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 DETERGENT
CHOICES
updated
March 2008
Detergents
abound on the supermarket shelf, but none have a bright, bold,
beautiful cloth diaper on them to let you know that they are the
product of choice for your cloth diapering laundry
needs.
This
page is a compilation of information regarding well-known name
brand detergents and lesser-known environmentally friendly
detergents. Compare your choices to determine which
product is best for your baby's cloth diapers.
Recognize
that washing conditions do vary from person to person.
However, by eliminating known problems you should find success in
washing your diapers more easily.
For
information on 
HE detergent recommendations click here.
Detergent
Chart for diaper laundry success
updated
March 2008
A
B C
D
E F
G H
I J
K L
M
N
O
P Q R
S
T U
V
W
X Y Z
| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
 good
 average
avoid
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all®
-Free
& Clear Liquid
-2x
Ultra Free & Clear
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Personal
Note: Some people use All Free and Clear for their diaper laundry and swear they have had no
problems (many are prefold users, I wonder how many are military?). My understanding is that the problems come long-term and then they are unaware
of what could be causing the diapers to leak. The optical brighteners in All Free and Clear
have been noted for causing problems with pocket diapers and Bummis diaper covers.
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all®
Free and Clear Liquid - Military
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all®
Small & Mighty®
Free & Clear
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all®
Small & Mighty®
-Snuggle
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all®
Small & Mighty®
-Stainlifter
-Fresh
Rain
-Wild
Fresh
-with
Bleach Alternative
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all®
Free & Clear Powder
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all®
-Baby
-2x
Ultra Baby
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all®
-with Stain Lifters
-Ultra
2x
-Ultra
2x with Bleach Alternative
-Fresh
Rain, 2x
-Secret
Garden 2x
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
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Allens Naturally
Laundry Detergent
-Liquid
-Ultra Concentrated Powder
Standard and HE compatible
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Arm
& Hammer Fabricare
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Personal
Note: This detergent has caused severe reactions among too many babies to recommend.
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Arm
& Hammer FabriCare Free
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Personal
Note: This detergent has caused severe reactions among too many babies to recommend.
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Arm
& Hammer Essentials
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Personal
Note: This detergent contains baking soda which may not
be compatible for use with some diapers.
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Arm
& Hammer
-Regular
-with
Color Safe Beach Alternative
-Clean
Burst
-Clean
Mountain
-Spring
Breeze
-Tropical
Burst
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Arm
& Hammer
Plus A touch of Fabric Softener
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Arm
& Hammer
for Sensitive Skin
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
|
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Astra
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Personal
Note: This is another cheap detergent. Cheap detergents are more likely to be free of
cleaning aids/additives. This detergent is distributed by ALDI stores.
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Bi-O-Kleen
Laundry Powder
Standard and HE compatible
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Personal
Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers.
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Bi-O-Kleen
Premium Plus Laundry Powder
Standard and HE compatible
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Personal
Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers.
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Bi-O-Kleen
Laundry Liquid
Standard and HE compatible
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Personal
Note: This brand of detergent has repeatedly caused repellency issues with pocket diapers. |
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Bold 2
in 1
Liquid
-Lavender
& Camomile
-Blossom
& Lime Zest
-Refreshing
Water& Spa
-Crushed
Silk & Jasmine
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Bold 2
in 1
Powder
-Lavender
& Camomile
-Blossom
& Lime Zest
-Refreshing
Water& Spa
-Crushed
Silk & Jasmine
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
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Caldrea
Laundry Detergent
Standard & HE compatible
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natural essential oils
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Charlie's
Soap
Powder
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Personal
Note: There is great controversy over this detergent.
Fact is: some
(not all) babies have a severe skin reaction to this detergent.
Manufacturers Note:
"We have found that by following proper
procedures with our detergents... we have remedied nearly all the
problems. We know there can be a problem with hard water with our detergents"
-Charlie Sutherland
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Charlie's
Soap
Liquid
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Personal
Note: There is great controversy over this detergent.
Fact is: some
(not all) babies have a severe skin reaction to this detergent.
Manufacturers Note:
"We have found that by following proper
procedures with our detergents...we have remedied nearly all the
problems." "We know there can be a problem with hard water with
our detergents"
-Charlie Sutherland
|
| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
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Cheer
-Original
-Colorguard
-BrightClean
-Dark
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Cheer
with Bounce
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Cheer
Free & Gentle Liquid
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Country
Save Powder Laundry Detergent
Standard
and HE compatible
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Manufacturers Note:
Independent lab results for this product http://countrysave.com/announce.php
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Country
Save Liquid Laundry Detergent
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Manufacturers Note:
Independent lab results for this product http://countrysave.com/announce.php
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
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Dreft
-Liquid
-Powder
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Earth
Friendly Products Baby Hypoallergenic Laundry Soap
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natural essential oils
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Eco-Max
Standard
and HE compatible
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ECOS
Free & Clear Laundry
Detergent
Standard
and HE compatible
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Personal
Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in
hard water conditions.
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ECOS
Laundry
Detergent with
Soy Based Fabric Softener
Standard
and HE compatible
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not present in powder
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Personal
Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in
hard water conditions.
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
|
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Ecover
Liquid
Standard
and HE compatible
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natural essential oils
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Personal
Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in
hard water conditions.
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Ecover
Powder
Standard
and HE compatible
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natural essential oils
|
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Personal
Note: This detergent can act more like a soap and leave a residue in
hard water conditions.
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Era
-Ultra
-Ultra
Era Max with Bleach Alternative
-Ultra
Crystal Springs
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Era
-Ultra
Free
|
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Equator
|
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| Rating |
Detergent
Image |
Detergent
Brand |
Enzymes |
Fabric
Softener |
Brighteners |
Scents |
Dyes |
good
average
avoid
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