What Detergent to Use for Baby Clothes: Safety, Ingredients & More

Whether you're a first-time parent or you have multiple children, knowing what detergent to use for baby clothes is essential for a happy baby. Babies are so sensitive to, well, everything; it’s easy to expose them to irritants. 

Parents already have so much on their plates, so we created this easy guide you can reference over and over again.

Is Baby Detergent Necessary?

Whether baby detergent is necessary for cleaning baby clothes depends on the level of skin sensitivity your child shows. Signs of, or a diagnosis of, allergies, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or other skin conditions usually require baby detergent.

Why is the type of detergent you use so important? According to Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD: "Newborn skin is sensitive and less resistant to irritants. That’s why it’s important to use a hypoallergenic detergent and ensure clothing gets a thorough rinse, whether that's through a rinse cycle or a manual rinse." 

Most people turn to baby detergents because they’re designed to be hypoallergenic. Using baby detergent will save you time and give peace of mind because you won’t have to research each ingredient to know if it’s safe. 

However, it’s still a good idea to check the ingredients. Even some baby detergents can have ingredients that cause discomfort (keep reading to see safe ingredients and ones to avoid).

Can I Use Normal Detergent for Baby Clothes?

Yes, you can use normal detergent for baby clothes (depending on the ingredients). Many parents have found that they can wash their baby’s clothes with the rest of their laundry with no negative effects on their baby’s skin. 

However, it’s a smart idea to wash one piece of baby clothing first, just in case your baby’s skin reacts to the ingredients in the detergent. This will prevent double washing in case it doesn’t work out. 

4 Signs that Your Detergent Is Harming Your Baby

Here’s a handy list of symptoms of skin irritation or allergic reactions to look for, just in case your current laundry detergent is upsetting your child. 

1. Rashes: Any red, painful splotches on your child’s skin are a sign of irritation. 

2. Itching: If you notice your child is constantly uncomfortable or attempting to scratch themselves, this can be a sign of skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Also, rash and itching can appear at the same time. 

3. Constantly unsettled: If your child is constantly upset and you’ve tried everything, it’s worth checking out their skin.

4. Skin redness: If you notice parts of your baby’s skin are red, that can be an early sign of skin irritation. 

Don’t forget there are other potential irritants outside of detergent. Things like medication, food, dust, and pollen can cause skin issues. If you are unsure if it’s the clothes, check your child’s diaper area, where clothes don’t touch, and see if there are any signs of skin irritation. 

What's the Safest Detergent for Baby Clothes: Ingredients to Look For

When parents ask, “Can I use any detergent for baby clothes?” the best answer is to tell them that it all depends on the ingredients. The detergent to use for baby clothes is free from dyes and artificial brighteners and has bio-enzymes. 

Dyes and artificial brighteners contain chemicals that can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Bio enzymes clean stains without harsh chemicals and keep clothing soft.

Even better is if the detergent is certified by: 

• IFRA

• USDA BioPreferred

• EPA Safer Choice

• Leaping Bunny

• Certified B Corp

• EWG Verified

What Laundry Detergent Is Safe for Newborns: Trusted Brands

Here are some of our favorite baby cloth laundry detergent brands and why we love them.

1. Heritage Park All Purpose

Pros

• Can wash the entire household’s clothes

• PH neutral formula

• Natural ingredients

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Tough on stains, not on clothes

