We all know by now how vital it is to keep our babies’ skin protected from the many harsh elements of living in a new world. We pay attention to their shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, but we must also take the same precautions when choosing a baby detergent.
As such, we’ve put together a stellar list of the best natural and organic options on the market to set your little one up for a cleansing success. We’re positive you’ll find more than one brand favorite below.
Why it’s great: Seventh Generation is known as one of the early brands to pave the way for creating a plant based detergent formula that combats stains with its bio-based concentrated blend that leaves your baby’s clothes fresh. Speaking of fresh, you can choose from citrus, lavender, geranium blossom with vanilla, and more to complete the laundry experience.
When it comes to stains, this detergent will target the many baby stains (milk, purees, and even cloth diapers) our little ones throw at us, and it does it all with the EPA safer choice stamp of approval. That means no chemical-based fragrances, dyes, or brighteners. Your baby will love this, but so will the environment because it’s USDA-certified biodegradable.
Keep in mind: This is a liquid detergent that comes in 2 pack of 40 fluid ounces each, which is about 106 loads. Though you can choose from unscented to several scents, they are all gentle.
Good for: fighting tough stains and gentle scent
Why it’s great: Dreft’s gentle plant based detergent is the proclaimed #1 among pediatricians. It’s hypoallergenic, contains no synthetic agents (such as chlorine, brighteners, or phosphate), and it’s fragrance free. It’s great for cleansing the many fabrics little ones get dirty, and it’s great for use in any washing machine. This highly recommended brand may become a staple for your baby as they grow.
Keep in mind: This comes in 2 liquid 40 fl ounce bottles, which is about 50 loads. Some find that it isn’t enough detergent per package, so be sure to buy extra.
Good for: newborns/infants, fragrance free detergent
Why it’s great: WA dermatologist and pediatrician tested detergent is definitely a favorite for parents and their little ones alike. Babyganics’ detergent is plant based, fragrance free, triple (3X) concentrated, compatible with standard and HE machines, targets stains, and it’s not tested on animals. The sulfate free formula uses the power of plants and enzymes to really clean.
Keep in mind: This is a liquid detergent solution said to wash 60 loads. It’s also unscented in case you’re looking for something with added fragrance.
Good for: newborns, sensitive skin babies
Why it’s great: Want a plant based, natural detergent that’s conscious of its packaging? Try Dropps’ pods with low waste packaging! It’s made from recyclable and compostable cardboard to help eliminate single use plastic when buying bottles of detergent.
It still delivers by deep cleaning your clothes without causing any damage. You’ll get freshness with a dollop of citrus and neutralization of odors with this effective detergent. Just because it’s in pod form doesn’t mean it compromises on being dye and chemical-free. It also contains no phosphates, parabens, and phthalates, and it’s septic safe as well. You can use these pods in any washing machine type to deep clean your baby’s laundry and the whole family’s.
Keep in mind: You can choose 32 or 140 count pods. Dropps recommends one pod per load.
Good for: all-in-one clean – odor elimination, brightening, and stain removal
Why it’s great: Grab Green has many benefits to toot. It’s created with 0-4 month old babies in mind to provide an organic plant powered recipe that cleanses with no parabens, sulfates, phosphate, or phthalate. Cloth diapers, breast milk, formula, and other messes stand little chance against its power.
The calming chamomile or dreamy rosewood scents are a combination of essential oils to make your baby’s laundry super fresh and natural (you can also choose unscented). Its pods were also thoughtfully designed with safety in mind. Its color is white, not colorful like candy, and it’s big enough that it’ll be difficult for any little one to swallow. This naturally effective detergent works with all washing machines at any temperature, is cruelty-free, and is made in the USA.
Keep in mind: This is a 2 pack that will wash 30 loads each.
Good for: newborns (0-4 months old)
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Why it’s great: This hypoallergenic, enzyme rich laundry detergent will clean your laundry better with less – thanks to its 10x concentrated recipe – compared to other detergents. That also means less waste. Puracy was created by doctors and such uses no sulfates, bleach, brighteners, or other toxic chemicals.
Its plant-based formula can be used on darks, delicates, diapers, and more. It’s safe for septic systems, too. Its no-drip pump makes it easy to measure how much is needed to clean your baby’s clothes. Plus, with a no-risk guarantee, it’s a high probability you’ll love it for your little one or your money back.
Keep in mind: This is a 24 fl ounce bottle that’s concentrated to wash 96 loads.
Good for: sensitive skin, those conscious about plastic waste
Why it’s great: All has stepped up by creating an all natural formula dubbed “free and clear”. It’s 99% biobased with focus on being hypoallergenic. This double concentrated (2X) liquid detergent is biodegradable, recommended by dermatologists, allergists, and pediatricians, and it meets the US EPA safer product standards. You can also use All’s detergent to pre-treat stains before washing.
Keep in mind: This is a 75 fluid ounce bottle can cover over 3 months of laundry or 84 loads.
Good for: sensitive skins, pre-treating stains
The Seventh Generation Concentrated Baby Laundry Detergent is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
You don’t have to get a detergent specifically made or targeted for your little one, but you may want to pay attention to the ingredients if you decide to go for a standard detergent. Our list contains several highly recommended and researched all-natural detergents, but a few aren’t made specifically for babies. However, they can still be safely used for toddlers. If anyone in the family has any skin sensitives (much like many babies do), they can also use one of these plant-based detergents. However, buying a detergent specifically for a baby means the ingredients are more thoughtfully formulated.
Plant-based detergents are the more responsible choice for the planet and your baby’s new and/or sensitive skin. Using no chemicals, artificial fragrances or dyes means less of a chance of a negative skin reaction in your baby as well.
This is another matter of preference. Many plant-based conscious parents tend to be or prefer to also be mindful of their waste impact. The Dropps option comes in cardboard packaging, for example, which can be recycled easily. The Puracy suggestion is made with concentrated ingredients so it’s in a smaller bottle with just as much power as one twice its size. All in all, you can also simply recycle or re-purpose old liquid detergent bottles if you don’t want to go this route.
As with the above question (#4), it’s a matter of preference. Biodegradable ingredients mean the detergent is less wasteful and hurtful to the environment when it drains into the soil. Plant-based focused formulas are better for the planet.
This is a matter of preference. Some children are more sensitive to certain smells, so unscented may be the better choice in this case. However, there may be a faint lingering of the original odor without a scented to counter and thus freshen your load. If you opt for scented, try something made with essential oils. You can also dry your clothes with essential oil-scented wool balls.
Liquid detergents wash out better than powdered ones. That means less residue left behind to cause an allergic skin reaction.
Using a plant-based, all-natural liquid detergent such as any on our list will absolutely help your baby’s skin without compromising on good cleanliness. These kinds of detergents also help the environment and the very earth our little ones will inherit. So, ditch those chemical-laced detergents of yesteryear and opt for something more earth-friendly and thoughtfully created for your little one!
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