Laundry Detergent Recs?

[Hannah32]

So I'm thinking about what I want to wash my baby's clothes in. I was considering 7th Generation. Has anyone had experience using it? My mom told me that she used to use Ivory Snow, so there's another possibility.

Hubby and I make gallons of homemade laundry goop, but I put borax and washing soda into it, which I think would be too harsh. I also have Wisk that I got on a really good sale, but again, perhaps too harsh.

Any recs would be appreciated. Bonus if you wound up using the same stuff for your cloth diapers.

[AKSoule]

I used Seventh Generation for about a year on my BG30 and never had any problems with stink or loss of absorbancy. They do have some stains and I have stripped them a couple times. Now I'm using Crunchy Clean and it seems to be doing good too, I've been using that for about 2 months.

[CorasMama]

we just use Costco's Kirkland Signature fragrance and dye free. I have sensitive skin, and it suits me great. I used Arm and Hammer fragrance and dye free when Cora was wee, and there was never a problem. I honestly think you only have to get something special if the baby has a real skin problem other than just being new and sensitive, otherwise any regular fragrance/dye free laundry detergent will work.

[SeattleRain]

When I went to BRU, I spent some time in the baby detergent section and noticed that they all pretty much were the same except they had "baby" fragrance. Blech. I'd rather use All Free and Clear on my baby clothes than something super fragranced. We've used Method brand concentrated detergent and liked that as well.

[AutumnW]

when I buy detergent I use all free and clear for hubby with sensitive skin, but you can't use that with dipes. I don't think you're supposed to use 7th generation with dipes either. Usually I just make my own powder detergent with grated bar soap that my mom makes, the walmart brand of oxyclean because it is fragrance free, and baking soda. I use vinegar in the rinse cycle and never had to wash my diapers more than once.

This is a great chart of diaper washing detergents maybe you could look at that and then see which ones are also for sensitive skin.

[LynnE73]

I seriously couldn't say enough good stuff about Charlie's Soap. When we initially tried I bought a little container cause I was a bit skeptical but now we get the 5 gallon one! We use it for everyone's laundry which includes diapers.

Hope that helps!

http://www.charliesoap.com/

[Hannah32]

Awesome chart, thanks! However, it is a little confusing in places. Why is All Free and Clear not a good choice, but All Small and Mighty Free and Clear is? I'm not asking you personally, just in general. Hubby and I are going to a CD workshop today anyway, so I'm sure we'll be learning more.

[sharr610]

Country Save for both diapers and clothing here!

[nicolebeth]

It depends on your kid. For DS (number 2), we had to make a switch to Seventh Generation free and clear--anything with scent is bad. Method is all right, too. The Costco free and clear wasn't free and clear enough for him. (It's supposed to be either the Tide or another major brand under the Kirkland label; something irritates his skin.) We have to rewash sheets at my in-laws' house sometimes before he sleeps on them, but he is extra sensitive.

With DD (#1), we did use the Dreft. It doesn't actually clean anything very well. Seventh Generation is much better. (But, for her, someone could be using regular Tide and it wouldn't bother her skin at all.)

[SwanLake]

We use Country Save now, but I'm thinking about switching to Charlie's when I run out. I've heard good things about it for both clothing and cloth diapers and the price is so reasonable!

[broodymama]

For DS I started off with Tide Free & Clear, then after a few weeks switched over to regular Tide HE. My clothes and sheets that he was in contact with all the time were laundered with Tide HE and he never reacted to it. (He had sensitive enough skin to react to disposable diapers, but detergents didn't bother him.) The only one I've specifically avoided was Cheer since I'm sensitive to it.

Now I make my own detergent too, similar to yours except the powdered version. I hadn't really given it much though yet about washing for this babe, will probably use my homemade detergent and switch if necessary. The detergent for washing diapers is slightly different, I leave out the Fels Naptha since I'm concerned about it making the diapers repel.

[jdg]

You can really start out with whatever you normally use for yourself. A majority of babies will not have reactions. If your baby does have a reaction, then you may have to try several of the natural products made for sensitive skin to find the one that works best for your child.

Personally, I use Seventh Gen's unscented for everything and have never had a problem with anything.

[neldabean]

I also make homemade laundry, I used it on my last cloth diapers and baby cloths. I didn't have any problems. I don't know what recipe you are using but the one I have calls for fels naptha and I find it way to strong so I use homemade soap. I would give it a try.

[broodymama]

neldabean, I KWIM about the fels naptha being rather strong! I've heard of some people using plain Ivory soap in their homemade detergent, I've thought of giving that a try.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by LynnE73

I seriously couldn't say enough good stuff about Charlie's Soap. When we initially tried I bought a little container cause I was a bit skeptical but now we get the 5 gallon one! We use it for everyone's laundry which includes diapers.

Hope that helps!

http://www.charliesoap.com/

Ditto, ditto, ditto! I love the stuff. Been using it for four years now and would never go back to anything else. I line dry most of my clothes and they always come out soft - not stiff like with other detergents.

[jannk]

For my first, I used dreft in the beginning. It took me a while to figure out that this made his excema much worse. I now use the 7th generation baby.

What are the recipes for the home made detergent? I don't need one for diapers but would love to make my own.

[Hannah32]

Well the workshop was very enlightening! We're going to go with Planet Liquid, which should be good for the diapers and for the clothes. It's under the "highly recommended" category. I'm slightly disappointed that 7th Generation isn't recommended for CDs, but only because I have a coupon. LOL.

http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundr...rgent-recipes/

This is a good compilation of homemade laundry detergent recipes.