When doing your baby's laundry, it is advised to use a baby washing powder that has been specifically designed for a baby's delicate skin, especially if they're suffering from a baby skin condition. This new skin has so many new experiences in your little one's first few months, so reducing the amount of irritants that come into contact with it is a good way to prevent baby rashes.
It might be a surprise just how much dirty laundry your little human is capable of producing in their little laundry basket. Not to mention you'll need to know how to keep baby's soft toys clean too. So, you ideally want a detergent that is strong enough to get those tough stains out in one wash. Having to wash the same item over and over again isn't practical, nor is it cheap.
Editor's Choice
Best for sensitive skin: Nimble Laundry Lover
Best for baby's clothes: Bambino Mio, Miocare
Best alternative for baby laundry: ecoegg Laundry Egg
And, of course, you want something that won't be too harsh on your little one's skin to prevent any unwanted reactions or newborn skin peeling. So what is the best baby washing powder out there? We've chosen some detergents that are specifically designed for babies' delicate, sensitive skin. Here's our guide to the best baby clothes-washing detergents, including some eco-friendly baby products.
Our pick of the best baby-friendly washing powders and detergents
Best big-brand detergent for babies
Description
This Non-Bio Persil powder is 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: "This is great value for money. The box is made of thick cardboard and is sealed properly so it can't spill unless you tear it open. When you open it it's like a flip lid top, so it's easy to have access to the powder then you can close the lid.
"If there was one thing I'd add to this product, it'd be a powder scoop. I have seen persil make scoops from cardboard before. I've used persil non bio for many years. I wash my baby's clothes in it because it's good for sensitive skin and it's scent is lovely and fresh smelling. Persil is the best to get stains out too."
Pros
- Great value bundle
- Fresh scent
- With the conditioner, a little goes a long way
Cons
- The thin packaging does not protect the tablets, so may burst if not stored correctly
Best eco-friendly detergent
Description
Earth Friendly Products Ecos Lavender Laundry Detergent is an Amazon's Choice product, and three litres is good for 100 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."
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Mild yet lovely scent
- Detergent and conditioner in one
Cons
- Doesn't tackle really stubborn stains
Best washing powder for baby's clothes
Description
If you're after the best baby washing powder, this is the one for you. The Bambino Mio Miocare 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."
Pros
- Great value multipack of six
- Gentle and fragrance-free
- Quick and efficient cleaning results
Cons
- Some found the powder didn't always dissolve completely
Best for fine fabrics
Description
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 I was very pleased with the result and cost."
Pros
- Uses less plastic in the packaging
- Great stain removal
- Nice subtle scent
- Good value
Cons
- Doesn't come with a measuring cup as it is designed to be a refill
Best alternative for baby laundry
Description
Ideal for little ones (and adults!) with dermatological problems, Ecoeggs was 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."
Pros
- No single-use plastic
- Fragrance-free
- All-in-one' washing powder and softener' with the pellets
Cons
- You'll need to remember to replace the pellets, which can be bought separately
Best for stains
Description
Babies and stains go hand in hand, which is why so many people love Napisan - and have done for decades. Napisan Non Biological Stain Remover 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!"
Pros
- Great for cleaning all sorts of stains and ousting odours
- Whitening properties
Cons
- Each box is 800g - for the price, some customers expected a larger quantity
What to consider when choosing the best baby washing detergent
There are three main things to consider when choosing a baby-skin-friendly detergent:
Non-bio detergents: Non-bio simply means the product doesn't contain enzymes that deposit in fabrics.
Liquid detergent: Unlike powder detergents which are made with insoluble ingredients, liquid detergents dissolve easily, so less likely to leave residue behind.
Eco-friendly detergents: Plant-based ingredients found in eco-friendly baby products are very gentle on fabrics and skin. On the other hand, we don't love some mainstream detergents because they contain petroleum-based chemicals.
Expert advice on choosing the best baby laundry products
We've spoken to Von Sy, founder of plant-based cleaning product brand Nimble and detergent chemist. He has over a decade of experience working for the world's largest detergents manufacturer. He shared his thoughts on three main things parents can keep in mind when choosing a detergent for little ones' clothes:
"Through my work in the detergents industry, one of the key things I learned when looking for a detergent to use on sensitive skin is to pick one that will leave minimal residues. Big brand manufacturers often use surfactants (the cleaning ingredient) which are derived from petroleum, which contain heavy metals and other impurities which deposit on the fabrics and can cause irritation for baby's sensitive skin."
A few tips for your washing detergent include:
Choose fragrance-free: Do not opt for beautifully scented detergents that use chemical fragrances. Instead, choose ones that are fragrance-free. You can always spray some natural oils, such as lavender, around your nursery to make it smell wonderful. You should avoid adding overpowering fragrances to your baby's clothes and linens.
Try a patch test first: Before you do a whole load of washing with a new detergent, try washing one item, such as a baby sleepsuit or blanket, with the new product first. This way, you'll know straight away whether it has a negative effect on your baby's skin – and be able to pinpoint it to that one item. It's then easy to switch detergents if your baby does have a reaction.
Look at the ingredients: Some common chemical ingredients can be harsh on sensitive skin, so before you buy, check the packaging. Detergents and softeners that use low-toxicity, natural, plant-based ingredients are much more delicate on baby-soft skin.
About the expert
Von Sy Founded Nimble in 2015 after becoming an uncle for the first time. He was shocked at the amount of chemicals used in most cleaning products, so he decided to create an effective alternative which is suitable for families with babies and young children.