Detergent Index

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Wondering which detergent to use for your cloth diapers and which detergent is safe for your baby?

Have you heard about cloth diaper safe detergents? We’re here to help!

At Fluff Love and CD Science, we can get behind almost any detergent without fabric softener.

A detergent is not recommended if it meets any of the following criteria:

  • does not contain a sufficient concentration of surfactant to clean human waste from multi-layered cloth diapers when used at up to three times the manufacturer’s recommended use amount
  • uses a formula that is known to cause burns to users
  • Uses a formula that will cause damage to cloth diapers or impede their function (as by coating fibers to trap soil or cause repelling of liquids)
  • Has been consistently shown to be ineffective among users in our Facebook troubleshooting group

 Keep in mind that detergent recommendations will vary based on your specific washing conditions. 

If you find our recommendations from this page are not working or you need specific help for a special circumstance, join the Fluff Love & CD Science Facebook page and we will be happy to help! 

NameLiquid or PowderMarketed as:Recommended?HE Safe?Plant / F&CEnzymes?CostComments
A Happy Green LifePowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral basedNo Enzymes$ $ $ A Happy Green Life

Not recommended. Doesn’t contain any surfactant. The ingredients: Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Percarbonate, Fragrance or Essential Oil (optional). That’s washing soda, baking soda, and oxiclean.
Ace (Ace Ultra, Ultra Ace, etc)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $This is the name of Tide detergent in Spanish-speaking countries. It is made by P&G and is literally the exact same thing as Tide.
Ace (Ace Ultra, Ultra Ace, etc.)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes $ $This is the name of Tide detergent in Spanish-speaking countries. It is made by P&G and is literally the exact same thing as Tide.
Ahold Complete Cleaning with Quad-Active TechnologyLiquid DetergentRecommendedHE Safe Synthetic Recommended. Use line 1 prewash and a full cap in main wash, and don't hesitate to increase amounts if needed. Available at Stop & Shop.
Ajax Dual Action CleanLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Good lower cost detergent choice. Use a whole cap in main wash.
AllPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Does not contain sodium cocoate. The powder version of this detergent does not contain the fiber-coating ingredient and is fine to use. Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load.
All BabyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers.
All Free ClearPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$Does not contain sodium cocoate. The powder version of this detergent does not contain the fiber-coating ingredient and is fine to use. Use line 1 in prewash and a full scoop + line 2 in main wash.
All Free ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
All Free Clear (Military Edition)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$ $Only available on/around military bases. Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Does not contain optical brighteners.
All Free Clear Plus OxiLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling or trap soil. Fine for clothing.
All Fresh and SensitiveLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
All Mighty PacsLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
All Small and MightyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
All Sport WashLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Composed of coconut oil, made into a surfactant-like molecule through a proprietary process. In testing it seemed to weak to clean human feces from diapers, but is probably a good detergent for regular laundry.
All Stain LifterLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
All with OxiLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Contains optical brighteners.
Allen's NaturallyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeSynthetic No Enzymes$ $ $Too weak to effectively clean, very expensive.
Not HE safe, as it instructs users to use less in HE machines.
Amolin Sensitive Laundry Wash (AU)LiquidDetergent
Amway, Legacy of Clean SA8PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Use 3 tbsp in prewash and 6 tbsp in main wash. Plant based, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
Amway, Legacy of Clean SA8LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Good green choice. use 1/2 cap in prewash and a full cap and a half in main wash. Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Amway, Legacy of Clean Tri-zyme BoosterPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Good enzyme booster, very green company
Arctic PowerLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticRecommended, but weaker. Use 1/2 cap prewash and 1.5 caps main wash.
ArielPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Use 1/2 cup in prewash and 1-2 cups in main wash. Like Foca but with a different scent. Contains optical brighteners.
Ariel (Europe) PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ A European detergent made by P&G. Very similar to Tide. Good European choice.
Arm & HammerLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral based No Enzymes$ $Weak. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfulls in the main wash. If you have the large club size jug, use line 4 prewash and a full cap in your main wash.
Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & HammerPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral based Does Contain Enzymes$Seems weaker, so we treat it as a free and clear – use half a scoop in the prewash and 1-2 full scoops in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & Hammer Bio Enzyme PowerLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedPlant based. Use 1/2 cap prewash and 1.5-2 caps main wash, main wash on hot, and add water softener if your water is even slightly hard.
Update March 2018, it appears that this detergent has been discontinued.
Arm & Hammer Clean SensationsLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral based No Enzymes$ $Weak. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfulls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & Hammer plus a Touch of SoftenerLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeNot recommended. Contains fabric softener.
Arm & Hammer Plus Oxi CleanPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedRecommended. Use 1/2 scoop in the prewash and 1.5-2 scoops in the main wash. If you have an HE machine, make sure your box says it is safe for HE, as there are non-HE safe boxes.
Arm & Hammer Powerfully CleanLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Weak. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfulls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & Hammer Sensitive SkinLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$ $Free and clear. Weak. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfulls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & Hammer Ultra PowerLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Weak. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfulls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm & Hammer with OxiLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ Only Arm and Hammer variety with an enzyme. Still seems weaker; use half to 1 cap in the prewash and 1.5-2 caps in the main. Contains optical brighteners.
Arm and Hammer EssentialsLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNo Enzymes$Update 3/18/18 - after reviewing the latest ingredients list we can no longer recommend this detergent, as it contains coconut based surfactants which can build up in cloth diapers and cause stink, repelling, and rashes.
AttitudeLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Good plant based option. Use half a cap in prewash and a whole cap and a half in main wash. Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Attitude Little OnesLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedUse half a cap in prewash and a whole cap and a half in main wash. Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Aura PerformanceLiquidDetergent
Ava AndersonPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Does not contain any surfactants, but does contain enzymes. Would make a good booster but is not sufficient for cleaning. Ingredients are sodium percarbonate (oxiclean), sodium carbonate (washing soda), an enzyme blend, and silica.
Azure StandardPowderDetergent Not RecommendedNot recommended, very weak.
Azure StandardLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended due to coconut based ingredients that will build up in diapers.
