Wash Your Baby's Clothes In These Non-Toxic Detergents

on July 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM

Washing baby clothes in a special, gentle "baby" detergent falls into one of the many things we do when getting ready for baby to arrive. Many of us are now shifting away from the misleading "gentle" claims of "baby detergents" (that are often filled with many irritating chemicals and fragrances) and turning to detergents with more natural ingredients. Or so we think.

CBS News' independent lab studies of three of the leading, mainstream "green" detergents shows that they're really not that green after all, many contain some scary ingredients. Sadly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows any laundry detergent with 34 percent or more of bio-based carbon content to be categorized as a bio-preferred product, meaning it can be labeled "eco-friendly" or "green"... even with a third of it being petrochemicals! But I know some that are safer for newborn skin.

Biokleen Laundry Powder. I picked some up for around $20 (for 5 pounds!) and it's lasted me over four months now with plenty to spare, and I wash the whole family's clothes in it! They also just won the TreeHugger Best of Green 2010 Award winner for Best Cleaning Product! The grapefruit scent is refreshing, and non-irritating.

Rockin' Green. Normally advertised for just cloth diapers, many people (me included!) use it for clothes, especially for sensitive kiddos. Fortunately, they'll be coming out with a line for cleaning products and detergent for the whole household! They have TONS of natural, healthy scents, like Lavender Mint Revival (my favorite!) and their new Earth, Wind and Orchids, and three different formulas designed to worth with different water types. You can only order online, but it's so worth it.

You can also look for the "Ecologo" on any product, which is a strict certification that products can apply for if they meet criteria that shows that it really, truly IS eco-friendly. They have a list of Egologo-approved detergents on their website that you can search, and find one you like.

What safe, eco-friendly detergents are your favorite?

Images via joeshlabotnik/Flickr; Amazon.com; Rockin' Green; Ecologo

About the author Christie Haskell

is fueled by caffeine, whether in coffee or tea form, to aid in chasing around a toddler and elementary schooler. When not online (hah!) she has her nose buried in a book or TV show.

Filed Under: baby prep, baby clothes, baby gear

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Comments (50)

hoticedcoffee

on Jul 23, 2011 at 10:41 AM

Biokleen is AWESOME! I've been using their fragrance-free liquid detergent for 3 years - it's the only think that doesn't send my 5 YO's super-sensitive skin into eczema mode. Biokleen's entire line of products is fantastic - they make a soy cream cleanser that is flat-out amazing for breaking down limescale and hard water build-up.

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Facebook comment from Jennifer Kupper Swan

on Jul 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Wishes green detergents could be scent free as well since we have both sensitive skin and sensitive noses here in the house. Guess I will stick to my Free and Clears with vinegar as a softener.

Nonmember comment from Amanda Eastman

on Jul 23, 2011 at 10:51 AM

I use biokleen liquid detergant. It does come in a fragrance free version, but I love the sweet scent of the kind I use. It's super concentrated and lasts forever!

momavanessa

on Jul 23, 2011 at 11:26 AM

I don't use Eco friendly since most of the time I get ours for free with coupons. So most of the time I get Purex allergen free kind that is scent free. It works great since my youngest has eczema.

mummajenni

on Jul 23, 2011 at 1:41 PM

We use seventh generation free & clear for everything.

Facebook comment from Sandy Malone

I used Charlies soap when my son was in diapers. Now I am using ecos. It is convenient because I can get it at Costco and it's 100% all natural, Earth friendly, not tested on animals and it works great! All important to me!!!

hill_star03

on Jul 23, 2011 at 2:16 PM

Exactly the reason I make my own soap.

Nonmember comment from Zizzler

on Jul 23, 2011 at 3:22 PM

I make my own soap, and use Charlie's pure castile soap on the diapers. I used to use ecos~

nicki.hemingway

on Jul 23, 2011 at 3:41 PM

We use seventh gen and ecos porducts and Jen Swan, both do make Free and Clear alternatives :)

Nonmember comment from Jamie O'hare

on Jul 23, 2011 at 3:47 PM

Rockin Green comes unscented (barenaked babies). Charlie's Soap is great and cheap in bulk $99/1000 loads and is always unscented. It's not Castile soap or actually soap at all. Crunchy Clean comes in diaper and clothing formulas and scented or unscented. All the natural scented detergents I know of do use natural fragrances and/or come unscented. Purex free and clear has optical brighteners that laminate grime into clothes and cause allergies for some. Free or really cheap commercial detergent is still hard on the environment and on the eczema and psoriasis in my house. We had good luck with homemade detergent until we moved and had new water to deal with.