There are obvious benefits in using clothes diapers for your baby like saving money, keeping the environment safe, and the most important one; protecting your baby’s skin. Since you use cloth diapers to protect your baby, it makes sense to use best natural detergent for cloth diapers that will not irritate their skin and cause allergies.
Why Choose Natural Detergents for Cloth Diapers
Your baby’s skin is sensitive and needs to be protected from harsh chemicals that are present in traditional detergents. This is why you need a natural detergent for your baby cloth diapers.
Natural detergents are hypoallergenic and will not contain phosphate, chlorine, fragrance, dye, and other artificial additives that might harm your baby.
They are not just safe for your baby they are also safe for the environment as they are mostly made using plant-based ingredients and are biodegradable. They also clean as well as traditional detergent.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Natural Detergent
There are many natural detergents in the market now, some of them are best used in hard or soft water, so you need to consider that when buying, you also need to consider If the detergent will be suitable for the kind of machine you use.
When it’s time to select the best natural detergent for cloth diapers, a few essential factors should guide your decision:
- Ingredients: Delve into the ingredient list and prioritize plant-based surfactants, enzymes, and essential oils. Avoid detergents containing synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals that could compromise your baby’s well-being and harm the environment.
- Sensitivity: Your baby’s skin is delicate, so opt for a detergent specifically designed for sensitive skin and allergies. This choice ensures that diaper changes remain irritation-free and comfortable for your little one.
- Effectiveness: A natural detergent’s primary job is to clean, so choose one with proven effectiveness in stain and odor removal. Your cloth diapers should come out fresh and clean, ready to provide maximum comfort and absorbency for your baby.
We have listed the 7 best natural detergents for cloth diapers (in no particular order) that will help you make the best decision for your baby and the environment.
Best Natural Detergent For Cloth Diapers
BIOKLEEN NATURAL LAUNDRY DETERGENT LIQUID
Introducing the best natural detergent for cloth diapers, an environmentally friendly liquid detergent made from plant-based ingredients and free of metasilicates borax, or caustic. It does not contain artificial fragrance or color.
Biokleen natural laundry detergent liquid stands out with its grapefruit-seed and orange extract infusion, which works tirelessly to combat stubborn stains and odors in your baby’s cloth diapers.
It is mainly formulated to work in high-efficiency (HE) washing machines but can also work in standard washers. It can be used with both hard and soft water.
There are use and care instructions on the label for both HE and standard loads. It is also septic safe.
With a remarkable 3 times concentration, this detergent comes in various options:
- A 150-ounce bottle is equal to 300 HE loads or 150 standard loads.
- A 64-ounce bottle equal to 128 HE loads or 64 standard loads.
- 3 packs of the 150-ounce bottle.
PROS
- It is a great way to save money because it lasts long.
- It is mild to sensitive skin and does not trigger allergies.
- It can be used in both hot and cold water.
- It is not tested on animals.
CONS
- It has a mild citrus scent and might be a problem if you are sensitive to scent.
- It does not leave a fresh scent on clothes after washing.
- You might need to pretreat tough stains.
ALLENS NATURALLY LIQUID SOAP LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Our list of the 7 best natural detergents for cloth diapers will not be complete with Allens naturally liquid detergent.
Allens naturally liquid soap detergent is natural and free of dye, fragrance, and harmful chemicals. It is biodegradable and good for the environment.
It will clean your baby cloth diapers thoroughly yet gently leaving no residue or scent. It is recommended by many cloth diaper manufacturers like wonderoos, bumkins, fuzzy buns, etc.
You can buy the optional 1-ounce dispensing pump which fits the gallon size that comes with it for easy dispensing. The dispensing pump has a ¼ ounce (which is enough for 1 load) resistor clip for High-efficiency washing machine.
It is concentrated for 512 loads when used in high efficiency (HE) washing machine, 128 loads in other machines.
It can be used for both regular and high-efficiency machines.
PROS
- It is great for your baby sensitive skin.
- It is cost-efficient and lasts long
CONS
- It is not strong enough for tough stains.
ROCKIN GREEN PLATINUM SERIES DIRTY DIAPERS POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENTIAPERS POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Rockin’ green dirty diapers series is a plant-based, biodegradable detergent that is free from harmful chemicals like SLS and phosphate. It does not have an artificial fragrance.
It contains a blend of cloth safe enzymes that targets biological residue like urine and feces while protecting your baby diapers and ensuring they last longer. It is suitable for hard and soft water.
It cleans 90 loads in front-load machines and 45 loads in top-load machines. It has a highly concentrated formula and one tbsp of it will effectively clean 1 load of baby’s diapers’ removing stains and odor.
