6 Best Baby Detergents of 2024, Tested by Laundry Experts and Parents
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A great baby detergent means more than just a soft, sweet scent. What's most important is that the detergent not only cleans away formula, food and poo stains but is also free of irritating ingredients. It should leave fabrics soft and cuddly, especially for babies with the most sensitive skin. Today, thoughts are mixed on whether or not special baby detergents are even necessary with all the scent- and dye-free regular detergent options available in the market. Ultimately, the choice is yours, so we've included both here.
Our top picks:
When we test baby detergents in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, we evaluate them much like we do any of the best laundry detergents we review. We evaluate how well they clean fabric swatches that we've stained by hand, how well they whiten, whether they rinse well from fabrics or produce excess suds that leave residue behind and more. Many of the brands featured here were recently tested for our Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards, so we also sent them to our consumer panel for at-home testing on babies' laundry. We received plenty of firsthand feedback from actual parents.
After our best baby detergent picks, you'll find more details about our testing, whether you'll pay more for a baby detergent, if it's the right choice for you and your family and why you can trust Good Housekeeping's recommendations.
Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Baby Laundry Detergent
Pros
- Comes in multiple formulas or stages to use as kids grow
- Has translucent cap for easy measuring
- Comes in a plant-based, fragrance-free version
Cons
- Most expensive per load
If you're looking for a newborn detergent that cleans effectively but doesn't irritate skin or leave harsh residues behind, Dreft is a long-time favorite and hard to beat. Part of the reason it works so well is that it contains enzymes to effectively remove protein stains like formula (or poop!). And you won't have to change detergents as your baby grows as Dreft offers a Stage 2 formula for when your little one has moved beyond their onesies. That formula tackles the stains you're most likely to see at that stage of your baby's growth.
Dreft cleans and removes stains as well as — or even better than — some traditional adult detergents. In our most recent test, Dreft totally erased spaghetti sauce, chocolate syrup and coffee and almost totally zapped mustard. And the cleaner clothes are, the less irritating they are on delicate skin. One mom tester praised its gentleness compared to others she's used and said her daughter's skin reacted well to Dreft.
While this formula is EPA Safer Choice certified, if your child's skin is super sensitive and you prefer a detergent without fragrance (some note its scent is strong), consider the plant-based and fragrance-free version, Dreft Pure Gentleness Liquid Detergent.
| Cost per medium load | 35 cents |
| Scented | Yes |
| Plant-based | No (but a plant-based formula is available) |
| Endorsements | EPA Safer Choice certified |
Arm & Hammer Baby Liquid Laundry Detergent
Pros
- Freshens with baking soda
- Removes tough stains
- EPA Safer Choice certified
Cons
- Left some residue behind when we used the recommended amount
Effective, skin-safe baby detergents don't have to cost a lot, and this Arm & Hammer Baby formula proves that. A great value at only about 12 cents per medium load, Arm & Hammer Baby is made without dyes or added preservatives, parabens or brighteners. What it does contain is baking soda to help with cleaning and odor removal.
In our Lab tests, Arm & Hammer Baby did a very good job overall removing stains. It totally erased chocolate syrup and just left a barely noticeable hint of spaghetti sauce, grass, mustard and even ink. One of our consumer tester moms said she was "super impressed, and it cleaned stains very well!"
Our only issue was with the usage recommendations. When we followed them using the markings in the cap, our loads were quite sudsy and needed additional rinsing. We think it's better to measure carefully and even use less to avoid excess residue in baby's clothes.
| Cost per medium load | 12 cents |
| Scented | Yes |
| Plant-based | No |
| Endorsements | EPA Safer Choice certified |
Seventh Generation Baby Easy Dose Laundry Detergent
Pros
- Dispenses one dose with a squeeze
- Has enzymes for targeting baby stains
- Concentrated to use less
Cons
- Bottle must be held vertically to dispense properly
Seventh Generation laundry detergents and dish liquids not only do well in GH Cleaning Lab tests, but they have also been previously recognized in our Sustainable Innovation Awards for their plant-based formulas, ingredient transparency and recycled plastic packaging. This concentrated baby detergent formula follows suit on all accounts and features EasyDose dispensing. With just one squeeze the exact amount needed for one medium wash can be added to your machine's dispenser. Just be sure to hold the bottle vertically for the most precise dispensing.
