If you are using cloth diapers, you know that proper maintenance is essential for keeping them functional and leak-free. However, choosing the right detergent can be tricky, as some brands can actually harm your cloth diapers and your baby’s skin.
To avoid any unwanted damage or leaks, it’s important to opt for a detergent that’s specially formulated for cloth diapers. These detergents are designed to be gentle on delicate fabrics, while still providing a deep clean. When searching for the best detergent, keep an eye out for key ingredients such as enzymes and surfactants, which are effective in breaking down stubborn stains.
We conducted thorough testing and evaluations on various detergents to identify the best ones for cloth diapers. Our top picks are not only efficient poop cleaners, but also safe for both your baby and your washing machine.
Our Top Picks
- Best Organic Detergent For Cloth Diapers: Biokleen Laundry Detergent
- Best Budget: Amazon Basics Detergent
- Best For Sensitive Skin: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best Non-Toxic Detergent For Cloth Diapers: Nellie’s Powdered Laundry Detergent
- Best Hypoallergenic Detergent: Dreft Stage 1: Hypoallergenic Detergent
- Best Tide Detergent For Cloth Diapers: Tide Powder Laundry Detergent
- Best For Hard Water: Foca Biodegradeable Detergent
- Best For Soft Water: Gain + Aroma Boost Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best With Enzymes: Seventh Generation Detergent
- Best For Large Loads: Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Detergents For Cloth Diapers Picks
Biokleen Laundry Detergent – Best Organic Detergent For Cloth Diapers
- Has no added perfumes
- Smells good
- Cleans without removing color
- Maintains a freshness
- A bit expensive compared to other brands
This detergent is created with organic, plant-based surfactants that work effectively in both standard and high-efficiency washers, so you can trust that your cloth diapers will come out spotless every time.
The detergent has a refreshing scent that is derived from real citrus and grapefruit seed extracts, without any added artificial fragrances or dyes. It’s also environmentally friendly, as it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals like brighteners, phosphates, chlorine, or ammonia.
Plus, it’s 3x concentrated, which means less packaging, less waste, and less energy used. So, not only will you have clean and fresh-smelling cloth diapers for your baby, but you’ll also be doing your part in protecting the planet for their future.
Amazon Basics Detergent – Best Budget
- Cleans reasonably well
- It can be used to pre-treat some stubborn stains by rubbing a small amount directly into the stain
- Comes well-packaged
- Noticeable lavender smell afterward
- The measuring cup it comes with has to be cleaned after every use before you put it back on
With double the loads of a standard concentrated detergent, this fragrance- and dye-free detergent is of great value. But that’s not all! It comes in a variety of scents, including Fresh Scent, Free and Clear, Lavender, and Clean Linen, and can be used in both regular and high-efficiency washing machines.
Amazon Basics concentrated laundry detergent is also safe for use with septic systems and contains no phosphates. You can get 110 medium loads out of just one 82.5-ounce container.
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent – Best For Sensitive Skin
- Great for sensitive skin
- Great value for the price
- No perfume spell
- Great for delicate or gentle washes
- Pricey
Tide Free & Gentle is a terrific choice for cleaning your baby’s cloth diapers because it’s both powerful enough to remove even the toughest stains and gentle enough to avoid irritating your little one’s sensitive skin.
This high-quality detergent is chock-full of surfactants, which means it’s a stain-busting powerhouse, and it doesn’t contain any colors or fragrances, making it ideal for delicate skin.
Dermatologists even recommend it, so you can use it on all of your baby’s clothing with confidence. Each bottle contains 50 oz. of liquid laundry detergent, which is enough for up to 32 loads of laundry.
Nellie’s Powdered Laundry Detergent – Best Non-Toxic Detergent For Cloth Diapers
- Doesn’t make a sticky mess if you spill any
- Easier to measure a powder than a liquid
- Little or no residue
- Almost no smell
- Around 30% more expensive than the cheapest liquid detergents
With just four simple ingredients, this highly concentrated formula dissolves quickly in hot or cold water, leaving your baby’s clothes, skin, and environment looking and feeling spotless.
What’s more, Nellie’s laundry soda is free from gluten, phosphates, chlorine, artificial fragrances, optical brighteners, and harsh synthetic chemicals. Plus, the concentrated powder allows you to get more cleaning power out of a smaller amount of detergent.
With Nellie’s, you only need one spoonful for a standard load, making it an economical and eco-friendly choice for parents.
