Best Detergents For Cloth Diapers

Looking for the best detergents for cloth diapers?

Then check out this guide as we compare safety, affordability and longevity of the best laundry detergent for cloth diapers!

If you are new to cloth diapering or simply want to look at your options for cloth diaper safe detergents, then you’re in the right place.

Cloth diapers require a certain level of care to ensure that they are fit for purpose. As well you want to be mindful of the chemicals you’re using to wash your cloth diapers in so they don’t end up irritating your baby’s skin.

And whilst selecting the right detergent can be overwhelming, it can go a long way toward making your cloth diaper experience more successful and enjoyable.

So, let’s dive in and look at your the best options when it comes to detergent safe for cloth diapers!

And if you love this guide to the best laundry detergent for cloth diapers, then check out our guides to best diaper cream for cloth diapers, different types of cloth diapers explained, and how many cloth diaper covers and inserts do I need? Or even these best washing machines for cloth diapers.

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List Of 10 Best Detergent For Cloth Diapers

Best Laundry Detergent For Cloth Diapers

1. Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus is a fantastic eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, non-irritating detergent safe for your cloth diapers and your baby’s delicate skin.

This plant-based detergent is free of dyes, fragrances and artificial brighteners. But don’t be fooled, it contains triple enzymes to remove even the toughest poop stains from your cloth diapers.

It has been designed for standard and HE machines and works well in all temperatures, though you may need to in hot water for the main wash to help remove those stains.

Pros

• Eco-Friendly – This plant-based detergent is free of dyes and other chemicals that can harm the environment or your baby.
• Hypoallergenic – This detergent has been clinically tested
• Easy To Use – This detergent is very simple to use, all you have to do is throw it in the wash with your diapers and away you go. This is a great detergent for new moms who haven’t washed their clothes in a while.
• HE Safe – This detergent can be used in both a standard or HE machine.

Cons

• Expensive – this is not the cheapest cloth friendly detergent.
• Not Widely Available – you may not be able to find this product in your local store.

2. All Powder Laundry Detergent

To start us off with a detergent option that everyone will be able to afford for their baby’s cloth diapers, we have All’s Power laundry detergent.

If you’re on a tight budget, and your baby’s diapers need cleaning, this is just the cleaning product that you’ll need.

All powder laundry detergent is made from natural ingredients and has been specially designed for delicate fabrics.

It cleans without leaving residue behind on clothes and is suitable for all types of wash cycles.

All powder laundry detergents are free of perfumes, synthetic fragrances, colors, dyes, and harsh chemicals. They come in different scents and colors, so you can choose the one that suits you best.

All powder laundry detergents contain biodegradable surfactants, enzymes, and plant extracts that remove dirt and grime from clothes, making it easier to spot stains.

All powder laundry detergents are formulated to provide excellent cleaning results while being kind to your skin and environment.

Use it with all Free Clear fabric conditioners and dryer sheets for fresh-smelling, soft clothes.

We loved this detergent! Not only is this a great product for just your cloth baby diapers. With this detergent, our clothes come out smelling fresh every time.

Also, our clothes don’t get as wrinkled as they did before. We would recommend this detergent to anyone looking for an economical option for their young family!

Pros

• An effective cleaner – An exceptional fabric softener, safe to use, and smells great. And all that without any perfumes or dyes being used to make it! This is 100% free of those additives that might otherwise overwhelm the senses.
• Excellent budget option – If you’re looking to help you clean your clothes and your baby’s diapers without breaking the bank, this is the perfect option for your washing machine.

Cons

• Too strong in some regards – There is a lot of brightener in this detergent, which you’ll probably have to strip from your diaper yourself if you want to avoid it building up too much in your baby wear.
  
  But you’ll probably be stripping your diapers anyway to keep them hygienic, so perhaps this isn’t that big of an issue in the long run?

3. Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent Soap

This next laundry soap is some of the best on the market when it comes to laundry soap for delicate cloth diapers.

This laundry soap is safe for babies and adults alike. It contains no harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. This product is biodegradable and non-toxic. The detergent is available in both liquid and bar form.

