Best Baby Laundry Detergents, According to Parents Who Use Them All the Time

Dreft has been the go-to choice for baby detergent for more than 80 years. In fact, there’s a good chance someone will gift you a bottle at your baby shower. And once you smell it, you’ll never forget the fragrance — it’s just one of those scents you could pick out anywhere. 

Dreft’s Stage 1 formula for newborns is hypoallergenic and made of biodegradable surfactants, which are ingredients that help clean fabric. Plus, it can be used in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines. This 150-ounce container comes with a built-in tap for easy dispensing, and has enough liquid for 96 loads.

Size: 150 ounces

Charlie’s Soap is a popular brand for moms who need to clean cloth diapers. Each bottle of Charle’s Soap Laundry Liquid has just four (biodegradable) ingredients in it: water, two plant-based detergents and sodium carbonate. The formula is free of fragrances, dyes or chemical brighteners, so you can feel good about what you're putting against baby's skin. And if you're not too keen on overpowering scents, you'll love the fact that after a spin with this formula, your laundry will come out smelling like … nothing at all.

Size: 128 ounces

Your money is going to a good (and environmentally sustainable) product. This plant-based detergent is fragrance- and dye-free, which is ideal for sensitive baby skin and especially those prone to rashes caused by eczema.

The product is just as hardworking as you want it to be, though, thanks to grapefruit seed extract that cuts through the tough stuff without the need for harsher ingredients. You can even feel good about this brand’s packaging — it’s made with 100 percent recycled cardboard and newspaper material.

Size: 32 ounces

An eco-friendly cleaning line, Rockin’ Green sells a formula that’s specifically targeted for hard water — i.e., water that contains dissolved calcium, magnesium and other metallic elements — which is a surprisingly commonplace occurrence in the United States. Their products are 100 percent vegan and contain no parabens, phosphates, brighteners or fragrances.

Still, parents say it cleans and even strips cloth diapers like nothing they’ve ever seen before — a true testament to its cleaning prowess, despite the fact that it’s vegan and entirely non-toxic. Each bag contains 45 ounces of powdered detergent.

Size: 45 ounces

This liquid laundry detergent, which is specifically formulated for sensitive skin, is free of fragrances and dyes. The product is hypoallergenic and made to be gentle on skin. This 82.5-ounce container has enough detergent for 110 loads. 

Size: 82.5 ounces

Seventh Generation is quickly gaining a fan base among eco-conscious consumers — and for good reason. This laundry detergent is free of fragrances, dyes and artificial brighteners — its plant-based enzymes do all the work of removing tough stains. It’s also hypoallergenic, formulated for sensitive skin and is a biobased product that’s been certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. Another big bonus: It’s safe for homes with septic systems. One order comes with two 40-ounce containers.

Size: 40 ounces 

Made with plant-derived ingredients, Honest Laundry Detergent is formulated for sensitive skin, but is strong enough to get out the toughest spaghetti stains. The liquid is hypoallergenic and free of fragrances and dyes.

What’s even better? Those who get regular diaper deliveries from Honest will find it super convenient to add on detergent every once in a while. (You’ll also score a discount for doing so!)

Size: 70 ounces

It’s hard to get much cuter than Babyganics — and their lavender-scented product certainly packs a powerful, stain-busting punch, too. Made of plant- and enzyme-based ingredients, their triple concentrated formula will net you about 60 loads of laundry per 60-ounce bottle. Plus, their product is cruelty-free, which means that it isn’t tested on animals.

And if you decide you love this product (we don’t know why you wouldn’t!), the company has an entire line of products that are just as gentle on baby’s skin, including shampoo, lotion and sunscreen.

Size: 60 ounces

Formulated for people with sensitive skin and allergies, Puracy’s laundry detergent is made specifically from plant-derived ingredients. We also love how it comes in a no-mess pump bottle and is super-concentrated — one 24-ounce bottle yields a whopping 96 loads of laundry.

Size: 24 ounces 

Any busy parent knows the value of having a single, reliable product. You don’t have to store a million bottles in some overcrowded cabinet and you’ll be less likely to forget which products are low and need replacing, leaving you with nothing when you need it most. Branch Basics Concentrate is just what you need for a wide range of cleaning tasks, including your baby’s laundry.

The extremely gentle formula mixes with nothing more than water to become everything from laundry detergent, to glass cleaner, to an all-purpose cleaning spray. It’s expensive, yes, but it’s a cost that’s well worth it considering the value. And if you utilize the convenient subscribe and save service, you’ll save 10 percent on every order.