Laundry detergent for newborn babies clothes

Hello everyone! 

Any recommendations on what's the best laundry detergent for cleaning my newborn baby clothes? I'm looking for unscented, plant based, safe, etc?

Thank you!

Veronica.

Parent Replies

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Since my now 13 yo was a tiny colicky ultra-sensitive baby, I've used Target up and up brand unscented liquid detergent. You truly cannot detect any fragrance from it and it's on the more affordable end of detergents.

My whole family is sensitive to chemicals and can't bear most laundry detergents. The one I finally found that doesn't bother any of us is: 7th Generation Free and Clear

My kid isn't a baby anymore, but still a kid... We use the sensitive unscented detergent from Costco, whatever it is that they have in stock at the moment is what I use, and I run an extra rinse cycle to get ride of any residue, just in case. 

When my kid was a baby and we had a lot of poop stained clothes that needed to get washed, I used "Allens Naturally Liquid Soap Laundry Detergent". 

I love Dropps. We order it online. It's all recyclable paper packaging and it works well. I also like their fabric softener. They have lightly scented or unscented. All dye free. 

I did some research and ended up with these for my newborn (and all our laundry): https://grabgreenhome.com/products/3-in-1-laundry-detergent-pods

I often use a website called Gimme the Good Stuff to do this kind of research, btw!

I've been very happy using Drops: https://www.dropps.com/products/stain-odor-unscented-laundry-detergent-…. My daughter has very sensitive skin and has never had an issue with this detergent. Also love that the company prioritizes sustainability in its products, packaging, and shipping practices. 

My son had moderate eczema as a baby and our Pediatric Dermatologist approved "All Free & Clear" as a good, safe option. The Costco version of the same thing was also OK. 

I have chemical sensitive and have used Meliora for years. If you read the story of the company on their website, it will make sense why I could recommend it for someone with a newborn. I have purchased it online for many years. Lately, I've seen it carried by some natural food grocery stores and the refill / no or low waste stores.
https://meliorameansbetter.com

I love Molly Suds! I have sensitive skin/allergies and have always looked for cleaner products. I made the switch for all of our laundry and it works great. I’ve tried the unscented and the peppermint and have been fine with both. We use one scoop of molly suds powder and 1 cup baking soda and I can’t tell the difference from switching from tide and other similar brands. 

We used dreft (stage 1 formula) and worked great. We switched to tide and he broke out I to hives so back to dreft!

I’ve been using Molly’s Suds unscented powdered laundry detergent (in the black and white packaging) for my newborn and I’ve been liking it. Cleans his spit up- and blowout-wrecked clothing very well and gets an A grade from the EWG. You only use a tablespoon per load; I bought a two-pack on Amazon and am still working on my first bag and it’s been nearly six months already.

I just go to the Berkeley Bowl West cleaning aisle and pick a laundry detergent that's on sale and says "free & clear" and I've had good luck. I think the current one we use is "Seventh Generation" brand but many are good, come in plant-based eco packaging.

A tip I got from my allergist if you are sensitive to detergent is you can use Dr Bronners in place of detergent. Put some white vinegar in the softener slot for extra clean. 

Our child has allergy and eczema. Not just a baby eczema that one grows out of but they are now in their teens and still struggle with eczema. Only two detergents have not caused skin irritation for them — All Free and Clear and 7th generation unscented. It is also important to do an extra rinse cycle and clean the tub itself regularly. No dryer sheet or fabric softener.