We all want nothing but the absolute best when caring for our babies, and that includes how we wash their clothes. Maybe you already know that many common household name detergents are not ideal for a baby’s needs. A baby’s skin is extremely sensitive, and many commercial laundry detergents contain toxins that we simply don’t want our baby anywhere near.
This means that we need to put a little bit of extra time and effort into choosing the best detergent with which to wash our baby’s clothes. In fact, if a baby’s skin is particularly sensitive, or if they have certain allergies, you may need to wash your clothes and linens with the same detergent you use for your baby’s, because of the amount of contact you make with them when holding them.
What to Avoid When Looking for Laundry Detergent for a Baby
When it comes to choosing the perfect laundry detergent for a baby, there are a few basic things to look for while examining the label. First, here’s a list of things that you should avoid.
#1: Common Allergens
Babies can have a number of skin allergies, and you won’t know it until it’s too late. So, the key is to avoid the most common allergens that babies are prone to. Keeping in mind that a baby can ultimately be allergic to anything, the most common allergens to watch out for are:
- Surfactants (Amidoamine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, etc.)
- Dyes
- Preservatives
- Certain Fragrances
#2: Too Much Fragrance
Even if your baby isn’t allergic to certain fragrances, you do want to avoid heavily fragranced laundry detergents. Very strong smells can irritate a baby’s nose. Not only that, but also be generally unpleasant for them to breathe in all day, due to how sensitive and underdeveloped their senses are.
#3: Harsh and Irritating Chemicals
In general, you need to avoid harsh irritants that make their way into a lot of commercial detergents – including ones that are marketed toward baby clothes and linens. It’s good to read the entire list of ingredients carefully, and even look up any ingredients that you’re not familiar with. To list every potential irritant that could be in a detergent product would be impossible, but with a little research you can identify any that may be in a specific formula.
#4: Bleach
It probably goes without saying that bleach and baby clothes don’t mix. A baby’s skin is far too delicate for the fumes released from bleach, which can linger long after you take the clothing out of the wash, and possibly affect your baby’s skin and respiratory system more than you realize. There are plenty of bleach alternatives out there that are far gentler, and much more baby-friendly.
Choosing the Best Laundry Detergent for Your Baby
Now that you know what you should avoid, what kind of baby detergent should you opt for? Well first of all, a baby laundry detergent doesn’t need to be marketed toward babies, but by going that route, you will have a much easier time narrowing down the perfect formula. Top option is going to rely mainly on natural ingredients, and use fragrances, if any, that are derived from real plant sources rather than synthetics. Of course, because baby’s clothes are more prone to staining, not helped by the fact that most baby clothes come in light colors, you also want something that can handle tougher stains that are basically inevitable.
The Baby Laundry Detergent at Grab Green Home
Luckily, you can find laundry detergent and other laundry products made specially for a baby’s needs, with gentle, natural ingredients and no common allergens. The baby laundry products at Grab Green Home are made with plant derivatives safe enough for a baby’s skin, and, are free of the no-no additives we talked about earlier. These products can remove stains and keep their clothes snuggly soft, while protecting more delicate fibers that are prone to wear and tear with harsher detergents.
Grab Green Home is committed to addressing the needs of everyone in your family – including your baby:
