Washing powder for newborns - which is best?

In pursuit of profit, laundry detergent manufacturers often violate manufacturing standards. Even baby detergents are becoming unsafe due to their composition. The question arises: which detergent is suitable for washing not just baby clothes, but also the clothes of a newborn baby? After all, a small child's immune system is still underdeveloped, and any harmful chemicals can trigger serious allergies and other illnesses. Let's try to understand this issue and find out which detergent is best for washing small children's clothes.

Powder components and their effects on the baby

When searching for the best laundry detergent for newborn diapers and onesies, start by examining its ingredients. Any detergent should contain substances that create lather and soap. These substances include surfactants. Without them, the detergent wouldn't be a laundry detergent, but they can also negatively impact the health of newborns.

The problem is that surfactants, poorly rinsed out, remain on clothing and, after several washes, accumulate in the fibers. These substances, when they come into contact with a child's skin, damage it, resulting in a weakened immune system. This means that baby powder should contain as few surfactants as possible. There are powders without them, but the washing efficiency of such powders is also reduced.

In addition to active surfactants, the powder may contain:

• Phosphates are substances that enhance the cleaning action of surfactants and also soften water. Some detergents contain around 35% of them, which is very high, as they are harmful because they affect kidney and liver function and weaken the immune system. Phosphates should not be present in baby detergents at all; they are replaced with zeolites, which are just as effective at cleaning newborns' clothes.

Important! European countries have long banned the use of phosphates in laundry detergent production, which is why many foreign laundry detergents are considered eco-friendly.

• Optical brightener is a substance that gives clothes a snow-white appearance, but at the same time, it has an aggressive effect on the baby's skin, capable of causing redness and itching. It is better to use oxygen bleaches, which are not as harmful, or avoid them altogether.
• Fragrances and fragrances are the substances that most often cause allergic reactions. A strong odor in the powder indicates a high content of these substances.
• Soap is a natural ingredient that's welcome in baby detergent; it cleans children's clothes well. However, laundry detergent with a high soap content is only suitable for hand washing; it's not recommended for use in a washing machine.
• Soda is also a harmless substance that can be present in baby powder; it softens water and enhances the bleaching effect.

Please note! It's good if baby powder contains saponins, which are antibacterial substances. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.

A variety of baby powders

In this section, we've decided to highlight laundry detergents that are very popular for washing children's clothes. By citing a particular brand of detergent as an example, we're not trying to advertise or criticize it. Our goal is to understand the ingredients and verify whether the detergent is as good as the manufacturer claims, or whether there's something hidden behind the fine print on the packaging.

"Ushasty Nyan" is one of the most popular and talked about baby powders in Russia. What is it about it that some praise it so highly, while others flatly refuse to buy it? As always, it's all about the product's chemical composition, which is quite common—it contains phosphates (up to 30%), enzymes, and a large amount of surfactants. This powder can't be called environmentally friendly, but it certainly cleans very well. If you're not prone to allergies, you can probably use it to wash your clothes, but don't experiment with it on a newborn's clothes.

"Mir Detstva" is a natural laundry detergent for newborns, made with soap and baking soda. It does not contain harsh phosphates or enzymes. But the powder has a downside: it is not suitable for automatic washing machines, but you can wash in semi-automatic machines or by hand. The powder is, of course, hypoallergenic, but it washes satisfactorily.

AOS "I Was Born" is a Russian-made laundry detergent. Despite its name, it's not suitable for washing newborns' clothes, as it contains substances that can cause allergies. This detergent contains phosphonates, enzymes, optical brighteners, and even fragrance. Overall, it's safe to use for washing adult clothes, and it does a decent job, but it's not recommended for infants under six months old.

Tide Baby Laundry Detergent is also produced in Russia. Its composition is virtually identical to that of the previous detergent. Therefore, it's impossible to say that this detergent is better suited for washing newborns' clothes. On the contrary, it should not be used for washing small children's clothes to prevent allergies. Tide has a strong odor, which should alert you.

Persil Baby is another laundry detergent marketed as a baby product. However, its formula is quite harsh, so it's not recommended for washing newborns' clothes. This detergent is quite popular on the Russian market, likely because its harsh chemicals, such as phosphates and enzymes, effectively remove stains.

