When do I stop washing my daughter's clothes with Dreft? She is about to turn two and has never showed any allergic reaction to regular detergent. When have you all stop?
I only used Dreft with my first daughter but it was only one bottle's worth. I just thought I would try regular detergent and it didn't bother her at all so that was it. Now with baby #2 I just thought I'll try regular detergent and if i saw any irritation would start using Dreft. She is 8 weeks old now and hasn't had any problem. So anyways I would say go ahead and stop. I think the Dreft is more for babies with really sensitive skin.
I stopped my first child at about 14 months and my second child never had clothes washed in Dreft. I chose to use "Green" products at that point. They are biodegradable and don't contain the harsh chemicals that can cause the allergic reactions. The best for cleaning power and price that I have found so far is "Snap." It is only available through Market America. The bottle cleans about 80 loads in a front loader and 40 in a traditional washer for something like $17-$22. Not sure on the exact price b/c a little goes a long way and I don't have to buy it as often. You can find it at www.marketamerica.com/aih. Register as a preferred customer and you can pay yourself for shopping on this site.
It has been argued that detergents like Dreft are not necessary as long as the clothes are rinsed well from the time a baby is born. (That is as long as the child had not been documented with a allergy to a particular soap.)
With that said, I quit using Dreft when my babies were somewhere between 4-6 months of age. I found it didn't get out the stains from the baby food all that well and made the switch when the kids started eating more solids.
Best wishes.
I think you are definitely safe to stop using Dreft. I never used Dreft on my two children. I actually use MelaPower scent-free for the whole family. It is safer for the family since it is non-caustic and pH balanced and better for the environment because it is so concentrated (plus it saves you money). It comes 6x concentrated and only costs $12.99 for 64 loads! My children have done well with this and I know a lot of people with eczema that use it too.
I never used it for my first because he was allergic to it. We still use it for our 2 1/2 yo because he is so messy and it works so good. We use it for our baby since we use it for our son. I just love how I never have stains with it.
I stopped using dreft when my daughter was about 6 months old... but we use perfume and dye free laundry detergent & dryer sheets, so it we didn't have a problem.
I am allergic to heavily scented detergent and fabric softener, so I figured I'd better b careful with my daughter. she get a rash from bubble bath, so we have stuck with aveeno, etc.
regardless, if your daughter is 2, it is probably o.k. to start usin regular detegent... try washing just one outfit... is it bugs her, her skin will turn red fairly quickly.
I think at two it is more then safe to wash her clothes with the rest of the families. I stopped I think before my kids were a year, those first few six months I know I was ultra careful with their sensitive skin but my kids too are not allergic to anything so I think around 10 mos I washed all our clothes together.
