed it and put it away I have 3/4 of the bottle left. I have super sensative skin, and hubby had lots of skin issues as a baby, so for now I'm sticking with it. I want to see how her skin handles it and then will adjust from there.

esampson1983 · May 2015

We us ALL free and clear but both DH and I have sensitive skin

sabett · May 2015

We don't have our own washer/dryer and so it's incredibly expensive to do separate loads of baby clothes... so I've washed everything in Tide Free, which we use for our own clothing. It's not necessarily what I'd do if I had the option, but I think it should be fine. I have very sensitive skin and have never had a problem with Tide!

CanadaMom17 · May 2015

Costco's Kirkland brand scent/dye free stuff so far.

SarahBaby87 · May 2015

I use Tide Free and Clear for the first few months until I'm sure they have an okay reaction to my clothes that are washed in regular detergent. After that I switch them to regular with us.

janat1717 · May 2015

We were using Nellies for ourselves so will continue to use that. Really good ingredients and price isn't bad on Amazon. Soap nuts and the like made me itch but I love the idea of them.

taboullio84 · May 2015

Mother of soon to be 5.. We wash everything with off brand tide...

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