Should I Really Use Dreft Laundry Soap?

I have 5 children and did not do anything different for the new baby. Good luck with the new babe.

Hi Laura - most people recommend Dreft because baby's skin can be very sensitive and regular detergents can cause a rash. I used it at first when my babes were really really little. Since it isn't very good at stain removal, we switched to regular detergent after a couple of months. As long as I used the extra rinse setting on my washer, my little guys were just fine.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

All 3 of my kids have excema. I started with Dreft with my first kid & wouldn't use anything else. I stuck with Dreft when I had my second. Then I tried a few loads with regular detergent, and they both did just fine. With my third I skipped the Dreft altogether & nothing is changed. I would go with the regular detergent unless your baby gets a rash. Most kids do just fine with the regular stuff.

I have always used what I use on my clothing since they will be in contact with me and my stuff. I figured that since I have extremely sensitive skin if I was fine they would be fine as well. All of my kids were fine- and they all have my extremely sensitive skin.
I did insist when people came and wanted to hold the newborn I had them put a clean receiving blanket over their shoulder/ arms so the baby did not come in contact with their soap/ perfume/ cologne etc.. On time my MIL just grabbed the baby when I got him back he stunk of perfume that gave me a headache, yuck.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I used regular detergent and my babies were fine. If you notice a reaction, then you can change soaps. I did, however, run my baby laundry through an extra rinse cycle to help rinse out all the soap residue. Maybe that's why my kids didn't have any issues with detergent.

To me, that stuff was just too expensive. I used tide and double rinsed all the clothes to make sure none of them had any residue of detergent.

I used Dreft with my first one and at about 3 months I got tired of buying it so I used our regular detergent. She was completely fine with it so when our 2nd was born I skipped the Dreft and she has done fine as well.

Her pediatrician just told me on Monday that we don't need to use special baby soap on her and that Dove body soap is the best. Also, to use a good lotion with no dyes or perfumes. Such as, Cetaphil or Eucerin.

Hope that helps!

I've never used it either. Another option is to just rinse the clothes twice.... but again I wouldn't worry unless she has a reaction.

With my first I washed with Dreft for a while, then I got sick of spending so much money for it. I just washed his clothes with mine in our regular detergent (Tide liquid). He never had a reaction to it. So when our second came I just continued to wash everything in our regular stuff. I don't think is crucial to use dreft unless they have some kids of allergies to the regular soap you use.

Though I am not a second time mom I'm first time I use regular laundry soap for my daughter and she has no problems at all. If your baby has no reactions to it I wouldn't see an issue with and baby soap is so expensive and then requires totally seperate laundry washes becuase its a different soap. If your worried about it go with something gentle like All Free and Clear. Its a hypoallergenic soap that I use because I am sensitive to different soaps. But my daughter has never had a porblem with any soaps. Give it a try its not much more than regular soaps and is alot cheaper from what I've seen then baby detergents.

Dreft is basically the same as regular laundry soap--surprisingly, it has a lot of perfumes, sulfates and other yucky stuff. We use Seventh Generation--we buy it on Amazon in bulk and get the subscription rate so that it's cheaper. Hope that helps!

I use regular detergant for all four of my kids and have since birth. However two things to note-one is that I can't use Tide-I am allergic to it, but no other detergents seem to affect anyone and two-I only use half as much detergent as the manufacteror suggests. Dr says your clothes get as clean and they rinse cleaner. My clothes smell great, no reactions to anything in our house and I spend half as much on laundry soap so I am happy.

What did people do for hundreds of years before Dreft? Did all of the kids have rashes all of the time? It is an expensive laundry soap geared towards a specific audience. Good? Probably. Necessary? No.

If you are worried about allergic reactions, just use one of the many detergents now on the market without added colors and perfumes. There are several to choose from - I use All Free and Clear.

There are so many more things moms have to worry about - save your energy for the things that really matter...soap is not a big deal.

I haven't read through all the responses so I don't know what others have said. I never used Dreft or any other specialty detergent for my kids clothes. I just washed their clothes seperate from the other laundry and just used less detergent.
I can say I found the brand All along with Shout is the best thing I have ever used to remove stains from my kids clothes.

I used regular stuff for all 4 kids. Whatever I had - usually Tide - and they are all just time. No issues, no reactions. :)
C.

I used All free & clear. But I bought a spray bottle of Dreft to pre-treat. That is the best pre-treater I have ever used. Worked out fine for me. My son doesn't seem to have any skin allegies so I probably could have used regular detergent. They say everybody's skin is different...youmight just have to wait and see. Good luck!

Dreft is heavily perfumed. That's why it's "out of style" now. You should use "ALL Free" brand detergent.

My second had allergies that we didn't catch before they turned into eczema. Eczema is a pain. Babies are sensitive and more likely to develop problems like allergies and eczema. I'd recommend using ALL free detergent for your baby for atleast 3 months. I'd prolly go 6 months.

I just use ALL free for all my washing needs. Most people just use it for the baby stuff.

I've NEVER used anything but regular laundry soap. Why waist money on something that has no point? Your baby is going to be held against you, and everyone else....and your clothes are washed in regular soap, so there is still going to be that contact.

