Best laundry detergents for babies as recommended by parents

As our best laundry detergent for babies, Fairy Non-Bio is the most recommended detergent by Mumsnetters on our forums. Tried and trusted by parents and boasting many positive reviews and 5* ratings on Amazon, it is a staple product for many families used religiously alongside our best fabric softener, Fairy’s own.

Available in three formats – liquid, gel, powder or pods – it is gentle on babies' sensitive skin whilst offering the cleaning power necessary to lift even the most stubborn stains. From baby food to spit-up, Fairy is effective even at cold temperatures and is free from harsh chemicals that can leave an irritating residue on clothes. Mumsnetters also particularly mentioned how it is safe to use if your children have skin conditions like eczema, and that’s because it has been extensively dermatologically tested and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance. It is the number one brand for sensitive skin for a reason! Loved for its classic subtle yet refreshing 'baby fresh' scent, it comes in a 100% recyclable bottle with a clip-on dosing cap included, making it easy to use and simple to store.

If your laundry basket is overflowing with more than baby grows, our best laundry detergent for babies and their families is Persil Non-Bio. In tight competition for our top spot, this is a parent-endorsed detergent that is gentle and effective.

Renowned for its stain-busting power, even on a cold wash cycle, it’ll easily remove ketchup from whites and paint from school jumpers without needing skin-irritating ingredients. So you won’t have to separate your wash loads or leave those dreaded stains to soak. Approved by the British Skin Foundation, you can buy Persil’s formula in liquid form or as a box of pods based on your preference. For eco-friendly brownie points, their packaging is 100% recyclable and uses bio-degradable ingredients that are cruelty-free. While it's pretty pricey initially, buying in bulk can save money in the long run and means you won't run out for a while.

If your baby or child suffers from allergies or skin conditions such as eczema, extra caution will be needed when selecting your bath and laundry products to ensure they are gentle on sensitive skin. Traditional washing detergents often contain enzymes and perfumes that can cause irritation and flare-ups, which is not only incredibly uncomfortable but can also lead to many sleepless nights for you and your baby.

Dermatologically tested with a seal of approval from Allergy UK and recommended by doctors, many Mumsnetters reported that Surcare was the only brand that didn’t irritate their child’s sensitive skin - with a gentle formula that contains 0% fragrance, enzymes, dyes or acidic ingredients. However, gentle doesn’t mean weak – Surcare laundry detergent is effective at removing stains, too, even at 30 degrees, so you won't need to repeat the wash cycle to see great cleaning results. And as if all of that isn’t enough, it claims to clean your washing machine and your clothes simultaneously, ticking one more item off your to-do list.

Finding effective eco-friendly laundry swaps is important, with discussions about climate change becoming increasingly unavoidable and urgent. That’s why finding products focused on saving the planet and keeping your clothes clean is essential to many Mumsnetters. As our most recommended eco-conscious brand on our forums, Ecover’s Non-Bio Laundry Liquid is our best eco-friendly laundry detergent for babies.

Having been tested by 250 Mumsnetters in 2017, many reported being surprised at the cleaning power of this liquid detergent. Made from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that are cruelty-free, Ecover’s Non-Bio is suitable for sensitive skin and can tackle the most severe of nappy explosions, leaving behind its fresh lavender and sandalwood scent. It even keeps your whites from greying, meaning white babygrows stay that way longer. Sealed in a recyclable plastic bottle, we’d recommended purchasing one of their cost-effective 5L refills instead of putting it out for collection. And if you’re not a fan of liquid detergent, there's a washing powder alternative for you to try, too!

Read next: If you're interested, our guides to the best mould removers and best washing machine cleaners have eco-friendly alternatives, too!

If you’re trying to be a savvy shopper and take control over your bills, a Smol laundry subscription can offer both flexibility and value for money. Unlike most laundry brands sold via supermarkets, Smol is only available online, cutting out the middleman to keep costs down.