Babies R Us
Babies R Us Baby DetergentLiquidDetergent RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticRecommended. Use 1/2 cap in the prewash and a full cap in the main wash.
BabyganicsLiquidDetergentnot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ The latest ingredients list for this detergent states that it contains potassium cocoate, which acts like sodium cocoate and builds up in absorbent fabrics. We can no longer recommend this detergent.
Bac-OutLiquidBoosterRecommendedHE Safe Plant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Excellent booster, especially for detergents that don't already contain enzymes.
Berkley Jensen UltraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSynthetic Recommended. BJ's equivalent to Tide. Start with 1/2 cap prewash and a full cap main wash.
Better Life LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNot recommended due to coconut based ingredients that will build up in diapers.
Bio D Nappy Fresh Sanitiser and Stain RemoverPowderBoosterThis is a fine booster; HE safe and plant based. Add to your main wash according to the package instructions.
Bio-VertLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers. Very weak. Plant based.
BioDPowderDetergentNot RecommendedContains sodium metasilicate, the same dangerous ingredient as Charlie's Soap. Do not use.
bioD Washing PowderPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Surfactants are the last ingredient on the list. This detergent will not be strong enough to clean human waste from diapers.
BiokleenPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $1 scoop in prewash, 2-3 scoops in main.
BiokleenLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Good green choice. Use half the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in prewash and 1.5-2x the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in main wash. Add a water softener if your water is at all hard and wash on hot. Not HE safe, as it requires you to use less in an HE machine.
Biokleen Baby Laundry Detergent LiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant Based Recommended, plant based Not HE safe as it directs users to use less detergent in HE machines. Use 1 cap full in prewash and 2 caps in main wash, add softener if your water is at all hard, and use hot water in your main wash.
Biokleen Cold WaterLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Not recommended - too weak.
BizPowderBoosterTop Pick!HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Excellent enzyme booster. Use line 1 in your prewash (optional) and in your main wash.
Boardwalk Huracan40PowderDetergentNot RecommendedContains sodium metasilicate, which without a buffer can cause serious burns in certain water conditions. Not recommended. Do not use.
Boardwalk Hurricane 40PowderDetergentNot RecommendedContains sodium metasilicate, which without a buffer can cause serious burns in certain water conditions. Not recommended. Do not use.
Bold (European)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Contains synthetic fabric softener.
BoraxPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral basedNo Enzymes$This is a water softener that can be used in your wash routine if you have hard water and as one of the three ingredients in our DIY stripping mix.
BoulderLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$Plant based, use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main. Very economical for a plant based detergent. Sold at Costco.
If your cap has 5 lines, use line 2 in prewash and line 5 in main wash.
Branch BasicsLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Do not use. Contains soap, which can coat fibers and trap soil or cause repelling.
bumGenius (new March 2015 formula)LiquidDetergentNot Recommended?Plant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended. Potassium cocoate functions similarly to sodium cocoate and can cause buildup in cloth diapers.
bumGenius (Old formula)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Same as Country Save but with a smaller scoop. Would require 2 scoops in prewash and 8 scoops in main
wash, costing $2.14 a load!
Buncha Farmers DetergentLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. Soap.
CalgonLiquidBoosterRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ $Not a detergent, but a water softener or booster. One of the three ingredients in our DIY stripping mix. See our page on Dealing with Hard Water and Cloth Diapers for more information.
CalgonPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $A water softener to be used in your wash routine if you have hard water and as one of our three DIY stripping mix ingredients. Especially helpful in calcium-rich water.
Celadon Road (all scents)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains no surfactant, recommends very small amounts for cleaning, and contains essential oils for fragrance. Also very expensive. Ingredients are Sodium Borate (borax), Soda Ash (washing soda), coconut oil, clay powder, vinegar and essential oil.
Charlie BananaPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains coconut oil based surfactants, which might include sodium cocoate which can build up on fibers and trap soils or cause repelling. Too weak to really clean, like many "CD Safe" detergents.
Charlie's SoapPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral basedNo Enzymes$ $NOT RECOMMENDED. Can cause chemical burns due to unbuffered sodium metasilicate.
Charlie's SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ Not recommended. See our page on Charlie’s for more information.
CheerLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load.
CheerPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load.
Cheer Free & GentleLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree & clearRecommended. Use line 4 in your prewash and 2x line 4 in your main wash.
Claudia's ChoicePowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$NOT RECOMMENDED. Contains the same unbuffered ingredient as Charlie's Soap and can cause chemical burns.
Clorox 2LiquidBoosterRecommendedHe SafeSyntheticDoes Not Contain enzymes$ $Great stain fighting booster. Despite being made by Clorox, this "bleach" is similar to oxiclean and will not sanitize.
Coconut RainLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Only cleaning agent is saponified coconut oil, which can build upon fibers and trap soils or cause repelling. Also contains essential oils.
Cold Power SensitiveLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. Contains sodium cocoate, which can build up and cause repelling, stink and rashes.
Colon (European)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load. May contain phosphates? Contains optical brighteners.
Common GoodLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNot recommended. Contains no surfactants.
Country SaveLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral basedNo Enzymes$ $Not recommended. Too weak to effectively clean diapers.
Country SavePowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$Contains sodium metasilicate, which without a buffer can cause serious burns in certain water conditions. Not recommended. Do not use.
Crunchy CleanPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral Based No Enzymes$ $Does not contain any surfactant. Will not clean human waste from fabric. Ingredients are baking soda, washing soda, oxygen bleach and essential oils for fragrance.
Csepke BabyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Not recommended. Contains cocomidopropyl betane which is another name for sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues.
DappleLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Contains a coconut fatty acid that is likely sodium cocoate. Also seems rather weak.
Defunkify Active WashPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE Safe Not recommended. Too weak to effectively clean diapers.
doTERRA On Guard LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Contains essential oils that have been shown to be unsafe around children under ten years, let alone around babies. Proably fine for adult clothes but we cannot recommend it to be used on any baby laundry. Also is not HE safe as it recommends less detergent be used in HE machines.
Down East Detergent (CA)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Very weak detergent, you would need quite a bit to get anything clean to the point that it would become too expensive to use.
DreftPowder DetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Like Tide, but with 2 additional enzymes and a different scent. Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Contains optical brighteners. Works well in hard water.
DreftLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ Like Tide, but with 2 additional enzymes and a different scent. Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Newer bottles of Dreft that have the cap with spouts, use line 3-4 in prewash, and line 5-full cap in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Dropps PodsLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Weak overall. Would be very expensive to try to use enough to adequately clean.
DynamoLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Less effective. Seems to have been recently reformulated and is now very watery. Use 1 whole cap in prewash and 2 caps in main, and consider adding a booster such as Biz. Contains optical brighteners
Dynamo Free and ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$If it is weaker than the original Dynamo because it’s free and clear, you would have to use far too much to be reasonable to make this one work.
Earth Choice (AU)Detergent
EarthwisePowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Use recommended amount for heavily soiled loads in the prewash and 1.5x recommended amount in the main wash. Wash on HOT.
Eco Egg
Eco-MaxLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based and free and clear. Use half a cap in the prewash and 1.5 capfuls in the main wash, always wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is at all hard. Very weak.
Not HE safe, and it directs HE users to use less detergent.
EcoMe LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNot recommended. This product is soap-base.
EcoNutsPowderSoapNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$DO NOT USE. This is a SOAP, not a detergent. It will not rinse cleanly and will lead to soap scum buildup on your diapers and in your washing machine. This will trap soil and bacteria.
EcoNuts LiquidLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Contains soap, which can build up on fibers and cause repelling or trap soil. Good for regular laundry.
EcosLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers.
Ecos BabyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNot recommended due to sodium cocoate. Also not safe for HE machines, because it instructs users to use less in HE machines.
Ecos Free and ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant based and Free and ClearNo Enzymes$ $Contains sodium cocoate, which can coat fibers and cause repelling issues. Great for clothing, as it reduces allergens, but not good for cloth diapers.
Ecos Plus EnzymesLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Update March 2018 - it appears that the Ecos + Enzymes detergent without fabric softener has been discontinued and all Ecos contains fabric softener.
Ecos ProLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNot recommended for washing cloth diapers, due to coconut based ingredients that will build up and trap bacteria.
Also, not HE safe, as it directs users to use less in HE machines.
EcoSproutPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Does not contain sodium cocoate. Seems too weak to actually clean.
EcostorePowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant & Mineral basedNot Recommended. Too weak to clean laundry as heavily soiled as cloth diapers.
EcostoreLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNot recommended. Too weak to clean laundry as heavily soiled as cloth diapers.
EcoverLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Contains fabric softener, do not use. The fabric softener is plant based and technically OK for natural fibers (cotton and hemp) but not on any synthetics (polyester, microfiber, or bamboo). Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate. The company also makes a woolwash that works very well when handwashing woolies.
Ecover Delicate CareLiquidDetergentNot recommendedPlant BasedNot recommended - contains potassium cocoate.
Ecover ZeroPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$The powder version of this detergent does not contain the fabric softener ingredient and is fine to use. Use half a scoop in the prewash and 3-4 full scoops in main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Seems to be very low sudsing for soft water.
The company also makes a woolwash that works very well when handwashing woolies.
Please note that Ecover Zero powder is discontinued for the U.S. market, but is still available in Europe.
EcowiseLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. Contains sodium cocoate, which can cause repelling, and sodium metasilicate, the same dangerous ingredient as Charlies Soap.
EraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Made by P&G and likely similar to Tide. Contains borax, so if you have been sensitive to borax before this is not a detergent for you.
Era Free & ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticRecommended. Free and clear. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1.5 caps main wash, add water softener if your water is at all hard.
EvolveLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended- contains too much sodium cocoate, which acts like fabric softener and coats fibers.
ExcelsiorDetergent
Excelsior Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE Safe This detergent is also not safe for use in HE machines, as it states to use less detergent in HE.
FabPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$May be slightly weaker. Start with the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load and add more if needed. Contains optical brighteners.
Fairy non bio (Europe)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeRecommended. Begin with the amounts recommended on the package and increase as needed.
FilettiLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $German. Good European choice.
Fit Organic LiquidDetergent Not RecommendedNot recommended - this is a soap, and is therefore not recommended for washing diapers in a washing machine.
FocaPowderDetergentTop Pick!Not HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$In hard water, use 1/2 cup in prewash and 1 1/2 cups in main wash. In soft water, use 1 – 1 1/2 cup in main wash only. Very sudsy. Contains optical brighteners. Good in hard water.
FocaLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Start with 1 cap prewash and 3 caps main wash, increase as needed. HE safe, unlike the powder, but much harder to find. Contains optical brighteners.
Forever NewPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $A "delicate laundry" detergent that just doesn't have the cleaning power for human waste.
Fuzzibunz Prewash and Ultimate Wash
GainLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Gain (All other scents)PowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Contain optical brighteners. Please keep in mind that new formulations are labeled "For All Machines" but tend to cause major sudsing issues in HE machines.
Gain (Original and Island Fresh)PowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Contains optical brighteners. Please keep in mind that new formulations are labeled "For All Machines" but tend to cause major sudsing issues in HE machines.
Gain BotanicalsLiquidDetergentCurrently being tested.
Gain BotanicalsLiquidDetergentHE SafePlant BasedCurrently being tested.
Gain FlingsLiquidDetergentNot recommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended for households with young children due to the risk of accidental ingestion of pods. Requires up to 2 pods in prewash and 4 in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Gain with FebreezeLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Gain with OxiboostPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Grab Green PodsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $ The ingredients list of this detergent places surfactants very low and there are no enzymes to boost cleaning power. Additionally, the pods would become very expensive to try and use enough to make them clean. This would be an excellent booster used in addition to a strong detergent.
Granny's All Temperature UltraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE Safe Plant BasedNo EnzymesRecommended. Use 1 capful in prewash and 2 capfuls in main wash. Add a water softener if water is at all hard. Prewash water temperature is your choice, but main wash must be hot.
Great Value High EfficiencyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load. Good in soft water.
Great Value Natural Laundry Detergent (Walmart)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$Just too weak to clean human waste. Fine for regular clothing.
Green Earth NaturalsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Basically homemade laundry detergent. Contains soap, which can coat fibers and cause repelling or trap soil. Is also very expensive considering what it is. Not strong enough to clean.