Made with ingredients that are EPA Safer Choice certified and USDA Biobased, this plant-based formula has enzymes to target baby stains but no added scent. In fact, it was such a hit with our consumer testers that we named it a winner in our Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Parenting Awards. Parent testers loved how well it cleaned kids' clothing, bedding, towels and even shoes and how easy the slim bottle was to store.
| Cost per medium load | 30 cents |
| Scented | No |
| Plant-based | Yes |
| Endorsements | USDA Biobased Product; EPA Safer Choice certified, Leaping Bunny certified |
Babyganics 3X Baby Laundry Detergent
Pros
- Concentrated formula
- Plant-based
- Consumer favorite
Cons
- Not EPA Safer Choice certified or USDA Biobased
Babyganics is a brand founded on making safe, plant-based and organic products for cleaning children's clothing, food utensils and more. Made without optical brighteners, dyes, phthalates or sulfates, this laundry detergent is fragrance-free but also comes in a lavender-scented version for those who prefer it.
This concentrated formula packs a lot of cleaning power in only 1 ounce of detergent. In our GH Cleaning Lab test, it completely zapped our coffee and chocolate syrup stains and left spaghetti sauce and grass stains virtually invisible. And with a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, Babyganics is a consumer favorite, too. One of our own mom testers said that it worked well on kids' clothes and left towels soft. We wish it had certifications from the EPA or USDA to confirm the safety and sources of the ingredients.
| Cost per medium load | 30 cents |
| Scented | No |
| Plant-based | Yes |
| Endorsements | None listed |
Tide Free & Gentle Pods Laundry Detergent Packs
Pros
- Excellent stain removal performance
- Very convenient to use
- Cleans deeply
Cons
- Can't use less than one pod for very small loads
- Must be kept out of reach and sight of children
Making a detergent that's safe for those with sensitive skin is about more than just removing the dyes and fragrances. It also has to clean well to remove hidden soils that can irritate and inflame delicate skin. And though not technically a "baby" detergent, Tide's Pods Free & Gentle check both boxes. In GH tests, this Tide detergent beat out all the other detergents we tested in removing stains like ketchup, red wine and grass. It's gentle on skin and recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Eczema Association, making it a great choice for those easily irritated by other detergents.
For safety reasons, single-dose detergent packs — especially those filled with liquid — must be kept out of reach and sight of children, both during and after use. If you prefer, this same Tide Free & Gentle formula is available in a liquid detergent.
| Cost per medium load | 24 cents |
| Scent | No |
| Plant-based | No |
| Endorsements | National Eczema Foundation; National Psoriasis Association |
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Baby Laundry Detergent
Pros
- Scents are from essential oils
- Uses plant-based cleaning ingredients
- Concentrated
Cons
- Pouring may be messy as the bottle lacks a spout
Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products are favorites of the GH Cleaning Lab for their great performance and amazing scents. While we have not tested this specific detergent, according to consumer reviews, its Baby Blossom scent will have you yearning to cuddle with your kiddos. Many consumers also praise it for its cleaning prowess, While it contains a blend of stain-fighting enzymes, heavy stains should be pre-treated before washing.
A little goes a long way with this concentrated formula, though things can get a bit drippy as the bottle lacks a pouring spout. Many consumers love it for all the loads they do, especially if other family members also have sensitive skin.
| Cost per medium load | 33 scents |
| Scent | Yes |
| Plant-based | Yes |
| Endorsements | None listed |
How we test baby detergents
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab, we have tested hundreds of laundry detergents from dozens of brands, including the newest laundry detergent sheets. For every new laundry detergent we test, we first review the labeling for the thoroughness of the directions, how much is recommended to use for medium, large and heavily soiled loads and whether it contains the required safety labeling cautions required by law based on the ingredients. For any claims we can't test in the Lab, we ask the manufacturers to supply us with support documentation that we review.
