When you decide to use cloth diapers (also called reusable diapers), you’re making an eco-conscious and cost effective choice for your family. But one big piece of the cloth diaper puzzle often gets overlooked until there’s a problem: the laundry detergent. If you’ve been struggling with smells, stains, or mysterious rashes, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the worst laundry detergent for cloth diapers.
Here’s the good news: with some help, you’ll know exactly what to avoid and what to look for when it comes to washing cloth diapers. Let’s dive into why detergent matters so much, what ingredients are essential for keeping your diapers clean, and why some detergents hurt more than they help.
Why Detergent Matters So Much for Cloth Diapers
Unlike regular laundry, cloth diapers aren’t just soiled with dirt, sweat, or occasional food spills. Cloth diapers are tackling the toughest laundry challenge of all: human waste. That’s pee, poop, bacteria, and natural body oils—all of which need to be properly removed to protect your baby’s skin and keep your diapers from developing buildup and even worse, odor.
If you use the wrong detergent, several things can happen:
- Diapers may start to smell of ammonia (pee) even after washing.
- Stains may linger or worsen.
- Residue may build up, leaving diapers stiff or less absorbent.
- Worst of all, your baby could develop rashes and even burns from diapers that aren’t fully clean.
That’s why finding the best laundry detergent for cloth diapers is more than just a convenience—it’s essential for your baby’s health and comfort.
The Science Behind Diaper Cleaning: Enzymes and Surfactants
Before we talk about the worst laundry detergents, let’s cover what actually makes a good detergent for cloth diapers. Two key players are enzymes and surfactants.
1. Enzymes – The Waste Busters
Enzymes are proteins that break down molecules like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—the very things that make up pee, poop, and baby food stains. Common detergent enzymes include:
- Protease – breaks down proteins (think leftover poop residue).
- Amylase – breaks down starches from food or snacks.
- Lipase – breaks down fats and oils.
Without enzymes, waste matter may not fully break down, and stains or stink can linger. Enzyme-containing detergents make a huge difference when it comes to washing cloth diapers.
2. Surfactants – The Dirt Lifters
Surfactants are molecules that help lift and suspend dirt, oils, and waste from fabric, allowing water to wash them away. They’re basically the “soapy” part of detergent that helps everything wash out of your diaper’s fibers.
If a detergent has weak or insufficient surfactants, cloth diapers may come out of the wash with buildup and lingering odor.
Together, enzymes and surfactants are your cloth diaper dream team. Which brings us to the problem: some detergents simply miss the mark.
What Makes the Worst Laundry Detergent for Cloth Diapers?
Let’s break it down: the worst laundry detergent for cloth diapers usually falls into one of these categories.
1. Soap-Based “Natural” Detergents
While the word “natural” sounds eco-friendly and safe, many so-called natural detergents are more soap than detergent. Soap doesn’t rinse well in modern washing machines, especially in hard water, and it can leave behind a sticky residue. That residue traps bacteria and urine salts inside your diapers, leading to nasty ammonia smells and reduced absorbency.
Natural detergents also typically lack surfactants and more importantly enzymes which are necessary for removing human waste from soiled cloth diapers.
2. Detergents Without Enzymes
Enzyme-free detergents might seem “gentler” for sensitive skin, but on cloth diapers, they simply don’t work effectively. Without enzymes, the complex organic matter left in diapers (POOP) doesn’t fully break down and wash out. This leads to stains, ongoing odor issues, and diapers that never feel truly fresh.
3. Ultra-Gentle Baby Detergents
Here’s the surprise: some detergents marketed specifically for babies are actually among the worst laundry detergents for cloth diapers. Why? They’re designed to be super mild, which often means they lack the necessary cleaning power, especially the enzymes. These detergents may work for onesies but leave cloth diapers far from clean.
Dreft for example is also highly fragrant. The overbearing fragrance can cover up odor issues with your cloth diaper wash routine and lead to bigger issues over time.
4. Eco-Detergents That Skimp on Surfactants
Not all eco-friendly detergents are bad, but many try so hard to reduce surfactant levels (to minimize environmental impact) that they compromise cleaning power. Cloth diapers need strong surfactants—otherwise, the waste stays put.
How to Recognize the Wrong Detergent
If you’re not sure whether your detergent is the culprit, here are some telltale signs:
- Persistent ammonia smell after your baby pees
- Diapers coming out smelling less-than-fresh even after washing.
- Stiff or crunchy diapers.
- Baby developing frequent diaper rashes or redness.
- Discoloration, staining, or dullness that worsens with each wash.
If any of these sound familiar, you might be using one of the worst laundry detergents for cloth diapers.
Detergents that are NOT approved for washing cloth diapers:
-
- Honest
- Esembly
- Ecos
- Molly's Suds
- Dreft
- Trader Joe's
- Attitude
- Rockin' Green
- Homemade Laundry Soap
What to Look for in the Best Laundry Detergent for Cloth Diapers
Now that we know what doesn’t work, let’s talk about what does. The best laundry detergent for cloth diapers should have:
- A strong enzyme blend – to break down waste, food, and stains.
- Effective surfactants – to lift residue and oils from fabric.
- No fabric softeners or added fragrances – these can coat fibers and irritate sensitive skin.
- Compatibility with hard water – some detergents work better with water softeners if you have mineral-heavy water.
Often, mainstream detergents that are strong enough for heavily soiled laundry also turn out to be the best choice for cloth diapers. Don’t let baby-marketing gimmicks fool you—powerful cleaners are your friend here.
The Bottom Line
Choosing detergent for your cloth diapers isn’t just about fresh laundry—it’s about keeping your baby healthy, comfortable, and rash-free. The worst laundry detergent for cloth diapers often looks gentle, eco-friendly, or baby-safe on the surface, but without enough enzymes and surfactants, they fail where it matters most: breaking down waste and cleaning deep into fabric fibers.
Instead of falling into the trap of soap-based or ultra-mild detergents, focus on finding the best laundry detergent for cloth diapers—one that has a strong cleaning formula and the right ingredients to deal with the unique messes reusable diapers face every single day.
Remember: when it comes to washing cloth diapers, strength really is gentleness. A powerful clean means no buildup, no stink, and no rashes—just fresh, happy, reusable diapers ready for another round.
