Babies create all kinds (and colours) of mess, and a gentle baby laundry detergent is a must-have when it comes to cleaning up clothes and bedding.

Baby laundry detergent is developed especially for ultra-sensitive skin without the chemicals that cause eczema flair-ups and skin irritation. Synthetic fragrances, dyes and phosphates are just some of the ingredients left out of popular detergents suitable for babies, with some brands adding natural ingredients for an extra hit of goodness.

But not all baby-safe laundry products are actually called ‘baby detergent’ and it can be tough to know where to start when it comes to choosing one. So to help you find a reliable detergent for your baby’s grubby onesies, we consulted our huge community of mums and put their favourite brands in one spot for you.

Why do babies need a special detergent?

Babies have thinner, more fragile skin than adults, making them more likely to develop eczema, asthma or allergies from the harsh chemicals used in detergents. In fact, the Eczema Association of Australasia lists soaps and laundry detergents as one of the most common triggers for infant flair-ups. So if your little one has particularly sensitive skin, consider a gentle, baby-safe product.

What detergent is best for babies’ clothes?

The best detergent for baby clothes is one that thoroughly washes clothes without aggravating young skin. Here are some things to look for in a gentle laundry detergent for babies:

• A ‘sensitive’ or ‘mild’ formula
• Natural rather than synthetic fragrances
• Hypoallergenic (meaning unlikely to cause reactions)
• No dyes or optical brighteners

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17 Of The Best Baby Laundry Detergents In Australia

Ready to hit refresh on those sweet little outfits? From all-natural liquids to brands you can grab at the supermarket, you’ll find Australia’s most loved detergents for baby clothes in this shortlist.

Read what other mums have to say about their favourite baby detergents in the Facebook post!

Euky Bear 1.2L Baby Laundry Liquid, $12

With Euky Bear’s plant-based power, you can kick last night’s bolognese stains to the kerb without irritating baby’s skin. Infused with pure Australian eucalyptus oil, this antibacterial formula tackles milk, food and nappy stains without any harsh ingredients. Suitable for front and top loaders.

Pros:

• Naturally antibacterial
• Bottle uses recyclable plastic
• Uses 100% Australian eucalyptus oil

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Softly Delicates 1.25L Laundry Liquid, $9

Picking up where Lux Soap Flakes left off, Softly Delicates is the PH-neutral laundry pal for delicate baby clothes (and all other delicates!). Australian-made it is gently formulated to clean all kinds of fabrics – from baby’s play mats to bedding. It is biodegradable and suitable for all kinds of gentle washing.

“I always washed new baby clothes in Softly. The felt so nice and smelt divine.”

Gayle via Facebook

Pros:

• Biodegradable formula
• Suitable for a wide range of fabrics
• Tried and true – loved since the 1960s!

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ecostore Baby Laundry Powder 1KG, $11.99

Made in New Zealand with a concentrated vegan formula, ecostore’s ultra-sensitive detergent is tough on grime and gentle on the skin. It is approved by the National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice® program and independently tested for fantastic results and a low environmental impact. Also available in Geranium & Orange.

“I love ecostore and this powder seems to do the job and cleans the clothes leaving a very very subtle fragrance. I love that there are no harsh chemicals and it’s sold at a reasonable price.”

Mouths Of Mum member: mom400215

Pros:

• Safe for allergy and asthma sufferers
• Suitable for greywater and septic tanks
• Concentrated formula (meaning great value for money!)

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OMO Sensitive Laundry Liquid 2L, $28

It’s one of the recognised laundry brands in the country – but did you know that this particular version is dye-free, fragrance-free and dermatologically tested to be kind to baby skim? It gets better, OMO Sensitive is also suitable for all machine types and packaged with recycled plastic. It’s a big thumbs up from us.

“I use this detergent for washing baby’s clothes, sheets and towels. Fresh fragrance and soft fabrics after each wash Bub never had any skin issue when using this product. I buy this huge family pack once in a while as I don’t use as much as for us. Usually use it until kids are over 12 months. Highly recommend it.”

Mouths Of Mums member: mom466087

Pros:

• Free from dyes and fragrances
• Packaging made with recycled plastic
• Dermatologically tested to be gentle on skin

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Koala Eco All-Natural Laundry Wash, $23.96

If an exquisite scent is high on your wishlist when it comes to a baby detergent, look no further. Packed with the goodness of lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary, Koala Eco’s Natural Laundry Wash smells as good as it performs. Completely safe for sensitive skin, it’s free from harsh chemicals and formulated using biodegradable, plant-based ingredients.

Pros:

• Plant-based and biodegradable
• Beautifully scented with essential oils
• Delivers an effective, antibacterial wash

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Bosisto’s Sensitive Laundry Powder, $11

Packed with the antibacterial goodness of eucalyptus, Bosistos’s Sensitive Laundry Powder is hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. It’s made right here in Australia and contains absolutely no synthetic fragrances, enzymes, dyes or fillers. Tough on stains, this one has been independently tested and proven to be kind to sensitive skin.

“Fantastic laundry powder. A great size and washes well every time. Great for sensitive skin as we have no problems with this causing irritations at all.”

Mouths Of Mums member: mom7534689

Pros:

• Made here in Australia
• Independently tested to be gentle on sensitive skin
• Contains the antibacterial goodness of eucalyptus oil

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earthwise Sensitive 2L, $20

Plant-powered to get stuck into tough stains, earthwise is completely free from fragrances, optical brighteners, dyes, phosphates, chlorinated bleach and ammonia. It’s made right here Australia and has been playing a part in clean clothes for 50 years. Choose from liquid or capsules.

