The best baby washing powders for your baby’s clothes, bedding, and soft toys

Best big-brand detergent for babies

This is the only big-brand combo we've included on our list because not only are these easier to pick up from your local supermarket if you're running low on supplies, this unique Comfort and Non-Bio Persil bundle is cost effective and sure to last a while for the whole family. Tough on stains but gentle on baby's skin, you can get cleanliness and softness in just a small dose.

Amazon review: "I bought this product off Amazon to save me going into my local supermarket. I have Prime so it was delivered the next day! Perfect combination of products which can be used together and saves me having to find each one individually. Chuck in one capsule and a dash of softener and it leaves clothes clean and smelling fantastic."

Best eco-friendly detergent

This is an Amazon's Choice product, and 1.5 litres is good for 50 washes. It's made from renewable plant extracts. Besides being a laundry detergent, it's also a fabric conditioner. This product is free from any nasty ingredients that can be harmful to your baby's skin.

Amazon review: "This eco-friendly laundry product works well, does what it says it will, and I thoroughly recommend. It combines cleansing with conditioning very effectively. It won't tackle really stubborn stains, for which a stain remover is necessary, but for everyday laundry, it is fine and kind to the planet too."

Best all-rounder

These products are the perfect combo to keep your baby clothes clean. They are made for sensitive skin, are dermatologically-tested and vegan-friendly. Bollicine products are free from petroleum, lanolin, mineral oil, PEGs, SLS, SLES and parabens. They're also made with easily biodegradable vegetable-based surfactants, verified according to the standards set by the ICEA Eco Bio cleaners board. If you like to have liquid detergent and a separate fabric softener, this is the best option for you.

Amazon review: "I love this product and use it for washing my baby's clothes. It doesn’t have a scent (which is how it should be) but clothes smell fresh and are lovely and soft. I recommend it to all my mummy friends. Instructions on the bottle are in Italian but I contacted the seller and had the instructions sent to me in no time at all. Very pleased."

Best washing powder for baby's clothes

If you're after the best baby washing powder, this is the one for you. The Bambino Mio is an environmentally friendly laundry detergent suitable for sensitive skin. It can be used on whites, darks and coloured laundry. It's very effective for washing at low temperatures. It's free-from nasties such as dyes, enzymes, optical brighteners and perfumes as it's made from plant and mineral-based ingredients. It's also eco-friendly and is not tested on animals, so you'll be doing your bit for the environment.

Amazon review: "I have been using this powder ever since my baby boy was born, 11 months now. It has good washing results, not strongly perfumed, which I prefer. Sometimes the powder doesn't dissolve completely."

Best for fine fabrics

The Ecover delicate laundry liquid is suitable for fine fabrics, silks and woollens. It was designed to preserve the softness of delicate fibres and protect their colour. It also cares for skin thanks to its plant-based ingredients. It contains no petrochemical-based ingredients, is not tested on animals and the bottle and label are 100 per cent recyclable.

Amazon review: "I've been struggling to find a good eco-friendly laundry detergent for delicate fabrics (silk, lace etc). This product did not fault at all, and very pleased with the result and cost."

Best for sensitive skin

Laundry Lover is a washing detergent made from naturally derived ingredients, making it gentle on sensitive skin, and free from enzymes that can irritate the skin, optical brighteners and dyes. The allergen-free unique formula is tough on everyday stains without using harsh chemicals. It leaves your baby's clothes smelling fresh and clean.

Tested by Sophie Knight, mum to Eli (2): "This detergent has a lovely, subtle smell - fresh like a fabric conditioner. It got rid of little stains brilliantly, even without an additional stain remover, although with something like berry juice I still used a stain product as well. It left my little boy's clothes lovely and soft, smelling fresh for several days. It's great to use a detergent that you know is designed for children's skin."

Best for nappies

A good one for parents who use reusable cloth nappies, this 'Washing Potion' will make your laundry hygienically clean at 30 degrees so it's better for the environment in more ways than one. Free from enzymes, allergy tested and Vegan Society approved, there are lots of delicious scents to choose from such as bubblegum, peppermint and parma violet.

Amazon review: "I find this very effective at getting our cloth nappies clean. I briefly tried using Fairy Non Bio to try and cut costs but soon got build up and suddenly the nappies kept staining. I also briefly tried Violets and whilst not bad it didn’t seem as good at preventing stains. I don’t really smell the bubblegum scent but the nappies do smell nice and fresh so I’m sticking with it."

Best alternative for baby laundry

Ideal for little ones (and adults!) with dermatological problems, Ecoeggs were developed for people with sensitive skin and to be kind to the environment. Designed to completely replace laundry detergent and fabric conditioner, these are fragrance free, though you can get others with fragrance. Those include Fresh Linen and Spring Blossom but still only carry a 'hint' of fragrance as they are natural fragrances, non-irritant, and non-allergen.

Review: "My son's eczema has much improved over the last few months. I'm not sure whether it is definitely connected to changing to the egg but it is a coincidence that he had terrible eczema for the first two years of his life and it significantly improved at the same time as switching to this."

Best for stains

Babies and stains go hand in hand which is why so many people love Napisan - and have done for decades. Napisan works by releasing active oxygen to remove stains, leaving your clothes as white as possible. Not only does it clean but it also kills the germs you cannot see to leave your baby's clothes more hygienic. You will however need to use this on top of your detergent of choice.

Review: "I literally can not live without this product! Thank you again Amazon. I use it in all my white washes, clothes, linen and bedding for antibacterial and to keep whites white! It’s actually very difficult to find this product on the shelf anymore. Amazon is the absolute cheapest! And always has it in stock. If you haven’t tried this product, you MUST, it is better than all of the new whitening and antibacterial laundry products on the market!"