Baby-safe detergent or soap for front loaders?

21 years ago

We're a month away (approximately) from the birth of our first baby.

We want to switch to a very gentle laundry detergent or soap. The problem is that we've got a front-loader, and that limits what we can use.

We'd love any suggestions!

Thank you in advance!

Josh

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

User
21 years ago
I have no idea about the front loaders.

I don't recommend Dreft. It didn't clean clothes very well. I'd suggest trying the perfume free, dye free detergents. I think I used All, but I don't remember for sure. The "free" detergents seem to clean and they don't irritate the baby. I think I switched back to my normal detergent after the first container because babies do get adjusted to their environment after a short while.

This is a little off topic, but I'll add it since I'm assuming you're worried about irritating the babies skin. Babies will often get a case of "infant acne" or a rash on their face around four-six weeks. It's not caused by detergent or improper cleaning, etc. Mother Natures chooses this way to get mom's hormones out of the baby's system. It's looks awful for a couple of weeks and then clears up.

Congratulations on your baby!
Adella
Leone76
20 years ago
Hi Josh. I have a front loader and in my research have not come across a "baby" detergent for front loaders. I use the delicate cycle because it includes an extra rinse. I use Tide Free High Efficiency soap and have had no problems. Also, check your washer instructions...the model you have may have an allergy cycle.

Congratulations on your upcoming addition!
Leone
Related Discussions
New Electrolux front loader leaves water in soap dispenser??
Q
Comments (36)
Dana... My 3 year old Electrolux dryer used to make the popping noise also. Unrelated I had to replace the water injector and spray nozzle that puts a mist of water into the drum for the "Steam" feature. I had to take the top and back panel off to access the parts I had to replace. I don't know why but it must be the back panel that expands and makes that popping noise because it no longer makes that noise since I took it off and put it back on. I actually didn't take it fully off. Since its on a pedestal and the back panel connects to the pedestal I was lazy and just left it attached and just flexed the mettle so I could access the parts. It no longer makes that pop noise. This is what I replaced...I also replaced the mister that's in the dryer drum, just in case that some how rusted closed. Maybe slightly flexing the metal fixed the popping action when the metal heats up.
...See More
Kirkland (Costco brand) Detergent in front loader
Q
Comments (30)
I've been using Kirkland's HE detergent ever since we bought our Duet and have no problems. Of course I don't use as much as listed in the directions. I never do, regardless of the product. I mean really, shampoos direct you to shampoo twice each time, but I don't do that either. I follow the directions on my washer, not the detergent bottle and my wash comes out clean every time - no problems. I add OxyClean with every Whiter Whites load out of habit from TL-days, but after reading all of the posts, I'm going to get the better carbonate products instead. I also never add softener and my wash still comes out soft. The only times I got the SUDS error was due to my children's socks getting stuck in the drain pump. I posted that problem and fix on another link.
...See More
what is he detergent for front loader washer?
Q
Comments (24)
I use a TBSP in each load and it works great. It takes ground in soil out of my gardening cloths, even my gardening gloves which I do not bother to rinse. I put all my dirtiest cloths in one load and wash on the normal cycle, warm/cold, heavy soil. My white gardening gloves (who thought of that anyway) come out spotless. I used to have to rinse them with my old machine and they still came out grungy. Well, duh! I did not even think about the fact that I use a concentrated detergent, All Small and Mighty Free and Clear HE. Now that I do, I have no idea if a half cup is actually a lot or not. I have been using Small and Mighty formula since it first came out (not HE back then). It has been so long since I used a regular detergent I have no idea how much would be used. I will have to look at the supermarket. I may call Unilever just out of curiosity to see how much of their regular detergent 1 TBSP would equal. And they will probably send me coupons for asking - I love that!
...See More
Charlie's Soap & smelly Front loader
Q
Comments (10)
I think CS may be largely fragrance-free, but I don't think it's odor free. I certainly can smell a distinct, (and to me, unpleasant), residual odor from any load washed with CS. The smell has a vaguely solvent-y quality to it, which is not unexpected given the history of product and it's efficacy on fatty molecules. It does a outstanding job at handling certain wash challenges (oils, grease, and body soil), but only does an average job for me on other stains. For that reason, along with the extra cost of CS, and the distinctive odor are why I don't use it on a more regular basis. However, I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it out. Your perception or ability to detect any residual odor may be different from mine, and naturally your water chemistry will be different. No detergent works perfectly for everyone. The customer service at Charlie's is excellent, as well. I have only used the powder and the All Purpose Liquid, so I've no experience with the liquid detergent product. Molly~
...See More
Josho
Original Author
20 years ago
Thank you both! The baby was born three weeks ago, and she's healthy and beautiful and all that we could've wished for.

AdellaBedella, I've heard the same thing about Dreft and have avoided it. And little Natalie has already entered the acne phase...oooh, she's so advanced. :-)

Leone76, Tide Free HE would be exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm having trouble locating it. According to the Tide website, I'm not the only one -- a lot of people there have mentioned difficulty finding it. May I ask...do you buy it at a national chain store, a local grocery store, or...?

Many thanks,
Josh

Here is a link that might be useful: My Website
Leone76
20 years ago
I either got it at Target or Wal-mart. Although I did just find it a couple months ago and Madeline is six months old. We used regular tide at first...I think as long as you do an extra rinse cycle you should be fine. Unless Natalie has very sensitive skin. Also, I rarely use dryer sheets for M's clothes and if I do I use Bounty Free.

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! It only gets more amazing.
azianvixen
20 years ago
You know, at our last pediatricia appointment our doctor said our son has sensitive skin. And like Adella said, our baby had a rash on his face (on the sides). SHE said it was from the detergent... I always thought Dreft was a marketing ploy and didn't buy it. But after the doctor said our son has sensitive skin, we bought some dreft.

But hearing all of you say "use the extra rinse cycle" ...

I will have to try it! And I will also continue to use ALL or Tide!

xxStephanie
User
20 years ago
If you are having a true allergy problem, you may want to skip the Tide. I've always gotten allergic reactions from it. My understanding it causes this same reaction for a lot of other people. I've been playing around with different types of detergents lately. Most are causing a rash. It shows up on my kids before it does me.
kali
20 years ago
I really like the super-concentrated Method dye-free fragrance-free liquid detergent available at Target. It comes in sort of a beige bottle. It's 32 ounces for like 6 or 7 bucks, but you only need an ounce at a time. I use it in my high efficiency front loader and it cleans really well, with no detectable residue. Good luck!
dlynn2
20 years ago
I used to work in Neonatal intensive care units. We had to wash the clothes that the babies wore there since most of them wore hospital clothes. We had our own washer and dryer in the unit and never used any of the special detergents for these clothes and blankets. When parents would ask about Dreft, they were always told it wasn't really necessary for most of the babies.
kookoo2
20 years ago
In addition to the extra rinse, try adding some plain white vinegar (in the "fabric softener dispenser), which will help get more of the detergent out of the clothes. They will come out really soft! I have a front loader and like the BioKleen brand of detergent (I get it at the local natural foods store, but I never see it at the larger chains).
sheilajoyce_gw
20 years ago
Ditto white vinegar.

Baby-safe detergent or soap for front loaders?

Comments (10)

User

Leone76

Related Discussions

Josho
Original Author

Leone76

azianvixen

User

kali

dlynn2

kookoo2

sheilajoyce_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Baby-safe detergent or soap for front loaders?

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

JoshoOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Josho
Original Author