Mild Laundry Detergent

Updated on March 26, 2010
L.B. asks from FPO, AP
18 answers

Hi all,

I'm looking for a mild laundry detergent because my 1 month old son is reacting to the Tide I currently use. Can anyone recommend a good, mild detergent that will actually get clothes clean and hopefully still be mild enough to get rid of the rash my son has?

Thank you!

Edited to add:
I'm actually in Canada so it'll come down to what I can find in the stores it sounds like. I'll probably end up with one of the "free and clear" products as I've never seen or heard of Dreft among many of the others you all have recommended.

Thank you!

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Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

have you seen BORAX?

It is inexpensive and works great not only as detergent but in cleaning also.

I grew up with my parents using it and have sensitive skin. i still use it today

hope this helps you

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Spokane on

MelaPower of melaleuca is the ONLY thing that worked on my sons skin. He was seeing the derm every month for 3 years and nothing worked.
MelaPower is super concentrated, inexpensive and works better then tide without all the harsh chemicals you find in ALL other laundry detergents including free and clear and dreft.
www.livetotalwellness.com/beathome
for more info

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

MelaPower detergents are safe for your whole family. I prefer the fresh scent that cleans the clothes with only 1/8 cup of detergent. It lasts forever!

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Bellingham on

Hi fellow Canadian!

I have a daughter who is now 3 who has really, super sensitive skin! I have to even be careful what I clean our bathtub with.

The only detergent I can use with her is Arm & Hammer's Laundry soap with or without Oxy clean. It's super gentle and still smells awesome. I've tried all sorts of fragrance free, organic etc soaps and this was the only one that she didn't react to. You can find it at London Drugs, PriceSmart/Save on Foods and sometimes Zellers.

As an aside to help with the rash in the meantime I used either Keri lotion unscented (which I used as a kid for my own sensitive skin issues) or Barrier Cream - in the baby aisle. And I sometimes put oatmeal in a cloth in the tub for her if the rash is bothering her.

Good luck!

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

We love ALL free and clear. Maybe try Dreft as well.

K.C.

answers from Barnstable on

Rockin Green in "Soft Rock" does an amazing job on cloth diapers and clothes and washes clean.

I have some samples and can send you some, though I have the "Classic Rock" versions in Cherry Lemonade (though still great for sensitive skin). Here is some more info: http://www.mymammasmilk.com/RockinGreen.html

I also have completely chemical free SOAPBERRIES (yes, actual berries that do a great job on clothing). Info here: http://www.mymammasmilk.com/SoapBerries.html

Let me know - loved you response to the breastfeeding to sleep question - I nursed my daughter till she was 3.5 years as well. She used to tell me "They no working!!!"

I run the Cape Cod Breastfeeding Moms club on FACEBOOK, teach babywearing and breastfeeding classes and own My Mamma's Milk. We distribute free Boobies For Babies kits as well!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

You should look at melaleuca.com
I'm pretty sure they're in canada too. I use all their products myself.
Søs

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from New York on

I break out in a rash from Tide. I swear by All Free and Clear. It's a reasonable price and works well.

I've also used Purex, which doesn't work quite as well. It also costs less. However, it's a good product.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Boston on

Hello, a lot of people are sensitive to Tide, I was even as an adult, but I can use it now as long as it isn't a powder. Baby food, and stains are very hard to get out, but I used a pre-spray, Spray & Wash, or you can even put some dawn dish 1/4 cup. 1TB of baking soda, and 12 oz of soda water in a spray bottle, and spray the stains, then you can just put the baby's cloths, washcloths, bedding in a seperate basket until you have enough for a small load. Always use cold water, I use cold water for all my laundry, except whites. My daughter broke out with dreft. anything for sensitive skin, also check your dryer sheets. Good Luck, I hope this works. K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

All Free and Clear, Dreft, All Baby - anything without fragrances or dyes usually are mild enough not to agitate newborns' skin.

The nice thing about the Free & Clear is that you can wash all your clothes in it and not have to separate his out in a different load.

Good luck.

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L.,
I am a Shaklee distributor. Shaklee is the leader in nontoxic laundry and cleaning products. They are very concentrated, making them less expensive. They work great and come with a money back guarantee. Oprah has featured them on her show many times and they are used in the White House, the VP's residence and by the Cousteau Society.
If this interests you, you can check them out at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
If you decide to stick with something at the store, stay away from Ivory. It is more harsh than Tide.
Hope this helps.
Victoria

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Both of my kids have horrible skin and the only thing they can use is dreft..

Updated

Both of my kids have horrible skin and the only thing they can use is dreft..

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Tide is AWFUL! So full of junk, its no wonder he's reacting to it!
Also, avoid Dreft. Its full of dyes and perfumes, and it fades clothing horribly. Its so not worth the money, its sold as safe and gentle, but the ingredient list is awful.

We use Charlies Soap, www.charliesoap.com. its made from washing soda and coconut oil, washes clean, leaves no scent, and leaves your clothes sparkling clean. We started using it for cloth diapers, and never stopped using it for our regular clothing!

Avoid anything that has optical brighteners (the label will say 'brighter colors, whiter whites') because these are very harsh on skin.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I started off using baby magic laundry detergent, but then I didnt want to have to keep going to babies r us to purchase it, so I switched and now I use All free & clear. The good thing about that detergent is that I can get it when I do my regular shopping and I can wash everyones clothes in it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Nashville on

I would go with All Free & Clear if you can find that one. It is cheaper than Dreft and it is actually is dye and fragrance free, where Dreft is not. I know Dreft is gentler than regular detergent, but it isn't as good as any of the Free & Clear types, it is just marketed specifically to babies in a pretty pink bottle. If you find that you can't get baby food or milk stains out of clothes, you need a detergent with enzymes to eat the proteins in the stains. I use Era detergent to spot treat my son's clothes, then rewash in milder detergent.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.V.

answers from Chicago on

I use Charlies Soap. Charliessoap.com. It is the best! I use the powder and it lasts forever. I only need to buy it 3 times a year. It lasts much longer than anything else I've tried and it is gentle. No scent. My daughter gets eczema and it defintely helps in that regard.

Oh, and don't use Dreft. It DOES have fragrance and I honestly don't know why that is marketed for use on babies.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you tried Dreft?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

ALL Free & Clear detergent. My daughter had the same problem. We had to stop using Dreft. Good Luck!

Also, are you b/f? He could also be allergic to something in your diet. Or the bath wash you are using. We had to stop using J&J products and switch to Aveeno Baby. My daughter was also allergic to eggs, so I had to omit them from my diet.

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