laundry detergent for baby stuff

[Anonymous]

So, I was about to buy detergent to wash all the new baby clothes before the baby arrives. But I was shocked to see just how much more expensive (3 times as much!) the Dreft was. Do I really have to use Dreft to launder the baby clothes or can I use one of the sensitive skin, free of dyes and fragrances general detergents - like All Clear or Tide Free. Any thoughts from the experienced Moms?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Not sure about the detergent either so we did get the Dreft but I did read that you shouldn't wash everything before the baby is born because then you can't return what you don't need or never use.

[Anonymous]

I just washed the hand-me down clothes and the cute onesies and blankets I definitely knew we would use and keep (good point PP) and use Arm & Hammer. Sometimes I use the ALL w/o dyes and perfumes if it's on sale and I have a coupon.

Neither hubby nor I have skin sensitivities or allergies so we didn't expect our DD to either.

Also, I leave out the dryer sheet, but sometimes I forget (although the dryer sheets aren't too scented).

[Meconbear]

Please, Dreft is such a scam. We used All free and clear and our baby was fine. I'd wash a few things pre-baby b/c you really don't want to come home from the hospital totally exhausted to find that your baby has nothing to wear and you have to do luandry.

[Anonymous]

I bought one jug of a dye- and perfume-free detergent, and used it for the first few loads. But by the time I finished the jug, it was clear that the baby doesn't have any skin sensitivities, and now I wash all her stuff in the detergent I use for everything else.

[atid254]

Another suggestion is to by a more natural type of detergent such as Seventh Generation. http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Generation-Laundry-Concentrate-50-Ounce/dp/B000V87CZW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1201539296&sr=8-7

Or the other option is buying a free and clear.

One thing to note is that Dreft does not make an HE version (or at least one I have found).

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you all for your feedback! Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Is Tide considered ok for babies?

[Anonymous]

Aside from the laundry detergent issue -- don't wash everything before the baby comes. Wash what you think you'll use - you might end up returning a lot of presents, etc. if your baby is big/small/long, etc.

We used Dreft (cheaper at Costco) until we knew we were in the clear with skin sensitivity,etc. Now we just throw it all in with regular Tide.

[Anonymous]

We also used the Target brand baby detergent for a while but realized they were expensive ! and also that our baby was Ok for regular detergent. So we now just use regular detergent that is scent free. Also for the dryer we bought those dryer balls at CVS and they work like a charm. So we don't use the dryer sheets anymore. The dryer balls are like $10 for 2 balls and can be used over and over.

[Anonymous]

The Tide Free is fine for most babies. (Some with very sensitive skin may have issues, but they'd have issues with other more mainstream detergents too.) We switched to washing everyone's clothes in Tide Free because your baby will definitely come into contact with both your and your husbands shirts, your bras (if nursing), towels, etc. Plus, it was easier just to have one jug of detergent around!