Baby Line is a German-made soap-based laundry detergent. Washing with this detergent will leave your clothes odor-free because it's fragrance-free. However, it does contain small amounts of phosphonates. Therefore, it may be allergenic for some children.

Frau Schmidt Ocean Baby is a good detergent for baby clothes, even better than many. It's made in Denmark and contains no phosphates or fragrances. It does contain a small amount of enzymes, meaning it shouldn't be used on woolen items. The powder copes with many types of dirt and is suitable for automatic washing machines. It may seem expensive, but keep in mind that it is a concentrate, so the consumption will be less.

Our Mama Baby Soap Powder's main ingredient is soap, and it resembles regular soap shavings. This powder doesn't remove all types of stains and is only suitable for hand washing. It can be used to wash newborns' clothes, but the results won't be perfect.

Amway Baby Laundry Detergent is an American-made, phosphate-free laundry detergent. It removes stains well, but its ingredients are questionable, as it contains optical brighteners and enzymes. It's not the best, but it's still good.

Conclusion! As you can see, most Russian powders contain phosphates, which are far from safe. Foreign-made powders are more natural, but also more expensive and not readily available in stores.

Reviews from mothers

In our search for the best laundry detergent for newborns, we decided to look at reviews from mothers. We were curious about their opinions and tips for washing baby clothes. Here are some of those reviews.

Veronica

I used "Ushasty Nyan" laundry detergent for a long time and was quite happy with it. It doesn't have a strong odor, removes stains well, and is inexpensive. However, after taking a closer look at its ingredients, I realized it's very harmful and therefore definitely not suitable for washing children's clothes. I found a powder with a harmless composition in stores, and now I wash all my laundry with a homemade powder based on grated soap.

Nadya Smith

I use Amway baby laundry detergent. It's highly advertised, boasting "miraculous" properties. In reality, it's not a miracle. It's not perfect; it does contain fragrance, but that's about it. It's great for washing baby clothes, as it handles everyday stains very well. However, when washing newborn diapers, it's not as effective; stains remain. I must say, the detergent rinses out well, and clothes are soft after use. It's concentrated and economical. I've used a variety of Russian detergents, but this one is my favorite.

anabel1985

From the first days of my child's life, I began using Baby Line laundry detergent, which contains natural soap. I have no allergies to the detergent. The only downside is that it doesn't remove strong stains well, requiring a rinse. The detergent is concentrated, so a pack of it can last for six months if you wash baby clothes once or twice a week.

anemone 007

I've been washing my baby's clothes with Ushasty Nyan for a while now, but due to unsatisfactory washing results, I decided to switch. Baby Line detergent caught my eye. The powder seems to be okay, odorless, with a phosphate-free composition, but it washes no better than Nyanya, So I'll be looking for something better, and I'll continue washing with Ushasty Nyan.

Let's sum it up: how to avoid making a mistake in your choice?

So, let's summarize what kind of detergent can be used to wash newborns' clothes, and how to avoid making a mistake when buying. When choosing a detergent in the store, you can only check its quality by looking at it, specifically:

• Inspect the powder packaging; it should be intact. A dented or crushed box indicates damage; in soft packaging, you can feel the product. If you find lumps, do not purchase the powder.
• Read the powder's ingredients carefully. Look for a powder that is phosphate-free, has the fewest surfactants, fragrances, and optical brightening agents.
• Find a label stating that this powder can be used to wash children's clothes and newborns' clothes, or an indication that hypoallergenic powder;
• Pay attention to the manufacturer. For washing newborns' clothes, it's best to buy a foreign-made detergent, which contains fewer harmful chemicals, as confirmed by standards.

Without opening the powder package, you can't check anything else. You'll have to check the quality and the stated characteristics at home. First, dissolve the powder and check if the solution is cloudy. If so, the powder is good. The smell can also indicate the powder's quality. A strong odor is unusual for baby powders. Finally, pay attention to how much foam the powder produces. A high-quality baby powder will have a small amount.

Therefore, finding the best detergent can only be done through experimentation. Even then, it will have its drawbacks. The washing results won't be perfect, but you can't put everything that washes well into a detergent, as it's unsafe. Decide for yourself what to choose and which detergent to use.

   

1 reader comment

1. December 4, 2020 at 9:11 AM

   Anonymous:

   "Karapuz." The manufacturer claims this powder is completely safe and will not cause any allergies in children, as it is based on baby soap.

   Answer