Laundry Detergent

Rebekah - posted on 04/06/2009

I used All Free and Clear with my son, and have already started washing my daughter-to-be's clothes and bedding in it too. It may not smell pretty, but it keeps clothes clean and should be less likely to set off an allergic reaction.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 04/06/2009

I have been researching the same thing.  I read that a free and clear detergent will work just fine for newborns.  All and Purex both make one.  Dreft does have a fragrance so some infants have had reactions to that and it is expensive.  I just bought Purex free and clear to wash the baby's clothes in and it seems to work just fine. 

Allison - posted on 04/06/2009

Dreft is a complete marketing scam! It is just a normal laundry soap that has baby scent to it (it wasn't always this way....but it is now). My husband did a lot of research about Dreft and laundry detergents before we had our first baby, even calling several of the companies to find out about how they work and how they interact with the skin.

The best detergent to buy is one like Free and Clear - anything that doesn't have optical whiteners or brighteners and is additive-free.

I LOVE Maggie's Pureland Soap Nuts http://www.maggiespureland.com/ and I use them for everything except the diapers (for those I use WinTree from Costco). They work well, I get more uses out of them that what they say (they say 2-3 loads but I get at least 4-5 loads). The Soap Nuts aren't nuts, either, they are berries, so there really isn't an allergy issue. And I love how soft my clothes are after washing. I *never* use fabric softener, either, and the clothes are wonderful.

Lisa - posted on 04/06/2009

Dreft and Tide have the SAME ingredients! Look at the labels! Tide is MUCH cheaper than Dreft! My daughter is almost 22 months, and NEVER had a problem! You don't need to use as much soap either! They don't sweat in the beginning so they aren't that dirty!

Heather - posted on 04/06/2009

I would say try the one you are using now if you notice skin irriation then switch.  Each baby is different, I had to use drift with my daughter for over a year she had sensitive skin I had friends that never had to switch...which can make way less work for you!