We all know and love that new baby smell — but the scent of fresh laundry is arguably just as good. And with the right detergent, you can keep your baby smelling clean and crisp forever.
With a baby in the house, your washer and dryer are likely working overtime. Most new parents agree that between the constant drooling, diaper blowouts, and spilled food, the amount of laundry will inevitably pile up fast. And with all those adorable baby outfits, parents are going to want to find a perfect detergent that isn’t just safe, but also leaves clothes looking spotless.
There’s an overwhelming amount of detergents available — from Arm & Hammer to Tide and Puracy. So, which detergents are the best to use for washing baby clothing? Well, that is a complicated question, according to most pediatricians. While most name-brand detergents are safe for adults, babies and kids have especially sensitive skin, and there are several chemicals in many common detergents that should be avoided.
For answers to frequently asked questions and recommendations on the best baby-safe detergents, The Post consulted Ann Masciantonio, the Chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics at ChristianaCare. Masciantonio is a board-certified pediatrician who has cared for both outpatients and newborns for over 20 years.
Read on for Masciantonio’s recommendations on the best baby detergents or head directly to our FAQ section for more guidance on choosing the detergent right for you and your baby. And, for more laundry needs, check out our roundup of the best natural detergents and washer-dryer combos, per experts.
- Best overall: Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
- Longest lasting: Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best for odors: Attitude Baby Laundry Detergent For Sensitive Skin
- Best budget-friendly: Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
- Best on stains: Tide High Efficiency Liquid Laundry Detergent Free & Gentle
- Best organic: AspenClean Unscented Laundry Detergent
- Best splurge: Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
Best overall: Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Fairly-priced
- Free of overly-aggressive chemicals
- Most reviewers agree that a small amount of detergent goes a long way
- Brands specifically specialize in baby products
Cons:
- Only two scents are available
- Reviewers agree this detergent works well for removing stains, but mixed reviews on removing scents
Size: 60 ounces
Scents: Fragrance-Free, Lavender
When it comes to choosing the right detergent for your baby, you may want to opt for a brand that specializes in all things baby. In that case, Babyganics is an excellent choice (and Masciantonio agrees). Their plant-derived formula is free of all sulfates, and gentle on newborn and baby skin. According to reviews, it’s also a tough weapon against stains. Shoppers can also check out the rest of the Babyganics line — including shampoos, eczema creams, and surface cleaners.
Longest lasting: Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- One single pouch is good enough for roughly 192 loads
- The refill pouch is formulated with 99.4% plant-based ingredients
- Free of overly-aggressive chemicals
- Reviewers like the pump on top of the bottle for convenient access
Cons:
- More expensive
- Some mixed reviews on the formula’s ability to remove tough odors
- Only two scents are available
Size: 48 ounces
Scents: Fresh and Clean, Fresh Linen
“Look for a laundry detergent that is fragrance-free, dye-free and has no brighteners,” shared Masciantonio.
Puracy is one of the cleanest options on the market. The formula is completely free of phosphates, sulfates, petrochemicals, animal by-products, chlorine, perfumes, gluten, allergens, optical brighteners, or dyes. Instead, the brand incorporates plant-powered enzymes to lift stubborn stains. Each pouch is highly efficient, lasting for almost 200 loads. This detergent isn’t just good for babies, but also good for the environment — reducing plastic and water waste by more than 80%.
Best for odors: Attitude Baby Laundry Detergent For Sensitive Skin
Pros:
- Wide variety of scents to match your personal preference
- Free of overly aggressive chemicals, safe for eczema
- PETA-approved and not tested on animals
Cons:
- Some mixed reviews on the shipping packaging, a few reviewers say the bottle was damaged
- Smaller amount of detergent per bottle
Size: 33.8 ounces
Scents: Pear Nectar, Pink Grapefruit, Citrus Zest, Summer Berries, Mountain Fresh, more
Another one of Masciantonio’s top picks is Attitude Baby Laundry Detergent For Sensitive Skin. This safe detergent is offered in a variety of scents to kick strong odors, but it is also offered in a completely fragrance-free, hypoallergenic version for babies. Instead of harsh chemicals, Attitude is formulated with colloidal oatmeal known for its protective, soothing and hydrating properties — which is great on sensitive skin. Plus, for the animal lovers out there — this is also a vegan brand that is committed to never testing their products on animals.
