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baby sitting on basekt of laundry that was washed in baby safe laundry detergent

Helpful Tips for Choosing a Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent

When you become a new parent, your top priority is keeping your baby safe and healthy. One of the first places to start in creating a healthy environment is choosing a baby-safe laundry detergent. Because of the chemicals used in traditional detergents, babies often experience rashes and itchy skin. That’s why parents should find a gentle, safe laundry detergent to switch to — even before Baby comes.

Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent

Finding a safe, effective detergent alternative takes a little research, but it’s worth the peace of mind knowing your baby won’t be itchy or have a negative reaction. Below is our guide to understanding regular vs gentle detergents, what chemicals and ingredients are in each, and how you can find the best safe laundry detergent for your child.

Why Some Detergents Irritate Baby’s Skin

Laundry detergent, like most soaps, contains a surfactant, a surface-active agent that lowers the surface tension between two types of matter. Basically, this means that surfactants in your laundry detergent separate oil and dirt particles from the fabric. Though surfactants are needed to clean your clothes, harsh surfactants can, if they do not rinse out well, easily irritate babies with delicate, sensitive skin.

Surfactants aren’t the only possible cause of irritation and rashes, though. Other common ingredients in detergent include:

  • Dyes
  • Essential oils
  • Fragrances
  • Parabens
  • Moisturizers
  • Fabric softeners
  • Emulsifiers
  • Solvents
  • Enzymes
  • Preservatives

It can be difficult or even impossible to figure out exactly what chemical or ingredient in your laundry detergent is causing an allergic reaction or other irritation. The easiest way to prevent (or put a stop to) irritation and rashes from laundry detergent is to find an alternative option that’s all-around gentler on the skin.

Find a Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent for Cloth Diapers 

Because there are so many detergent options out there, it may take a little trial and error to find the right one for your cleaning needs. Here are a couple of things to consider when finding your new detergent.

HYPOALLERGENIC DETERGENT

The term hypoallergenic is often misunderstood. When a detergent is considered to be hypoallergenic, it means that the detergent, when tested on humans, caused no reactions in the vast majority of test subjects. By definition, however, hypoallergenic detergents aren’t free of allergens.

Look for a detergent that’s free of fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals, like Charlie’s Soap. What’s unique about Charlie’s is that not only do our products pass the testing standards to qualify as hypoallergenic, our detergents wash clean away in the rinse cycle. With Charlie’s, there are zero residues left in your fabrics to cause any sort of irritation. A baby-safe detergent should be strong enough to clean your baby’s clothes, yet gentle and safe enough to leave clothes feeling fresh and soft.

LIQUID VS. POWDER

Is there a difference between liquid detergent and powder detergent? Though powder detergent has been around longer and can often be cheaper, liquid detergent may be the better choice for your baby’s laundry. It’s more convenient to use and works well on a variety of stains.

Have you ever used powder detergent that remained clumped together in your washing machine? Undissolved detergent can leave residue on your clothes, waste detergent, and cause skin irritation. Liquid detergents mix better with all water temperatures and rinse out more easily. Laundry detergent that is 100% soluble, like Charlie’s Soap, helps you avoid this problem altogether.

HEAVY-DUTY WASHING

Another thing about having a young child is that there will always be many loads of laundry to handle. As such, you should find a detergent that works effectively without wearing out baby’s clothes like onesies – while also treating blankets and other fabrics gently. You also want to make sure that the detergent works to wash away common stains like food, bile, feces, and urine. If the detergent can’t completely wash and rinse these soils out, your baby may have a reaction to what’s left behind.

The best laundry detergents for babies can handle tough stains like spit-up, without relying on harsh chemicals such as bleach. If you aren’t sure which detergent formulations are safe for your family, it might be a good idea to consult your pediatrician.

WHY CHARLIE’S SOAP IS ONE OF THE BEST BABY LAUNDRY DETERGENTS AVAILABLE

A baby-safe laundry detergent is one that fully removes residue from your fabrics, and washes them away in the rinse cycle. Charlie’s Soap natural laundry detergent is unscented and dye-free AND washes clean away leaving your baby’s skin 100% free & clear.

Whether it be liquid laundry detergent or powder detergent, Charlie’s Soap provides stain-fighting products that are additive-free and safe for the whole family. Our detergents have a great track record for cleaning power, without causing issues with dermatitis or jeopardizing your baby’s delicate skin.

Whether you have a traditional washer or high-efficiency machine, Charlie’s Soap laundry products are the best choice for your family. Since 1976, Charlie’s Soap has been committed to developing eco-friendly detergents and cleaners that don’t rely on harsh sulfates, phosphates, and brighteners. Our pure detergents work better than other formulas, leaving fabrics feeling truly fresh and clean.

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