The right detergent for baby and children's clothes

Washing clothes for newborns, babies, toddlers and children is often very difficult because the skin is very sensitive and the clothes are often heavily soiled by everyday activities such as playing in the sandbox and by the little ones eating. This often raises the question of which detergent to use.

Detergent - Which is the right one?

We recommend washing baby and children's clothes with a sensitive liquid detergent without fragrances. We do not recommend powder detergents because the powder often does not wash out properly, especially at low temperatures, and can still adhere to the clothes. This can lead to unnecessary skin irritations or allergic reactions. Studies of conventional detergents have found that almost 2/3 contain water-soluble plastic. According to Öko-Test, the detergent from Frosch, for example, is gentle on the skin and free of microplastics and was rated "good". If you don't want to use detergent at all, we recommend using washing nuts, balls or balls.
Washing nuts have the following advantages:

  • sustainable, as they are made from renewable raw materials
  • 100% biodegradable
  • kind to the skin
  • very environmentally friendly
  • compostable 
  • very cheap

The disadvantage of soap nuts is that they do not retain dissolved dirt particles in the suspension. Due to the low washing capacity, white laundry turns grey very quickly.
Washing balls are very skin-friendly, replace conventional detergents and save energy, money and resources. One washing ball lasts for up to 1,000 wash loads. There is also no need for fabric softener, as the laundry becomes softer through the use of the washing ball. In addition, the ball is also childproof. The disadvantages are that the balls are odourless and the laundry should be hung up directly. Stains should always be pre-treated. A washing ball is made of plastic and is not biodegradable.
You can also make your own detergent from natural and biodegradable products. For example, from fresh chestnuts or ivy, but also from baking soda with curd soap and washing soda.

Remove stubborn stains

  • Grass and milk stains are easily removed with biodegradable bile soap. You can buy this as a liquid soap or in a bar. 
  • For carrot stains, you can use oil, because carotene is fat-soluble. Before washing, put a little detergent or washing-up liquid on the oil stain. 
  • You should let mud dry first so that you can brush it out of the clothes when it is dry. Then you can wash the clothes as usual.
  • Bloodstains should only be moistened with cold water. Blood contains many proteins and these coagulate when exposed to heat. Then rub the stained area with curd soap and leave it to soak overnight. 

Fabric Softener & Fabric Hygiene

You should always avoid using fabric softeners, as they are harmful to health and not biodegradable. You should use fabric softeners as little as possible or only in exceptional cases. Its ingredients are very difficult to break down in sewage treatment plants. A good alternative to both is to add a small amount of white vinegar directly to the laundry to soften it.