Dreft Stage 1: Hypoallergenic Detergent – Best Hypoallergenic Detergent
- Cleans stained diapers pretty easily and effectively
- Baby smell
- Great for sensitive skin
- Can wash many loads
- Make sure you spray and wash tough stains because this detergent doesn’t get all stains out
Dreft has been in the baby business since the 1930s, so they know a thing or two about what babies need. This hypoallergenic liquid laundry detergent is designed specifically to be gentle on babies sensitive skin. Unlike many commercial laundry detergents, Dreft doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a harsh chemical that can be irritating to your little one’s skin.
This product is gentle on clothes, but tough on stains, leaving your baby’s clothes clean and fresh without any harsh chemicals or fragrances. Plus, it’s safe for use in all washing machines, including high-efficiency models, so you can use it with confidence no matter what kind of machine you have.
Tide Powder Laundry Detergent – Best Tide Detergent For Cloth Diapers
- Really great smell
- Very effective for stains
- Great price
- Freshness that stays
- If you add too much it will stain dark diapers
Tide Powder is a favorite among eco-conscious parents because it cleans cloth diapers thoroughly without leaving any residues behind. Plus, it works equally well in hot or cold water, so you can choose the best option for your needs.
But that’s not all! Tide Powder is also affordable for most families, and it comes with a built-in water softener. That means you won’t have to purchase a separate softener, which makes washing diapers easier and more cost-effective.
Foca Biodegradeable Detergent – Best For Hard Water
- Great value for the price
- Free from phosphates
- Smells great
- Has enzymes
- If your looking for a bigger size this isn’t it
Foca Powder is a fantastic option for cleaning your baby’s cloth diapers, particularly if your water hardness is above 150 ppm. This detergent already includes a water softener, so you won’t have to spend extra money on a separate one. However, if your water hardness is above that level, you’ll need to add half a cup of Borax to your primary wash to ensure that your diapers get properly cleaned.
Another benefit of Foca Powder is that it leaves no detergent residue after rinsing, which means you won’t have to worry about absorbency problems. Furthermore, its light fragrance is gentle on your baby’s skin and ensures that your cloth diapers will smell fresh and clean without any harsh chemical odors.
Gain + Aroma Boost Liquid Laundry Detergent – Best For Soft Water
- Nice scent
- Easy to use
- Great value for the money
- Big container
- Pricey
Experience the tantalizing scents of Gain Apple Mango Tango liquid laundry detergent, which will transport you to the vibrant and exotic world of Argentine tango. This powerful detergent doesn’t just smell amazing – it also delivers superior cleaning results with the combined power of Oxi Boost and Febreze odor-removing technology.
With Oxi Boost’s pre-treaters, surfactants, and enzymes, stubborn stains and lingering odors don’t stand a chance, even if they’ve been sitting for weeks. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent leaves your clothes smelling fresh and clean for up to six weeks after washing, thanks to its unique and long-lasting scent formula that packs 50% more fragrance than regular Gain powder detergent.
Seventh Generation Detergent – Best With Enzymes
- No scent
- Works in all temperatures
- Great for sensitive skin
- Removes stains
- The size is a bit small
With powerful triple-enzyme formula, this detergent can tackle even the toughest stains without relying on artificial brighteners, dyes, or fragrances. Thanks to the plant-derived enzymes Protease and Amylase, you can say goodbye to pesky stains like tomato sauce, grass, and chocolate.
This hypoallergenic laundry detergent has been dermatologist tested and is gentle on even the most sensitive skin. What’s more, the ultra-concentrated formula means you can clean up to 53 loads with just a 40 oz. bottle, making it a cost-effective and efficient option for busy parents.
Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent – Best For Large Loads
- Cleans well
- Great for sensitive skin
- Reasonable price
- Good odor neutralization
- Lacks enzymes
If you’re looking for a detergent that will treat your baby’s cloth diapers with some TLC, you might want to give Purex a try. This gentle and fragrance-free formula is hypoallergenic and has been put through the wringer with dermatological testing.
It’s free from a bunch of potential irritants that could upset sensitive skin or damage your cloth diapers. You won’t find any enzymes, coconut, nickel, lanolin, parabens, oil, or acids in this detergent.
One minor downside, though, is that Purex can foam up a bit in soft water. That means you might need to give your cloth diapers an extra rinse or two to make sure they’re fully clean. Plus, for really stubborn stains, you might need to pre-treat them before washing them.
