Selecting the right laundry detergent for washing cloth diapers is essential to keep them clean, fresh, and safe for your baby, while ensuring the diapers remain in great condition. Cloth diapers face tougher laundry challenges than regular clothes, so understanding detergent ingredients and their roles will help you make the best choice without feeling overwhelmed. 

Why Cloth Diapers Need Special Detergent

Cloth diapers aren’t just lightly soiled—they regularly come into contact with complex messes, including proteins (from urine and poop), fats, and starches. These substances are stubborn! That’s why the detergent you use must be up to the task, both thoroughly cleaning the fabric and protecting your baby's delicate skin.

Laundry soap is not recommended for washing cloth diapers because of how it interacts with fabric and water minerals. Soap is typically made from natural fats and oils, and while it’s gentle and biodegradable, it tends to form residue, especially in hard water. This residue, often called "soap scum," builds up on diaper fibers and doesn’t rinse away easily. Over time, this build-up can clog the fabric, reducing its absorbency, causing leaks, and leading to odors or diaper rash.

On the other hand, true laundry detergents are specifically formulated for cleaning textiles like cloth diapers. They contain synthetic surfactants that work well even in hard water by breaking up and suspending soils and oils so they can be washed away completely. Detergents also include enzymes that target the organic stains in diapers—proteins, fats, and starches—ensuring that diapers come out clean without leftover residues. 

The Critical Role of Enzymes

Enzymes are natural proteins that speed up the breakdown of tough stains and waste at the molecular level. Think of them as specialized cleaners, each tackling a specific type of mess:

• Protease: Targets and breaks down proteins, particularly from feces and urine.

• Lipase: Focuses on fats and oils, common in soiling.

• Amylase: Deals with starches from food residues that may end up on the diaper.

• Mannanase: Further assists in breaking down organic waste and can enhance the action of other enzymes.

By using a detergent with a blend of these enzymes, you ensure more thorough cleaning. This helps prevent stains, lingering odors, diaper leaks, and even skin irritation or rashes, as buildup on the fabric is less likely.

A laundry detergent that lacks the appropriate enzymes and surfactants will most likely fail to clean your cloth diapers effectively because it cannot properly break down and remove the complex stains found in human waste. If your detergent lacks these enzymes and surfactants, waste residue remains trapped in diaper fibers. This buildup can irritate your baby's sensitive skin, leading to rashes, and also causes odors and leaks because the fabric no longer absorbs properly.

The Importance of Surfactants

Surfactants are the core cleaning agents in any detergent. They work by lowering the surface tension of water, making it easier for water to reach deep into the fabric and lift away dirt, oils, and residues.

• Anionic surfactants: Known for powerful cleaning—excellent at removing dirt and oily stains.

• Nonionic surfactants: Gentler and effective at rinsing out residue, even in hard water. They help ensure the detergent and dirt completely wash away, leaving nothing behind to irritate skin or decrease absorbency.

The best detergents for cloth diapers combine both anionic and nonionic surfactants. This combination maximizes cleaning while being gentle on delicate fabrics.

What to Look For in a Cloth Diaper Detergent

When you choose a detergent for your baby’s cloth diapers, look for these qualities:

• Enzyme blend: At least two enzymes (like protease and lipase) should be listed. This provides a thorough clean—essential for diapers.

• Balanced surfactants: Both types (anionic and nonionic) work together for deep cleaning and easy rinsing.

• No fabric softeners: Ingredients like softeners leave residues on diapers that decrease absorbency and could cause leaks.

• Avoid harsh additives: This means skipping fragrances, dyes, bleach, or optical brighteners (the stuff that makes clothes appear “whiter”). These can irritate sensitive skin or cause buildup.

• Fragrance-free or hypoallergenic: Especially important for newborns or children with sensitive skin.

• Works with your water type: Some detergents perform better in hard or soft water. If your water is very hard, you might need to add a booster (like washing soda or Calgon).

Approved Detergents for Cloth Diapers

The following mainstream detergents are recognized for being safe and effective for cloth diapers:

• 🏆 Tide (including Tide Free & Clear): Tide laundry detergent combines synthetic enzymes—protease, amylase, and lipase—that effectively break down protein, starch, and fat stains at the molecular level, with a balanced mix of strong anionic and gentle nonionic surfactants that lift and rinse away dirt and residues. Additionally, its formula includes builders and polymers to soften water, prevent redepositing stains, and protect fabric integrity, making it highly effective for cleaning heavily soiled items like cloth diapers while preserving absorbency and fabric life.