It works well on all fabrics including cotton, silk, linen, wool, and nylon. It does not leave behind a residue as many other soaps do.

It comes in a convenient spray bottle which makes it easy to apply.

Pros

• Affordable – this is a great detergent to have if you are broke and looking to save some money. Parenting can often be expensive, so what better detergent to have than this one.
• Easy To Use – This detergent is very simple to use, all you have to do is throw it in the wash with your diapers and away you go. This is a great detergent for new moms who haven’t washed their clothes in a while.
• Non-Toxic – This is non-toxic, so you won’t have to worry about any harmful residue on your baby’s diapers. This will then reduce the amount of residue that will get on their skin, which might cause them some harm.
• Application – you’ll be able to put this one on your diapers will very little issue at all. all you have to do is spray it on a few times and it will be fine.

Cons

• Not Effective On Cotton – you might be struggling to get some stains out of cotton clothing, which will certainly be difficult if you have cotton diapers.
• Does Not Remove Stains Well – if you have particularly stubborn stains, then this detergent might make your life a lot harder.

4. Biokleen Cold Water Laundry Liquid

If you’re looking to keep your detergent of choice animal and eco friendly, then the Cold Water Laundry Liquid by Biokleen is just the detergent for your and your baby’s diapers.

Biokleen is the leading plant-based laundry detergent brand that makes it easy to care for the planet while caring for your clothes. With its unique formula, Biokleen helps you wash without harming the environment. 

It’s 100 percent natural and free from harsh chemicals. Biokleen was created by a team of scientists and engineers who wanted to find a way to create a cleaner, greener product. Their goal was simple: produce a laundry soap that works!

Biokleen laundry liquids are designed to clean white and colored clothing, including jeans, towels, shirts, bedding, and linens. They are safe and gentle, yet effective. Biokleen laundry liquids are ideal for washing delicate items such as silk, wool, cashmere, and cotton.

The secret ingredient in Biokleen laundry liquids is a new enzyme technology called “Enzyme Cleaning System” (ECS). ECS is an innovative technology that takes advantage of the natural properties of enzymes found in plants. 

These enzymes have been used for centuries to clean fabrics. Enzymes can break down proteins, fats, oils, starch, lignin, and cellulose. As a result, they remove dirt and grime from fabric without using harsh chemical additives.

After using Biokleen for about two months now, we can say with some confidence that we love it! Whilst the scent that it gave both clothes and cloth diapers was great, we had our reservations about how much we would like it without the scent. 

But, we have found that it cleans pretty much any piece of clothing or fabric excellently. The clothes we tested were cleaner than they had been in months.

I also tried the detergent on some old clothing that had been hanging around for a while. Again, I was impressed with the results. My clothes came out looking new again. I am going to try the other items next time I wash my clothes.

Pros

• Incredibly efficient – Despite it being quite a moderate sized liquid bottle, it’s surprising just how many washes you’ll be able to get out of this product. With less than 2 liters of cleaning product, it can wash over 125 loads!
• Great for removing stains – Whether it’s tough grimy marks, oily spills, or even baby-related messes, this cleaner can tackle them all!

Cons

• Not ideal for hard washes – This is a great cleaning product that can handle both soft and hard washes.
  
  But from both our experience and the reviews this item has gotten, you may want to primarily use this laundry detergent for mainly softer washes.
  
  At the very least, you may want to throw in some washing soda if you’re determined to use it for harder washes!

5. Tide Original Scent HE Turbo Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent

The Tide brand has been around since the 1930s and has become one of the most trusted brands in America. This is because they provide excellent products at affordable prices.

They also offer a wide range of products from different categories like dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, laundry detergents, and even personal care items.

This particular detergent is made up of natural ingredients and is completely free of harsh chemicals. It is suitable for washing everything including delicate materials like silk and wool.

It is gentle enough to use on kids’ clothing and doesn’t contain any perfumes or dyes. It is also hypoallergenic and non-irritating.

You can use this detergent on almost anything including cotton, polyester, silk, rayon, and nylon.

