Effective in cleaning and gentle on bubba’s skin? We’ve narrowed down some baby detergents that do just that!
Keep bubba’s clothes soft and comfortable after every wash!
When choosing a baby laundry detergent, look out for those that are fragrance-free and gentle on skin — especially important if bubba has sensitive skin. And if baby is prone to eczema, finding a hypoallergenic or organic one with natural ingredients is important, so as not to exacerbate your little one’s skin condition.
Of course, the laundry detergent also has to be effective in cleaning off those ever-occurring stains! Here are some detergents that fit the requirements.
1) Offspring Baby Laundry Wash
PRICE $26.90
FROM Thomsonbaby
WHAT A plant-based detergent with organic herbs and plant extracts. These include natural coconut-derived surfactants, which foam up for effective cleaning and are gentle on the skin. Also, it includes eucalyptus globulus essential oil which purifies dirty laundry and inhibits bacterial and fungi growth.
PARENTS SAY With a pleasant smell, the product is really baby-friendly and extremely gentle on their hands and skin.
2) Pigeon Baby Laundry Detergent
PRICE $7
FROM Pigeon
WHAT Made of natural plant extracts that are strong enough to remove the toughest and most stubborn stains, this detergent is also gentle on your darling’s skin. As it is a concentrated formula, only a small amount of detergent is needed to wash, a definite plus!
PARENTS SAY A little goes a long way — it’s well worth the money!
3) Babyganics 3x Laundry detergent, Fragrance Free
PRICE $28.90
FROM Lazada
WHAT A plant-based formula that is effective in removing all sorts of stains, this product is also free of any allergenic ingredients. This is especially useful for kids with sensitive skin. It is also dermatologist- and pediatrician-tested. Another plus is that this product comes in two different forms, fragrance-free and lavender scented!
PARENTS SAY Gentle and effective (in cleaning), this detergent is perfect for sensitive skin.
4) Kodomo Nature Care
PRICE $8.75 (1L pack)
FROM Cold Storage
WHAT With a pH-balanced formula that is clinically proven to be safe for your precious one’s skin, this detergent will also effectively remove milk, urine, food and faecal stains. It leaves your baby swaddled in clothes that are clean, soft and pleasant smelling.
PARENTS SAY Pleasantly scented and perfect for eczemic skin.
5) Kodomo Extra Care
PRICE $7.47
FROM FairPrice
WHAT Similar to Kodomo Nature Care, this detergent has a pH-balanced formula that will effectively clean bubba’s clothes while being gentle on both his skin and clothes. It also has an added benefit of rosemary extract, which will protect bubba’s clothes from odour caused by bacteria.
PARENTS SAY Won over by its effectiveness in removing stains. The pleasant smell is also a definite plus!
6) Purex Baby Liquid Detergent
PRICE $11.30
FROM Cold Storage
WHAT Dermatologist tested with a hypoallergenic formula, Purex will keep junior’s skin safe while cleaning his clothes effectively, leaving them fresh, clean and with a pleasant scent.
PARENTS SAY Removes stains, smells great and affordable. Highly recommended.
7) Tollyjoy
PRICE $7.90
FROM FairPrice
WHAT A plant-based detergent with anti-bacterial properties that is effective in cleaning bubba’s clothes and also suitable for sensitive skin. A big plus is the pleasant smell that'll linger after a wash.
PARENTS SAY Effective in removing stains and smells amazing.
8) Baby Ecos Earth Friendly Baby Laundry Liquid - Free & Clear (Pack of 2)
PRICE $41.22
FROM Lazada
WHAT With a pH-balanced formula, Baby Ecos is hypoallergenic and also gentle on sensitive skin. It is effective in cleaning bubba’s clothes thoroughly, leaving them soft and clean. It’s also free of any synthetic perfumes, dyes and optical brighteners.
PARENTS SAY Gentle on clothes with no overpowering fragrance. Love it!
FAQs about baby laundry detergents
Aside from finding a good detergent, you may have other questions about using baby detergents. We address some commonly-asked ones below:
Do I really need baby detergent?
Whilst regular detergents are usually more affordable and get rid of tough stains easily, a baby’s skin is usually extra sensitive. As such, regular detergents may be too harsh for them. Baby laundry detergents use mild chemicals and fewer ingredients that are likely to aggravate their skin.
Is it OK to use normal laundry detergent on baby clothes?
Whilst it is highly advised to use baby laundry detergent, normal detergents may work fine if your bub doesn’t have eczema, allergies or sensitive skin. To be safe, try adding one or two of your baby's clothing with the rest of your household’s wash. If their skin isn’t affected when wearing the pieces, it’s fine to put the other items in.
What is the safest baby detergent?
Generally, baby detergents with the following features should be safe for your bub:
- Free of sulfates, a common additive that irritates the scalp and skin
- Hypoallergenic
- Free of chemicals like chlorine, brighteners, phthalates, phosphates, artificial fragrances and dyes
- Plant-based
- Fragrance-free
When can I stop using baby detergent?
There’s no hard and fast rule, but it's usually safe to transition from baby to normal detergent after your baby's first birthday. Of course, do keep a lookout for rashes and redness on their skin – you may have to switch back to a milder detergent if there’s an allergic reaction.
Photos: iStock, Offspring, Pigeon, Lazada, Babyganics, Kodomo, Cold Storage, FairPrice, Purex, ThomsonBaby, Tollyjoy, Giant and ECOS
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