When Did You Stop Using Dreft? What Other Brands Do You Like?

Updated on February 23, 2008
G.T. asks from Forest Park, IL
41 answers

Hello! Okay, my energetic trio is now 19 months old and I'm still using Dreft for their laundry detergent. All of their clothes tags still say wash in the gentle cycle so I've continued to buy it. Is it just for infants? I was just curious, at what age do you stop using it? What other brands do you like for washing your children's clothes?

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So What Happened?

THANKS for all the replies and the answer. With three babies, you can just imagine how much laundry I do for them...and us. And you've all convinced me that this last bottle of Dreft is my last. I will definitely check out the All Free & Clear and the Costco brand as well as the others. Thankfully, they don't seem to have sensitive skin so I think I'll be able to change detergents with little or no problem. Thanks again!

Also, I noticed that a lot of you talked about dryer sheets too. I just wanted to add that I invested in those funny blue dryer balls and I LOVE them! They're great and I get to use them over and over again. You can get a set of two at Bed Bath & Beyond for like $9.99.

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

I stopped using Dreft around 6 mos old. You can use All free and clear or any of the non dye products and you will get the same results. I find the all free and clear is the best, my boys have excema and it doesn't irritate their skin

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S.L.

answers from Chicago on

I never used Dreft with my daughter because it was so expensive. I just used the dye free All, and she was fine with it. Try that and see if that works.

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S.L.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Hi G.,
I get my laundry soap through a wellness company and I love it. The soap is concentrated so it lasts me about 3 months, for a family of 5. Their products are also noncaustic and safer for you and the environment. If you are interested in hearing more get in touch with me.

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A.K.

answers from Chicago on

I have never used Deft. I have always used normal detergent. It is just an added expense in a time when an added expense is not a part of the game plan.

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D.L.

answers from Chicago on

i stop useing Dreft when my son was like two so i new that i was not going to hert him or have a reaction to it.

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D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

With my first son I used dreft only when we first bought or recieved clothes. After that I used regular detergent. With mys econd I didn't even both messing with the stuff it was a little pricey. My kids didn't have any reaction so we never worried about it!

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J.O.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I've been using Baby All. It's basically the same as Dreft but half the price. It's not broken out my daughter's skin the way regular detergent has (the one time I forgot to use the Baby All my daughter's skin broke out in a rash).

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J.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

I actually found out when Evee was 3 months that I am allergic to Dreft. Naturally I panicked cause I want the best for Evee, but I found I LOVE All Baby. I think it works just as good.

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E.Z.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi G.
I used Dreft for one year and then I switched to Tide. My Pediatrician told me I didn't even have to go that long because if the baby has any allergy, it will be noticed within the first 6 months. If you noticed nothing unusual, I think you are ready to stop the Dreft.

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A.M.

answers from Elkhart on

I used dreft for my first child but never used it at all for my second. I use All Free and Clear for all of our laundry. I wash the baby clothes separately until they are about a year and then I just start throwing it all together with everyone else's laundry. I do still wash some things separately, but not much.

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M.H.

answers from Bloomington on

Wow you hav eyour hands full! Do you have time to do the laundry...lol just teasing. Dreft is wonderful for people who have sensitive skin. So you could still use it even as an adult.
However, I know the cost involve and with 3 little ones you could probably try to switch out ot Tide for sensitive skin or something that doesn't have too much fragrance. same with fabric softeners.
I have truly sensitive skin as does my daughter and the Tide brand is superb! As for fabric softeners you will have to give them the old sniff test to see if it is too strong smelling. Downy makes a nice one with Lavender.
hth
M. Hayes

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

Dreft is so expensive, isn't it? I have dappled with all-free, era-free, and tide-free.... my favorite is era-free because it seems to do a decent job of cleaning, and is most cost-effective. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets though because I'M allergic (and I don't want to have to deal with separating my laundry from my family's...much easier to just wash everything together), so I'll sometimes add a "dash" of some cheap-o nice smelling detergent for a little bit of that "clean" smell that won't make me break out in hives! BTW--I don't think we're told to use Dreft so much because it's for a gentle wash to protect the clothes, but more so that you're not using or leaving residue of chemicals or perfumes too strong for your little baby's delicate skin.