PROS
- It contains tea tree oil that gives it a pleasant scent and helps fight bacteria.
- It can be used in all kinds of washing machines.
- It is cruelty-free as it is not tested on animals.
CONS
- It might be harsh on sensitive skin.
- You might not like the tea tree fragrance.
TIDE POD FREE AND GENTLE LAUNDRY DETERGENT PACS
This hypoallergenic detergent is free of dyes and perfumes.it comes in premeasured pods and features a 3-in-1 technology; detergent, stain removal, and cloth protector for maximum cleaning of your baby cloth diapers.
It is formulated with HE Turbo technology that has 6 times cleaning capacity at half the time. It contains 57 pacs. Use 1 pac for regular loads, 2 pac for large loads, and 3 pacs for extra-large loads.
It is recommended by dermatologists and accepted by the National Eczema Association (NEA) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).
It can be used in both standard and high-efficiency washing machines and even septic tanks.
Keep pods out of the reach of children.
PROS
- It is suitable for both cold and hot water
- It is convenient and easy to use.
- It is mild to sensitive skin.
CONS
- The pods might not dissolve completely.
- Tide products are not cruelty-free, as they are tested on animals.
- Store the container in a dry place else the pods might become damp and stick together.
CHARLIE’S SOAP LAUNDRY POWDER
Charlie’s soap is a concentrated laundry detergent that will gently yet thoroughly remove stains, odor, and leftover residue from your baby cloth diapers.
It is hypoallergenic and non-toxic. It is free of fragrance or brightener and made with biodegradable ingredients.
It is environmentally friendly and features a simple formula with just 4 ingredients. 1 tablespoon of it will effectively clean 1 load. It comes in:
- 1 pack of 1.3 pounds that can clean 50 loads for all machines.
- 1 pack of 2.64 pounds that can clean 100 loads for all machines.
- 1 pack of 8 pounds that can clean 300 loads for all machines.
Charlie’s laundry soap is also great for removing residues build-up from other detergents. You might need to combine it with Charlie’s all-purpose spray to effectively remove tough stains.
PROS
- It leaves your cloth with that clean and fresh smell.
- Suitable for all kinds of machines and is septic safe.
- Charlie’s soap products have never been tested in animals.
- It works well for both hot and cold water.
CONS
- It is not suitable for hard water.
- It might leave residues that will clog your washing machine pipe.
- It might leave bleach-like stains in colored baby diapers.
NELLIE’S ALL-NATURAL POWDER LAUNDRY DETERGENT TIN
This powder laundry detergent comes in a recyclable tin, so it is safe for the environment.
It is hypoallergenic and comes in a simple and safe formula that is 100% natural with no phosphate and fragrance. It is perfect for removing odor from your baby cloth diapers.
Nellie powder detergent contains oxygen brightener that makes it easier to keep your baby’s diapers clean without using bleach.
It can be used in standard and high effective washing machines and is septic tank safe.
It comes with a tablespoon for easy measurement. Use 1 tablespoon for one regular-sized load. It comes in 2.34 pounds and can clean up to 80 loads of laundry.
PROS
- It is effective and does not leave any residue.
- It is cost-effective and lasts a long time.
- It is great for your baby sensitive skin.
- It works for both hard and cold water.
- It is cruelty-free.
CONS
- It is most effective when used with other detergents.
- It is recommended for hot water wash only.
DROPPS SENSITIVE SKIN BABY LAUNDRY DETERGENT PODS
This environmentally friendly detergent concludes our 7 best natural detergents for cloth diapers. It is packaged in recyclable and compostable cardboard.
It is made with plant-based ingredients and is phosphate and scent-free. It is formulated to effectively remove stains and odor from your baby’s diaper while protecting their sensitive skin from rashes and other allergies.
It is biodegradable and 1 pack contains 160 concentrated, premeasured pods. Use 1 pod for a small load.
It is compatible with both standard and high-efficiency washing machines. It is also safe for septic tanks.
Keep pods away from little children.
PRO
- It is safe for sensitive skin.
- It can be used with both hard and soft water.
- It works with both cold and hot water.
- Never tested on animals
- It is convenient and easy to use.
CONS
- The pods may not dissolve completely, especially when used with cold water.
- Store the pods in a dry place else they might stick together.
Conclusion of Best Natural Detergent For Cloth Diapers
Our list of the best natural detergent for cloth diapers includes liquid, powder, premeasured pod detergents, all of which are natural and made from plant-based ingredients.
They have all been reviewed with their pros and cons listed to help you make a safe decision for not just your little one but also the environment.
Whichever detergent you choose, make sure to rinse out your baby diaper properly to remove all residue of the detergent that might irritate your baby’s skin.