Smol delivers laundry pods straight to your door in sustainable, plastic-free and recyclable ‘letterbox’ packaging. Oh, and that packaging also comes with a child lock, so little hands can't get inside. How often you receive your delivery is based on your washing routine, with the ability to cancel, pause or delay your delivery at any time. They also offer a free trial (nine washes)to try before you commit. Whilst not made specifically for babies, Smol Non-Bio laundry detergent uses lower levels of added chemicals per wash compared to other capsule brands, making it a gentle option for the whole family. There is also a choice of fragrance or fragrance-free, the latter of which is more suited for sensitive skin.

Related: The best budget washing machines under £500

When it comes to removing the most stubborn poo or food stains, Napisan is a brand that is mentioned time and time again by Mumsnet users. From freshening up whites to eliminating the results of the dreaded nappy explosion, Napisan brightens whites, removes stains and kills 99.9% of bacteria.

Simply pop soiled clothes in a bowl with Napisan for a couple of hours and watch the stains disappear, or add to your regular detergent and wash cycle at 30 degrees. Although it is more expensive than other brands, it is worth the higher price, especially if you're stuck in a never-ending stomach bug loop now that kids are back in school.

With the skyrocketing cost of living, buying laundry detergent in bulk can be a money-savvy move, so we’re recommending Faith in Nature’s Aloe Vera and Rosemary Laundry Liquid as our most cost-effective laundry detergent for babies. Made from all-natural ingredients with essential oils, you can choose between a 5L bottle (150 washes, £23.74) or a 20L bottle (600 washes, £71.35) that could last you and your family for months before it needs refilling.

Rated by Mumsnetters for its fresh scent, eco-friendly ethos and hypoallergenic formula, it is a brand that has been around for 48 years and has the highly sought-after approval of the Vegan Society. The catch? Some reviewers suggest adding more than the recommended amount to increase effectiveness on heavily soiled items. However, others note that they prefer to save it for refreshing everyday washes. Regardless, it is excellent value for money and safe to use on your baby's clothing.

Read next: Best budget dehumidifiers: keep your home damp-free for under £100

Bio-D’s Concentrated washing powder is our best fragrance-free laundry detergent for babies and is another popular environmentally-friendly choice recommended by Mumsnetters. Available for purchase in either a 1kg or 2kg biodegradable bag, dosing might take a little while to perfect. However, once you do, Bio-D’s laundry detergent is sure to become a staple household product in no time.

Approved by Allergy UK, Bio D’s hypoallergenic formula is safe to use on a baby’s skin without any perfumed irritants or chemicals to cause rashes. It uses 100% natural, plant-based ingredients. It’s MIT (Methylisothiazolinone), BIT (Benzisothiazolinone) and MI (Methylisothiazolinone and its relatives) free, all of which have been linked to allergies and severe reactions and can be found in most cosmetics and household products. Don't worry, though. Their formula is still tough on stains and will make light work of your laundry pile.

Read next: Best ironing boards to keep clothes smooth and wrinkle-free

If you’ve invested in eco-friendly reusable cloth nappies for your baby, you’ll be keen to keep them clean, germ-free and smelling fresh, and Bambino Mio’s Bright & Mighty Nappy Cleanser promises to do just that.

Free from enzymes, synthetic perfumes, chlorine bleaches or optical brighteners, you can use it in your washing machine, for hand washing or as a pre-wash stain treatment, without worrying about how it will affect your baby’s sensitive skin. It is even effective at colder temperatures and safe to use on all of your family’s laundry, so you won’t have to buy an additional detergent. That said, it is not as cost-effective as other alternatives, so it is worth shopping around for places to buy it in bulk.

Recommended by Mumsnet users, the EcoEgg is an innovative product that is kind to the environment, your skin and your pocket. As our best alternative to laundry detergent for babies, the EcoEgg lasts for 210 washes and uses powerful, refillable cleaning pellets to lift stains. To use, just place it on top of your wash load and run the machine on your usual cycle for clean laundry every time.

Approved by Allergy UK and The National Eczema Society, EcoEgg can remove dirt and stains without any enzymes, harsh chemicals or perfumes that can irritate sensitive skin. For the eco-conscious, it's eco-friendly, too, and estimated to save you up to 40 single-use plastic bottles from detergent and fabric conditioner every year! Built to last for up to ten years, you won’t have to worry about it breaking in your machine, though we’d recommend cleaning it regularly and leaving it to dry after use to prevent mould from growing inside the egg.