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A.P.

answers from Chicago on

I used dreft only on my first child and for about a year. Then I just used whatever I was using on my clothes.

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

We use All "free and clear" and have since my daughter was born. You can use it for all of your laundry, which is certainly convenient.

Good luck!

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

I use regular detergent and softner. I just use the 2nd rinse cycle. Never had any probs

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M.N.

answers from Chicago on

We use Tide free for everyone in our house. It can also be used with newborns. Our Doctor recomended it since we have an HE and Dreft doenst have an HE brand.

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A.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I use All small and mighty or whatever because it is concentrated (takes up less space!) and has no irritants/fragrance. I have used that since my 12 month old was born.

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T.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

My daughter and I are sensitive to many detergents and other products so I did a lot of research about the chemicals manufacturers use. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of regulations but many moms/families are demanding safer products.

You can go to: http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/cleaners
It is a Canadian broadcasting company and I recommend watching the video on the right side. I hope this helps.

I should disclose that I am a distributor for Shaklee. I began using Shaklee's non-toxic super concentrated products and decided to share these safe alternatives with others.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

It has been some time since I used Dreft, my son just turned 1, and instead use Tide......the only thing is that I wash his clothes separate from the rest of the family.....I was afraid to stop at first, woried about allergic reaction, but he has been fine and with the Tide the clothes and blankets smell great.....

D.

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C.C.

answers from South Bend on

I use All free and Clear also. When my now 6 mo. older daughter was first born, i used All Babycare...it's just like Dreft, but alot cheaper. It gave her clothes that cute 'baby smell'. Now, i simply use the All Free & Clear for all of my laundry. (I have 4 children!) But, i do still wash her clothes seperate, because they are so little and get lost in our laundry! ;) Good luck to you, Super Mommy!

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K.F.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G.!
With my first I used Dreft all the time but then realized how expensive it got. After my second was born we started using ALL Free & Clear. It's great and a lot cheaper. I find that it doesn't leave a residue on the clothes either.
K. :~)

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A.

answers from Chicago on

I only used dreft for my first and only a bottle or two. He had sensitive skin and any heavily perfumed detergent bothered his skin. From then on I have used Purex. Now that he is older 14 he can tolerate pretty much anything. I also use all free and clear or the Method brand by target. It does have a stronger scent but not a chemical perfume scent, I love it. With my other three I used purex from the start. I never noticed baby clothes say wash on gentle or maybe I did along time ago and forgot:) I never did for any of my four, unless it was a delicate or handmade item. The first two I only kept their clothes separate for the first six months or so, the other two beyond the first couple loads I never separated.

K.L.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G.,
I am going with the other moms! My son is 9 months old and I have used All Free and Clear since his birth. I have had no problems with it and I will continue to use it on all of our clothes.

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C.L.

answers from Chicago on

I actually stopped using Dreft well before my daughter was 1. I use the Arm and Hammer brand. All you can do is try your normal brand, and if it doesn't irritate their skin, you're all good!

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

With my son I stoped using Dreft at 18 months because they came out with All Free and Clear...which was a Godsens because all of us in our house have very sensitive skin and it costs a bit less than Dreft. So when my daughter was born I just washed all of her clothes in with ours and she was fine-no reactions. I have found that Target has the best price...$11.99 for the gigantic size.

A.T.

answers from Springfield on

I have never used Dreft. I was pretty much just using any detergent. Since I'm also cloth diapering part-time, I have been turned on to using Charlie's Soap, as it is complete rinsing & leaves no residues, and I do not plan to switch back to anything else anytime soon.

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C.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

With our first, i stopped using dreft when she turned 2...after my son was born, i use SA8 laundry soap (WHICH I LOVE..IT GETS OUT EVERYTHING)..they have a sensitive that i used for about a year and now just use the regular on the gentle cycle...hope that helps!! I believe it all depends on how sensitive your child's skin is??!! Hope that helps...

