How to Choose the Right Baby Laundry Detergent?

Answer 1

A baby’s skin is sensitive and soft and exposing her skin to harsh chemicals can irritate it and cause various skin conditions such as a rash or worsen eczema. The type of laundry detergent you use on her clothing can actually have an effect on her skin, in a negative or positive way. There are certain types of laundry detergents you should look out for that are designed to reduce skin irritations on baby’s skin. You need a laundry detergent that is both safe for the baby and safe for her clothing.

There are certain laundry detergents that claim they are made especially for washing baby clothing. The only difference between these detergents and regular detergents is the scent. It has a light, baby powder smell that trick the nose into thinking it is safe for babies. The reality is that these can irritate baby’s skin just as much as regular detergents because they contain both dyes and fragrances. The dyes are meant to brighten clothing, but really leave a residue on the clothing. This eventually rubs on the baby’s skin, which can cause it to become red and chafer. The fragrances do the same thing and can actually irritate her sense of smell.

Instead, what you should be looking out for are laundry detergents that contain absolutely no fragrances or dyes in them. They usually have a label indicating it is “Free and Clear”. This means it is free of irritating additives. Free and Clear laundry detergents are not specifically designed for babies, but rather for those with sensitive skin. This is perfect for a baby’s delicate skin. You can still get a quality clean and not have to purchase expensive baby-specific laundry detergent in order to do so. The best part is, your baby will feel comfortable in their clothing as well.

Another alternative is to purchase baby laundry detergent from an eco-friendly, natural brand such as Seventh Generation or Method. They leave out artificial ingredients that can harm baby and are friendly to the planet in their production of the product. The other nice feature about these brands is that using their products will not remove the flame retardant from baby’s clothing.