Greenshield OrganicLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Contains coconut and soap nuts as 2nd and 3rd ingredients.
GreenworksLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$Plant based. Use 1 capful in prewash and 2 capfuls in main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
HEB Bravo PlusLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticRecommended. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and a full cap in main wash.
Hero Clean Ultra Laundry LiquidLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedHas EnzymesUse 1 full cap in your prewash and 1.5-2 full caps in your main wash; main wash must be with hot water; add softener if you water is even mildly hard.
HEX Performance Power +LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended - the amount needed to actually clean diapers would be cost-prohibitive.
HomeSolv by Citra SolvLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedPlant based, not HE safe. Start with line 2 in your prewash and a full cap in your main wash, main wash in hot water, and add water softener if your water is even moderately hard.
Not HE safe as it recommends less detergent be used in HE machines.
Honest Co. 4-in-1 Laundry PacksPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMienral BasedDoes Contain enxymes$ $ $Would be too expensive to use on diapers because you would need 2 packs in prewash and 4-6 in main, but it would be a good option for regular, lightly soiled laundry
Honest CompanyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Contains sodium cocoate, which can build up in diapers, trapping bacteria and causing repelling. Also very weak.
Honest Company Multi-Enzyme Stain Fighting LiquidLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain EnzymesPlant based. Use 1/2-1 cap in your prewash and 1.5-2 caps in your main wash. Use hot water for the main wash and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Not HE safe, as it directs HE machine users to use less detergent.
Recommendations apply to both scented and free and clear versions.
If You Care LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNote - this product has been discontinued. Recommended. Use 1 capful in prewash and 1.5-2 caps main wash, use hot water for the main wash. Use a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Ivory Snow (Canada)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSynthetic Full strength detergent, comparable to Dreft. Available in Canada; different from the US version.
Ivory Snow (US)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$Weaker, “gentle” detergent, so we treat it as a free and clear. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
J.R. WatkinsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticNot recommended; too weak to effectively clean cloth diapers.
Kind (Motherease)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Excellent "green" or CD Safe choice. Use 1/2 the recommended amount in the prewash and 1.5x the recommended amount in main wash, wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Kirkland Environmentally FriendlyPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$Actually better than Kirkland Free and Clear. Plant based;use half a scoop in the prewash and 1-2 full scoops in main wash add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
Kirkland Environmentally Friendly / Responsible LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Actually better than Kirkland Free and Clear. Plant based. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains no optical brighteners.
**Appears to be discontinued.
Kirkland Free and ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$Contains sodium cocoate, which can build up on fibers, trapping soil and bacteria. Made by the same company that makes All Free and Clear. Contains optical brighteners.
Kirkland Super ConcentratePowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Requires two full scoops. Contains optical brighteners. Does not contain enzymes, so an enzyme booster such as biz will be very helpful, but is not necessarily required.
Kirkland Super ConcentrateLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Requires two full caps, and when enough to clean was used, the HE washer we were testing with threw a suds error. Can be used effectively in a standard top-loader. Contains optical brighteners.
Kirkland UltraPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$No longer available. “As good as Tide.” Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load.
Kirkland UltraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Recommended. Use 1/2 cap prewash and a full cap main wash. Considered to be similar to Tide.
Kirkland Ultra Clean Lavender ScentLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticThis is the green bottle lavender scent that appears to have replaced Kirkland environmentally responsible. Contains the same coconut fatty acid as ALL brand free & clear detergent, which can build up in diapers and cause stink, rashes, and repelling. Do not use for diapers.
Kirkland Ultra Detergent PodsPodsDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticWe do not recommend any detergent pods, for reasons of cost-effectiveness and safety.
Kirkland Ultra Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$This is a new version of the Kirkland Free and Clear and is much better than the old one. Start with half cap prewash and 1.5 caps main wash
Kirkland Ultra with Bleach AlternativePowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Good economical choice.
La Parisienne
La Parisienne BabyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Canadian brand. Probably weaker, so treat as a free and clear and use a full recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in prewash and 2x that amount in main.
LA's Totally Awesome LiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$Excellent budget brand. Plant based. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main wash, wash on hot, and add a water softener if your water is at all hard. Make sure to avoid the 2-in-1 varieties, as they contain fabric softener.
Laundry TartsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$Does not contain any surfactant, except possibly soap, which can build up and cause repelling or trap bacteria. Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Percarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Rosemary Extract, Saponified Canola and Coconut oil, Sorbitol, Phthalate Free fragrances, Essential Oils, Plant extracts and Absolutes.
Lemi Shine Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedRecommended, plant based and HE safe. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1.5-2 caps in main wash, add softener if your water is at all hard, and use hot water in your main wash.
Little Journey Baby Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearRecommended. Use line 2 in prewash and line 2 x2 in main wash. Use a water softener if your water is at all hard.
LuLu’s In the Fluff / Lulu’s Glamour WashPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$Does not contain any surfactant. Ingredients are: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Oxygen Cleaner, Fragrance (if added). *Can* be used as a booster.
MelaPower 6x (Melaleuca)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant Based?$ $The company recently released a more detailed list of ingredients. It contains enough information for us to determine that this detergent is not recommended for cloth diapers, as it appears to contain coconut-based ingredients that will build up in absorbent fabrics.
Meliora KPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains sodium cocoate as the only cleaning agent, which can build up on fibers, trapping soil and causing repelling.
Member's Mark Ultimate CleanPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Requires so much to actually clean that HE washers often throw a suds error. Contains optical brighteners.
Member's Mark Ultimate CleanLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$In order for it to actually clean, it requires so much that machines throw a suds error. Contains optical brighteners.
MethodLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $6 pumps prewash, 12 pumps main wash. Plant based. Wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
Method 4x Concentrated LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ 1 cap in prewash, 3 caps in main wash.
Method 8x Concentrated LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ 1 cap in prewash, 3 caps in main wash.
Mighty BubblesPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Not sufficient for stripping or washing diapers using package directions. Booster only. At manufacturer's request, we can no longer recommend using this product differently than their instructions.
Mini KiwiLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Australia / New Zealand. Weak, may contain sodikum cocoate, which can build up on fibers and trap soil or cause repelling.