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I never did use Dreft. Doc said it's not necessary. We just use Arm and Hammer Free or Tide Free. Never had any trouble :)
I love the A&H and it goes on sale 2/$5 pretty frequently at Menards among other places.

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

I like All Free and Clear. I use it for our laundry and our daughter's. I used to use All Baby for a while and then started to mix our laundry. She seemed fine, no reaction.

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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

I actually never used Dreft with my two kids, but I use the Sears brand UltraPlus powder detergent. It's affordable and hasn't irritated their skin at all (and my younger daughter's skin is somewhat sensitive). It's also not perfumed much at all. I use it for all of our laundry. A big bucket of it lasts for approximately a year for us, doing 4-5 loads a week.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Dreft is not at all necessary. Just use a detergent without dyes or scents like All Free and Clear if you are worried about sensitive skin...and you can wash all the clothes together.

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

My son is 3 1/2 and my daughter is 19 months. Once my bottle of Dreft is gone, we're done. I use Tide's Clean & Natural (Free & Natural??) or All's. I stopped using the perfumed detergents. I think it was affecting all of our skin. Hope this helps.

A.

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J.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

G.,
I never used Dreft with either of my kids. I've always used tide and they have never had a problem. I use the tide with febreeze and it gets the clothes really clean and the food stains out.

J.

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M.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi,

I used deft with my first child for a little bit and then that was it. I soon found out that it was just a waste of money. My daughter can not use tide because she breaks out. We now use Gain or Purex and have never had a problem. I even used this with my youngest from the time she was born. If you really worried I would try ALL or a dye free. Good luck!

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V.

answers from Chicago on

I have always used All Free & Clear. It has no dyes or perfumes--less than Dreft. Also, the Kirkland (Costco) brand is free & clear, the white bottle, is very good and a lot cheaper. I do all our clothes in it.

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C.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Dreft is a scam IMHO. It has purfumes, dyes, optical brighteners, enzymes, etc. I think it is a waste of money. I tend to use more natural stuff (I like Country Save detergent), but All Free & Clear is absolutely fine to use on any baby stuff and it's fairly inexpensive.

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi G.!
I have a 15 mo. old and I love Dreft too. However, I also found the All with out dyes and perfumes and that has seemed to work really well too. I also found at Wal-Mart dryer sheets that natural and non-toxic by "Eco Select." Hope this helps!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I stopped using Dreft at around 7 months and began using Tide Free (in the white bottle).

The only difference I have noticed is that I am saving about $6 a bottle by not buying Dreft anymore.

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J.

answers from Chicago on

My son has eczema and I'm allergic to Tide, so we are sensitive skin types. We use either All Free & Clear or the Costco version and haven't had any problems with them. (we also avoid other laundry products like fabric softener sheets with scent. We were staying at my mom's house over the holidays and I did a load of laundry and my son and I both broke out in a rash!)

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

I originally shifted to All Free and Clear and put all the kids' clothes in w/ ours. I had to do a free and clear type b/c of DS eczema. Now I use Nature's Sunshine (a club, see www.naturessunshine.com) concentrate cleaner for our clothes, and dishes and a lot of household cleaners that I mix together. I can sign you up if you're interested in getting it. Plus, they have the best prenatal vitamins and calcium/magnesium supplements!

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C.T.

answers from Chicago on

I personally use a laundry soap called MelaPower it is 96ozs but it cleans 192 loads of laundry (we have counted it we do NOT go by the label lol)... we pay $14.99 for the 96oz bottle and we have NEVER had ANY issues with it... it is non-toxic, non-caustic and a whole bunch of other "non's" that I can't think of right now lol... if you want to read more info on it the brochure that tells you all about the soap is at http://blog.myspace.com/wdt2006 just click ctrl and F at the same time and then type in MelaPower it is a PDF file viewable with Adobe reader... hth

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