Laundry Detergent?

I've been hearing a lot about washing the baby's clothes in a "special" detergent called Dreft.  For those of you who've had children before, did you use Dreft, or a similar 'baby friendly' product, did you use your regular detergent, or did you switch to an unscented version of your reg. detergent (if it was scented to begin with)?  Please feel free to add your comments and opinions!!

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65%

 (26) 

I used Dreft, or a similar product

17%

 (7) 

I used my regular detergent

5%

 (2) 

I used an unscented version of my regular detergent

12%

 (5) 

Ohter

40 Members voted

[nikko*ttc]

I do my grocery shopping at Kroger. They have an off brand of dreft that says "compare to dreft" on the bottle. It works just the same. I used it with my first and will use it again this time around. My first kept getting a rash when she was first born and a friend recommended that I try baby laundry detergent. So, I bought some skeptical that it would help but it did. Her rash cleared up within a day or two. I continued to use the dreft-like product until she was about 6 months old. After that, her skin sensitivity had improved to the point that I no longer had to wash her clothes special.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I always use Dreft for about the first year.  After that, I switch to my regular detergent.  Babies have such sensitive skin, so I think it's best to use the products made specifically for them.  And the dreft lasts for a really long time since their little clothes are so small :)

[jenntanis]

What do you use if you have a front loader?  I don't think Dreft comes in front loader kind.  For those of you who don't know, you can't use normal detergent in front loaders because it causes too much suds, and causes your machine to break.  Do you just use unscented detergent?

[njrohe]

I used dreft about the 1st year...

[Rosa20]

i use a soft snow brand!! Thats what i think its called...very senstive for babys skin!!

[LauraB78]

I have been washing all the baby clothes I have received as gifts in Dreft and will continue to use Dreft until at least 6 months.  You can also try a "free and clear." My family tends to have sensitive skin, but I have friends that have used free and clear brands.

[Whitneylauren]

I didn't pre wash any of my kids clothing, and I know no one who actually has. To me, it is a waste of money. It seems to be another marketing ploy to get parents to spend more money for things their children don't really need, and can survive perfectly without. I never switched detergents and have had no problems. My doctor recommends that parents do whatever they are comfortable with...

[smileluvr]

When I was a nanny I would prewash the babies clothes in Dreft and maybe the first few times. I realized that after the baby has been with mom, dad, or on someone else and did not react badly, I switched to regular detergant. It really just depends on the child because as an adult I sometimes have to use Dreft to "reset" my clothes after having an allergic reaction to a perfume or detergant.

[AHP84]

I used Dreft for the first few loads of baby laundry only, but that got old really fast for me. I combined our laundry together afterwards and used regular detergent because Dreft didn't get my clothes very clean. The regular detergent never presented a problem for my son's skin.

[Whitneylauren]

To add.... I hope my comment didn't offend any mom here!

[motherofan18month]

I used my regular laundry detergent and dreft......but i had spray on dreft for the stains and Dylan never broke out or anything like that at all.......i never washed Dylan's clothes before i let him wear them but i did borrow my neighbors hand held steamer and steamed them!!

[ashiepooh]

I've always used Tide, even Tide with Bleach, and Tide Mountain Spring....And they have never once irritated my kids skin.  

But it's really, do what you feel up to doing.  I never honestly wanted to waste money on the extra laundry detergent because I wash my kids clothes with mine, and I takes more time and effort, along with money to do a seperate load.  

[alaysha]

I never used any type of special detergent just the regular Tide that I use. Aspen has SUPER sensitive skin that if I kiss her with the wrong lip gloss her face will break out in a rash and she can only wear huggies supreme because other diapers give her really bad diaper rash. She's never had a problem with regular detergent.

[kimbole2]

With my first child I started out using Dreft, but it didn't take long for me to realize that regurlar detergents were okay.  I used any Tide product from then on.  I say unless your child has a allergic reaction to your current detergent, keep using what you've been using.  

[Rosa20]

correction to my statement its called ivory snow! lol

[Kelly87]

I use All free and Clear on all of our clothes. Its not very expensive and it works great!

[JoyRenee]

I used ALLBaby, which is a less expensive version. I didn't want to take any chances with my babies' skin and used it for 6-12 months with each.

If people aren't willing to use BPA bottles with their babies they should take care with how they wash their clothes as well. All the chemicals used in detergents are absorbed through our skin and into our blood stream.

[KellyA74]

I have Dreft and have prewashed everything in that, but my friend was saying that there's no point unless I wash all of our clothes in Dreft b/c the baby will have his head and body resting on our shirts and whatnot, that are washed in regular detergent.  I have like 4 bottles of it and will probably switch to normal detergent once the Dreft is gone, and see how he does with that.

[GRose]

I bought All free and clear, it has no dyes or perfumes. I did prewash everything.

[agomez333]

I always used dreft and will use it again for about the first year. It makes a difference with my kids skin as they sem to have sensitive skin. I always prewash the clothes as well before they wear them as I do my own clothes cause you never know wht is on the clothes from the manufacturer or packing companies. Stores dont clean clothes they just steam the wrinkles out.
I have a front loader washer and I have been stuggling with the fact they don't have a HE dreft yet. I will be using dreft regaurless, just using way less since it will be more concentrated. This is what Sears told me to do.Just use 1/2 of what I usually use in a load. HTH!!

[KStarr07]

I did not read every post, but this was somewhat enlightening. I will consider trying regular detergent on Riley's clothes when this new bottle of Dreft runs out. :)

[CYW]

i used baby stuff.. i went from abby ivory to baby soft by purex and then purex hypoallergenic to now just my normal detergent. also, i always washed his clothes alone up until lately if he has jeans i put it with mine etc etc..

[asher01]

i use dreft and have done so since i started washing my sons clothes before his birth. i now was all our clothes with dreft. i do not find it to be much more expensive to buy dreft. i really like the smell of it and i love how soft the clothes are. also another thing i just started trying is "oxyclean--for baby" it works amazing to treat stains on ur babies clothes.. like formula stains or baby food stains. it really works. also i never ever had a problem with any kind of detergent and now that i use dreft always i wouldnt switch.

[hkenny]

I already use an "organic" laundry soap and dryer sheets, i found the major brands gave me a rash so i switched a couple yeras ago. I plan to use this with the baby.