A new baby often means a new laundry routine. If your little one has sensitive skin (or you just want to play it safe), the right detergent and a few tiny tweaks, accurate dosing and an extra rinse make a real difference. Below, we’ll show you what to look for, our UK-friendly top picks, and a simple routine that works at 30 °C without the faff.
Best Laundry Detergents: How we chose
When you’re washing tiny vests and muslins every day, the right formula should be both gentle and effective. We prioritised:
Sensitive-skin first: non-bio choices, and where possible, fragrance-free options. We looked for dermatological testing and credible allergy endorsements.
Cold/30 °C performance: products positioned to work at low temperatures, because most baby loads don’t need hot cycles.
Dose control & residue risk: clearer on-pack dosing and formats that make it hard to over-pour (overdosing is a common cause of residue and itchiness).
Allergen clarity: transparent labels about perfumes, enzymes, optical brighteners and dyes so parents can make informed choices.
Note: If your baby has diagnosed eczema or a known fragrance sensitivity, a fragrance-free, enzyme-free non-bio plus an extra rinse is a sensible starting point. If everything’s fine, a mild non-bio with a light scent can still be a good everyday choice. Correct dosing is the real hero.
Our Top 10 (UK)
Each pick includes why it suits babies/sensitive skin, key facts, and good-to-know tips for real-life laundry.
1) Clean Living - Eco Friendly Laundry Strips (Editor’s pick)
Why it suits
Newborn loads are small, and overdosing is easy. Clean Living’s pre-measured strips make dosing simple. Use ½ strip for a baby-sized wash, so there’s less chance of residue on delicate fabrics. The strip is designed to dissolve and disperse at low temperatures, which supports clean rinsing at 20–30 °C. Packaging is compact and plastic-free, so it’s easy to store safely out of reach.
Key facts
The strip uses gentle cleaning ingredients to lift everyday mess, and it’s designed to dissolve quickly so it rinses away cleanly. A small amount of wetting agents helps the sheet soak through fast, the water-soluble film holds it together until it hits the wash, and helpers keep everything evenly dispersed.
Good to know
Pop the strip into the drum first, then add clothes. Use ½ strip for small baby loads or soft water. If you’re troubleshooting sensitivity, run an extra rinse.
2) Fairy Non Bio (pods/liquid/powder)
Why it suits
A long-standing UK non-bio that’s easy to find and widely used for baby laundry. Dermatologically tested ranges and a familiar clean make it a popular first stop for new parents.
Key facts
Available in pods, liquid and powder. Typically scented (not fragrance-free). Non-bio = no added enzymes, which some families prefer for a baby’s first months.
Good to know
If you choose pods, place one pod first at the back of the drum before adding clothes so it dissolves fully. Dose to load size and water hardness to avoid residue.
3) Persil Non Bio
Why it suits
Another classic non-bio with broad supermarket availability. Widely recommended for new-baby laundry because it balances gentle credentials with day-to-day cleaning power.
Key facts
Comes in liquids, capsules and powders. Most variants are lightly scented, so not the best fit if you need fragrance-free.
Good to know
If you’ve ever seen powdery marks on darks, try the liquid version and review dosing; over-pouring is the usual culprit.
4) Ecover Zero Non-Bio (fragrance-free)
Why it suits
The Zero range is formulated specifically for sensitive skin: non-bio and fragrance-free, with a simple, plant-based surfactant system. It’s a strong “baseline” detergent when you want to remove perfume as a variable.
Key facts
Available in liquid and powder variants, depending on your preference. No added fragrance; designed for everyday soils.
Good to know
Ideal for pre-washing new baby clothes to remove finishing agents; keep dosing modest and consider an extra rinse for newborn items.
5) Surcare Non-Bio (fragrance-free)
Why it suits
Surcare builds its whole brand around sensitive skin. The non-bio formula is fragrance-free and avoids showy additives, which many families appreciate during flare-ups.
Key facts
No perfume, no dyes; a straightforward ingredient list focused on getting clothes clean without unnecessary extras.
Good to know
A reliable choice if you’re methodically eliminating triggers and want a simple, controlled baseline for a few weeks.
6) Bio-D Fragrance Free Non-Bio
Why it suits
Another fragrance-free, non-bio that keeps things simple. Bio-D products tend to avoid optical brighteners and lean on plant-derived surfactants.
Key facts
Perfume-free; suitable for routine baby laundry when you want low-frills, low-risk washing.
Good to know
Great as a “reset” detergent if baby has been a little itchy and you want to rule out fragrance first.
7) Nimble “Laundry Lover” Non-Bio (Baby)
Why it suits
Developed with babies in mind, Nimble’s non-bio aims for a clean that rinses easily, which is exactly what you want when washing lots of tiny layers close to skin.
Key facts
Non-bio, dermatologically tested, and positioned for milk/food stains and everyday family messes.
Good to know
Use it to pre-wash new clothes and blankets; manufacturers’ finishing treatments and dyes can be the unseen irritant in week one.