• Seventh Generation: Seventh Generation laundry detergents use a blend of plant-based enzymes (protease, amylase, mannanase, pectinase) and plant-derived surfactants to provide effective, environmentally friendly stain removal, though their cleaning power may differ from synthetic enzyme and surfactant formulas like Tide.

• All / All Free and Clear: All Free and Clear detergent features an enzyme blend—typically including protease and amylase—that targets protein and starch stains, combined with gentle, primarily nonionic surfactants designed to effectively clean while being mild on fabrics and sensitive skin. Its formula avoids dyes, perfumes, and harsh additives, and includes agents to help soften water and thoroughly rinse away soils and detergent residues, making it a reliable, hypoallergenic choice for safely cleaning heavily soiled items like cloth diapers without compromising fabric integrity or absorbency.

• Arm & Hammer: Arm & Hammer laundry detergent features a blend of enzymes—primarily protease and amylase—that target protein and starch-based stains, alongside a combination of strong anionic surfactants (such as alkylbenzene sulfonates) and nonionic surfactants, which work together to lift and remove dirt, oils, and residues from fabrics. Its formula also includes baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to neutralize odors and soften water, builders like sodium carbonate to enhance cleaning efficiency, and polymers to prevent soil redeposition. This balanced mix provides effective stain removal and odor control while maintaining fabric integrity, making Arm & Hammer a reliable choice for cleaning heavily soiled items like cloth diapers. 
  

• Gain: Gain laundry detergent contains a blend of enzymes—typically protease and amylase—that break down protein and starch-based stains, paired with a combination of strong anionic and gentle nonionic surfactants to lift and remove dirt, oils, and residues. Its formula also includes fragrances and other additives designed to leave clothes smelling fresh, while maintaining cleaning effectiveness. Overall, Gain offers reliable stain removal and cleaning power suitable for general laundry use, though its scented formula may require caution for sensitive skin and cloth diaper washing.

• Persil: Persil laundry detergent contains a blend of powerful enzymes—such as subtilisin (a protease)—which break down protein-based stains, alongside other enzymes targeting starches, fats, and organic soils. It also features a mix of biodegradable anionic surfactants (like alkylbenzene sulfonates and sodium lauryl sulfate) and nonionic surfactants that work together to lift and remove dirt, grease, and residues. Additionally, Persil includes builders like sodium citrate and sodium carbonate to soften water and enhance cleaning, polymers to prevent redeposition of soils, and fragrances or a fragrance-free option. This combination delivers effective deep cleaning, stain removal, and fabric care suitable for heavily soiled items like cloth diapers while maintaining fabric integrity and rinse-ability.

• Up & Up (Target’s brand): Up & Up Free & Clear laundry detergent contains enzymes such as protease and amylase that help break down protein and starch-based stains, paired with a mix of anionic and nonionic surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate and sodium c10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate to effectively lift and remove dirt, oils, and residues. Its formula is hypoallergenic, dye- and fragrance-free, and designed to clean gently while being suitable for sensitive skin and tough stains. This balanced combination makes Up & Up a reliable detergent for cleaning heavily soiled items, including cloth diapers, without compromising fabric integrity or absorbency.

These brands offer the right cleaning power without leaving behind residues that could compromise diaper performance.

Detergents to Avoid

Some products either don’t clean thoroughly enough or can leave undesirable residues, so they’re not recommended for main diaper washing:

• Honest: The Honest Company laundry detergent uses plant-based enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase, pectate lyase, mannanase) and gentle surfactants like decyl glucoside and laureth-7, but it’s not recommended for cloth diapers because its plant-derived surfactants (e.g., sodium cocoate) can build up on fibers, trapping bacteria and causing repelling issues, and its milder enzyme and surfactant action may not fully remove heavy organic waste, oils, and residues typical of diaper laundry.

• Ecos: Ecos laundry detergent uses plant-derived surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium coco-sulfate, and cocamidopropylamine oxide, combined with enzymes including protease, amylase, and lipase that break down proteins, starches, and fats. However, for washing cloth diapers, Ecos is not generally recommended because its plant-based surfactants can build up on fabric fibers, potentially trapping bacteria and causing repelling issues. Additionally, while it includes key enzymes, the milder enzyme and surfactant action compared to stronger synthetic detergent formulas may not fully remove heavy organic waste, oils, and residues typical of cloth diaper laundry.