Best budget-friendly: Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Free of overly-aggressive chemicals
- Most reviewers agree this is tough on most stains and odors
Cons:
- Only one scent is available
Size: 140 ounces
Scents: Free & Clear
When it comes to more generic brands, Masciantonio has recommended Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. This is one of the more popular brands on the market, however, the ingredients are in line with what is safe for babies. Arm & Hammer uses their signature baking soda as the active ingredient in fighting stains — and most reviewers agree that it’s more effective than some competitors. Each bottle should last for 140 medium loads when used as directed.
Best on stains: Tide High Efficiency Liquid Laundry Detergent Free & Gentle
Pros:
- Reviewers say this detergent leaves clothes feeling soft (ideal for babies)
- Good for deeper cleans
- Fairly-priced
- Effectively eliminates odors
Cons:
- Some reviews express that measuring with this cap can be difficult — unclear directions
Size: 146 ounces
Scents: Free & Gentle, Fragrance Free, Unscented
Tide is another tried-and-tested brand on the market. As a pediatrician, Masciantonio can recommend this brand because it does not contain chemicals like “phosphates, bleach, and sulfates… that can cause health concerns.”
While the formula is unscented, reviewers were very satisfied with how fresh and soft this detergent left their clothing — which is ideal for baby clothing that can get very soiled. Specific directions are offered in regard to measuring the amount of detergent per wash by using the cap on the bottle.
Best organic: AspenClean Unscented Laundry Detergent
Pros:
- Free of overly-aggressive chemicals
- Biodegradable, recyclable and plastic-free packaging for a better planet
- Made without animal testing
Cons:
- Only one scent is available
- More expensive
Size: 64 ounces
Scents: Unscented
AspenClean Unscented Laundry Detergent is another one of the pediatrician’s top picks. This brand is completely fragrance-free, per her recommendations. The natural detergent is made from sustainable sources, including mineral-derived ingredients and some derived from sustainably farmed palm oil. The bottle is also plastic-free and recyclable, making this an excellent choice for environmentally conscious households.
Best splurge: Molly’s Suds Original Laundry Detergent Powder
Pros:
- Large amount of product per purchase
- Free of overly-aggressive chemicals
- Very few simple ingredients
Cons:
- Some reviewers have mixed opinions on the pouch structure of the bag and using a scoop to extract detergent
- Only washes about 70 loads of laundry
Size: Two 79-ounce bags
Scents: Peppermint, Unscented, Citrus Grove, Lavender, Eucalyptus, more
Molly Sud’s does detergent a little bit differently. Unlike some of the clear liquid gels on the market, this formula is offered in powder form and has far fewer ingredients. It’s not too surprising that the brand was founded by a pediatric nurse and mother — each ingredient is carefully chosen to ensure nothing disrupts babies’ protective skin barrier. Customers agree that the quality justifies the cost.
Expert Recommendations
Why do you need to use specific detergents when cleaning babies’ clothing?
“The skin is the largest organ of the body and babies have very sensitive skin. It is important to use a gentle laundry detergent for the first two years of life,” explained Masciantonio. “Parents want baby detergents that not only lift stains on the first wash, they’re also safe for the newborn’s sensitive skin and free of harmful ingredients,” she added.
What ingredients should you look for in detergents used for baby clothing?
The expert has a few tips for anyone looking to purchase a detergent to use on baby clothing or other products. She has recommended that parents start by taking a look at the ingredient list before making a purchase: “Look for a laundry detergent that is fragrance-free, dye-free and has no brighteners,” stressed Masciantonio.
What types of detergents are not safe for use on baby clothing?
On the other hand, there are some ingredients parents should steer clear of: “Try to avoid phosphates, bleach and sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate,” said Masciantonio. “Also avoid ingredients that can cause health concerns including borax, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.”
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