I am having a baby this April & in the midst of washing everything. However, I can't seem to find a baby detergent made for front loading washers. I've been using Seventh Generation but am starting to worry it's not gentle enough. (Dreft doesn't make a front loader detergent.) Any suggestion?
Hi C.,
Dreft does now make a front loading detergent. I found it recently at Target.
Hopefully there's a Target near you!!
C. - Melaleuca makes a HE Natural laundry deteregent - I have been using this detergent in my front loader for 6 years - plus since it is Natural, it is safe for everyone in the family - they also have stain remover, softners and a NO-bleach whiter. All cheaper use by use then Tide - plus I am the only one out of my friends that have no stains on my baby/kids clothes. Melaleuca is a referral company, you can't see too many of their products without being a customer but you can take a tour at www.melaleuca.com & check out the product video - enjoy C.
I have a front loading washing machine and I use Dreft. The beauty of front loaders is you can really use any detergent you want to. Not sure if your washer is different ( I am assuming it could be) All Free & Clear is also a great detergent recommended by my doctor. Hope this helps! Congrats on Baby #2!
I used Dreft until I got a front loader. I looked it up when we got the new washer and their website says NOT to use it in a frontloader....it's not good for the machine. Now I use All Free & Clear (the one that says high efficiency on the bottle) and Downy Free & Sensitive fabric softener. It works great and is safe for the babies, so we just use it for all of our laundry now.
Good luck with #2!
I have a front load washer and I use special HE detergent for us but I use Dreft for the baby. I just use half or even less of what they say to use for a normal washer. The salesperson at Lowes told me that was ok. Although its not reccomended, you can use regular detergent in smaller quantities as well. Its best to use the HE as it was designed but using Dreft for a load once a week is not a big deal.
I wouldn't use a different detergent on my baby's clothes. I always just used the same detergent on my kids clothes as my clothes. It's a waste of money to buy two different detergents and eventually you are going to want to use the same one on your child as you do you. If by chance your child does have very sensitive skin that for some reason is causing him/her to get a rash from the detergent then you might think about changing, but I wouldn't start out like that in the very beginning. Just my two cents.
Hi C.,
Gosh, I have a front-loading washer and wasn't even aware that there was special detergent especially made for front-loading washers. I've been using my same old stuff with no problems. Shows you how observant I am when I'm at the grocery store! :)
Anyway, I have to echo many of the other comments made. I stopped using Dreft when my son was about four months old. I was tired of paying $12+ for the a bottle of detergent when I could basically get the same stuff for a lot less. I started using Tide Free and my son, who has super sensitive skin, doesn't have a problem with it. I also use as little detergent as possible when I wash his clothes.
Congratulations on your second baby!
Don't listen to advice to use regular detergent!! It will wreck your very expensive front loader! If you compare dreft and All free and clear or any other detergent w/o dye and fragrance.....they are the same....I use very little detergent and no fabric softener....the less chemicals in their clothes the better + they really don't need softening..baby clothes are already soft. Most Dr's will tell you that dye/fragrance free detergents are fine.
Hi C.,
Congratulations on your upcoming arrival :o)
You don't need front loading detergent for a front loading washer. The manufacturer's like you to think that (they must get a kick back from the detergent company as it's more expensive). The reason they don't want you to use regular detergent is because if you use too much the machine can overflow with suds! Then you'll need a tech to fix stuff. A friend told me a secret. Use regular detergent, just very little - like 1 - 2 tblsp. fulls. It doesn't seem like enough, but it works. The clothes will get clean (with less detergent and less money spent - you won't believe how long the detergent will last).
I've been doing this since my first son was born (3 1/2 yrs. ago) and I'm due May 1st (I'm washing away too). Never had a problem using dreft in my front loader.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
my midwife and pediatrician both told us we could keep on using our seventh generation when our daughter was born. (we also have a front loader) we like to use as many natural products as possible, and dreft just seemed to be chemicals. we use the free and clear 7th generation, and have been since our daughter was born.
good luck!!
Hi C....Congrats on baby #2 - my best wishes to your family! Great news, I was just in Toys R Us on Saturday and saw a Dreft with the little "he" symbol on it. I am expecting #3 in October and recently replaced my top-loader with a front-loader so I was looking for the same thing. I was under the impression Dreft didn't make it, because none of the grocery stores carry it, but I'm wondering if they're just selling it in baby stores. Good luck!
Have you tried the Seventh Generation Baby? I use it for all my wash including mine and my husband's. It's very gentle - no perfumes, dyes, fragrances and it works well for us. It can be hard to find and I've had most luck finding it at Babies 'R Us and Whole Foods.
