Choose the best baby detergent for your little one
There’s not much in life that’s more exciting than welcoming a new member to your family, but a baby also introduces a whole new set of worries, concerns, and questions you might not have ever thought about before.
“What detergent should I use for my baby?”
Seems like a simple question, right? But there’s a lot to consider. Is your detergent strong enough to remove tough baby stains? Is it also able to protect your little one’s sensitive skin? After all, a baby’s skin is much more delicate than an adult’s, and a safe detergent for the baby is a safe detergent for your entire household.
Here’s some of the guidelines we recommend following when it comes to purchasing detergent for your baby:
What is the best baby detergent that’s safe and effective?
Babies are born with sensitive skin, and it’s easy for their skin to become irritated from clothing and bedding that’s washed with detergents made with harsher chemicals. Here’s a few things to keep top of mind.
Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, you’ll want to find products that have fewer chemicals. We recommend looking for detergents that are free of optical brightener, dye, paragon, sulfate, phthalate, and phosphate—in other words, look for detergents with plant-based ingredients.
At the very least, look for detergents that are hypoallergenic, which means they should be tested to be less likely to cause allergic reactions. However, you want to make sure you’re getting the poop stains out, right? Look for plant-based enzymes as they will be safer for skin and provide the cleaning power you need.
Smell
While we recommend fragrance-free detergents to eliminate a potential irritant being introduced to your baby, this is one where you can test within your household. We understand if you enjoy having a certain scent present, but only use it if your baby isn’t irritated by it.
Federal Certification
Look for icons on detergents for the EPA Safer Choice and USDA Biobased Product certifications. These certifications are great information shortcuts that mean a product has been vetted by the federal government and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment.
Budget
This has less to do with helping your baby’s delicate skin, and more about saving your delicate budget. Look for products that are concentrated or guarantee a lower cost per load.
Do I have to get a detergent marketed for babies?
No, but it’s a helpful way to find something that’s safer. While there are other baby-safe detergents that aren’t marketed specifically for babies, you will want to make sure they don’t have the allergens, dyes, and harsh chemicals that could affect your baby.
While free and clear detergents might work, they still could contain irritants for babies. Be sure they’re free from fragrances, dyes, and optical brighteners—if they are, then they’re good to go! And, once again, it makes sense to have your whole household switch to a safe detergent since your baby will be touching you a lot anyway.
Are laundry pods safe for babies?
Short answer, no. Laundry pods are a risk for younger children and babies because they’re easily mistaken for toys and present a safety hazard. If you are determined to use laundry pods (that follow the guidance above), please make sure they’re well out of reach for children and babies.
What about cloth diapers?
If you’re using cloth diapers for your baby, we recommend checking out this blog to get a better understanding of how to clean cloth diapers with whatever detergent you select.