What will/are you using to wash baby's clothes?

[ccasanova]

I don't really want to go the conventional Dreft route because of the petro. in it, but if they're is nothing else then maybe I will. I have been buying Ecos at Costco, and have been very happy with it. Since it is veggie based, no synthetic colors, perfumes, I would think it will be good for baby but is it? If it's not gentle enough, how about B.S./vinegar? Right now I'm just washing newly bought clothes, so they're not really dirty. I don't know if the B.S./vinegar will be enough when there are poop stains, spit up, etc. What to use?

[paquerette]

Last time I was using All Free & Clear for regular laundry and I used that on baby clothes, too. This time I'm using a borax/washing soda mix and that's what I'll use for baby clothes as well. I don't think there's a reason to use special baby detergent unless you regularly use a mainstream detergent with lots of fragrance and softeners in it that will stay behind and irritate.

[Baby_Cakes]

All Small & Mighty Free & Clear is a good choice for the cloth diapers (4 yellow stars on pinstripesandpolkadots.com) so I'm just going to use the same on baby's clothes. We also use it on our own clothes and sheets and like it, so unless there's a big reason to change we'll just stick with that.

[funfunkyfantastic]

I'm using Sa8 sensitive. It's hypoallergenic and washes out well. I have sensitive skin, and it doesn't cause me to break out at all. My skin is a good tester for detergents.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it's a powder detergent. It comes in a small box but you only need to use a little bit for it to be effective. It lasts FOREVER. lol. Or at least it seems like forever. Unfortunately you need to find someone who sells Amway/Quixtar to buy it.

[joshs_girl]

Another one using All Small & Might Free & Clear!

[emski4379]

I used some Allen's Naturally that I had for our dipes.

[LegalScrapper]

I'm using All Free and Clear and will for about 1-2 months (or as long as the big bottle lasts). Then I'll see if he does okay with our regular stuff.

[VeganCupcake]

I've been using Charlie's Soap for several months for all our stuff. I really like it a lot.

[riverscout]

Like quite a few others here, I use All 3x Small and Mighty Free and Clear for everyone's clothes and will for the new babes stuff too. We all have very sensitive skin. I highly recommend it if you are trying to avoid fragrances and need something that is non-irritating but is still effective on cleaning icky stains.

But if you are really trying to use something without petroleum based cleaners, I recommend Seventh Generation Free and Clear. I used it for awhile on my daughters clothes when she was an infant. I thought it worked about as well as the All, but it was a bit too pricey, so I switched back.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I'm using Shaklee's laundry detergent, i have charlies but i'm not sure i'm ready to switch for all our clothes yet.

[moderngal]

Seventh Generation Free and Clear, with a little bit of vinegar thrown in.

[ccasanova]

hmm, does anyone know if essential oils used in the detergent can still irritate skin? The Ecos brand uses Magnolia and Lily E.O. It wouldn't be anymore irritating then the artificial perfumes in say Dreft, right? Maybe I shouldn't worry about it for now until baby is here and we see how he does with it?

[boobyfeeder]

I think we use Wisk with no dye/perfume or something. DH does the grocery shopping so I'm not sure. All I know is that I'm using the same thing for the baby as for us. We used Dreft with DD1 but it's so expensive and the perfume is so strong, plus it's a pain to do seperate loads. If she ends up with sensitive skin, we will switch for her.

[BeccaSue1029]

I use Purex 2x Free & Clear.

ETA I use this for all laundry, sometimes I throw Borax in the wash as well.

[joshs_girl]

I *think* that as long as you are using someting that is free of dyes and perfumes it's just as good as using Dreft or Ivory or any other "baby soap."

And like a PP mentioned - pinstripes and polka dots website is good for finding something that will work for both you, the baby, and cloth diapers.

[moderngal]

I've used that Ecos magnolia and lily detergent before. It's nice, but our Whole Foods doesn't sell it, so I get SG. I never noticed a problem with it on our DS who has eczema. I would try it for now, and you can always switch later.

[starparticle]

For new clothes I don't use anything...just a double rinse to clear out all the starches.

Once they are dirty I use whatever Costco has that is free of dyes + perfumes...with a little vinegar thrown in

[Charmie981]

I'm using Dreft. I just like the smell so much that I bought a jug of it. When it's gone, I'm sure I'll switch to washing in what we wash in, which is Seventh Gen lavender and eucalyptus. Unless we have issues with that and diapers.

All F&C is petro-laden, too, FWIW. I switched from it to the 7th Gen earlier this year and really like it and the fact that it's not petro-laden (although the dreft I bought is .

[dimibella]

We'll use Sun free and clear or Purex free and clear as that is what we have used in the pass with success for both diapers and DD who used to have super sensitive skin.

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by joshs_girl

I *think* that as long as you are using someting that is free of dyes and perfumes it's just as good as using Dreft or Ivory or any other "baby soap."

It depends. We used Tide F&C for a few weeks earlier this year and Atley got a hellacious all-over case of excema that took steriods to clear up. He's never had a single skin issue before and it took two trips to the ped to figure out what was going on. Re-washed all of his clothes and not a single issue since then. So not all F&C detergents are made alike. Tide and Purex are particuarly known for their strong detergents, so I'd probably avoid them (well, I do avoid Tide now, obviously). Before the Tide issue, we had used All F&C for years with no issues, but I felt like our clothes weren't getting all that clean with it, so I switched to Tide. Then from Tide I decided I didn't want to use petrochemicals and switched to 7th gen, which is working for us.