Pros:

• Cruelty-free
• Septic and grey-water safe
• Packed in a bottle made with 75% recycled materials

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Pigeon 500ml Baby Laundry Liquid, $12.49

From a brand trusted for its amazing baby bottles, comes a baby detergent specially formulated to trap, lift and clean clothes and bedding in the gentlest way. It’s antibacterial, dermatologically tested and effective against all kinds of mess – from blowouts to spit-ups!

Pros:

• Smells amazing!
• Dermatologically tested
• Available in refill packs

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Purity Sensitive 2L Baby Laundry Liquid, $7

A hands-down favourite for its availability and performance, Purity Sensitive cares for young skin and delivers a superb clean. It comes with a light fragrance and none of the chemical residues known to irritate young skin. Made in Australia, this one is suitable for top and front loaders.

“I absolutely love this liquid, we started using it just before our son was born, and we ended up using it on all our clothes as it cleaned everything so well. It always gets the smell of baby vomit out (which is a task) and it has such a mild smell but it is so nice. I highly recommend using this.”

Mouths Of Mums member: Momofboys

Pros:

• Light fragrance
• Free from phosphates and dyes
• Australian-made and CCF-accredited

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b clean co Baby Laundry Detergent, $22.95

It’s the game-changing plant-based detergent scrubbing up little clothes and nurturing young skin – and we are here for it! Safe for sensitive skin and completely non-toxic, b clean co Baby Detergent contains four enzymes that deliver a deep clean every time. It contains absolutely no phosphates, parabens, optical brighteners or other nasties – and it even smells like Australia (yep, really!).

Pros:

• Divine eucalyptus scent
• Comes in recyclable packaging
• Contains plant-based superpowers

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Biozet Attack Plus Sensitive, $26

Gentle on delicate skin but powerful on stains, Biozet Attack Plus Sensitive uses an environmentally aware formula for a high-performance clean every time. It contains naturally derived ingredients with absolutely no added optical brighteners or enzymes.

Pros:

• Environmentally aware
• Free from enzymes and brighteners
• Dermatologically tested for delicate skin

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Kids Bliss Laundry Liquid 1L, $19.95

With the strength to tackle the deepest grime without leaving irritating residue in its wake, KidsBliss Laundry Liquid helps prevent dermatitis and other pesky skin conditions. It is made in Australia using natural and organic ingredients and comes in a choice of Fragrance-Free and award-winning Lavender options.

Pros:

• Unique plant-based formula
• Environmentally responsible
• Australian Certified Organic

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Cold Power Sensitive Laundry Liquid, $24

Free from irritating chemical ingredients like perfumes and dyes, this instalment of one of Australia’s favourite laundry liquids comes perfectly prepared for babies.  Recommended for cold washes, Cold Power Sensitive Pure Clean is easy to find and a fantastic way to save energy by switching to a cold wash.

Pros:

• Highly effective in cold water
• Free from dyes and perfumes
• Widely available at major stores

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Tri Nature Laundry Powder, $19.95

Made with love entirely from natural ingredients, Tri Nature’s award-winning laundry powder removes stains without upsetting hyper-sensitive skin. It’s completely free from bleach, synthetic fragrances and other nasties found in petroleum-based detergents and suitable for septic tanks and greywater.

Pros:

• Uses a tough, phosphate-free formula
• Leaves absolutely no residue on garments
• Suitable for babies with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis

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BONDI WASH x May Gibbs Baby Detergent, $42

If you think the bottle is beautiful, just wait until you smell what’s inside! Enriched with essential oils, this baby-safe laundry formula contains no sulphates, silicone, synthetic colours or other chemicals, favouring only 100% naturally derived ingredients. Made in Australia, it’s antibacterial, deodorising – and looks good enough to gift!

Pros:

• Lasts up to 50 machine washes
• Features stunning May Gibbs artwork
• Uses 100% naturally derived ingredients

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Simply Clean Eucalyptus Laundry Powder, $13.95

Suitable for front and top loaders, Simply Clean Laundry Powder is earth-safe and baby-safe. The range is hypoallergenic and totally free from fillers, SLS, parabens and palm oil. We love that it is super concentrated and a high performer in hot and cold washes. Did we mention that a portion of sales is donated to Friends Of The Koala? Aww.

Pros:

• Free from chemical fillers
• Environmentally friendly
• Offers 50 washes per kilo (that’s a lot!)

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Abode Baby Laundry Liquid, $18.95

Free from enzymes, optical brighteners and other harsh chemicals, Abode Baby Laundry Liquid offers a gentle, yet thorough clean on all those spills and stains. It’s made with food-grade ingredients and comes with no strong fragrance, making it ideal for bubs who are highly sensitive to smells. Use it in hot or cold water.

Pros:

• Fragrance-free
• Suitable for top and front loaders
• Hypoallergenic formula gentle on skin

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What’s the difference between baby laundry detergent and regular types?

The main difference between baby-safe products and regular laundry detergent is that they contain less harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive young skin.

Should you use fabric softeners on baby clothes?

According to raising children, it’s best to avoid regular fabric softeners for newborn clothes as they often contain chemicals that irritate the skin. Instead, stick to ‘sensitive’ detergents that are more gentle and leave less residue on clothes and bedding.

* Of course, always talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s skin. 

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Top image: Instagram/@kidsbliss

What’s your detergent of choice for the little ones? Leave us a comment below.