5 Best Laundry Detergents For Babies & Why They Are Recommended

baby laundry detergents on display

Babies can be cute – but they can be messy too!

They keep laundry baskets overflowing with clothes full of pees, poops, and food stains. 

As a parent, you will have to be accustomed to handling things daily!

Baby clothes come with delicate fabrics and adorable prints. So it’s vital to use baby detergents to keep the clothes soft.

How?

Most baby detergents come with natural plant-driven ingredients, which ensure they are chemical-free – and do not cause allergic reactions to the baby’s skin.

Read on to know more about:

  • Why is it important to use baby laundry detergents?
  • Types of baby laundry detergents
  • Best Laundry Detergents for Babies
  • ..and a lot More!

From napkins to nappies, using baby detergent is the best way to reduce the chance of contamination or skin rashes.

Scroll down and let’s get started..

Introduction

Why Is It Important To Use Baby Laundry Detergents?

A baby’s skin is more sensitive – so it needs extra attention. Some babies also suffer from skin conditions because of sensitivity. 

It’s where baby laundry detergents are handy – as they are specially formulated for baby’s skin.

The detergents are fragrance-free, which keeps the baby’s skin free of allergies. Most of these detergents are unscented and use natural ingredients that are harmless on the babies’ skin.

Besides, baby detergents are good for clothes made from natural fiber. It increases the cloth’s durability and service-life. 

That’s why most parents choose a gentle and baby-friendly detergent – as it’s skin-friendly.

Types of Baby Laundry Detergents:

There are many types of baby laundry detergents available – but how will you choose the best one? 

Picking the right one is not that easy; but it is not complicated as well. It is all based on your personal preference. You will find the same baby detergent that is available in many different forms; liquid, powder, or tablets/pads. 

  • Liquid Laundry Detergent:

Most Parents stick to liquid detergents; it’s easier to wash clothes in, and you can pour a portion of liquid and directly put it into the machine with the clothes.

  • Tablets Laundry Detergent:

Tablets are available in detergents, but they are a pre-portioned amount, so you will have to use them accordingly. However, tablets offer complete ease of use, as you will have to pop into the machine with the baby’s clothes and push the on button.

Personally, I get some of these tablets for on the go use when visiting my parents or while on a trip!. They are super handy! 

  • Powder Laundry Detergent:

Baby powder detergents come with the recommended quantity, so you will have to measure and pour in the machine.

Do Laundry Detergents Have The Same Ingredients?

No! Laundry detergent formulas are different from one brand to another… 

Since a baby’s skin is sensitive, it is a safe bet to look for dye free laundry detergent, chemical-free and fragrance-free. 

The most vital thing to consider is your baby’s needs and preferences.

If your baby is hyperactive, you will need to use a detergent that can help to remove the toughest stains on clothes. 

Also, there is nothing wrong with using a baby detergent for the whole family if you have budget constraints. 

Switch to baby detergents to keep your baby’s skin safe and less irritated!

With that being said, let’s walk you through the Best Laundry Detergents for Babies!

Related: Squeaky Clean On The Go: Here Are 5 Best Baby Cloth Wipes

1 – ALL Free Clear Liquid Detergent

Best Baby Detergent For Sensitive Skin

ALL Free Clear Liquid Detergent

Value For Money

For Sensitive Skin

Good For Stains

Scent

Overall Score
4.5
Brand: All
Scent: Unscented
Item Form: Liquid
Item Weight: 80.1 Fl Oz – 6.04 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.14 x 11.37 inches

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a baby laundry detergent that suits sensitive skins, look no further.

Pros

It doesn’t contain bleach, works for colored clothes 

Safe for newborn babies’ clothes

Unscented and perfect for sensitive skin.

Cons

The spout design is not the best- challenging to control the amount

If you are looking for hypoallergenic and scent free detergent, ALL baby detergent is the best option available. 

All Free & Clear is adept at removing more than 99% of allergens residing on clothes – including colored ones, which makes the quality superior.

The best part?

..it is entirely free of any kinds of dyes and perfumes and has a 2X concentrated formula, making it the best option for kids who have sensitive skin. 

Overall, there is no negative feedback or requirement of the detergent, making it one of the most popular choices among parents.

All detergent pods are available to be a handy option if you want to use more controlled detergent amounts.


2 – Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent

Best Overall Baby Laundry Detergent 

Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent

Value For Money

For Sensitive Skin

Good For Stains

Scent

Overall Score
4.25
Brand: Babyganics
Scent: Fragrance Free
Item Form: Liquid
Item Weight: 60 FL OZ – 3.9 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.25 x 5.5 x 14.75 inches

Bottom Line: This concentrated baby laundry detergent offers the best value while fighting most types of clothes’ stains.

Pros

The formula is triple concentrated 

Works for babies with sensitive skin

Cons

Doesn’t work for cloth diapers’ stains

This Babyganics Baby Laundry Detergent has a triple concentrated formula, meaning that you need only half the usual amount per load. Thus, it is a money-saver option!

The best part?

It is free of any fragrance. Yet, leaves a very pleasant scent on the clothes.  

Besides, it is free of any toxic components like sulfate, phthalates, chlorine, dyes, or brighteners.

Most of the ingredients in this baby detergent are plant-based, making it non-allergic for kids with sensitive skin. 

In terms of cleaning efficiency, this is a perfect laundry detergent for everyday use, but not ideal for cleaning the cloth diapers’ stains.