Pros

• Safe – this detergent is completely safe for everyone. There are no harsh chemicals used in its manufacturing process, so there is nothing to worry about when using it.
• Eco-Friendly – this detergent is eco-friendly, so it is kind to our environment. You don’t have to worry about wasting water or creating waste during its usage.
• Gentle – this detergent is gentle enough to use without causing any damage to your kid’s clothing.

Cons

• Expensive – this detergent isn’t cheap, but it is worth every penny.
• Not Enough Volume – this detergent only contains 3.8 ounces per container, which means that you will need to buy multiple containers just to get through an entire load of laundry.

6. All Natural Borax Laundry Detergent Booster

If you’re looking for a borax-based laundry booster, then this one is perfect for you. It comes in a bottle that looks similar to other borax boosters, but it actually works differently than others.

This product is made from 100% natural ingredients and is completely safe for children. It does not contain any artificial colors or fragrances, so it is ideal for people with sensitive skin.

It is designed to boost the effectiveness of your regular detergent by increasing the cleaning power of your clothes.

It effectively removes dirt, grease, and odors while keeping them from reoccurring.

It is easy to use; simply add 1 tablespoon into each load of laundry and let it work its magic. The best thing about this product is that it is completely biodegradable.

Pros

• 100% Safe – this product is completely safe for everyone, especially children.
• No Artificial Colors Or Fragrances – this product doesn’t contain any artificial colors or scented oils, so it is ideal if you have sensitive skin.
• Effective – this product is effective at removing stains and smells from your clothes.
• Easy To Use – all you need to do is add 1 tablespoon of this product into your normal detergent and follow the instructions on the label.

Cons

• Doesn’t Have Much Volume – this product only contains 2 tablespoons per container, so you will need to buy several containers just to get through a whole load of laundry.

7. Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Hypoallergenic Liquid Baby Laundry Detergent

The Dreft brand has been around since the 1930s, so they know how to make baby products. This liquid laundry detergent is hypoallergenic, meaning that it won’t cause irritation to babies’ delicate skin.

This product is also free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate the skin. SLS is often found in commercial brands of laundry detergents, but this product is free of it.

This product is great for newborns because it is mild enough for their tender skin.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic – this product is free of irritating chemicals like SLS. This will really help to keep your baby’s skin in perfect condition.
• Mild For Babies – this product is gentle enough for newborns’ delicate skin. This is great if you are looking for something that will keep your baby safe and secure during those initial few months.
• Free Of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate – this product is free from SLS, which can irritate skin and cause rashes.
• Affordable – this is one of the cheapest detergents that you can get on this list, which will really help you out if you are a struggling single parent.

Cons

• Little Volume – this product only comes in a 4-ounce container, so you will probably need to purchase more than one container to get through a full load of laundry.
• Not As Effective – this product isn’t as effective as some of the other ones on this list, so you may want to consider trying another brand first before purchasing this one.

8. Nellie’s All Natural Baby Powder Laundry Detergent Tin

This next product is amazing when it comes to cleaning your baby’s delicate diapers. In fact, this product was designed specifically for this type of cleaning.

This product is designed to be used by both adults and children. It is suitable for use in every season of the year.

This comes in a handy tin that you can be sure will keep all the powder in. This will give you additional peace of mind when it comes to preserving the delicate fibers of your diapers.

This is also an unscented detergent, so you won’t have to worry about it leaving an unsightly smell on your baby’s clothes. You can be sure that you’ll have everything that you need for a nice and clean diaper.

Pros

• Natural Ingredients – this product uses natural ingredients, so it is kind to your family’s health.
• Suitable For Everyone – this product is suitable for everyone, not just babies or toddlers. You don’t have to worry about using this product on yourself or your kids.
• Suitable In All Seasons – this product is suitable in any season of the year, so you can use it all year round.
• Highly rated – this comes with plenty of good ratings on Amazon, which is amazing if you want to rely on a decent product. We would always recommend that you check out the reviews of a product before you try it.

Cons

• Expensive – this product costs quite a bit compared to many others on this list. If you are looking for an affordable laundry detergent, then you might want to look elsewhere.
• Does Not Have A Very High Volume – this product doesn’t come in a very high volume at all. You will most likely end up needing multiple containers to complete a full load of laundry, so you may want to consider buying a different brand instead.

9. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder

If you’ve ever had trouble cleaning stains off of clothes, then you’ll love this product. This stain remover powder works well on almost anything, including coffee, tea, red wine, grease, blood, grass, mud, paint, ink, and even chocolate!

The best thing about this product is that it has no harsh chemicals, so it won’t harm your clothing or furniture. This means that you can use it safely around your home without worrying about damaging anything.

Pros

• No Harmful Chemicals – this product doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, so it is completely safe to use around your home.
• Works Well On Almost Anything – this product works well on almost everything, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble cleaning up after yourself.
• Safe To Use Around Your Home – this product contains no harsh chemicals, so you can use this product anywhere in your house.

Cons

• A Little Expensive – this product does cost a little bit more than some of the other products on this list. However, if you do a lot of laundry, then you will save money over time because you won’t need to buy as many bottles of detergent.
• Doesn’t Come With An Envelope – this product doesn’t include an envelope, which means that you will have to purchase one separately.

10. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Baby Stain Soaker

If you have a baby who likes to get into things like cups, bowls, and spoons, then you should try out this product. This stain fighter soaker is perfect for keeping these items clean.

This product is specially designed for babies under 2 years old, but it is also great for older kids as well. The reason why we recommend this product is because it is made with natural ingredients, so it isn’t going to hurt your child’s skin.

This product comes in two sizes: small and large. We recommend getting the larger size because it holds enough liquid for several loads of laundry.

Pros

• Made With Natural Ingredients – This product is made with only natural ingredients, so there will be nothing bad for your baby’s health when they accidentally put it in their mouth.
• Great For Babies And Older Kids Too – this product is good for both babies and older children. It is suitable for anyone from birth up until age 14.
• Easy To Clean Up After Yourself – this product is easy to clean up after yourself, so you don’t have to worry about any messes left behind.

Cons

• Not Enough Liquid In Small Size – the small size of this product only holds enough liquid for 1 load of laundry. If you want to wash multiple loads of laundry, then you may want to consider buying the large size instead.
• Not Suitable For Very Hot Or Cold Climates – this product is not recommended for very hot or cold climates, so make sure that you keep it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Buyer’s Guide on Best Laundry Detergent for Cloth Diapers

When it comes to buying detergents for cloth diapers there are a few factors that you will need to consider. These are:

Ingredients

There are a lot of chemicals that can be used when it comes to laundry detergents and baby fabric softeners. From fragrances, dyes, and artificial brighteners, you will need to consider the ingredients list when your looking at the different detergents. Especially if you are intentionally opting to use cloth diapers to reduce the use of harsh chemicals on your baby’s skin or the environment.

That’s why we have looked at the ingredients as a contributing factor in our best laundry detergents for cloth diapers review!

Price

Price always matter when it comes to anything that you buy, including laundry detergent. Some detergents are more expensive than others so we made sure to factor in which laundry detergents provided the best value.

Liquid or Powder

You can choose between using a powder or liquid detergent. Powder detergents are generally easier to use because they don’t require water.

Liquid detergents are usually recommended for babies who are older than 6 months old.

The best detergent depends on the type of fabric used in your diaper. For example, if you are making a cotton diaper, it will need a different detergent than one made with polyester.

Type of Washing Machine

If you have a high-energy (HE) washing machine you will need to use a HE-safe detergent that will keep the suds at bay while maintaining cleaning power.

Hard or Soft Water

The hardness of water is determined primarily by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains. Higher levels of these and other minerals make water hard. Your water is classed as soft if it is between 0-60 parts per million (ppm). It is consider hard water if it is above 120 ppm. If your water is hard you will need to add a water softener to your wash routine.

Final Thoughts on Best Detergent for Diapers

When it comes to choosing a detergent for your cloth diapers you need to consider the factors that best meet your requirements. From eco-friendly to affordability we have compared a full range of laundry detergents for cloth diapers, so you’re to find one that works best for you and your child.

And if you’re looking for more great diapering guides, then check out these guides on best natural diaper rash creams, best wet bag for cloth diapers, best diaper pail alternatives, and what to do with old cloth diapers.