My two girls have sensetive skin, so I used dreft alot. I found that all free and clear is just as good and little cheeper. Plus I use it to for the whole family, so no separating babies clothes

It may not be nessesary to use dreft or any other baby detergent, some babies have no problem with regular detergent. With my babies I bought one container of dreft and used it until it was gone, then I started to wash their clothes with regular detergent and we had no trouble at all. On the other end of the spectrum, a friend of mine had a baby who was super sensitive and need the dye-free, fragrence-free detergent, rinsed the clothes twice, once with vinegar and once with water just to keep her baby from breaking out all over. If someone wearing perfume or clothes washed with regular detergent held him he would break out too! It was really bad until he turned 6 months old and then he magically was not as sensitive. Every baby is different!

Hi L., I'm a mom to a 16 month old. Before she was born I washed all her clothes and bedding in Dreft but used it all up (of course) and just used regular detergent and nothing happened. I think it for very sensitive skin maybe. But Anna was just fine with regular and my boss used regular only for both her boys and they were fine also. Good luck with your little ones!

No, you don't have to use Dreft but you should use a laundry detergent that is free of irritants like dyes and perfumes. Baby's skin can be very sensitive and exposure to irritants this early can cause life long allergy or at least sensitivity. I use All Free and Clear. It is usually a lot less expensive than other specialty brands like Dreft. Every child is different and you shouldn't base your decision to use regular soap on your newborn on you experience with your older child. Better safe than sorry.

I've been using regular laundry soap since both my babies were first born. We've never had any problems at all. I'd say start out with just plain laundry soap. On the off-chance that he ends up with sensitive skin and reacts to the regular stuff, you can always switch to baby laundry soap later.

I would suggest doing one load of laundry with Dreft so if your new baby does have a reaction you have some clothes that will work. A lot of people I know use Dreft with their babies, I bought it for mine and also tryed our regular detergent (Tide) and they all did fine. I used up the remainder of the Dreft and never bought it again until I had another baby and then I did the same thing with them. I wouldn't re-wash everything just one load to be on the safe side.

My son had terrible eczema and we asked our pediatrician and an allergy specialist if we should be using Dreft because we had been using Tide Free. Both of them said no. In studies, Dreft left more residue on clothes than Tide Free or All Clear and Free. They both recommended sticking with Tide Free or All Clear and Free and then doing an extra rinse and spin. And also, don't use dryer sheets on babies clothes and linens.

Instead of using expensive Dreft, I used (and still use 0 I'm the one in the family with sensitive skin) dye-free, fragrance free detergent, and my babies never had a problem with it.

We use non-toxic clean rinsing soap - the fewer ingredients the better! Perfumes, fabric softener, etc are all unnecessary to get clean clothes. As long as your little one's don't react, then there is no need to buy expensive baby branded stuff. We use the same detergent for rags, clothes, baby clothes and baby diapers.

Don't feel like you have to buy into every marketing scheme out there.

Dreft = big hige waste of money! :)

I have always had skin issues, as have some of my 7 children, and I have been told specifically NOT to use the baby specialty soaps. Like someone else mentioned, they actually leave more residue! The only detergent I've been told to specifically avoid (by dermatologists and pediatricians) is Tide as it tends to be more harsh than others. The "Free and Clear" type detergents are great, and there is a Costco brand one now that is great too.

Besides, unless you are going to wash everything you wear, your bedding (if baby ever comes to lay in your bed), every towel, etc in Dreft as well, your baby will be all over normal detergent anyway. Congrats on your new little one and GL!

I never used it on my daughter, 2nd child. I just changed to "Green" products. They are better on the environment and don't have the harsh chemicles and bad perfumes that often cause the allergic reaction. My favortie by far is "Snap" laundry detergent and fabric softner. One bottle does 80 loads in a front loader and 40 in a traditional washer. Amazing value for the price of $17-$22 a bottle. Find it at www.marketamerica.com/aih. Register as a prefered customer and you can pay yourself for shopping on this site.

I use Dreft all the time for my clothes because I break out in a red rash with any other detergent. I am a 59 year-old mother of four. If I don't have any Dreft, I rinse the clothes 3 times. You might try rinsing the baby clothes again and seeing if it causes any outbreaks with the new baby. Congratulations in advance.

L.,

Relax, using regular soap is perfectly fine. I have four children, the oldest is 17, 15,12 and the youngest will be 3 (to soon) and I never used Dreft. As moms we have enough to worry about and remember without having to change the laundry soap. Just enjoy this time with your oldest and get ready for the baby.

T.

I have never used Dreft and my kids have been fine. I think it all depends on your child. I would just use your regular detergents, unless your baby's skin seems to be really sensitive, then you could switch. Both of my boys have had problems with eczema as well and the laundry detergent doesn't seem to bother them, but the kind of soap I bathe them with does. I am having another baby in a few weeks and just washed all the baby clothes with my regular detergent. I think you will probably be just fine. Congrats on the new baby coming!

