Do you use special baby detergent?

**AmyMCGS** · 06-12-2006, 08:58 AM

I just bought a bottle of Dreft to wash all the baby's things in, and I was shocked at the price-- $9.xx for a bottle that will do 32 loads. That's a lot more than I normally spend on detergent.

With DD, I used the baby detergent until she was about a year old, then I started putting her stuff in with ours.

It makes sense to me to use the gentle, unscented baby detergent... something I learned from my mom. Yet, the frugal side of me wonders if it's really that important.

**celina** · 06-12-2006, 09:21 AM

i used our regular detergent, but with 2 rinses..my kids have real sensitive skin..and no problems..but i used sunlight..the tide irritates me...

**Jerseygirl** · 06-12-2006, 11:41 AM

I am currently on baby #16 (yes you read that right, all foster) out of those children only one actually needed the baby detergent. I use less detergent than the bottle calls for usually, so I guess that helps, and I don't pack the washer so things rinse well. I look at it as, baby is sitting against my shirt, or often laying in my bed for a big part of their day. I'm not using this detergent on those items and there isn't a reaction, so it can't be that bad. I do start with the dreft on their clothes and blankets for the first 6 weeks or so just in case there is an allergic reaction, I prefer a mild one through general contact with my items rather than full blown from overnight in their blankets etc. Make sense? ----Kellie

**santoria** · 06-12-2006, 12:02 PM

nope. had some for a while (got it as a freebie - but it wreaked havoc on the skin of both my girls).

**QuilterMom** · 06-12-2006, 12:42 PM

I use Seventh Generation free & clear or Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap (diluted) in baby mild or almond for all of ds2's things.

**Katybird** · 06-12-2006, 01:25 PM

No, I just used the same soap as the rest of the family but like Celina I did an extra rinse cycle on the baby's clothing and linens.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 06-12-2006, 04:01 PM

I used/use what we (adults) use and never had any problems. I didn't do an extra rinse either, but my girls don't have sensitive skin so it was never an issue.

**BTK** · 06-12-2006, 08:40 PM

I always used whatever I washed our clothes in. I had a free sample of the baby stuff, and I noticed that it didn't really get out any spitup stains or anything. I never used it again.

I've always used Tide, always less than the recommended amount, and pre treat all stains with it too. Stains always came out that way.

**crdurham** · 06-12-2006, 09:05 PM

I used All Free and Clear and we never had a problem with ds skin. I pretreated with Shout.

**juliek** · 06-13-2006, 03:59 PM

With my first one I used scent-free regular detergent, no problems. Don't even think I bothered with that for my second one, his clothes just got washed with whatever I happened to have. No problems there, either.

**santoria** · 06-13-2006, 06:37 PM

my whole family has sensitive skin so I stuck with Sunlight.....dh is the worst!! he gets all rashy and flaky skin its ICKY

I love the smell of the baby stuff though!!

**pita1213** · 06-14-2006, 09:57 PM

i washed with whatever i was using on our clothes. i have sensitive skin so that means we use a dye free scent free one anyway. worked fine for both kids.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 06-14-2006, 10:59 PM

never used any baby detergent. i always used the regular stuff i havealways used. that dreft & all the other stuff costs too much & if your baby don't break out in a rash, i would just stick to your regular detergent

**shoefairy3** · 06-15-2006, 10:09 AM

i never used dreft...way too expensive. I normally use 1/2 of what the bottles says to use for a regular load, and none of my kids have had a reaction (although Gabriel is allergic to the Downy Vanilla and Lavender fabric softener)

Unless there is a real need, there is no reason to use baby detergent. My friends 2 girls have sensative skin and they use the all free and clear instead...it was cheaper ;-)

**patra** · 07-05-2006, 03:52 PM

I use arm and hammer fragrance free for sensitive skin that I get for 3.00 in the local dollar store.Its a bargain and it works great and no itchies.I also use an oxy clean that I get at the dollar tree on my whites, which works well too.i agree that the dreft is very expensive.

Patty