8) Ecozone Non-Bio - Sensitive/Delicate (fragrance-free variant)
Why it suits
Ecozone sells both scented and fragrance-free non-bio options. If you’re minimising triggers, choose the Delicate/Sensitive fragrance-free variant for baby items.
Key facts
Plant-based surfactants work well for everyday soils at lower temperatures.
Good to know
Check the exact variant name at purchase. Some Ecozone non-bio products are “Fresh Linen” scented.
9) Boots Sensitive Skin Laundry Liquid (fragrance- & enzyme-free)
Why it suits
A good own-brand option when you want perfume-free and enzyme-free in one bottle, and you need to grab something during the weekly shop.
Key facts
Non-bio, fragrance-free; straightforward, budget-friendly and easy to find.
Good to know
If you’re testing whether fragrance is the issue, this is a practical place to start.
10) Ariel All-in-1 Sensitive (hypoallergenic pods)
Why it suits
Pre-dosed pods help prevent over-pouring, useful when washing small baby loads where a splash too much can leave residue. Dermatologically tested; designed for everyday family laundry.
Key facts
Usually scented (so not ideal if you need perfume-free). As with all pods, correct use is the difference between a great result and a soapy patch.
Good to know
Put the pod in first, then add clothes. One pod is typically enough for a standard load; adjust only as the pack directions advise.
How to pick for a newborn (quick guide)
If you’re starting from scratch, think “gentle and simple.” A non-bio detergent is a sensible first step for those early months because it skips added enzymes, and if you’re troubleshooting any redness or itch, go fragrance-free to remove a common trigger. The biggest win, though, is right-size dosing.
Newborn loads are tiny; too much detergent is the fastest route to clingy residue, so use less than you’d expect and add an extra rinse for baby items. Most everyday baby washing is happy at 30 °C. It’s kinder to fibres close to skin, and modern formulas are built to clean at lower temps.
Finally, pre-wash new clothes once before they touch delicate skin; it clears finishing agents and stray dyes.
Clean Living vs liquids/powders (day-to-day differences)
In practice, the strip format makes baby laundry feel calmer. Pre-measured sheets simplify dosing for small loads, which helps clothes rinse cleanly without that “soapy” feel.
They’re also designed to dissolve at 20–30 °C, so you don’t have to crank the heat to get a good result, and the slim, plastic-free pack tucks safely out of reach.
If you want the deep dive on how they work, common mistakes, and cost thoughts, check out our blog “Laundry Strips: Do They Really Work?”
Practical routine for baby clothes (mini How-To)
- Start by keeping baby pieces together and deal with any milk or protein stains gently. Dab with cold water first and blot rather than rub.
- Load the machine lightly so water can move through the fibres, and add your detergent with a light hand (for strips, ½ strip is a good baseline for a baby wash).
- Choose an everyday or delicates cycle at 30 °C, and add an extra rinse for vests, sleepsuits and muslins.
- If you use pods, place the pod in the empty drum first, then add clothes; it dissolves better and rinses away cleanly.
- Drying is simple too: air-dry when you can, and skip heavy-fragrance softeners, especially for towels and bibs, where absorbency matters.
Ingredients & label checkpoints
You don’t need to become a chemist to choose well. Non-bio simply means no added enzymes, which many parents like as a cautious default.
If your baby is fragrance-sensitive, look for fragrance-free right on the front and glance at the ingredients for perfume/allergens.
Optical brighteners and dyes aren’t essential for baby basics; if you’re troubleshooting irritation, try a formula without them and keep the routine steady for a couple of weeks before you change anything else.
On the cleaning side, all detergents use surfactants (they’re the bits that lift dirt), so what matters most is using the right amount for the load so everything rinses away.
And a quick label tip: if you specifically want SLS-free, check the INCI names ‘Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)’ vs ‘Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)’, or choose a product that clearly states “SLS-free.”
Final thought
With baby laundry, gentle and precise beats more and hotter. Keep the dose low, the water cool, and the rinse thorough, small choices that add up to comfy skin and clean clothes.
FAQs
Is non-bio always best for babies?
Not always, but it’s a sensible place to start. Many families use non-bio for the first months, then reassess once skin is settled.
Can I mix baby items with the family wash?
You can. Keep the settings gentle, dose modestly, and add an extra rinse for baby pieces. If someone at home uses strong fragrances, a separate baby load may be optimal.
How much detergent should I use for tiny loads?
Less than you think. With strips, start at ½ strip. With liquids or powders, pick the smallest pack dose for soft water/small loads and adjust slowly if needed.
Do I need fabric softener for baby clothes?
Usually not. Many softeners add scent and can reduce the absorbency of towels and bibs. If you do use one, choose a fragrance-free version sparingly.
What if my baby has eczema or fragrance sensitivity?
Try a fragrance-free, enzyme-free non-bio, keep dosing light, and add an extra rinse. Give the routine a couple of weeks before changing more than one thing.
When is an extra rinse helpful?
In the newborn stage, during any flare-ups, and whenever clothes feel slightly soapy or stiff after drying.
