Finding the best laundry detergent for baby’s clothes that’s tough on stains yet gentle on infants’ skin can be tricky. I mean, cleaning agents that can remove the toughest stains often require strong chemicals to deliver results. Is it hardly surprising that most mainstream laundry detergents labeled “tough on stains” are swamped with toxic ingredients?
Even detergent powder and liquid for washing infants’ clothes are laced with harmful chemicals that irritate babies’ fragile skin and put their health on the line.
I, too, have strong allergic reactions to almost anything– from food to grass, to perfumes, and laundry products laden with chemical agents. Thus, I often use the gentlest detergent there is to dodge contracting contact dermatitis, which I have been quite susceptible to since I was a teenager. As such, I can’t help but wonder how much more of an impact these chemicals can have on infants.
Given that, we’ve done in-depth research on the best laundry detergents for baby clothes– based on experience and reviews of other moms. If you’re looking for a gentle but effective laundry liquid/powder to disinfect and remove stains from poop, spit-up, milk, and food stains, we have your back.
Here’s a list of our favorite and highly rated washing detergents to help you make the smartest choice when picking the safest laundry detergent for your little one.
Our Favorite Baby Detergents
- Best for Newborns
Newborn babies have fragile and highly reactive skin to irritants.Thus, using the gentlest washing powder in cleaning and disinfecting their layette set, such as onesies, linens, cloth shoes, beddings, and more, is essential.
Tide Free & Gentle
For newborns, Tide Free & Gentle is one of the most highly recommended liquid laundry detergents. Based on surveys among moms, the product’s cleaning power is superb, efficiently tackling stained clothes while being gentle on the baby’s skin. We’re not at all surprised, as Tide Free & Gentle is approved as safe on sensitive skin by both the National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Eczema Association.
And what makes Tide Free & Gentle safe for newborns? It’s the absence of the following toxic chemicals known to irritate sensitive skin: synthetic fragrances and dyes. Its proven formula makes it a top choice for washing your little one’s layette set.
The drawback? The product contains sodium borate or borax– an insect-repellent formula (pesticide) that can whiten heavily stained clothes— which explains this baby detergent’s cleaning power. However, borax, in small amounts, is not toxic and can be safely used for washing baby’s clothing essentials. It’s good to note that the amount of borax in this product is minimal or negligible at best, making it a safe laundry detergent for your tiny tot.
Tips:
Rinse your baby’s clothes thoroughly before drying to ensure there’s no residue left that can irritate your baby’s highly sensitive skin.
Keep the product away from your nose, eyes, and mouth. Do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly after handling this liquid detergent.
- Best for Sensitive Skin
Babies often have sensitive skin that is highly reactive to noxious chemicals, compromising their health and well-being. Honest Company is noted for its reputation for using mild, soothing ingredients in its baby product line. Thus, if you’re looking for a laundry detergent that’s perfect for a baby’s sensitive skin, Honest Company has one in store for you.
Honest Company Baby Laundry Detergent
For your littles with highly sensitive skin, the Honest Company Baby Detergent is one great option. The brand’s washing liquid is made with mild, hypoallergenic ingredients suitable for a baby’s delicate and reactive skin. And we’re so thrilled that this product doesn’t contain any of the following toxic ingredients often found in baby detergents; phthalates, SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate, brighteners, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. We also love that it’s a plant-based cleaning detergent and makes use of enzymes to remove stains.
Owing to its hypoallergenic ingredients, Honest Company’s baby laundry detergent gained the much-coveted approval of the following regulatory authorities: USDA, National Eczema Association, and EPA. As such, you can be assured that you’re using the safest and most appropriate laundry detergent for your baby.
The drawback?
Though it’s proven to get rid of the usual stains, such as baby formula, coffee, spaghetti sauce, etc., you may still need to buy a separate stain remover to spot-treat clothes. And since it’s fragrance-free, your laundry will not have that fancy scent you crave. One tip I could share if you’re bothered by your laundry’s unpleasant smell is to expose your clothes to the sun. Not only does it help disinfect bacteria-ridden clothes, but it also gives our laundry that clean, fresh, natural scent most of us are drawn to.
- Best for Eczema
If your little one suffers from eczema, you can never go wrong with this dermatologist-approved baby laundry detergent.
All Free Clear for Sensitive Skin Odor Relief Detergent
Users of All Free Clear Detergent tout its cleaning power without being harsh on baby’s skin–thanks to its efficient cleaning agents and hypoallergenic ingredients. It’s 100% free of synthetic fragrances and dyes, which allows it to be on the list of approved products for eczema-prone individuals by the National Eczema Association, U.S., and EPA Safer Choice label.
Let’s sum up what we like most about this product:
Its ability to remove stubborn stains is top-notch
It eliminates foul odor–keeping your laundry smelling clean and fresh all day.
It’s quite concentrated– so just a meager amount would suffice for a thorough, spotless clean.
The drawback? The brand is known to include bronopol in its list of ingredients, a chemical that’s known to release formaldehyde into the laundry detergent to prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
The brand has reassured consumers that bronopol has been removed from their merchandise. However, research shows traces of the chemical in some of their products. Given that, please check thoroughly the ingredients before buying All Free baby detergent for your baby.
- Best Budget
If you’re trying to keep costs down but still want a gentle detergent ideal for your baby’s sensitive skin, we’ve got the best option for you.
ARM and HAMMER Sensitive Skin Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent
Arm and Hammer’s baby detergent is not only gentle on baby’s easily irritated skin, but it’s also budget-friendly without the compromise. You just can’t beat it for its quality and price– at just around $0.09 per load, you can use it way longer than other laundry detergents on the market. It’s gentle enough on baby’s skin despite its 2X powerful stain removal capability. Plus, it’s certified by SkinSAFE due to the absence of the top 100 skin allergens outlined by the cosmetic safety testing site. Arm and Hammer washing liquid is free of dyes, synthetic perfume, preservatives, and other skin irritants known to aggravate skin conditions.
The drawback? You may have to pretreat some stubborn, extremely persistent stains before throwing discolored clothings in the wash.
- Best Organic
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Concentrated Laundry Detergent
If you’re a parent who is into all things organic, this laundry detergent should never slip past your radar. 365 Organic Baby Detergent is USDA Certified owing to its eco-friendly ingredients and gentle formulation that cater to babies with fragile, delicate skin.
Customers love how effective it is in removing the stinkiest smell imaginable despite its gentle formulation. Its odor-fighting ability is seriously top-tier as it eliminates even the foul, persistent smell emanating from clothes. The thing is, not only is it adept at banishing pungent odors, but it also leaves your laundry smelling fresh and clean. The 365 laundry detergent is also free of chlorine, phthalates, and phosphates–toxic chemicals our little ones should never be exposed to.
And one more thing that hooks us the most about this product? Its price – surprisingly low for a product that’s certified as organic by USDA.
Factors to Consider When Buying Detergent for Baby
When choosing the right laundry detergent for your baby, you may have to consider your goals, preferences, and budget. Always prioritize hypoallergenic ingredients, especially if your child has highly reactive skin to harsh chemicals. The fewer irritants the laundry detergent has, the better.
Some baby laundry products contain minimal chemicals–give them a fair chance, and don’t be too quick to write them off. They can still be a safe option, provided the amount of chemicals contained is very minimal or at a safe level. Remember, even products labeled as organic or all-natural can have aggravating effects on babies with allergic reactions. The best thing to do is to observe how your child’s skin reacts to different baby laundry detergents you’re using, then, based on what you’ve observed, choose the one that suits him best.