Alternatives to DREFT

Updated on September 16, 2015
F.B. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
27 answers

Mamas & Papas-

We've been graced with new and used baby clothes for our as yet unborn #2. With the first, I used dreft, or the babies r us brand equivalent. I'm not sure what is now on the market, and what alternatives, if any there are? Can I use something like an all free and clear? what about a seventh generation type of product?

Thanks a bunch,
F. B.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I used the same detergent on baby clothes as I used on my clothes.
I didn't do her clothes in a separate load - just threw them in with mine.
The only thing that got its own load was diapers and they got washed in the same detergent, same cold wash/cold rinse as everything else.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

All Free & Clear, or any other dye free and scent free detergent is a good choice.

I never could stand the smell of Dreft. I found it overpowering and unpleasant. Even now I don't like being close to babies whose parents use it.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

i like 7th generation. it IS more than the more mainstream products, but keeping the chemicals down to a dull roar is important to me. would be even more so if i had a baby in the house.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

Dreft is horrible in my opinion. All that fragrance and dye. I'm actually allergic to it.
We use free and clear detergents and always washed baby's stuff with our stuff.
We use Costco's Kirkland brand Free & Clear liquid. I use a fraction of what it calls for because it calls for too much and doesn't all rinse out. I put white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser of the washer. I use several tennis balls in the dryer and do not use fabric sheets. I use Oxyclean Baby spray which is dye and fragrance free on any spots. I'll do an extra rinse when needed.

3 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Tide worked for four kids. Nothing else needed.

2 moms found this helpful
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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

I always used Tide, and I still do. If your baby ever shows signs of an allergy, that's one thing. But I do think it's a waste to just assume all babies will react to detergent and therefore spend a lot of money buying expensive detergents or washing their clothes separately.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I used the same detergent with all of our clothes.

I did wash baby things separately but that was the extent of doing anything super special for baby clothes and linens.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from New York on

I'm in the same camp as Sunshine. Soap nuts and perhaps some baking soda.

Congrats on your yet to be born bundle of joy.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Houston on

It was recommended by our pediatrician to use any fragrance free, dye free detergent. If there are no skin issues, then you can be less vigilant - mix loads, change to another detergent, etc.

Call me silly but I like the smell of Dreft and the therapy of folding the baby's laundry as a separate load. It was one moment which allowed me to slow down, focus on the baby moments, enjoy a very baby smell embodied by Dreft, handle those tiny pieces of baby clothes and just sort of be in the zen of babydom which is fleeting.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.F.

answers from Rochester on

I use soap nuts on all clothing. They make baby clothes so soft! I use Econuts and get them on Amazon.com.

1 mom found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

I use a free and clear detergent on everyone's clothes, but I had always washed baby clothes, blankets, etc. separate from everything else.

I like the Seventh Generation products, but they get pricey. ALL, Purex, or any of the other free and clears should be fine.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from Elmira on

I use all free and clear for everyone's laundry and had zero issues. I wash hubby's clothes separate but that's solely cause they have gas and oil on them.

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L..

answers from Raleigh on

I use tide on our clothes, but I do use dreft for the babies. I find stackable coupons to get a good discount then buy one jug of it before baby is born. I use half the amount it calls for, and it lasts past newborn stage. Afterward that I switch to tide.

S.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I love All Free & Clear (just bought some about 20 minutes ago in fact). My son had eczema and it worked fine. I'm also not into buying Dreft due to the price tag....

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Any of the Free & Clear brands should be fine. We never used Dreft.

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I always used All Free & Clear (or similar generic "free & clear") because it is way cheaper and supposedly the same thing as Dreft.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I never used Dreft. I am allergic to most laundry detergents, so I use All Free and Clear for everyone in our house, and it's been fine for me, and for my babies.

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

i am sensitive to detergents and my mom uesd tide from the start. i use tide. period. never even bothered with anything else.

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I read that free & clear detergents are the same thing as Dreft, only cheaper. I've only ever used All Free & Clear and never had any issues.

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

My first had eczema so we saw a dermatologist. They suggested the clear and free detergents - even no name. They said the big thing was to rinse really well. So I did a double rinse for my newborns, or I'd use slightly less detergent. He said the big thing was to make sure there was no soap residue. We never had any issues, and once they were past the newborn stage I skipped the double rinse.

Good luck :)

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

We used Ivory and also unscented products like Seventh Generation. Oxyclean for babies spray on all the stains.

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

I used Tide and Oxyclean. Because I used the Oxy, I didn't need much Tide. Neither one of my kids seemed to mind the regular detergent. I do a really good rinse though, or two. My niece was really allergic to everything but the All Free and Clear. I think you might just need to try some out and see what works.

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M.M.

answers from Boston on

All Free and Clear

Target's Up&Up freeClear was fine too

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

For my first, I was a total Freft fan. That got out everything. I could not soak since I had to use the laundromat. I also used Shout like crazy. For my youngest, I think I used Dreft for 2 months. I used Zota soap (still do)on stains and just a regular scent free. I also washed baby clothes separately than others since it prevented missing items and I could check check for stains more easily. Oxyclean is always at the ready just in case I need to soak something overnight. I also added a rinse cycle to make sure all soap was gone.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think any detergent that's not loaded with dye or fragrance would be fine.

D.L.

answers from New York on

Purex makes a baby detergent I use that on all of my daughters clothing and she hasn't had a reaction yet and she has very sensitive fair skin. And it's great because it's so much cheaper than dreft.

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

All Free & Clear. I use it for everyone's laundry.

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