MioCare Natural Washing PowderPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended: too weak and contains to much soap.
Miofresh Nappy CleanserPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafePlant & Mineral BasedNo Enzymes$Recommended. Follow package instructions and add with recommended detergent.
ModereLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. Contains coconut based ingredients that will build up in cloth diapers, trap bacteria, and cause repelling and rashes.
ModerePowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Great for clothes but just not strong enough for diapers. In our tests it seemed to work at first but issues arose quickl, even when we used it at 5x the manufacturer's recommended amount.
Molly's SudsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Does not contain any surfactants. Ingredients are sodium carbonate sourced from the Green River Basin in Wyoming, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate (heptahydrate), unrefined sea salt, and organic peppermint (mentha piperita) oil (optional).
Molly's Suds Cloth Diaper DetergentPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Does not contain surfactants. Ingredients are sodium carbonate sourced from the Green River Basin in Wyoming, sodium percarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, unrefined sea salt.
Mother's Little Helper Soap Nut Laundry Pills (Shecology)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains soap, which can build up on fibers and trap soils or cause repelling. Also contains no water softener whatsoever, so if you use it on clothing be sure to add a water softener if your water is even slightly hard.
Mountain Green Free and Clear BabyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Seems too weak to actually clean, may cause damage to diapers if used in sufficient quantity to clean (according to their website)
Mrs. Meyer'sLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $ $Possibly contains sodium cocoate (has an unnamed “coconut fatty acid” as an ingredient). Recommendations are so small, it becomes hugely expensive to use enough to clean.
My Green FillsLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedThis product is a soap, and not recommended for washing cloth diapers.
Natural Visions Laundry SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedAs the name indicates, this product is a soap. It could be used hand washing with a washboard, but is not recommended in a washing machine.
Nature CleanPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ Does not contain an enzyme and its surfactants are very mild and weak.
Nature CleanLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Not super strong. Use 1 cap in prewash and 2 caps in main. Add a water softener if your water is at all hard. Wash on hot.
Not safe for HE machines, and it directs users to use less detergent.
Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor RemoverLiquidBoosterRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Good booster/pre-treatment for stains or very soiled diapers. Often found in the pet section of stores, even though it is a regular laundry additive.
NaturOilLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ Do not use. Contains soap, which can coat fibers and trap soil or cause repelling.
Nellie's All-Natural Laundry NuggetsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Does not contain a strong enough concentration of surfactants to clean human waste from multi-layered cloth diapers. Probably fine on regular, lightly soiled laundry.
Nellie's Washing SodaPowderDetergent ("Laundry Soda")Not RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $As the name implies, this is mostly washing soda, which itself is not a particularly effective water softener. It does not have enough cleaning power to deal with human waste and is not generally effective. It is also very expensive and using enough to even try to clean would be cost prohibitive.
Nice! Advanced Clean (Walgreens)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Claims to be like Tide, seems to be a good store brand option. Use line 1 in prewash and a whole cap in main.
Norwex Liquid Laundry Detergent (2017/2018)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant asedDoes Contain EnzymesNot recommended; the manufacturer's recommended use amount is very small and will not be sufficient to clean regular laundry, let alone human waste. You would need so much to get your diapers clean that it would become cost prohibitive. Also, is not HE safe because it recommends less detergent be used in HE machines.
Norwex Ultra Power Plus (2014 and older formula)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains the same dangerous chemical as Charlie’s soap, and can cause chemical burns. See our page on Charlie’s for more information. We are currently trying to get in touch with the company to see if there is any kind of buffering at all in their detergent, which would make it safe. However, Norwex is very protective of their ingredient lists. Until we can know for certain that this will not cause the same chemical burns as Charlie’s Soap, this is a big fat DO NOT USE!
Norwex Ultra Power Plus (2015 and newer formula)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended; the manufacturer's recommended use amount is very small and will not be sufficient to clean regular laundry, let alone human waste. You would need so much to get your diapers clean that it would become cost prohibitive. Also, is not HE safe because it recommends less detergent be used in HE machines.
OdobanLiquidBoosterRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Good enzyme pre-treatment booster.
Old Dutch LiquidDetergentRecommendedWe need to confirm whether this is HE safe, but based on the ingredients it is recommended. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1.5 caps in your main wash.
OlogyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$Good budget plant based option. Use half a cap in prewash and 2 caps in main wash, wash on hot, and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Omo (Australia)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeRecommended. Per box, use 1/2 scoop in prewash and 1.5 scoops main wash.
Omo (Brazil)Detergent
OxicleanPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Great booster if you're concerned about your diaper lining staying white.
Oxiclean (Fresh Scent)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load.
Oxiclean BabyPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $A good stain remover for diapers and baby clothes alike. It does contain enzymes, but not as much as a booster like Biz or Nature's Miracle.
Oxiclean Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Use a whole cap in main wash.
Oxydol with BizLiquidDetergentTop Pick!Not HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load. Contains optical brighteners.
Oxydol with BizPowderDetergentTop Pick!Not HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load. Contains optical brighteners.
Persil (Bio)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Good European/Canadian choice. Contains optical brighteners.
Persil (Non-Bio)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Good European/Canadian choice. Contains optical brighteners.
Persil ProcleanPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $New to the American market. Seems to be an excellent detergent. Use 1/2 cap in the prewash and a full cap in the main wash. Please note that this is a different formulation that the European Persil, but both products seem to work very well. Please note that the powder comes in a jug with a cap, not a box with a scoop like most other powders.
Persil ProcleanLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $New to the American market. Seems to be an excellent detergent. Use 1/2 cap in the prewash and a full cap in the main wash. With the oversized "club" cap use line 2 in the prewash and line 5 in the main wash.
Please note that this is a different formulation that the European Persil, but both products seem to work very well.
Persil SensitiveLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNow a true free and clear formula. Use 1/2 cap in your prewash and 1.5-2 caps in your main wash, and add a water softener if your water is even moderately hard.
Pink SolutionLiquidAll-Purpose CleanerNot RecommendedNot recommended- this is not a detergent and is not recommended to be used as one.
PlanetPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $Not generally effective. Use 1 scoop in the prewash and 2.5 scoops in the main wash. Makes a good booster.
Planet 2x UltraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$1 cap in prewash and 2 in main. Sulfate-free.
Power XLiquidDetergent$
President's Choice ColdwaterLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeNot recommended - too weak.
President's Choice Extra Gentle Care BabyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeNot recommended - too weak.
Presto! LiquidDetergentRecommendedPlant BasedRecommended. Use 1/2 cap in the prewash and 1.5-2 caps main wash, and add water softener if your water is even moderately hard. Use hot water.
PuracyLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedPlant based, recommended, but not safe for HE machines.
Use 1/2 the recommended amount in the prewash and 1.5-2x the recommended amount in the main wash, use hot water for the main wash, and add water softener if your water is even moderately hard.
Pure Haven EssentialsPowderDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNot recommended. Too weak to effectively clean cloth diapers.
Purewash SystemNeitherNeitherNot RecommendedHE SafeNeitherNo Enzymes$ $ $ $This is a laundry treatment system that can be installed in your home. It does not use any detergent whatsoever and does not clean any moreso than water in any way that we can discern.
PurexLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Use 1/2 cap prewash and 1 cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners. May be sudsy in soft water.
If you have the large club size jug, use line 2 in the prewash and just over line 5 in the main wash.
PurexPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$If the box does not come with a scoop, follow the package instructions for a large heavily soiled load, measuring with a kitchen measuring cup. Use the small load amounts for prewash and large load amounts for main wash.
If the box comes with a scoop, use 1/2 scoop in the prewash and 1.5 scoops in the main wash.
Purex BabyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Treat as a free and clear - use half a cap in prewash and a cap and a half in main. Good choice for sensitive skin. May be sudsy in soft water
Purex Complete with ZoutLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$The only Purex we know of with enzymes. Use 1/2 cap prewash and 1 cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Purex Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearNo Enzymes$Free and clear. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners. May be sudsy in soft water.
Purex Natural ElementsLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
Purex PowerShotLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$$Prewash 1 "shot", Main wash 3 "shots". Increase as needed.
Purex Ultra PacsLiquidDetergentNot recommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended for households with young children due to the risk of accidental ingestion of pods. Requires up to 2 pods in prewash and 4 in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Radiantly You All Natural Laundry SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSoap basedNo Enzymes$ $ Ingredients: Water, Handcrafted Castile Soap, Super Washing Soda, Borax. This is basically homemade laundry "detergent" sold for a much higher price. Soap will build up in washing machines, dryers, and on fabrics. Also, this is most likely not strong enough to properly clean (and the more soap it contains, the more soap buildup is a problem.)
RaindropsPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$Good water softener, very similar to Calgon
Rebel GreenLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedThis is soap, not detergent, and therefore is not recommended for use in a washing machine. It *might* be possible to use this product if washing with a washboard.
This applies to both the scented and free & clear formulas.
RLRPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Not a detergent, but a stripping treatment or booster. See our page on How to STRIP Your Cloth Diapers for more information.
Rockin' Green (all versions)PowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Too weak to clean heavily soiled laundry such as diapers. Using enough to actually clean would cost $1.99 a load. Old formulations were linked to serious injuries to genitalia, but that has been resolved and is no longer an issue.
RomaPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Use 1/2 cup in prewash and 1-2 cups in main wash. Like Foca but with a different scent. Does not contain an enzyme so is less effective. Contains optical brighteners.
Royal Brite Plus Powder Enzyme DetergentPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeNot recommended. Is mostly water softener, and contains sodium metasilicate, the same dangerous ingredient in Charlie's Soap.
Ruby MoonPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. This product is not really a detergent, rather is mainly water softeners and salt. Does not contain surfactants to actually clean.
Ruby MoonPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended: contains no surfactant.
S20 Laundry Detergent SheetsNeitherDetergent
Safeway Home Advanced Cleaning (CA)Detergent
Sal's Suds (Dr. Bronner's)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $ $generally not effective. This is a “liquid cleaner” that is labeled for many uses including dishes. We do not recommend dish soap in the washing machine. That said, Dr. Bonner’s discloses all their ingredients and we can’t find anything that is actually dangerous for the washing machine. If you must use it, add an enzyme booster such as Biz, add plenty of a good water softener, use the full recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in the prewash, double that amount in the main wash, and make sure you wash on HOT.
SapadillaLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNot recommended. This product is a soap. Contains essential oils.
ScentsyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ $Very expensive, but works well. Use 4 pumps in prewash and 7 in main. Scent does not seem to linger on diapers as well as you would hope, considering the price.
Seventh GenerationPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ Good “green” powder choice. Plant based; use half a scoop in the prewash and 1-2 full scoops in main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
Seventh Generation (regular)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $One of the more successful natural detergents. Plant based. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 2 capfuls in the main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
Seventh Generation Baby 4x Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Use 1 capful in prewash and 2 capfuls in main. Wash on hot; add a water softener if your water is at all hard. Contains essential oils.
Seventh Generation Free & ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant Based Not recommended - too weak to clean diapers.
Seventh Generation Free & ClearPowderDetergentNot RecommendedPlant Based Not recommended - too weak to clean diapers.
Seventh Generation Free and Clear 4x ConcentratedLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Use 1 capful in prewash and 2 capfuls in main wash. Very weak but can be used with success. Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Seventh Generation Free and Clear (regular)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo enzymes$ $For the amount required to actually clean, this detergent tends to cause over-sudsing issues.
Seventh Generation Natural 4X Concentrated Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Use half a cap in prewash and 1.5 caps in main wash. Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
Seventh Generation Ultra Power PlusLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Excellent natural choice. This detergent seems particularly effective in the plant based realm. Use 1/2 the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in prewash and 1.5x the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load in main wash, wash on hot, and add a water softener if your water is at all hard.
ShakleePowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Contains the same dangerous ingredient as Charlie’s Soap Powder, may be unbuffered, but quantities are small enough that it most likely rinses away without problems. Contains optical brighteners.
ShakleeLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Not generally effective. Plant based.
Shaklee Nature BrightPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Similar Oxiclean or Biz. Good booster, but expensive.
ShooshaLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Contains chamomile soap nut juice tea, which is a saponin and can build up on fibers, trapping soils and causing repelling.
Simple GreenLiquidBoosterRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Good spray treatment for greased-based stains, such as those from petroleum-based rash cream.
Simple Truth OrganicLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedThis product is a soap, and is therefore not recommended for washing diapers in a washing machine.
Sisel Vibrant Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant Based Use 1/2 the recommended amount in the prewash, and 1.5-2 times that amount in the main wash. Wash on hot for your main wash, and add water softener if your water is at all hard. Not HE safe.
Soak Wash LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant BasedNot recommended. Contains coconut based ingredients that will build up in cloth diapers, trap bacteria, and cause repelling and rashes.
SoapNutsPowderSoapNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$ $Do not use. This is a soap, not a detergent. It will not rinse cleanly, will cause soap scum to build up on fabrics, and trap soil and bacteria.
Spring Time BiodegradableLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedPlant Based Not recommended- very weak.
SpringtimeLiquidDetergent
Sprouts (Sprouts Farmer's Market house brand)Detergent
Stink PotPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Ingredients are sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium percarbonate (oxiclean), sodium borate (borax), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), a natural chelating agent (water softener that specifically targets metals), and essential oils (optional). Except for the chelating agent, this is something you could make at home. It contains no surfactant and will not clean human waste. Probably makes an excellent booster, as it is entirely made of water softeners and oxygen bleach.
Stink Pot Cloth Diaper DetergentPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Does not contain any surfactant. Ingredients are sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium percarbonate (oxiclean), sodium borate (a water softener), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), natural chelating agent (a water softener that specifically targets metals), and essential oils for fragrance.
SunLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
SunPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant basedDoes Contain Enzymes$Plant based; use half a scoop in the prewash and 1-2 full scoops in main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard.
Sun and EarthLiquidDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Good "green" choice. Does contain SLES. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main Wash on hot and add a water softener if your water is at all hard. Some fragrances may contain essential oils that are not safe for use around babies, so check the labels and do your research!
Sun Free and ClearPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$Good plant based choice. The free and clear variety does not contain synthetic fragrances. You will need 1/2 scoop in prewash and 1 1/2 scoops in main wash
Sun Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$Good plant based choice. The free and clear variety does not contain synthetic fragrances. You will need 1 cap in prewash and 1.5-2 full caps in main wash
Sun with OxiLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant basedNo Enzymes$Plant based. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash, wash on hot, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
SunlightPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Canadian. Good choice. Use a half scoop in prewash and a whole scoop in main wash.
SunlightLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Canadian. Good alternative to Sun, which is not available in Canada, but it is synthetic instead of plant based.
Use 1/2 cap prewash and a 1.5 caps main wash.
Sunlight Deep CleanLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$A more concentrated version of regular sunlight. This is a good value choice. Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load of laundry.
Sunlight Green Clean LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended, contains sodium cocoate which can build up and cause stink, rashes, and repelling.
Sunlight Sensitive SkinLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Good budget friendly choice. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main wash.
Super Iron OutPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Used to prevent and treat rust stains that come with iron hard water. Do not use use with bleach.
SurfPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Made by Sun. Good mainstream detergent. Use line 1 in prewash and a full scoop in main.
Tandil Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Fine, but weak. Use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main, add a water softener if your water is at all hard
Tandil HE 2x (Aldi)LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Seems to be a very good detergent for the price. Reported to be "Tide in a generic bottle" but we cannot confirm that, and it does not contain enzymes.
Use line 1-2 in your prewash and line 4-5+ in your main wash.
Tandil's Naturals Concentrated Laundry SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeAs the name indicates, this product is a soap, not a detergent. Could be used for handwashing with a washboard, but not in a washing machine.
Also, not safe for HE machines because it indicates less be used in HE.
Tandil's Naturals Laundry SoapPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafeNot recommended. As the name suggests, this is a soap-based product, which will not successfully clean cloth diapers in a washing machine. Soap based products *may* work with a washboard.
Thieves Laundry SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedAs the name indicates, this is a soap not a detergent. Not recommended for cleaning diapers in a washing machine.
Also, contains essential oils whose safety of use with young children is uncommfirmed.
Tide (All Scents except Tide with Downy)PowderDetergentTop Pick!HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Very good at softening water, often considered better in hard water. Tide HE Turbo Powder is an excellentchoice for soft water as it is very low sudsing. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide (All Scents except Tide with Downy)LiquidDetergentTop Pick!HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Newer bottles of Tide that have the cap with spouts, use line 3-4 in prewash, and line 5-full cap in main wash. Tide detergents tend to perform well in hard water. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Cold WaterLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Not recommended due to negative feedback from members. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Free and GentlePowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ Free and Clear; use half a scoop in the prewash and full heaping scoop in main wash. This corresponds to line 4 in the prewash and 2x line 4 in the main wash. Add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Free and GentleLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Free and clear. Line 5 in the prewash and 2x line 5 in the main wash, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners. OLD CAP: If your cap only goes to line 3, use line 2 in prewash and 1 1/2 full caps in main.
Tide Free and Gentle Ultra Stain ReleaseLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeFree and ClearDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Free and clear. Use 1/2 cap in the prewash and line 4 + line 4 in the main wash, add a water softener if your water is even mildly hard. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Oxi Stain RemoverPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedDoes Contain Enzymes$ $A good stain fighting booster, similar to Oxiclean.
Tide Plus BleachPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full scoop main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Plus Bleach AlternativePowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Great mainstream choice. Look for an HE symbol to make sure you get the HE variety.
Tide Plus DownyPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Not recommended. Contains fabric softener.
Tide PodsLiquidDetergentNot recommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended for households with young children due to the risk of accidental ingestion of pods. Requires up to 2 pods in prewash and 4 in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide ProfessionalPowderDetergentRecommendedSynthetic Use the amount recommended on the box for a heavily soiled load.
If you have a HE machine, make sure your box says HE on the front. We have only seen non HE boxes of this.
Tide Purclean Honey Lavender LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant based Testing produced mixed results. Use Line 4 in prewash and 2x Line 4 in the main wash, use hot water in your main wash, and a water softener if your water is even moderately hard.