• Molly’s Suds: Compared to detergents optimized for cloth diapers like Tide, Molly's Suds lacks stronger synthetic surfactants (e.g., anionic surfactants like sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate) and enzymes such as lipase that target fats and oils more effectively. The milder plant-based enzyme and surfactant blend may not fully break down heavy organic waste or remove residues thoroughly, which are critical for effective cloth diaper cleaning to prevent odors, rashes, and absorbency loss.

• Dreft: Dreft is not recommended for cloth diapers because its formula includes mild fragrances and softening agents that can leave residues and mask odors, potentially trapping bacteria and causing skin irritation and diaper rash. Its gentler surfactant and enzyme action compared to stronger synthetic detergents may also not fully break down or remove the heavy organic waste and residues typical of cloth diapers, leading to build-up and repelling issues.

• Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s laundry detergent is generally not recommended for washing cloth diapers because it is a plant-based powder detergent that lacks strong synthetic surfactants and enzymes needed to fully break down heavy organic waste, oils, and residues typical in cloth diapers. Its milder plant-derived surfactants can build up on fabric fibers, potentially trapping bacteria and causing repelling issues. Additionally, its formulation is better suited for soft water and hot water wash cycles, limiting its effectiveness in other conditions. 

• Attitude: Attitude laundry detergent uses plant-derived surfactants like sodium coco-sulfate (anionic) and nonionic surfactants such as lauryl glucoside, caprylyl glucoside, and myristyl glucoside to gently lift soils while being biodegradable and eco-friendly. However, it contains no enzymes for breaking down stains and organic waste typical in cloth diapers. Because of this and its reliance on milder, plant-based surfactants, Attitude detergent can build up on fabric fibers, potentially trapping bacteria and causing repelling issues. Its lack of robust enzymatic and stronger synthetic surfactant action means it may not effectively remove heavy organic waste, oils, and residues from cloth diapers, making it generally not recommended for thorough cloth diaper cleaning.

• Rockin’ Green: We do not recommend Rockin Green detergent for washing cloth diapers primarily due to issues with buildup and inconsistent cleaning effectiveness, especially in hard water conditions. Rockin Green’s formula, while containing plant-based enzymes like protease, lipase, and mannanase and biodegradable surfactants, can still lead to mineral and detergent residue buildup on diaper fabrics when used in hard water areas. This buildup traps odors such as ammonia, reduces diaper absorbency, and may cause diaper repelling issues. Users often need to use higher doses or additional soak steps ("rock a soak") to manage buildup and odors, which can be inconvenient and may not fully resolve the problems for all water types. 

• Homemade laundry soap: When washing cloth diapers, it’s best to use a true detergent formulated with the right enzymes and surfactants to thoroughly break down organic waste and residues. Trusting scientists and following their detergent recommendations ensures effective cleaning, prevents build-up, and keeps diapers safe and comfortable for your baby.

Laundry Boosters: Helpful Additions (Not Replacements)

Laundry boosters are products you can use alongside your detergent to tackle extra-tough stains, odors, or mineral buildup. Common and safe boosters include:

• Borax

• Washing Soda

• OxiClean (oxygen bleach)

• RLR

• Grovia Mighty Bubbles

• Shout (for pre-treating stains)

• Bac-Out (enzyme cleaner)

You should only use these as supplements, never in place of a proper detergent with enzymes and surfactants.

Why we often recommend Tide Powder: 

Tide Powder detergent contains enzymes such as protease, amylase, and lipase—that break down proteins, starches, and fats in stains, making it effective for cleaning cloth diapers. It also includes a blend of anionic and nonionic surfactants that work together to lift dirt and residues from fabric fibers.

Tide’s formulation is carefully designed to balance these enzymes and surfactants to provide strong stain removal while being safe for fabrics. Additionally, the powder version typically includes builders to soften water, enhance cleaning, and prevent mineral interference, supporting thorough washing. This makes Tide powder a great choice for families with mild hard water also. 

Summary

To keep cloth diapers clean, odor-free, and absorbent, always choose a detergent packed with cleaning enzymes and surfactants. Avoid unnecessary additives and pick from trusted brands known to be cloth diaper safe. Laundry boosters can help with especially tough loads, but they should only complement, never replace, a solid detergent. With the right routine, your baby’s diapers will stay fresh, healthy, and comfortable—making cloth diapering easier for you and safer for your child.