3 – ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent

Best Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent For Babies

ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent

Value For Money

For Sensitive Skin

Good For Stains

Scent

Overall Score
4
Brand: ECOS
Scent: Magnolia and Lily
Item Form: Liquid
Item Weight: 100 FL OZ – 12.5 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.13 x 5.5 x 10.38 inches

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a vegan laundry detergent formula that is also suitable for sensitive skin, look no further.

Pros

The formula is entirely vegan and pH-balanced 

Dermatologist tested formula

Smells light and pleasant on clothes 

Cons

Some parents claims that it didn’t work for all stains 

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic laundry detergent – it’s the best option for you. It is eco-friendly and a good option in different plant-based detergent powders.

The best part?

The detergent is made from natural ingredients and offers a pH-balanced formula that is safe for babies and the environment. 

The ingredients used in the detergent are less potent on your baby’s skin, hence completely safe.

Besides, the formula is entirely vegan, doesn’t contain dyes, parabens,  brighteners, or any other harsh and toxic chemicals.

Among the different ingredients, Coconut is my favorite. It is a kind and gentle component that is safe for everyone.


4. Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

Best Natural Baby Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

Value For Money

For Sensitive Skin

Good For Stains

Scent

Overall Score
3.75
Brand: Seventh Generation
Scent: Fresh Scent
Item Form: Liquid
Item Weight: 3.25 Pounds – 40 oz
Item Dimensions: 3.75 x 5.75 x 11 inches

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a baby detergent that deals perfectly with the stubborn stains, look no further.

Pros

Free of dyes, fragrance, and any cloth brighteners.

Works perfect on the toughest stains, like coffee or spaghetti 

Hypoallergenic formula

USDA Certified Biobased Product

Cons

It contains sulfates among the ingredients

The detergent has zero percent artificial fragrance and more than 90% plant-based ingredients. 

Apart from stain removal, it keeps the clothes in good shape. In fact, the detergent has great reviews from new parents who use it daily.

Besides, it lives up to its claim as an unscented laundry detergent, hence, it keeps the clothes fresh.

The best part?

The formula contains triple-enzyme that washes the toughest stains on baby’s clothes irrespective of the stain type. It works perfectly on baby cloth diapers!

Besides, this Seventh Generation baby detergent is dermatologist-tested to be safe on the babies’ gentle skins.

As it is in ultra-concentrated form, it goes a long way in the protection of clothes.


5. Dreft Detergent – Stage 1

Best Newborn Laundry Detergent

Dreft Detergent – Stage 1

Value For Money

For Sensitive Skin

Good For Stains

Scent

Overall Score
3.25
Brand: Dreft
Scent: Original Baby Fresh Scent
Item Form: Liquid
Item Weight: 46 FL OZ – 3.13 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.94 x 6.75 x 10.75 inches

Bottom Line: If your baby doesn’t have sensitive skin and you are looking for a scented baby detergent that offers freshness, look no further.

Pros

Gives the best freshness ever

Comes in many stages with different formula to suit all ages

Cons

Strong scented formula, not for sensitive babies

Dreft baby detergent is another popular detergent preferred by most parents for baby laundry. It is designed for the baby’s various stages that go from newborn to active baby.

The best part?

It is the number one pediatrician-recommended detergent brand safe to use for any baby clothes. It’s labeled as hypoallergenic for your baby’s sensitive skin.

The dreft newborn reviews seem to be good. However, the only complaint most parents make is the perfume-based scent in the detergent. 

So, if your little one is sensitive to smells – the product might not suit him.


FAQ

Q1: Which is the best baby laundry detergent?

– All Free Clear Liquid Detergent
– Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
– ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
– Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent
– Dreft Detergent – Stage 1

Q2: What kind of detergent is safe for newborns?

If you don’t mind the strong scent, then Dreft detergent – stage one is the most suitable one for newborn babies. If you are looking for unscented detergent, then the All Free Clear Liquid Detergent is what you are looking for. 

Q3: Is baby laundry detergent really necessary?

Using a baby detergent to wash your baby’s clothes is not necessary, as long as your baby doesn’t have any allergy to the regular laundry detergent. Otherwise, using a detergent that considers the baby’s skin sensitivity is the best for your little one’s health and safety.  

Q4: How often do you wash newborn clothes?

It depends on your time and personal preference. If you don’t like spending a whole day doing laundry, then we advise you to do a small load everyday. Otherwise, do it all at once in one day.

Our Verdict: Best Laundry Detergent for Babies

As you can see, baby detergents come with different formulas based on the brand and manufacturer. 

However, all of them consider the baby’s safety and skin sensitivity while formulating these detergents. 

In this article, we reviewed the 5 Best Laundry Detergents for Babies based on their value for money, skin sensitivity, stains removal, and scent. 

That’s said, the comparison was based on the parents’ feedback, our personal experience as parents, and each product’s description. 

Scroll down to see the results.. 

ProductRating out of 5
All Free Clear Liquid Detergent⭐ 4.5
Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent⭐ 4.25
ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent⭐ 4.0
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent⭐ 3.75
Dreft Detergent – Stage 1⭐ 3.25

Conclusion: Best Laundry Detergents For Babies

This is the last part of the article..

We listed the 5 recommended laundry detergents for babies of different ages. They are all gentle and clean the clothes well. However, each of them performs differently in specific areas. 

Now, it is time to present our Top Pick, Best Value, and Editor’s Choice options.

Just remember that if your little one has a specific allergy – it’s essential to look at the ingredient list before buying the product. It is better to be safe – when buying anything for your baby.