This detergent seems sudsy, so it may not be a great choice for those with suds-sensitive washers.
Tide PurClean unscentedLiquidDetergentPlant BasedCurrently being tested.
Tide Simply Clean and FreshLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ Not recommended due to negative feedback from members. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide SportLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide Ultra Stain ReleaseLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash Contains optical brighteners.
Tide with a Touch of DowneyLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Contains fabric softener. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide with Acti-LiftLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash
Tide with BleachLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Tide with FebreezeLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Line 1-2 prewash and line 4-full cap main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Tiny BubblesPowderDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $ $Not recommended; very weak.
TotsBots PotionPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $ $Ok European choice, but very weak, will require at least 1 scoop in prewash and 2 scoops in main, possibly more.
Trader Joe'sPowderDetergentRecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedRecommended, but since it says to use less in HE machines it is not truly HE safe. Use 1/2 scoop in prewash and 1.5 scoops in main wash, wash on hot in your main wash, and use a water softener if your water is even moderately hard.
The liquid of this detergent is not recommended but the powder is OK.
Trader Joe'sLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$Contains fabric softener and possibly sodium cocoate, both of which can buildup and cause repelling or trap soils.
TrendPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Seems weaker, does not contain an enzyme. Use 1.5x in the main wash and add more if needed. Contains optical brighteners.
TrendLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Use 1.5x in the main wash and add more if needed. Contains optical brighteners. Good in soft water.
Trend with Bleach AlternativePowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Seems weaker, does not contain an enzyme. Use 1.5x in the main wash and add more if needed.
Trend with Bleach AlternativeLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Use 1.5x in the main wash and add more if needed. Contains optical brighteners.
Tru EarthLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Not recommended. Sodium cocoate can buildup in fibers, trapping bacteria, and cause repelling.
Ultra Plus (Sears)PowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Good economical choice. Use the recommended amount for a heavily soiled load. Only available at Sears. Very highly rated with consumer reports.
Unicorn Power Scour PlusLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHESynthetic$$$ NOT recommended due to cost. Start with 1/4 cup in the prewash and 1/2 cup in the main wash.
Up & Up BabyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain EnzymesRecommended. Start with 1/2 cap prewash and 1.5 caps main wash, and increase as needed.
Up and UpPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Seems a bit weaker. Use line 1 in prewash and a full heaping scoop in main.
Up and Up LiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Seems weaker so we treat it as a free and clear. Use line 1 in the prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main wash.
Up and Up Free and ClearLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Appears to be a generic version of ALL free & clear. Is not recommended, due to sodium cocoate, which acts like fabric softener and coats the fibers.
Vapor FreshPowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended due to unbuffered sodium metasilicate.
VaskaLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Seems rather weak. Use a cap in prewash and 1 1/2 caps in main wash. Please note that the lavender scent does contain lavender essential oil, which has been shown to cause hormone disruptions in baby boys.
VIP Scent Free PowderDetergentNot RecommendedNot recommended. Contains sodium metasilicate. Do not use.
Washing Revolution by ENJOLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNot recommended. Too weak to effectively clean laundry soiled with human waste. Also, not HE safe as it directs you to use less detergent in HE machines.
Washing SodaPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ Not a detergent, but a water softener or booster. See our page on Dealing with Hard Water and Cloth Diapers for more information.
Wee Clean Aromatherapy Laundry SoapLiquidDetergentNot RecommendedAs the name suggests, this product is a soap and is not recommended for washing in a washing machine.
Wegman's Advance 2x Free and ClearLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSynthetic Recommended. Use 1/2 cap in your prewash and 1.5 caps in your main wash.
Wegman's Plant Based Laundry DetergentLiquidDetergent
White BritePowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$ $Made by the same company that makes Super Iron Out, this is a good booster in areas with water rich in metals. It will help remove yellowing and rest stans. Do NOT use with bleach.
White KingPowderBoosterRecommendedHE SafeMineral BasedNo Enzymes$OK water softener, very similar to washing soda
Whole Foods 365PowderDetergent Not RecommendedNot recommended due to unbuffered sdium metasilicate.
WindFreshPowderDetergentRecommendedHE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$Use half a scoop in prewash and a scoop and a half in main. Add a water softener if your water is at all hard and wash on hot. Probably very similar to Sun, as they are made by the same company and both are plant based.
WiskLiquidDetergentTop Pick!HE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Note - discontinued in 2016. A very good alternative to Tide. Made by the same company as All and Sun. Has proven very successful in our testing! Use line 1 in prewash and a full cap in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Wisk Ultra Free and PureLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$ $Note - discontinued in 2016. Use line 1 in prewash and a full cap and a half in main wash. Good free and clear choice.
Wisk with OxiLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticDoes Contain Enzymes$Note - discontinued in 2016. Made by the same company as All and Sun. Has proven very successful in our testing! Use line 1 in prewash and a full cap in main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Woolite BabyLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Pretty weak, so use 1/2 cap in prewash and 1 to 1 1/2 caps in main wash
Woolite EverydayLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$ $Weaker in nature, so we treat like a free and clear. Use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash. Despite the name, this is not suitable for washing your wool, as it will strip it completely of the lanolin and can cause leaks.
Woolworths
XtraLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Made by Arm and Hammer, reacts very similarly. Seems weaker so we treat it as a free and clear, use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Xtra with OxiLiquidDetergentRecommendedHE SafeSyntheticNo Enzymes$Made by Arm and Hammer, reacts very similarly. Seems weaker so we treat it as a free and clear, use 1 capful in the prewash and 1.5-2 capfuls in the main wash. Contains optical brighteners.
Zum Clean Laundry Soap (Indigo Wild)LiquidDetergentNot RecommendedNot HE SafePlant BasedNo Enzymes$ $Do not use. Entirely made of sodium cocoate, which can build up on fibers and trap soil and bacteria or cause repelling. Also contains essential oils, which, as always, should be researched before use around children. Recommends less for HE machines, making it not truly HE safe.

Fluff Love University detergent recommendations are the opinions of the creators of this site. We base all our recommendations on empirically valid and scientifically derived evidence. We encourage parents to research any product which they intend to use around their children.