We then apply a battery of up to 20 carefully measured stains (including grease, coffee, wine and more) to white cotton and/or polyester woven and knit fabrics and allow the stains to set for 24 hours before we wash them in either warm or cold water or both. In our recent abbreviated test of 37 detergents and stain removers, we applied and rated 333 stains!
The next day, the swatches are washed in identical top- or front-loading washing machines with 7 to 8 pounds of additional items like towels, t-shirts, sheets and pillowcases to simulate an actual at-home load. We add in the amount of detergent recommended on the label for a load with heavy soil and run the cycle. When it's done, we remove the swatch and allow it to air dry.
Then, we take the fabric to a special dark grading room where — under industry-standard lighting — we grade the removal of each of the 20 stains on a one to five industry scale (where five is complete removal and one is no removal). We also have a spectrophotometer that allows us to measure the amount of each stain left behind on the fabric after washing and calculate a soil removal score (pictured left). Finally, we note how neat and easy the detergent is to dispense, the amount of suds it produces and if it leaves any noticeable residue behind on our test loads or in our machines.
Do you need a baby detergent?
Maybe not. Only you know how sensitive your child's skin is and whether it reacts to traditional formulas, but with so many regular detergents available in versions made without dyes and added perfumes, you may be able to use the same detergent for your entire family's laundry. If fragrance is not an issue for your little one and you like imparting a "baby" smell to their clothing, blankets and bedding, you'll likely need a baby detergent for that. Depending on the brand, some baby detergents may contain extra enzymes to specifically target common baby stains, like formula and urine.
What to look for when shopping for a baby detergent
Some broad claims, like "hypoallergenic," "dermatologist-tested" and "pediatrician-recommended," aren't scientifically defined or uniform, so it's hard to know exactly what they mean for each product. Instead, here's what we recommend looking for on the label:
✔️ Ingredients: Really, what you want to check for is that potentially irritating ingredients aren't in the formula. This includes things like parabens, preservatives, sulfates, dyes and optical brighteners. The most transparent brands list on the label what the formula excludes. For effective cleaning and stain removal though, look for enzymes like protease, amylase and mannanase in the list of ingredients.
✔️ Scent: This can go one of two ways. If you love a baby-fresh scent and your child isn't sensitive to it, choose a detergent with a scent you love. Scents made from essential oils may be more natural-smelling than those made from synthetic ingredients, but they aren't necessarily less irritating. If scent is an issue, choose a detergent with no added scent or perfume. Fragrance-free means that no fragrance or scent-masking ingredients are added. Unscented means that ingredients to mask the scent of the formula's chemicals have been added but no scent is detectible.
✔️Certifications: Emblems like EPA Safer Choice certified, USDA Biobased Product and Leaping Bunny certified assure that the formulas have been reviewed for human and environmental safety and less-irritating or more sustainable ingredients have been used.
Are baby detergents more expensive?
Not that we've seen. Prices for baby detergents run the gamut like they do for regular laundry detergents. Single-use packs are more convenient to use than liquids, and that makes them slightly more expensive per load. Otherwise, most brands price baby detergents comparably to regular formulas, and as with any cleaning product, brands with higher-quality ingredients and scents usually cost more than bargain brands.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 40 years of experience. With a background in textiles and years of testing both laundry detergents and laundry appliances, she knows a thing or two about getting stains out. Carolyn is the Executive Director of Good Housekeeping's Home Care & Cleaning Lab and is the first person GH staffers come to see when they've dribbled some lunch on their shirts. She oversees all of the testing conducted in the Cleaning Lab, including the testing of laundry detergents, and has tested many of the detergents included in this guide too.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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