Is Dreft really necessary?

In this post that’s exactly what we are discussing. I will talk about whether Dreft or other baby laundry detergent is needed for your newborn. Plus, while we are on the topic of all things cleaning I will be sharing my baby must haves for doing baby’s laundry and for giving your baby a bath.

Please note, there are affiliate links in this post. Read my privacy & disclosure policy at the bottom of this page to learn more.

Is Dreft Necessary?

This is the big question a lot of new parents have. The quick answer to this question is NO. You do not specifically need the Dreft brand for doing your baby’s laundry.

Is Baby Laundry Detergent Necessary?

A baby’s skin is very sensitive. This means you should buy a laundry detergent that is gentle.

It does not necessarily have to be specifically marketed as a baby laundry detergent like Dreft is. As long as you get a gentle detergent it will be acceptable in order to avoid irritating your baby’s skin or giving him a rash.

Must Haves For Doing Baby’s Laundry

What will you need to do your baby’s laundry? The good news is there are only a couple things you must have.

(1) Bottle of Baby-Friendly Laundry Detergent

I have always used Dreft because I love the smell and it cleans well. For a newborn baby, make sure you get Stage 1 Dreft.

Besides Dreft, you can also get any brand of free and gentle detergent. This can be useful if you don’t want to keep track of different detergents for the rest of the family.

Personally, I have had the best luck with Dreft and Tide Free & Gentle for cleaning baby clothes well while also maintaining their quality.

(1) Spray Bottle of Laundry Stain Remover per Changing Area

Laundry spray stain remover is an absolute must! OxiClean, Shout, and Spray N Wash all work well. You do not need to purchase the baby friendly version for stain remover.

Hamper & Laundry Basket

It’s also going to be useful to have a hamper in the nursery. You might also want a laundry basket for carrying laundry to and from the washing machine and dryer.

Should You Wash Baby Clothes Separately?

The short answer to this is NO. You do not need to wash your baby’s clothes separately. The cycle and temperature are the important factor for effectively washing your baby’s clothes.

I always washed my baby’s clothes on gentle and in cold water. If you have other items you want to wash on gentle and in cold water, then feel free to throw them in with your baby’s clothes. Just make sure you have enough space in the washing machine.

Before we move on, you might find these FREE printable Baby Registry & Pregnancy Checklists helpful. Just fill in the form below to get them. Learn which must haves to put on your baby registry and when to complete items in each trimester of your pregnancy.

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Baby Bath Gear

Since we are on the topic of cleaning, I thought it would be helpful to also review must haves for your baby’s bath time.

(1) Baby Bath Tub

I know some people will say you don’t need anything in particular to hold your baby for bath time. You could just wash your baby in the sink. However, I found it really helpful to have a special bath that provides support.

Once you get your baby lathered up with soap, he will be very slippery. So keep that in mind when deciding on whether you will purchase a baby bath tub. You don’t need anything real fancy either.

Just make sure you get a tub that has an infant insert. Personally, I have loved our Fisher Price infant bath tub.

(1) Baby Bath Towel Set

Do you absolutely need special baby bath towels and washcloths? No, you don’t. You can use towels you already own.

But, the hooded baby bath towels are super soft on your baby’s skin and they make for some really cute photos.

(1) Set Of Baby Soap / Shampoo / Lotion

I have tried quite a few brands including Johnson & Johnson, Babyganics, and Aveeno. I like Aveeno the best!

Their soap cleans well and their lotion is a great moisturizer, all while being very gentle on the skin. It takes a very long time to get through a bottle, so it’s worth the extra cost.

It’s most cost effective to get the Aveeno baby bath set.

If you’re looking for more info on how to bathe your baby, be sure to check out this post with some great baby bath time tips.

Do you actually need special baby laundry detergent?

Cutting Baby’s Nails

The last thing you will need regarding your baby and cleaning is nail clippers. You will find that cutting your newborn’s nails is a delicate science.

Make sure you get a good pair of clippers for this job. I personally like baby nail scissors over baby nail clippers for doing this.

I actually bought both scissors and clippers since these are inexpensive items and I wasn’t sure which I would prefer to use. It turns out that I like the baby nail scissors and our nanny likes the nail clippers.

To sums things up Dreft is not necessary, but you will need a gentle laundry detergent for doing your baby’s laundry.

That also concludes our list of baby clean up must haves for your baby registry. I hope your questions about whether Dreft is necessary and if you should wash baby clothes separately were answered.

Finally before I sign off, if you are expecting you might also be interested in these printable pregnancy resources listed below.

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