I'm also of the scent/dye free school. Have been since before I was doing my own laundry - Mom and I are both really sensitive to scents and such. You can also get unscented dryer sheets. One of the major brands (can't remember which right now!) makes them, as does Target. I personally don't like walking around all day smelling like something scented, so combine that with family history of allergies and exczema and it's the easy choice for us. Good luck with your little one!

I have never even heard of Dreft, maybe I just wasn't all that attentive at the time. I have never used anything but regular detergent always and so far my kids have always been fine.

I would agree with Ashley R, go with All Free. With my 3 year old I used Dreft on all of her stuff until it was gone. I found it to be expensive. I also was getting tired of having to wait until there was a full load of her clothes in order to wash them. Now I only use All Free and Bounce Free. It is important to use a fabric softener with no sent as well, other wise it does no good to use a "Free" detergent.

Hope this helps

SAHM of 3, 3 and under

Mia, Maddie, and Isabelle

I used Dreft with my daughter but learned about all the perfumes and such after. Since she tolerated that I tried using Tide (which is what we normally wash our clothes in), but she did get a rash. I then switched to unscented, hypoallergenic detergents. I have used a couple (all, Cheer and Costco's).

CONGRATS on your new little one coming soon! Baby boys are great!
For both of my kids, my daughter and son I washed their clothes in Dreft mainly because a newborns and babies skin is so sensitive and I just did it as a precaution. There are so many detergents now that are very environmentally friendly that aren't as harsh that you can use with the whole family. We use Purex now. However as a precaution when that newborn is so little I would use Dreft just because it is made to be gentle on the clothes and the skin contact. Just my two cents.
One thing that was odd for my kids though I used Downy on my kids clothes, they became so attached to the smell, literally that is how they got comfort was putting clothes or blankets by their nose and smelling. I tried to switch fabric softeners when they were little and that did not go over well! :) My daughter would refuse her "blankie" if it didn't smell like the same softener smell I had always used, isn't that odd? I know too I had that smell on me when I held them or rocked them.
Thankfully at 4 and 7 I can use a more friendly softener but for the longest time they were so attached to the smell of downy! :)

Hi L.....my pediatrition rec I use Dreft instead of Tide because it is too harsh. My son is 2.5 and I still wash his clothes in Dreft. Best wishes on your new baby coming!

L., I doubt you have anything to worry about. I would just keep an eye out for any skin irritation. If you notice anything, switch to Dreft.

Angi

L.,
I did not use Dreft with either of my kids when they were newborns, but I do use "free" detergent and fabric softner. There are no perfumes that can irritate delicate newborn skin. I would also take in to consideration how sensitive the rest of the family's skin is. I've always used "free" because my skin is sensitive. Good luck and enjoy the new addition!

We used regular detergent for our first because he was horribly allergic to the Dreft. Our second was, and still is a very messy kid, and I have found his clothes can be reused if I use Dreft and Oxyclean. Since I was doing that for him, I also did for #3 and found that the yellow poop stains, etc., were not nearly as difficult to deal with, and I saved money by not needing to pretreat (sometimes over and over). Wether or not I come ahead this way, I doubt it, unless you count in time and frustration. I'm still using the Dreft and Oxyclean for the younger two (2, almost 3, and 8 months). Congratulations!

I use the same detergent as for the rest of the laundry (the Costco environmentally friendly concentrated type) and then I'm conscientious about making sure things are rinsed plenty so there is no residue. I think rinsing is the key, more than what kind of stuff you used to get the dirt out. I also use Oxiclean powder to get out stains (esp. baby poo) and I love it.
Congrats on your new little man! BTW, I've got three little guys and the nice ladies at La Leche League saved me on new baby and breastfeeding questions so many times! You can find them at www.llli.org.

I have three kids and never used Dreft. If your babies don't react to your regular laundry soap then there is no reason to use Dreft. If your new baby seems to be sensitive to her clothes, switch over to Dreft.

With all three of my kids, I never used dreft. I talked to my kids doc about it and he said its kinda pointless. Its better to use what you use so they get use to or you can find out right away if you cant use it to wash thier clothes.

I am like you. I used dreft with my first baby. But the last 4 just got regular detergent. I think, unless your baby has a reaction to the soap don't worry about it. Save the money and time, unless he has an issue then at that point rewash it all.

I would just leave them since you've already got them washed. If you notice him getting a rash then I would switch detergents. If you have a front loading HE washer then you can't use dreft.

I've never used Dreft. I personally don't like the smell and I was told by other moms that it doesn't clean all that well. I always used Tide Free, or something similar that I could wash every ones clothes in.

I am allergic to detergents. If you want to save, go with the gentle and free detegents. The only one I foound that does work well is All. I like the Cheer but react to Tide in any form.

Congratulations on the soon-to-be baby boy! We also have a girl and then a boy which are about 2 1/2 years apart and they are a blast! I wouldn't use Dreft. There are perfumes in them and I've actually heard of people having worse reactions to Dreft than other laundry detergents. I actually use MelaPower. It is non-caustic and pH balanced and it is 6x concentrated so I'm saving tons of money! I use the unscented formula. Good luck and I hope you have fun with your new bundle of joy!