• Hypoallergenic

• Environmentally friendly

• EWG-Verified

Cons

• High price for the size of the bottle

• Complaints of the bottle leaking

• Hard to find in stores

2. Babyganics Liquid Baby Detergent

Pros

• Easy to find in stores

• Mostly natural ingredients

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Cruelty free

• Enzyme-based formula

• Made in the USA

Cons

• Sometimes doesn’t get rid of the full stain

• No current certifications

• Some questionable ingredients

3. Dapple Baby Laundry Detergent

Pros 

• Natural ingredients

• Hypoallergenic

• Effective stain removal

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Good for cloth diapers

Cons

• Can be difficult to pour

• Depending on the packaging, there could be leaks

• Less effective on old stains

4. Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent

Pros

• Refillable

• Environmentally friendly

• Natural ingredients

• Enzyme-based formula

• PETA-certified 

• Works on a variety of fabrics

• Hypoallergenic 

Cons

• Higher price

• Struggles with poop stains

• May not fully rinse away with each wash

5.  Oxiclean Baby Stain Remover Powder

Pros 

• EPA certification

• Effective stain removal

• Free of dyes, chlorine, and fragrances

• Affordable

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

Cons

• Some people have claimed it ruined their clothes

• Some harsh chemicals

6. Tide Free & Gentle

Pros 

• Good stain removal

• Fair pricing

• Gentle on skin

• Hypoallergenic

• Free of dyes and perfumes

• NEA, EPA, NPF certified

• Can clean all of a household’s clothes

Cons

• Contains some harsh ingredients

• Some people don’t like the smell

7. The Honest Company Baby Laundry Detergent

Pros

• Cruelty free

• USDA and EPA certified

• Hypoallergenic

• Enzyme-based formula

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Made in the USA

• PH balanced

• Natural ingredients
  
  

Cons

• Struggles with full stain removal

• Price

• Some dislike the smell

8. Seventh Generation Free and Clear

Pros 

• Can be found in stores

• Natural ingredients

• USDA certified 

• Keeps clothes soft

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Made in the USA

• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Price

• Can irritate the skin

• Can struggle with stain removal

9. Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Eco-Strips

Pros 

• Hypoallergenic

• Cruelty free

• Easy to measure for loads

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• Environmentally friendly

• Mostly natural ingredients

Cons 

• Price

• Struggles with tough stains

• Some people don’t like the scent

• Has some irritating ingredients

10. Attitude Baby Leaves Detergent

Pros 

• 98.9% natural ingredients 

• Safe for a variety of fabrics

• EWG verified

• Cruelty free

• Nice scent options

Cons

• Struggles with food stains, leaving residue behind

• Hard to find in stores

What About Fabrics?

Laundry detergent is only half of the equation. Even the best laundry detergent can’t help if your baby is wearing irritating fabrics. Here are the best fabrics for babies all year round. 

• Cotton: Natural, breathable, durable, doesn’t cause allergic reactions 

• Wool: Natural, retains heat, absorbent 

• Linen: Natural, breathable, hypoallergenic, absorbent

• Bamboo: Natural, durable, hypoallergenic, absorbs moisture 

• Muslin: Natural, absorbs moisture, retains heat, breathable 

Make Your Job Easier with the Right Clothes and Detergent

Baby clothes don’t just make your child look adorable; clothes protect them against the world. Having the right detergent and clothing will make your job as a parent so much easier. If you’re not sure where to find cute clothes with natural fabrics, browse our baby collection. 

Founded by a mother, you can trust that our clothes are safe and cute.

Baby Laundry Detergent FAQs

Is Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Detergent Safe for Babies?

Yes, Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin is safe for babies. It’s hypoallergenic, free of chemicals, and pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested. 

Is Oxiclean Safe for Baby Clothes?

Yes, Oxiclean is safe for baby clothes as long as it’s either a baby or “clean” formula. You want to make sure there aren’t any harsh chemicals. 

Is Seventh Generation Safe for Babies?

Yes, Seventh Generation is safe for babies. It’s a parent favorite since it has safe ingredients and easy access. However, some people have found that it irritates their children.

Is Oxiclean Safe for Babies?

For clothes, yes, Oxiclean is safe for babies. However, it should always be out of reach of children because it can cause harm if ingested. 

Is Ecos Laundry Detergent Safe for Babies?

Yes, Ecos laundry detergent is safe for babies, but some parents say that it doesn’t do much for stains. 

Is Tide Free and Gentle Safe for Newborns?

Yes, Tide Free and Gentle is safe for newborns. It’s specifically designed for skin sensitivities. Keep in mind that it has some harsher ingredients that could irritate if your child is ultra sensitive. 

Is Dreft Safe for Babies?

Yes, Dreft is safe for babies, but it does contain some harsh ingredients that can cause skin irritation.