How To Choose Detergents For Cloth Diapers?
- Surfactants: These are present in the best cloth diaper detergent solutions. These disperse dirt particles in the water so they may be rinsed away while dissolving stains. For hard water, surfactants are required so that the detergent doesn’t leave a residue (1).
- Enzymes: These aid in the removal of stains and improve cleaning. They are beneficial but not necessary since they enhance a detergent’s functionality. Protease is an enzyme that is made to break down protein-based stains like human feces (2).
- Power Or Liquid: Powder detergents come in eco-friendly packaging and are less expensive. They work effectively in hard water since they frequently feature a water softener basis. Because liquid detergents use less water, they are suitable for front-loading or HE machines. They don’t leave a residue and disintegrate quickly.
- Ingredients: Detergents shouldn’t have any irritating ingredients, chemicals, or additions. They are therefore more suitable for newborns with sensitive skin, eczema or psoriasis. These detergents are odorless and made of plant and mineral materials.
- Type Of Washing Machine: It is crucial to take your type of washing machine into account. Use a detergent made for high-efficiency (HE) machines if you have a high-efficiency front-loader or top-loader (3). Make sure that the detergent is designed for conventional (non-HE) washing machines if you have a standard top-loader. For regular washers, HE detergents are not advised since they produce too much residue and might harm the appliance over time, leading to a quicker breakdown.
What Ingredients To Avoid On Cloth Diapers?
- Fabric softener: A detergent containing fabric softener should be avoided since it will make your diapers less absorbent. This can lead to wicking and leaks.
- Optical Brighteners: These both emit blue light and absorb ultraviolet light, giving the appearance of brighter, whiter clothing. They are not biodegradable and might affect people with sensitive skin.
- Coconut-Oil-Based Surfactants: Avoid products with sodium cocoate or saponified coconut oil on the label since they tend to accumulate on fibers, collect soil, and interfere with repellency.
- Soap-Based Detergents: Soaps might react with the minerals in the water since they are derived from plant or animal extracts. They leave a film on textiles as a result of this. Diapers may seem drab as a result. Over time, this film may accumulate and have an impact on absorbency.
- Bleach: We advise against using bleach on cloth diapers when feasible (4). Only disinfect pre-owned diapers with bleach, or use bleach if your infant has a yeast or bacterial illness.
- Pods: Cloth diapers will not be harmed by detergent pods, but they are more expensive, and many people choose cloth diapers because they are more affordable. Additionally, detergent pods are pre-measured, so you cannot alter the amount of detergent to fit your washing needs.
Soft Water vs. Hard Water
The mineral content of water can affect how hard it is, and this can in turn affect how well laundry detergent works (5). If the water is too hard, the detergent may not be able to bind to the minerals and do its job properly.
One of the best ways to wash cloth diapers in hard water is to use commercial detergents. These detergents contain surfactants and water-softener ingredients that help to break down stubborn dirt and grime. There are two ways to determine if the water is hard – using a water test strip or observing white deposits on the faucets. If the water is hard, extra detergent will be needed for cleaning, or a mechanical water-softening device can be installed.
You can use most detergents with soft water, as it is ideal for cleaning. However, eco-friendly soaps and detergents are preferable to use with soft water, as they don’t include softening ingredients. You may need to run additional rinse cycles with soft water, as it can produce more suds.
Do Cloth Diapers Need Special Detergent?
Not necessarily, you can use any type of detergent. However, you might want to use a detergent that is designed for cloth diapers. These detergents are usually gentle and have fewer chemicals.
Can I Use Homemade Laundry Detergent For Cloth Diapers?
Yes, you can most likely use homemade laundry detergent for cloth diapers. However, you’ll want to be sure that the detergent doesn’t contain any fragrances, dyes, or other ingredients that could irritate your baby’s skin. You may also want to avoid using strong detergents that could damage the fabric of the diapers. If you’re not sure whether a particular detergent is safe to use, it’s best to check with the manufacturer of your cloth diapers.
Is Powder Or Liquid Detergent Better For Cloth Diapers?
There are pros and cons to both powder and liquid detergents for cloth diapers. Powder detergents can be cheaper and easier to find, but they can be more difficult to dissolve and can cause residue build-up on cloth diapers. Liquid detergents are more expensive but are easier to dissolve and are less likely to cause residue build-up.
